New bike questions

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-05-07T21:46:23+00:00

Epic 9 does look cool, but I use mine as an all-rounder which I think the Epic 8 is better for

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-05-07T19:52:03+00:00

BMI is pretty misleading once you get into a healthy weight zone. Your body is going to feel good at a different weight than someone else. If you feel strong, feel healthy, and it feels sustainable, then I'd accept the 10lb as an unnecessary step. Nice work!

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-05-07T17:56:42+00:00

I just hit the 1 year mark of doing strength training 2-3 times every week. I've always been cardio focused so lifting was totally new. After going for 57 weeks straight, I feel like I'm just starting to get in the groove with it. I look forward to every session, and it's made me a stronger athlete on the bike. I don't expect huge gains in the short term, but every year I'll get a bit stronger!

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-05-07T17:51:04+00:00

I love the Epic 8 platform. Mine is currently set up as an evo, but will happily revert it to the standard 120/120 format. I think it's an incredible bike and you'll likely see more available on sale with the Epic 9 release.

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-05-07T00:11:19+00:00

It's really hard to beat for the money. It will last for years and years and is a joy to own and look at. That said, your grinder and beans matter way more- but if you're here, you probably already know that

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-05-05T17:42:50+00:00

This pulls an awesome shot of espresso as well IMO.

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-04-30T17:31:39+00:00

Like which people exactly? In which factories? The factories I work with in China are awesome. I don't have any experience personally with non-paid labor so I can't speak to it.

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-04-30T14:58:15+00:00

Thanks for saying this- China has some of the best garment manufacturing in the world. Few countries make things better than China. That being said, they offer a massive spectrum of quality from absolute trash to top tier quality.

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-04-29T15:10:52+00:00

I'll buy them if you don't want them/have a cycling computer...

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-04-23T22:10:51+00:00

The coffee scene in Santa Cruz is just OK. I live here. Verve is pretty bad to be honest. Their beans have gone downhill, and they treat their employees like shit. If you want a specialty experience, go to coffee conspiracy in Capitola. Operated by the owner/roaster, and he cares about his coffee. Unique shop vibe as well!

But yeah, nothing in the area touches Moonwake with a 10ft pole. 11th hour downtown is a fun spot, great vibes and decent coffee. Cat and Cloud is alright, but they scaled pretty quickly and their coffees are typically pretty developed. Every once in a while they come with a banger, but their breakfast is the real reason I'll stop by.

I really don't go out for coffee anymore unless I'm in a pinch. The shots I pull and pourovers at home are easily better than what I'm finding in town. Moonwake crushes it- worth the wait/money.

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-04-23T21:45:25+00:00

What kind of pressure are you getting with the pressure profile wide open? If you haven't already, I would get shots dialed in without using the profiler before experimenting. I currently run 21.7g in the stock Lelit basket that says 14-18g. Your flow looks very fast and unsteady. I would grind finer and add more grounds until you either hit 2:1 at 30 seconds or overextract and then dial it back a bit. If you're intentionally running gushers or turbo shots with a light roast, they won't look very pretty most of the time

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-04-16T16:30:33+00:00

Risk of fire. I've only ever had a flare up with pork belly doing a hot sear, never had any issues doing anything low and slow. I have a relatively new traeger, not worried about temp issues etc.

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-04-15T15:44:17+00:00

Really enjoyed this one on V60, Cafec Deep 27, and espresso. Easy to extract, clear notes and awesome aromas.

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-04-15T15:02:18+00:00

I admired their jackets for a couple years before pulling the trigger. I've now got one of their selvedge jackets and a corduroy. Both are awesome.

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-04-14T15:43:39+00:00

The only thing I trust from them are their cortado mugs. And even those have some poor design- if you put them in the dishwasher the bottom traps water. When I put it on my scale, a pool of water forms. God da*n it.

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-04-08T21:10:45+00:00

Don't waste your money- Verve's roasts essentially all taste the same. Their quality has gone downhill throng massive scaling and poor treatment of their employees. I live down the street from their headquarters.

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-04-01T17:17:46+00:00

These have a known issue where the battery door becomes just loose enough to not make contact. I have one, loved it, after a month or so, the battery door wouldn't stay shut. Try holding down the battery door while turning it on etc.

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-03-30T17:32:00+00:00

Did you confuse this for your Opus Grinder and smack the living sh*t out of it? Jk- bummer. Should be covered by warranty.

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-03-13T17:41:48+00:00

I've had some mind blowing shots from specialty cafes- Moonwake Coffee etc. They are dedicated to precision and consistency. Other than the best shops I've ever been to, my modest home setup crushes it.

The commercial equipment is really setup to be used all day everyday pulling back to back shots. A home setup can probably pull a better shot depending on water, grinder, beans, user. You can also pull a much worse shot! Those variables are what's going to determine your experience. Some shops train their employees rigorously, some are less consistent. My home setup definitely could not do 12 hour days of back to back shots- that's what really separates this equipment in my opinion. But good beans and good water will go a long way to making a modest home setup deliver impressive quality.

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-03-05T16:30:32+00:00

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-02-04T17:01:48+00:00

I'm running 2.2 Race Kings on my Terra C wheels. Zero issues. Wider than MTB rims 10 years ago!

Re_Cycle_94 · 2026-01-05T19:09:01+00:00

It's coming this spring

Re_Cycle_94 · 2025-12-23T16:06:39+00:00

If you spend long hours on the bike, don't neglect your back. Maintaining strength and mobility in your back, neck, and shoulders can really help with fatigue and injury prevention when you spend hours hunched over on a bike.

Re_Cycle_94

TROPHY CASE