A visit to Maximus Athlete’s Shop Cafe is an education of sorts. You’re not just there to complete your triathlon gear (or start it, as the case would be sometimes) or to get a cup of coffee, it becomes a learning experience on its own. If you run into owner Coach Andy Leuterio—a valued contributing editor to 2.O—you’re going to get more than just new stuff and a full, caffeinated body, you get a lesson on what comes when you take something seriously. Sometimes, he might even try to teach you to make your own cup of “good coffee,” as he calls it.
Coach Andy and his wife Sheryll, the brains behind the light and welcoming feel of the store, wanted to take a big chance when it came to opening up a shop of their own. Naming it after their first born, Maximus sets to be a trailblazer in the local retail and cafe scene.
Coach Andy wanted to bring the experience of cycling cafes to the country. These establishments are a much more common thing to see if you’re in Europe or some U.S. cities. “Our concept is it’s a serious tri shop and a serious coffee shop as well. It’s not just an afterthought,” he says.
“We envisioned it as a triathlon cafe, events hall, community center, since I’ve been a triathlete since 2001,” Coach Andy says. “I’ve seen the sport grow into a viable business opportunity and a lifestyle, so when my wife and I decided to set up a bike shop, we wanted to go big right away. You know the bike business is very competitive. If you’re just a small operation, it’s going to be hard to survive. Just go big or go home.”
Let’s talk tri
Going big is definitely evident in Maximus. If you’re a serious triathlete, this store will be paradise for you. If you’re a newbie in the field, you’ll most likely get everything you need here.
Partnering with distributors like Dan’s, Quorum Group, and SPORTS Resources, Inc., this tri store houses bikes from Specialized and Lynskey (which has its own special showroom on the second floor of the store); there are GoPro cameras; Newton Running and Brooks running shoes; Vamos jerseys, caps, and sport socks; CW-X compression wear; Oakley eyewear; Stages Cycling power meters; Garmin, Suunto, and Polar GPS and heart rate monitors; just to name a few. Aside from that, Maximus also offers body geometry fit services, triathlon coaching, and a full-service bike spa.
“When you get a bike we encourage you to get a custom bike fit,” Coach Andy says. “When you say custom bike fit, we adjust the bike to your flexibility and needs. Move the saddle, adjust the bars, change this and that so that the bike becomes an extension of you.”
“We use the body geometry method, which was developed in partnership with Specialized and is used by some of the top professional athletes like Alberto Contador, he’s one of the greatest grand tour riders of our generation,” Coach Andy says as he points to the blown up image of Contador inside Maximus’s fitting studio.
Coffee time
While Maximus is indeed a one-stop shop for all your cycling or triathlon needs, it’s not taking its cafe side lightly either. Joining the third wave coffee trend, this side of the store will have any connoisseur or casual drinker rather excited to grab a cup (or two or three) of coffee.
What do we mean when we say third wave though? Third wave coffee or specialty coffee, according to Coach Andy, focuses more on the story behind the particular single origin coffee or blend that’s used. With specialty coffee, the preparation itself becomes an art form. “It’s not some person pushing buttons…” as Coach Andy says. He’s even encouraging people to start making coffee on their own. Maximus sells starter kits from Hario to help you start making the good stuff.
Now when you talk about single origin coffee, this refers to the practice of the roaster having a specific source for coffee beans, like a specific farm or set of farms. With single origin, because it’s very controlled, the farm and the roaster are able to create a specific taste profile. You’re supposed to drink it as is since it’s already got the flavor it needs.
They source all their coffee from partner #YKW Coffee Roasters. They specialize in premium coffee, which means everything is imported from Brazil or Ethiopia and these are custom roasted locally to deliver specific tastes.
You can get an Americano or Espresso for P100 or a cup of Cold Brew coffee with one refill for P100. You can also get Latte and Iced Latte for P130 and P140, respectively; a Cappucino for P130; and an Affogato for P140. Or if you want to give the custom roasted beans a try, there are Pour-Over drinks for the Ethiopian or Brazilian blends at P140. Or give those a try through the Slow Drip method (which takes six hours to make) that’s priced at P200. There are also sandwiches, pasta, and cake to be enjoyed with the coffee, in case you needed nourishment.
I got to try the Ethiopia Sidamo Hunkute blend that was made by Coach Andy using the Pour-Over method, a Dark Matter Theory Espresso blend, and a cup of the Slow Drip Brazil Rancho Sao Benedito. All were just a treat to the taste buds. For someone who’s used to coffee being just bitter, being able to taste the nuances in the different beans is eye-opening to say the least. And no, I’m not just talking about being caffeinated or over-caffeinated as the case was that afternoon I visited Maximus. I get what Coach Andy means now about good coffee.
“Our aim with the coffee shop is to educate casual clients not yet connoisseurs on what to expect when they say coffee,” he says. “Coffee is taken for granted because you drink it every day… it’s not supposed to be that way.”
“We want to educate people when they say we want a cup of coffee, that they’re not just after the art or the gimmicks, you’re after good coffee,” he adds. “After you’ve tasted good coffee, you’re not going to go back.”
And with those words we get to see how much of a serious cafe, Maximus is. Don’t expect Wi-Fi here. Enjoy your cup and try to talk to the other patrons occupying the small tables and long bars at the center of the store. Live the life outside of your smartphone’s or tablet’s screen for once, you might learn things your gadgets can’t teach you.
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Combining a triathlon concept store and a cafe seems like such a bizarre concept. But seeing it for myself, I can see how it works. It’s not just because someone’s done it someplace else and Coach Andy wants to bring the idea here. It’s more a reflection of the passion and seriousness he approaches the two things he’s passionate about—triathlons and good coffee.
Maximus Athlete’s Shop Café is located in the compound of the Sparta Sports and Recreational Training Arena at 126 Pioneer Street in Mandaluyong. It’s just a few blocks away from Robinson’s Pioneer. Currently in soft opening, they’re open from 11am to 8pm from Monday to Saturday.
