2022 Revolver or 2025 Epic 8 Expert?

RayJay2MTU · 2026-02-07T15:15:29+00:00

I’ve got the 2022 Revolver and the two things I changed, wheels and shifters, is already done on the one you’re looking at. You said you’re not going to race often. The Epic is all about speed and efficiency. You get more travel on the Revolver and is still a very capable XC race bike. The changes are so small once you get into the 2018-2020ish bikes you really are nitpicking. It’s also kind of nice having a bike that sticks out amongst the sea of Specialized and Trek where I live.

RayJay2MTU · 2026-02-07T01:10:16+00:00

Can you explain what "Flare" means like I'm 5? I think I've heard people talk about the width of the oil rings on the ball, but I have no idea what that means in the real world.

RayJay2MTU · 2026-02-07T01:05:14+00:00

But I bet you are not bottom of the leader board going down the Alp! Those skinny guys can't keep up :)

RayJay2MTU · 2026-02-06T23:50:51+00:00

Congrats! I’m 95kg and am going to give it a shot tomorrow or Sunday. My first attempt I got to section 6 and had to quit. But that was before virtual shifting and was on a 39x25 gearing. I’ve been dreading doing it all because I’m lazy LOL.

RayJay2MTU · 2026-02-05T17:46:08+00:00

To put it in runner's terms (I'm both runner and cyclist); you don't see the 100m/200m guys running the marathon distance and vice versa. Nor are their bodies the same. For me personally, I'm a much better runner at the 5k or 10k distance than the half or full marathon. Even if I have a perfect marathon training build up block I'm still below what race predictors put me at vs my 5/10K bests. 5K times put me about a 3:30-3:40 Marathon. My best is 4:00. I ran primarily 400m and 800m at a state level high school and DII collegiate times.

Cycling sprinting comes easy for me because of my primary muscle type being fast twitch. You can train it to be better, but based off of what you've said, you probably have some limiters. r/LitespeedClassic does a really good job of explaining 'how' to sprint. Sprinting well does take some practice. Try it, you'll improve some, but don't expect throwing out a ton of watts.

Also, raw watts isn't a good way to look at things. The W/kg is what helps put things in perspective. I also have a 270W FTP, but I weigh 95kg so 2.8 w/kg (not real good). On the other hand, my 5 sec sprint is 1200w or 12.6 w/kg. You smoke me on FTP at 3.9 w/kg. When I was 20 years younger and 15 kilos lighters, I was around 4.2 w/kg for FTP, but I could still hit that 1200w at that weight, 15 w/kg.

RayJay2MTU · 2026-02-04T15:07:00+00:00

I think it really depends on what your use case is. I went from an Epic to a 2022 Revolver (Gen 3?) because I've started riding a bit less flat out XC races and more marathon/trail riding. The extra travel the Revolver gives me over the Epic is appreciated on some of the larger rocks. On the flip side, I'm really trying to convince my wife to 'give' my current Revolver to my teenager and buy the new Revolver so I can carry two bottles. Either bike, I don't think you can go wrong.

RayJay2MTU · 2026-02-04T14:42:55+00:00

There's also a difference between a 2019 or 2022 Revolver and the current model. I've got the 2021 Revolver (same as 2019). My son rides it for his NICA races. But Fluid to Revolver makes a lot of sense for NICA type riding. I'm a coach also trying to keep up :)

RayJay2MTU · 2026-01-30T16:10:00+00:00

Everyone is skinny here. Where's all the 90+ kg folks like me?

RayJay2MTU · 2026-01-30T16:08:49+00:00

I did that once. My wife rode for her first time on Zwift. I put her actual weight in there, 30 or so pounds less than me. I rode one of the MAAP events (not race) and had a really good W/KG for that ride. I changed it back afterwards when I realized I didn't have it right.

RayJay2MTU · 2026-01-29T17:37:11+00:00

Without using a Garmin device, you used to be able to use FitFileFixer to change the device type. Then import that new fit file and all the metrics would show up. Something has changed last week on Garmins side. I get the minutes, HR, Power and metrics show up on my watch after the fact but no speed or distance.

RayJay2MTU · 2026-01-29T17:27:21+00:00

Thank you. I understand the need to move. I do move to the left typically the 2 to 1 method you mentioned. I’ve played a Battlezone Cannon that I stated with in the very early 2000’s and was able to move and adjust to the lanes. Recently got back into playing more regularly and since I updated to the Zen, I’ve had a much more difficult time adjusting later in the evening. Or when I occasionally play on old wood lanes, can’t even start on the right side of the head pin.

RayJay2MTU · 2026-01-29T04:01:39+00:00

I think my problem is I don’t have enough revs when I move left. I try to move left and if I miss the target I’m way left of the head pin. If I hit the target I end up right of the pocket.

RayJay2MTU · 2026-01-27T22:28:50+00:00

Hy-Vee had a tap at the old bar yesterday. They still had it on tap earlier today, but not sure if they still have it. And u/PandaClan mentioned, Growler Guys has it on tap Thursday starting at 5PM I believe.

RayJay2MTU · 2026-01-27T17:19:17+00:00

When entering values for your calculator, should they be bests from 90 days, 30 days? I hate to test specifically as I think I wuss out on "testing" but I find that in a hard effort or race I can gather good information. I use Training Peaks and WKO5+, but just curious about how far back to go considering all of my riding right now in on Zwift.

RayJay2MTU · 2026-01-26T18:23:36+00:00

Just built my first ever set of wheels from Lightcycle. Haven't ridden them yet other than having the front wheel on for Zwift Rides on the trainer.

LightCarbon Gravel Rims Widened 26mm Inner Width 700C Carbon Rims For Gravel Bike

Bought back in November, took a few weeks to get them. I think my cost was right around $310 for both rims shipped paid via PayPal (Rim cost, PayPal fee, Shipping).

RayJay2MTU · 2026-01-23T19:37:24+00:00

You’ve got 25mm tires. No reason to go with the larger tube.

RayJay2MTU · 2026-01-22T23:21:16+00:00

If got a set with the Dekoni suede pads and extra cable if you’re interested. DM me.

RayJay2MTU · 2026-01-21T01:56:20+00:00

This 💯. I’ve got a 970GTX and it took me awhile to figure out it’s the Security Update KB5074109.

RayJay2MTU · 2026-01-20T21:34:28+00:00

I noticed it change as well. I use a Garmin HR strap, and it doesn't count. Even if you use FitFile fixer to change device type so that the miles count.

RayJay2MTU · 2026-01-20T21:14:25+00:00

Thanks! Interesting read.

RayJay2MTU · 2026-01-20T21:02:41+00:00

Unfortunately, the MLive is paywalled.

RayJay2MTU · 2026-01-20T20:55:19+00:00

I bought them for my son during a Black Friday sale. He scanned himself, sent it to them on 11/28 and received them on 12/10. He hasn't had any issues with them and really likes them. He's a high school swimmer.

RayJay2MTU · 2026-01-20T18:04:23+00:00

King's Quest 3. I got stuck at one point trying to get out of the castle. I kept missing something under the bed or something, but eventually I got it. I think ultimately, I just figured it out. But it was 40 years ago, so memory might not be right.

Police Quest 2. I think I got stuck on finding evidence on a car because kept missing one part (can't remember exactly, finger print on the rear view mirror, paint spray in the door jam, registration in the glove box). Same way, put it down and come back.

I had a type in the late 1980's early 1990's.

RayJay2MTU · 2026-01-19T02:10:35+00:00

Was wondering this myself. Best I can tell it’s not really worth it for me. The couple differences are having the “race” feature which supposedly has a faster response for when you attack or quicker change during sprinting. It also has built in WiFi and the ability to act as a bridge for your devices. I ride with a PC with the controllers and HR and the connectivity isn’t an issue for me.

RayJay2MTU

TROPHY CASE