Top 10 Best Coffee Maker for Bike Touring(Portable Coffee Maker): Kick-start Your Cycling Adventure with Cup of Coffee!

One of the things you’ll want to think about is how you are going to get your caffeine fix when you’re on the road, especially if you like to ride long distances. In this article, we will discuss some of the best options for coffee on bike touring, why you need a coffee maker for bike touring and how to choose the best one for your needs.

How can your morning cup of coffee boost your cycling power? In order to get the most out of your morning cup of coffee, you should drink it about 45 minutes before you head out on a ride. A study from the University of Illinois found that participants who drank coffee 45 minutes before a cycling test performed better than those who had not consumed any caffeine.

Another study from the University of Texas suggests that cyclists might benefit from drinking coffee during a break in a long ride.

Most people choose drip coffee makers or pour-over cones for their camping gear. These are easy to store and maintain, but they can be bulky and take up a lot of space in your pack. You’ll want to find a machine that’s compact and lightweight. That’s why I have listed the 10 best coffee makers for bike touring.  

Let’s dive into this; 

A Quick look on the Best Coffee Maker for Bike Touring(Portable Coffee Maker)

A cyclist’s guide to Benefits of Coffee

Before You Get on Your Bike

You’re probably already aware of the energy boost coffee can provide. It is not surprising that many cyclists kick off their rides with a double espresso.

You should have enough energy to overcome your early morning drowsiness with the 100mg caffeine. Caffeine’s energy-enhancing properties can be maximized by avoiding cream or sugar.

Keeps You Going

In cycling, a double espresso shot can speed you up, but more caffeine can help maintain your momentum.

Americanos contain about 150 to 180 mg of caffeine, so a medium one should do the trick. Skimmed milk provides extra protein that will boost energy and maintain muscle performance.

Helps you concentrate and stay focused

Cyclists need to be very focused. In addition to focusing on the power of your foot, you also need to stay focused on the road. You should also be aware of your surroundings. Your cognitive performance is improved by drinking coffee, which allows numerous brain cells to work together to process a variety of information.

It is important for cyclists to maintain balance and optimum coordination between their limbs and eyes while concentrating on speed.

Decreases fatigue in the central nervous system

All of us know that caffeine has mild stimulant properties. Calcium is mobilized in the brain and certain neurotransmitters are inhibited. Furthermore, it increases the production of dopamine and improves blood flow while ensuring proper oxygen and nutrition for the brain.

If you start your cycling adventure with a caffeine boost, your brain will never feel tired.

Why Do You Need a Coffee Maker for Bike Touring?

If you bike tour, you need a portable coffee maker ! I know that might sound like a bold statement, but if you spend any time in the bike touring forums, you’ll see that it’s true. Around camp, everyone has their own method for brewing up a hot cup of joe — but when you’re riding, space and weight is an issue.

When you’re on a long bike tour, you will be spending a lot of time on the road. You’ll need to make sure that your bike is prepared with all the basics. You will also need to ensure that you have enough time to ride the bike, so you won’t be wasting time on other matters. A coffee maker for bike touring can help you out with this.

For most people, the idea of touring on a bike is inviting them to sleep in the mud, eat beans and rice and drink water out of streams. For others, I guess it’s a way to enjoy the scenery while they are pedaling or the thrill of going off-road. If you’re an avid cyclist who happens to be addicted to coffee, then you’ll definitely need a coffee maker for bike touring!

There are many reasons you might want to take a coffee maker on your bike tour. For one, it can be hard to find good coffee in some places. There is also the issue of boiling water for tea or instant coffee. A coffee maker provides an easy way to have fresh brewed hot drinks with you at all times. Moreover, you can boil water in a coffee maker and use it to make cup noodles.

Second, coffee can help with muscle cramps or soreness. The caffeine in coffee relaxes your muscles and helps them recover faster after long rides.

How to Make Coffee Using a Portable Coffee Maker on Bike Touring?

When you bicycle across the country, you’ll be traveling light. You’ll have to carry everything you need on your bike, including a coffee maker and all the necessary ingredients to make your morning cup of Joe. This article is an interesting read for those who are interested in getting their hands dirty and creating a lightweight, portable coffee maker that can make the most of their precious supply of water and grounds.

I’ve put together this article for people who want to improve their cycling experience and at the same time, enjoy good coffee. To understand how to make coffee using a coffee maker on bike touring, we first need to review some basic information about cycling and coffee.

Best Coffee Maker for Bike Touring – In-depth Review

If you have a coffee maker with a carafe, take the carafe with you. If not, then a French press would be the perfect solution for coffee on the go. It’s easy to pack and lightweight but sturdy enough to handle a bumpy ride. Moreover, it doesn’t require electricity. 

You can also use a thermos or vacuum flask to keep your coffee hot for hours. If you’re looking for a quick and easy solution, you can use instant coffee. I prefer to take a portable coffee maker, especially when I am not sure about having easy access to a stove. 

However, the best coffee maker for bike touring will depend on the person and their needs.

Portable Espresso Machine

Pros:

• Easiest and fastest coffee maker to make a great shot of Expresso anywhere
• No fire or other source of heat is required
• Straightforward one-touch button operation
• Compact size, perfect for bike touring
• Extra battery replacement (sold separately)
• No-manual pumping 
• Easy to clean 

Cons:

• A bit pricer compared to other Nespresso makers
• Lacks adapter to make your espresso grounds

ESPRO P1 French Press

Pros:

• Lightweight and compact size 
• No leaks when traveling
• Traditional travel-mug-style coffee maker

Cons:

• Only brew coffee for one person

STARESSO Portable Espresso Machine

Pros:

• Compatible with ground coffee and Nespresso pods
• Super easy to use
• No electricity required to make coffee

Cons:

• Consume more space in your bag compared to other travel size coffee makers

Bialetti Express Moka Pot

Pros:

• Lightweight and durable
• Environmental friendly; Requires no filter paper
• Produce strong yet delicious espresso-like coffee
• Use plain water to clean the pot 
• Has the capacity to make 1 cup of coffee

Cons:

• Awkward shape for backpacking 

BruTrek BaseCamp Coffee Press

Pros:

• The rugged design is suitable for any adventure
• Keep your coffee hot for hours
• No-slip lid
• Perfect for group travel
• No extra filter needed
• Easy to clean and use

Cons:

• A bit heavy compared to other portable designs
• Challenging to screw/unscrew the lid

WACACO Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker Bundled with Protective Case

Pros:

• Delivers delicious coffee with perfect crema 
• The relatively straightforward way to extract the great espresso
• Lightweight and compact size for traveling

Cons:

• Costly 
• A bit time consuming to brew multiple shots of espresso
• Tiny minor parts make it difficult to clean

Coffee Gator all-in-one Travel Coffee Maker 

Pros:

• Convenient and sustainable brewing with no mess
• No need to carry an extra Mug with you
• Travel mugs keep coffee hot for hours
• The metal filter requires no filter paper

Cons:

• May require to preheat the cup to prevent temperature loss on higher altitude

AEROPRESS Coffee and Espresso Maker

Pros:

• Ideal for versatile brewers- brew espresso to Americano 
• Easy to clean
• Great flavor 
• Very portable; consumes less space, makes it perfect for bike touring

Cons:

• Requires special round filters
• No recommend for groups 
• Has the capacity to brew coffee for one person only at a time

Handpresso Wild Hybrid Espresso Machine

Pros:

• Operate via a pump – No electricity or batteries requires 
• Compact size and durable material makes it easy to carry anywhere
• Produce surprisingly high-quality espresso 

Cons:

• Lacks capability of warming water
• It makes only one liquid ounce at a time 

CONQUECO Portable Espresso Maker Travel Coffee Maker

Pros:

• An ideal shape for traveling 
• One button operation 
• Compatible with hot or cold water 
• It fits in most of the cup holders
• Easy to clean 

Cons:

• Battery lasts only for 3 hours if used with cold water
• Only uses pods
• It May require preheating the water separately to save the battery from draining 

Things to Look for While Buying the Best Coffee Maker for bike touring

If you already have a preferred brewing method, then you can skip this part. For those, who are looking for a coffee maker for bike touring, here are a few things that you should consider; 

Portability

A portable coffee maker is an ideal option if you are hauling all your gear in your backpack. The lightweight coffee maker is easy to carry and also consumes less space. You can also go for a slightly bulkier option, I.e., Aeropress, if you want a perfect cup of tea.

I prefer to take the Aeropress coffee maker on bike touring. Especially when I have some insane hiking spots on my hit list, I cannot compromise on coffee intensity and flavor. 

Capacity

A single serving device is ideal for brewing one or two cups of coffee. A coffee maker that brews at least 3 to 6 cups for large groups is a great option. Battery-operated coffee makers can quickly produce several shots of espresso in a single charge. 

Coffee maker type

If you have access to the stove, you can go for any coffee maker. If not, then I suggest you go for a battery-operated coffee maker. Most of them have BPA-free plastic cups, so you won’t have to carry an extra cup with you. Take a few fully charged batteries for non-stop brewing. That’s what I do. But make sure that the battery is easily replaceable and not fixed. 

Accessible Supplies

When on bike touring, do you have access to the stove? Does your device require a stove? Do you already have a small backpacking stove to boil water? Or do you want a battery-operated coffee maker? Do you have to carry a separate mug? How much water do you need to clean the coffee maker? I suggest you consider all these factors before laying a hand on a coffee maker for bike touring. 

Additional factors

I have seen many people neglect these factors and focus on price or size while buying a portable coffee maker for traveling. How many scoops of coffee do you need to produce one shot of espresso? Do you need filter paper? How much time does it require to brew one cup of coffee?

These are some additional factors that play an essential role in my opinion. 

Aeropress vs. French Press vs. Pour over vs. Moka pot or more; which coffee brew method is best for bike touring?

1. French press: One of the most famous brewing methods used worldwide

What do I like about French Press?

It is easy to use as it has only two parts. You don’t need extra filters. Pouring is also simple. You don’t need any brewing equipment. Lastly, it is an inexpensive coffee maker or pouring kettles. 

What I don’t like about French Press

The only downside is brewing takes a long and is not suitable if you want instant coffee. It is somehow hard to clean. For great taste, you will have to brew it for a really long time. Otherwise, it will lack flavor and intensity. 

2. Pour-over: Another convenient method to brew coffee within 2-4 minutes

How does it work?

To brew coffee, you will have to pour hot water over a coffee mass in the brewer. Got water percolates over the coffee and extracts the entire flavor. You will need a paper, cloth, or metal mesh to filter grounds. 

What I like about Pour over method?

Coffee is clean, all thanks to filtration paper. You will have control over the brewing process, and it’s an affordable machine. 

What I don’t like about Pour over method

The only downside is it’s complicated to learn brewing techniques for tasteful coffee. You will need better equipment i.e., brewing kettles. You will need hot water to make coffee, and it is sometimes impossible to have access to hot water on bike touring. 

3. Clever Dripper method: is a combination of Pour over and French press

You can freely play with the grind size. You don’t need any specific tools or a brewing kettle to produce coffee. It’s hard to clean the bottom of a clever stopper. 

4. Aero press: is a pressurized immersion brewer.

It is one of the famous coffee makers for bike touring, camping, and traveling. It has three essential parts; a chamber, a plunger, and a basket. You will have to apply pressure from your hands, and it takes up to 2 minutes to make coffee. 

What I like about it

It is probably, travel-friendly and doesn’t easily break. It brews coffee quickly. 

What I don’t like about it

The only downside is you can brew up to 250 ml of coffee. It will take days to get used to it. Compared to pour-over coffee, it is a bit cloudy. 

5. Moka pot: got very popular all around the world over the years

It also consists of 3 parts. Unlike other pouring methods, you don’t require additional tools to brew coffee. The water heats up inside the Moka pot and ideal coffee marker for bike touring and campaigning.

What I don’t like about it

 It is difficult to control the brewing process and needs extra precautions because you are working with boiling water. That’s the only downside it has.

If you have easy access to the stove, you can go for any brewing method. For a group of people, the Moka pot or pour-over coffee method works great. If you are traveling alone, I recommend you go for Aero Press or a portable coffee maker to enjoy instant coffee.

Tips to Brew Delicious Coffee

Since we have compared all the possible brewing methods, it’s time to reveal a little secret. The taste of coffee depends on what kind of coffee you are using to brew, regardless of the brewing. You choose. 

Yes! You have heard right. A coffee brewer or machine will not enhance the taste of your coffee. Instead of going for an expensive coffee machine, I recommend going for excellent quality coffee beans.

Here are some parameters that you must consider before buying coffee beans;

• Freshness
• Quality 
• Roast level 

It is essential what kind of coffee grade you are using. Coffee ages and lose its flavor over time. If you know when the coffee was roasted, don’t wait for too much to brew it. Lastly, the roast level varies from method to method. Each brewing technique has different styles and roast levels. So, you may need to experiment a few times to extract the perfect coffee. 

I prefer to grind my coffee manually for a few minutes before brewing it. It maintains the richness and coffee potential. That’s what I believe in, based on my experience. You can use an electric or manual coffee grinder. 

The best bike touring coffee maker? My personal opinion

An Aeropress coffee maker is my personal favorite choice to brew a great cup of coffee while on tour. I like darkly roasted coffee beans. If left for about 3-5 minutes before pressing it down, Aeropress produces a well-brewed roast bean shot of espresso. For me, there’s a sweetness to satisfy my caffeine addiction. 

So what’s your favorite coffee maker for touring? Let me know in the comment section below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

All gear up to brew some coffee? You will need to satisfy your caffeine craving while on tour. When your energy is getting low, simply take out your portable coffee maker and brew a shot of espresso. 

By following our guidelines, you can find that best coffee maker for bike touring that suits your requirements by looking for durability, affordability, and space.