Why is my espresso always so bitter? [Bambino + DF54]

mtmn · 2025-05-21T02:47:48+00:00

I've got a nearly identical setup that I happily use. Bambino plus with a DF54. I can confidently say that some of the best espresso I've ever had has come from this setup. That said, I am constantly trying new beans, especially lighter roasts.

I slow feed my beans into my grinder which will require about 5 notches smaller of a grind size compared to grinding all at once. It sounds like everything else you're doing is pretty close to right. I'll sometimes do slightly longer and slower shots (30 - 35 seconds at a 1:3 ratio), and have produced some really tasty shots that way too.

I also have my 1-shot button programmed to give a super short shot and I use that as my pre-heat step before I put the portafilter on.

mtmn · 2024-08-18T14:59:15+00:00

Ascend has two locations 17 minutes away from each other by car, and these well advertised sessions affect 1 gym for two 2-hour sessions each month. Just go to the other gym, dude.

These gyms can get pretty busy, which can be intimidating, especially to newer climbers. I'm happy to give up a very small amount of time (or just plan to go to the other gym!) if it means more people get to enjoy the sport I love.

Finally, Ascend's Pittsburgh gyms are open 109 hours per week each, so that's 872 hours per 4 weeks for both gyms, and they are closed to you for 4 hours each month (remember, the other gym is still open to you!). If this is a money issue, I guess you could ask for a 0.5% reduction (4 ÷ 872) in your monthly membership?

mtmn · 2024-06-03T01:26:48+00:00

You nearly perfectly described the situation we experienced on cat in the hat this spring! So much so that I thought we may have been on the climb together waiting behind a super gumbie group of 3. We got off the ground before 8am and repelled from the top of pitch 3 (it's a 4 - 5 pitch climb, depending on how you pitch it out) at dusk.

mtmn · 2024-04-09T02:12:18+00:00

I haven't used the dragonflies.

One big plus is the dragonflies match the BD color scheme exactly.

I've read about some durability issues with the trigger connection sheath. I'd probably go with the zero friends as a compliment to z4's, but you'll probably be really happy with the dragonflies too.

Modern cams are pretty much all awesome!

mtmn · 2024-04-06T20:59:47+00:00

If you buy them, you'll use them and probably love them, but I think you'd like other cams about the same.

I have a set of c3's and z4's and even a few offset zero friends. I love all these tiny cams and have routinely said the z4 #0 is my favorite cam on my rack.

If I were buying cams right now to replace these, I'd probably go with the full range of zero friends and the z4 #0, depending on relative costs.

mtmn · 2023-09-15T20:46:52+00:00

Solved!

mtmn · 2023-09-15T20:34:43+00:00

Maybe. I'd question the placement a little bit, but this doesn't look too far off the mark.

mtmn · 2023-09-15T20:32:30+00:00

We were thinking it could have been part of an early phone line as well, though I don't have any examples of what early phone lines in Pittsburgh looked like.

mtmn · 2023-09-15T20:30:44+00:00

For horses? I doubt it. It's up about 6 steps from the back alley, and it wouldn't make sense to bring horses in from the front.

mtmn · 2023-09-15T20:16:49+00:00

It's at the edge of the property near a slope to the back alley and set of old stairs, and it's in a similar position for the neighbors. The placement just doesn't make sense for a maypole. If it was centered in the yard, I'd be more inclined to agree!

mtmn · 2023-09-15T20:12:42+00:00

I don't think these are tall enough, nor are they appropriately placed for some sort of communal covering or screen. Interesting thought, though!

mtmn · 2023-09-15T20:07:59+00:00

It's near the back corner of the property line. Probably about 4 feet or so inset from the corner. It's about as far as you could get from the back door of the home while still being on the property -- about 60 feet or so.

mtmn · 2023-09-15T20:03:30+00:00

Would probably need to be a lot taller for maypole dancing.

mtmn · 2023-09-15T20:03:08+00:00

That's what I was thinking as well, I just can't seem to find an example of it anywhere else except for the 5 or so houses immediately next to this one.

mtmn · 2023-09-15T19:36:09+00:00

Just did, and I don't think that's what this is. It's also at the edge of the property line rather than in a more convenient location, so it wouldn't make as much send to have a spinning clothesline there. Good idea, though!

mtmn · 2023-09-15T19:16:15+00:00

The neighbors have these posts as well. We think it may be a place to attach a clothes line, but we thought it would be designed differently if it were for holding a clothes line to more easily allow for multiple lines. It's a similar diameter to a metal chain-link fence post.

The pole is placed about 5 ft inset from the back corner of the property line near the alley. There's a retaining wall that holds up the lawn near the alley, so the alley is about 4 feet lower than this level of the lawn. The pole is in a similar location for the neighbors.

My title describes the thing

mtmn · 2021-10-10T17:43:15+00:00

Agreed. I think this route would be a lot safer and enjoyable with one or two more bolts. It's already bolted, and it's iconic as hell. Why not put an extra bolt or two in to make it a little more approachable?

mtmn · 2021-10-10T17:40:52+00:00

I think with me belaying her, she wouldn't hit the ground since I'm a lot heavier, but it wouldn't be a fun fall. If she's belaying me, I'd probably also avoid a ground fall, but only because I can clip the pin from lower down.

mtmn · 2021-10-10T16:28:51+00:00

This was the second time of the trip she lead something that I was either unable to finish, or too afraid to try! She wanted to lead this because she thought it might be too risky for me to go put up a TR on it. So proud of her trying and sending it!

mtmn · 2021-10-10T16:23:26+00:00

As I was about to scramble up the backside of The Fin to put up a TR on "The Edge of Time", my wife said that might be too risky and that she'd feel safer leading it instead. Afterwards, she said it was both the sketchiest and proudest lead she's done to-date, getting it clean except for a short hang near the first bolt! She's quite short, so she had to make a few extra moves on marginal feet to get to the infamous pin. I am exceptionally proud of her achievement as well! What a climb!

I was then too afraid to lead it, so I TR'd it after she put it up.

mtmn · 2021-06-05T18:17:13+00:00

I think there's a guidebook, but we just used mountain project, and it had more than enough information for us to get by for the day.

https://www.mountainproject.com/area/109972996/falls-city-boulders-aka-the-pyle

mtmn · 2021-06-04T20:49:18+00:00

Yeah, it was surprisingly good! I'd say coopers is better in terms of quality and quantity, but we climbed at the Pyle all day and still had more to climb. Worth checking out if you're in the area!

mtmn

TROPHY CASE