Has anyone heard any rumors of a Niche Zero v2 and if so, what improvements are being contemplated. I haven’t heard anything so I do not wish to stir up unfounded rumors. Just curious.

I have no idea, but if it ain’t broke…. It still gets talked about as having about the best workflow around. I’m sure they’d be working on improvements in the background but until the Niche has been bettered by a competitor then it’s probably not worthwhile making minor changes.

i think it speaks volumes for niche that every new grinder that comes out gets labelled as ‘niche killer’ i know some are not a fan, but when you look at the price point of the niche theres nothing to rival it.

Niche Zero V2 ?

dfk41

MediumRoastSteam In all honesty, I prefer this technique to other marketing techniques such as, for example, the one used for the Londinium Vectis: They advertise a new product, they set expectations of a release date, and as years pass by, excuses upon excuses are given on why it has been delayed. In summary: Best not to create expectations. 😀

In all honesty though matey, one firm has a track record of delivering, one has just the opposite.

Ernie1

I know it’s so subjective but even as a flat burr fan I’d buy one if it got a new design.

I’ve been so close to buying a Niche over the past couple of years as the benefits makes a lot of sense but try as I might, I don’t like how it looks.

Most grinders seem to be designed around their function, Dieter Rams style, whereas the Niche feels like it tries a bit too hard to look nice.

A zero retention flat with the Niche’s ease of adjustment and price point would also be great though.

tompoland

Ernie1 A (1) zero retention flat with (2) the Niche’s ease of adjustment and (3) price point

I’m sure that’s a Moca SD I can see sitting in the Swiss Alps with your name on it…

(2 out of 3 is not bad.)

Amberale

Ernie1

I agree about the styling on the Niche, it has always seemed a mismatch of star wars styling with timber accents.
Purely personal.
I wonder whether the ACS grinder shown at Rimini is a 64mm flat or conical.

Ernie1

tompoland

Literally the only reason I haven’t got one on the way is because I’d have a Cremina on the way too. And then I’d probably be looking for a new wife also.

Cuprajake

tompoland its only small burr is it not?

i know sworks do a flat bur conversion for the niche but im pretty certain there a 10mm burr (jk)

Nightrider_1uk

Ernie1 And then I’d probably be looking for a new wife also.

Hmmm, Really. I love my wife to bits, but i’d never want to replace her.

tompoland

Cuprajake 64mm flat so a reasonable size…

https://coffeetime.freeflarum.com/blog/1253-olympia-moca-sd-first-looks-review-november-2022

Inspector

Amberale

If it is this one below, 64mm flat it is.

https://www.carousell.sg/p/latest-64mm-flat-burr-single-dosing-coffee-grinder-sd64-from-the-makers-of-turin-sd40-gloss-white-1189155954/

DavecUK

Amberale 64 mm flat with TiN coated blind burrs. It actually works OK.

Ernie1

Amberale

Glad there’s at least two of us that aren’t keen on the styling!

I’ve been a designer by trade for 20 years so I’m probably overly picky. I just like stuff that feels a bit more timeless. The E61, Eames chairs, Triumph twins, Leica rangefinders, Rolex Submariners. Stuff that looks as good today as it did 50 years ago.

It’s why I have the fondness for Mahlkönig and Mazzer. For me, the only others I really think look great are probably the Moca and the HG-1.

I do think the gen 2 Ode looks pretty good for the money although probably not zero retention or really viable for espresso.

Id be surprised if the Niche v2 did get a drastic restyle as love it or hate it, it’s become fairly iconic by this point.

Amberale

DavecUK

Drats, my P64 is still filling that spot nicely.

Cuprajake

For those who don’t like the styling I’ve seen a few painted niche, could do a camo job so it blends in 😂

Styling is to personal a choice for me, there are some pretty ugly bits of espresso equipment but they will appeal to some one,

The niche has grown on me from owning it, I was very skeptical at first

I’ve actually owned one before and sold it and when with the major.

But I find the conical compliment the flat,

Amberale

Cuprajake

I am wavering between spending a couple of grand on my V0.1 HG-1 (Burrs and WUG) or waiting for a conical equivalent to the Niche.
🤔

Cuprajake

fair old chunk of money.

did you mean flat equivalent?

Amberale

Cuprajake

Yes, $$ but I’ve got the HG-1 already.
Yes, I want a Niche equivalent that suits my styling tastes.

ajohn

It seems Mr Niche is a or had been a freelance designer for consumer goods where looks will always be considered. ;) Other grinders - the looks more or less just happened, LOL Eg

Functionally both are good for their intended use. One hopper on, one for weighing in. Adjusting the mini is not the easiest of things to do. The same could be said for the majority of grinders that could replace the mini. Niche could have used a machined up length of tube for the body with other machined up or cast bits on the end.

I wonder if anything else has matched Niche for retention?

Talk of burrs - ;) applies to all grinders.

tompoland

ajohn I wonder if anything else has matched Niche for retention?

There are a couple that I know of.

The Olympia Moca SD. At least, it’s been better on my espresso bench. The Niche is exceptionally low retention but the Moca SD is even better.

To clarify: My experience of the niche as well as the Weber EG-1 was that the retention was pretty darned good at around 0.3 g but every now then they would simply drop a significant sized clump of coffee out and the Moca SD does not do that.

Benchtop handgrinders such as the Malwani Livi are also amongst the best because there is no chute or anything else (literally) between the burrs and the catch cup. But not everyone can be bothered with hand grinding.

Moca SD here: https://coffeetime.freeflarum.com/blog/1253-olympia-moca-sd-first-looks-review-november-2022

Livi here: https://coffeetime.freeflarum.com/blog/1341-malwani-livi-seven-month-review-december-2022

Ernie1

Nightrider_1uk

I just meant I’m not sure if she’d be over the moon if I bought a second espresso machine.

MediumRoastSteam

Ernie1 - on that topic… I have already warned my wife a new grinder is arriving, as a friend kindly offered to lend me a flat burr grinder. Her response was none. Her expression did not change. The only thing I detected was her eyes rolling…. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Nightrider_1uk

Ernie1 I just meant I’m not sure if she’d be over the moon if I bought a second espresso machine.

Yeh I got that, I was just replying tongue in cheek

Ernie1

MediumRoastSteam

😂😂

I’m lucky as she loves her coffee, to the point she’ll say things like ‘got a coffee on my lunch break today and it was cr*p compared to what we have at home.

So I have a bit of wiggle room, could swing a second grinder I reckon but yeah, I’d be packing my bags if a second espresso machine turned up.

Inspector

MediumRoastSteam :) df64?

thewelshvet

MediumRoastSteam

Surely it’ll be mitigated by moving on the roaster soon?!