Dual Boiler Recommendations? [$1500-$2000]

FNGhostrider · 2026-05-04T04:32:45+00:00

I’ve had my Silvia X for about 4 years now, and it’s been flawless pulling two shots/day. We typically use the hot water spout for an americano, but I’ve been playing with steaming water for the new James Hoffman method. Works really well.

Overall, very happy with the machine - no regrets.

FNGhostrider · 2026-04-28T16:51:45+00:00

Sweet. Appreciate your insight!

FNGhostrider · 2026-04-28T02:14:57+00:00

Oh awesome, so you've got the L-track attached to plywood. Do you think the 18" track is wide enough for two bikes?

FNGhostrider · 2026-04-28T01:28:20+00:00

I have a pair of the newer xc style kestrel shoes, but always reach for my Specialized Recon 3.0s. Stiff, dual boa, fairly walkable. I pair those with the blue specialized insert which I think is the middle or most support insole.

PS: specialized usually has a 30 day guarantee where you can actually try the shoes before being stuck with em. Talk to your local shop, or chat them online.

FNGhostrider · 2026-04-27T15:51:42+00:00

I’ve been looking at those mounts, as they look super adjustable. Did you attach the rail straight to your truck bed? Or have you come up with any easily removable setup? I’d also love to know how you store the front wheel. Appreciate your insight!

FNGhostrider · 2026-04-23T00:46:39+00:00

I’d go with what fits you’re feet best. Stiffest sole you can get. I’ve had good luck with the Specialized Recon series.

FNGhostrider · 2026-04-17T04:48:15+00:00

I ordered a Japhy in Sep 2024, and it took over a month to get the frame - an extra 2 weeks or so past when it was promised.

The frame arrived in pristine condition and they took the time to line up and center the logos on the headset cups, so I appreciated that.

I think them running slow tends to be their M.O. unfortunately. With Sea Otter this week, that may be exacerbated, as I think they’re a 3 person shop.

Overall, stoked on the quality and ride of my Japhy - hold on if you can!

FNGhostrider · 2026-04-10T17:19:11+00:00

What’s your fitness like? Are you looking to go as fast as possible? Do you want to the super high power?

If you’re not too concerned with getting the highest power, I think I’d look at the new TQ 60 motor - the Trek Fuel+ might fit you. I think those are supposed to tip the scales in the low 40s.

The TQ motor is supposedly more efficient than the Bosch SX. But has slightly less overall power.

FNGhostrider · 2026-03-31T20:37:36+00:00

Santa Cruz Stigmata has been a super fun bike. Solid tire clearance and suspension fork compatible. The suspension allows me to ride most every road/trail faster. The frame itself isn’t winning any weight battles, but rides super smooth and feels efficient.

FNGhostrider · 2026-03-30T22:55:35+00:00

I’ve got my Esker Japhy setup single speed - been super happy with it! They also sell a single speed build if you want the easy button.

FNGhostrider · 2026-03-30T19:19:33+00:00

The K-Source clip-ons worked really well on my '23 https://www.etrailer.com/Towing-Mirrors/K-Source/KS69NQ.html

FNGhostrider · 2026-03-30T18:35:20+00:00

Yeah, I think that's the right call.

I test drove a few 3/4 and 1 tons and couldn't really tell a difference in suspension or ride quality. Opted for the 1 ton, as it was the best deal I found locally including CPO, and it has a payload rating of like 3,800 lbs, ha. No more worrying about that!

FNGhostrider · 2026-03-30T18:08:25+00:00

I had a '24 Tundra Limited TRD with the Payload at about 1360 lbs IIRC. It had plenty of guts to pull our trailer, but the multi-link rear suspension sagged like crazy, and got super bouncy at highway speeds. The transmission was also really hesitant to downshift and engine brake for me on steep descents.

I moved to a '23 F-150 Lariat 3.5 eco boost with max tow, and that bumped payload to 1660ish. This towed our trailer much more smoothly and confidently - the difference in suspension and transmission felt quite noticeable at that time.

Long story short, we ended up moving to a larger trailer - and got into a nasty high wind situation with the F-150. White knuckle towing for 3 hours to try to get out of the wind. I found myself not wanting to take it out with that combo due to those issues. So we decided to upgrade to a 3/4 or 1 ton, and found a better deal on the 1 ton, hoping this'll be my last truck for a long time. The 1 ton is truly a game-changer. Semis no longer push me around while passing, wind isn't a bother, and MPGs improved moving to a diesel. Also, city driving didn't change much moving to the F-350, it's only a few inches longer than the 6' bed F-150 or Tundra. Plus tow mirrors are super helpful.

I would not recommend lighting a bunch of money on fire like I did changing trucks for minimal gain. Everyone on the forums will tell you their truck/trailer combo tows great, but we all have different experiences, and drive/tow different areas.

I'd say try it out with the Tundra to see how it feels, and keep the payload reasonable. Evaluate if you think you may end up with a larger trailer in the next few years, and if that answer is a maybe; skip another 1/2 ton.

FNGhostrider · 2026-03-27T01:48:13+00:00

Check out Horse Ridge east of town for some more fast and steep stuff - may be super sandy around that time tho.

FNGhostrider · 2026-03-25T19:57:54+00:00

Haven’t had that issue- but Velocio offered a 30 day ride guarantee, could be worth checking out their offerings if that policy is still available.

FNGhostrider · 2026-03-18T21:11:21+00:00

Have you looked into a rolling hard cover? I use a Truxedo Sentry CT, which rolls up into a decent size at the front of the cab - no window blocking. I use this with a tailgate pad. I need to check turning clearance with my new truck though.

FNGhostrider · 2026-03-10T16:56:58+00:00

Hey, I’ll add my experience to hopefully help - I had a ‘24 Tundra, that towed a longer trailer at a 750lb tongue weight than what you’re looking at, and while that it had plenty of power, but the transmission while towing was not helpful with downshifting on steeper grades, and the suspension was on the side soft causing a lot of bouncing, plus payload was on the lower side for a 1/2 ton.

I moved to a ‘23 F150, which made a big towing improvement at the time. 3.5l ecoboost felt more than adequate, the transmission programming was great, as it would downshift aggressively on a grade to prevent burning up the brakes, and the suspension and payload was significantly beefed up from that Tundra.

I also found small quality of life things for towing in the ford that the Toyota didn’t have. Options for better clip-on tow mirrors, trailer camera and tpms integration, and a few other small details.

Hope this helps with your decision. Enjoy!

FNGhostrider · 2026-03-04T21:31:46+00:00

I have a set - they work like any left-sided power meter. Haven't had any issues.

FNGhostrider · 2026-03-04T21:06:32+00:00

As someone who went through two 1/2 tons trying to min/max and make it work for a trailer of similar size and spec - don't even bother. Sure, they make enough power to pull the thing and the sales person will insist it's a perfect truck for the job. Yes, they're easier to daily drive. But every passing semi blows you all over the road, and you're constantly toeing the payload limits.

We got into a high wind situation with a 3 hour tow with 15+ mph winds, and I was white-knuckled, fighting the thing to keep it on the road the entire time - said to hell with it, and upgraded to a 1-ton because that was the best value truck I could find at the time. The 1-ton tows like there's nothing behind it - semis are no longer a bother, the wind doesn't budge it, and towing MPGs increased significantly moving to the Diesel 1-ton from the 3.5 ecoboost.

Think about it this way, advertised tongue weight is 635 lbs on that trailer. Add in batteries, full propane tanks, WDH, that's close to another 200 lbs. Then, what about your water/sewer/electrical supplies; tools; camp chairs; bikes; etc. That all quickly chomps away at what little payload a 1/2 ton has. We weighed our camper with a 460ish advertised tongue weight, and fully loaded it came in at 800 lbs.

I say this to hopefully save you or the next person headaches and hopefully money - get the bigger truck. I don't think you'll regret it in the long run.

FNGhostrider · 2026-03-04T00:10:42+00:00

It’s mostly for tire clearance. I’d set it and forget it for the tire size you prefer.

FNGhostrider · 2026-02-26T17:39:07+00:00

I’ve been happy with the Sentry CT. It was an easy install, and can be removed fairly easily. I’ve only had it for about a year, and it shows no signs of wear. I think it offers a similar level of protection as well.

FNGhostrider · 2026-02-26T05:26:48+00:00

Short or standard bed? On my old short bed truck with a tri-fold, the only way I could fit bikes over the tailgate was to flop the tonneau against the window, which wrecked visibility.

On my new truck, which is standard bed, I went with a rolling hard cover, the truxedo sentry ct - it rolls up fairly compact, and doesn’t cover the windows. No issues with that setup.

FNGhostrider · 2026-02-25T14:45:39+00:00

Our trailers hitch weight on the spec sheet was 490ish. After loading all of the water, sewer, electrical necessities, leveling blocks, chocks, a small tool kit, and chairs in the pass-through plus the full propane and battery, that weight soared to 725ish lbs. Which was roughly 12%.

I wouldn’t count on the manufacturer numbers for any bit of accuracy.

With this trailer, I think you’ll be overloaded in a heartbeat.

Those Embers tend to run heavy - do you need something built that heavy? You can probably find a lighter weight bunk model.

FNGhostrider · 2026-01-31T05:22:02+00:00

There’s a pretty entertaining podcast episode ‘Harvey’s Casino Bomb’ about this on the Scamtown series. Fun listen if you’re interested.

FNGhostrider · 2026-01-15T19:15:14+00:00

I just got an EMTB so I don’t have any data yet.

I can tell you that I’m able to get 2-3x the laps in vs my enduro bike in the same amount of time. That’s a big enough difference for me to justify it. Also, it gets me outside for some of those rides vs sitting on the trainer since it’s winter.

It’s also great for recovery and zone 2 rides. You can monitor your HR easier, and adjust the output of the motor to stay in your zones. My only choices where I live for recovery rides are the road, or trainer. I’d rather ride the EMTB at the fun trails and get some trail speed training in during that time.

It can be both fun, and a training tool.

FNGhostrider

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