Londinium I Lever Espresso Machine

Kelsey · October 2012

I'd be interested in that. I reckon there wouldn't be much between them - down to very personal preferences in each case. Someone sells these rubber and SS cup warmer sheets that are designed to protect your machine from scratches. One of those would hold the cups in place without the rails.

conikal · October 2012

Yes, another vote for the comparison review , ..but i would also like to see the Fracino "Retro" lever included also.. Same group, same manufacturer, similar price ... but little review info available ?

Ol Grumpy · October 2012

Oh Yeah.... Bring on the review... Strega, QM & L1 Lets invite KK, Lacehim and an International Judge... Reiss? To battle it out! Shots at 10 paces anyone? Perhaps, "Who's got the biggest spring? Or who has the best phallic handle mod...? Yeah, Nah we will need an Umpire to keep the peace... I vote Galumay he'll keep Em honest! Dammit lets chuck the Izzo in- just for interest sake... Go the God Shot! Anyone wanna give me odds on the last man standing? What a hoot! :bloodbath

Koffee_Kosmo · October 2012

Happy to be involved But it's rare for me not to pull a super shot as its normal day to day :stir :stir KK

conikal · October 2012

Reiss, I have only just noticed that the distinctive sexy "twisted" lever arm that you teased us with on the prototype, has not made it on to the production m/c's ?? :'( ??? :'(

Brett H · October 2012

on 1351472949:

I'd be interested in that. I reckon there wouldn't be much between them - down to very personal preferences in each case. Someone sells these rubber and SS cup warmer sheets that are designed to protect your machine from scratches. One of those would hold the cups in place without the rails.

Or... For $1.80 you can buy a silicone pot-holder from K-mart and cut it to fit because not all machines have he same cup-warmer/heating vent configuration :thumb: I really don't mind sending retailers $20 reduced from $30 but seriously??? Old Grumpy, I think you are getting a little too excited... Perhaps a switch to decaf for a while?? :stir

Kelsey · October 2012

I was using something similar - heat resistant beaded rubber mesh from Clark rubber.... but it actually left a slight stain/imprint in the SS that was a PITA to get out... and if left long term, who knows?

Brett H · October 2012

on 1351494380:

I was using something similar - heat resistant beaded rubber mesh from Clark rubber.... but it actually left a slight stain/imprint in the SS that was a PITA to get out... and if left long term, who knows?

Ya needed to spend the big buck like me and go for silicone kitchenware. :rofl:

Kelsey · October 2012

Because I don't already spend too much time obsessing about kitchenware!

Lacehim · October 2012

I just thought this might be of interest to everyone on here. Reiss has loaned a Londinium for review, hopefully more will be posted as Glenn gets to grips with the machine (he's using a Vario too!). I was expecting a video by now! Mods, I hope this link is okay, it's a direct link to the review on another forum. http://coffeeforums.co.uk/showthread.php?7632-LONDINIUM-I-spring-lever-espresso-machine Reiss if your still taking an interest here, can you advise if/when a nakid group handle will be available? I assume that it will fit my Quick Mill because they use the same group.

Kelsey · October 2012

They're certainly generating some buzz, good on 'em.

Lacehim · October 2012

I found much improvement is having my machine up higher at around 1m+. I wonder if the Londinium would be the same? 900mm just felt awkward, but I'm 6ft1.

Kelsey · October 2012

Not ideal, I'd guess - but do-able and something you'd get used to. Or build the muscles pretty fast! I was surprised at the heft required to pull down the Achilles lever.

Caffeinated · October 2012

on 1351468116:

No. There is no cup rail to keep your cups on there, BUT you can stick cups on the top. if you want to keep them warm. The little cover at the back is for filling the tank, so you'll need access to that.

Yes. The Giotto is similar as I remember. I still don't get why you wouldn't want one. I like this machine, but I will plumb it in if I buy one so it would not have a tank. Without some sort of cup rail, it seems to me that it is a recipe for broken cups. I guess it will be a job for the retrofitters. More thinking to do.

conikal · October 2012

on 1351630239:

Without some sort of cup rail, it seems to me that it is a recipe for broken cups. I guess it will be a job for the retrofitters. More thinking to do.

If you read the Londinium blog ( or the other posts in this thread,) you will see that Reiss has explained why there is no cup rail. Maybe you could think where /how else to store your cups. ?

Caffeinated · October 2012

on 1351632066:

If you read the Londinium blog ( or the other posts in this thread,) you will see that Reiss has explained why there is no cup rail. Maybe you could think where /how else to store your cups. ?

Yes. Maybe I could or maybe I would like them safe and warm. Sorry. I haven't read all of the hundreds of responses in this thread or 56 pages of blog yet. The only reference I could find on a quick scan was that it heats up quickly. I can't see what that has to do with it? It wouldn't stop me from buying one, but I would have it modified if I do. I think the top of a machine makes sense for cup storage.

Lacehim · October 2012

Reiss was concerned that the cup rail would get damaged during transit around the world. He's got more experience in these things that I do, but I will say my Quick Mill came all the way from Italy via Victoria with a cup rail and it didn't get any damage.

Caffeinated · October 2012

Really? I'm surprised by that. Anyone here have a machine which arrived with damaged cup rails? Couldn't this be solved by finding the right packaging? ::)

conikal · October 2012

Yes, I wasn't convinced by the "damage" reasoning.... ..however, Reiss's other point was about the very short warm up time for a domestic m/c allowing it to be switched on only when needed rather than left on all day...that means that whilst the m/c may be ready to brew in 15 mins, any cups on the top wont be warmed up that fast, hence preventing it being a useful cup warmer.... in normal domestic use.

Brett H · October 2012

I like the look of it without cup rails... Seriously! I have also had a machine damaged in transit so I think anything is possible!

Kelsey · October 2012

What's been clear to me, not just in this thread but in my own purchases also, is that there's no one machine for everyone. Reiss has got clear ideas about the machine he wants to produce and that includes both the functional and the aesthetic. He's had to backpedal a couple of times also, which can't be fun when he's put himself out there quite as far as he has. As someone who likes the look of cups on my machine, I appreciate the cup tray. If I decided the Londinium I was the machine for me, would I let it put me off? But I definitely understand why some of the other choices are deal breakers for others. And when you're spending $2+K on a machine you get to be picky! :D

Kelsey · November 2012

I know a few people were interested in seeing how the Londinium I flex test would compare under the load of a full portafilter - although a little hard to tell for sure, this new vid seems to demonstrate so little flex as to be imperceptible. [embed=425,349]<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iBrYmLtqkWI"; frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/embed]

Kelsey · November 2012

This one's a bit better, demos the pump noise also - which seems to be about on par with my machine or a little quieter.... tho clearly much, much shorter in duration. I can't see any flex going on. [embed=425,349]<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-p3qqNADfs8"; frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>[/embed]

Glenn · November 2012

I've got a LONDINIUM I on my bench and there is no flex at all. You can put a lot of stress on the group with no movement. Rather than the machine flex, you've got more chance of moving it along the bench (with brute force) Hopefully in some of the videos I have taken and placed on the review thread on my forum you'll be able to see how rock solid this machine really is. The machine is also very stable and without ballast sits nicely on the counter and even when extracting. I will be taking more videos next week (when back from a weekend trip to Turkey) Great to see the photos were well received. I took them at the Londinium Espresso roastery when I collected the machine for review. I have the machine for another week or so before I will have to (very reluctantly) give it back.

Kelsey · November 2012

There was a bit of discussion regarding bench height requirements for lever machines - Lacehim's Achille definitely seems to need a great deal of force to get the lever down and he's had to put it up to about 1100ml bench height to get it comfortable. The videos that Reiss has put up seem like they're using a more 'normal' bench height and don't have much trouble getting the lever down. What's your experience been so far?

Lacehim · November 2012

on 1351729074:

There was a bit of discussion regarding bench height requirements for lever machines - Lacehim's Achille definitely seems to need a great deal of force to get the lever down and he's had to put it up to about 1100ml bench height to get it comfortable. The videos that Reiss has put up seem like they're using a more 'normal' bench height and don't have much trouble getting the lever down. What's your experience been so far?

Maybe they go to the Gym. I've certainly found it easier to do now, but the QM has 2 springs, where as the Londinium has 1. What difference that makes is a debate for another thread. You can't quite see Glenn's hand near the end of the pull, but I found if it's lower you want to turn your hand around and push the lever down the last bit, which is pretty dangerous considering the force in these levers. Now that the machine is on a bench at 1.05m the pull is just that, a pull, and much easier to manage. Just my opinion but I'm very glad I took BFs advice and put it on a higher bench. Edit: Sorry forgot to say Hello Glenn. Great to see you here. I'm the same Lacehim that asked you about your Vario. I've since mastered it a bit, my tamp needed lots of work!

Glenn · November 2012

I'm 5'4" so bench height is not an issue for me. The lever action is very smooth and no hand adjustment is required to hold the lever down for the preinfusion. I'd say a normal bench height is fine for the machine unless you're really tall. The Vario is working well, and I have found I'm using less coffee (about a gram per shot less) for each extraction than I do on other machines.

Koffee_Kosmo · November 2012

I personally wish the Londinium all the best in its debut And if I did not already have a Bezzera Strega I would be tempted Unless its been addressed already ? The only issues that I see is supply and or delays in delivery Once the Londinium machines are out in the wild and users find them to be a unique well built and also produce the goods in the cup then the demand may outstrip supply Again all the best KK

lespresso · November 2012

First run in production now Shipping Friday 16 November Coming with DHL Express there is a good chance you will receive your LONDINIUM I on Thursday 22 November Cheers! Reiss.

Kelsey · November 2012

Also worth noting is Glenn's Flickr stream from that thread, fully of shiny boiler goodness: http://www.flickr.com/photos/getnoticed/sets/72157631845756185/

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