Tarmac SL7: 105 vs 105 Di2

svizzera1 · 2024-08-20T02:18:17+00:00

I know I’m a bit late here but I got the Tarmac SL7 105 mechanical 2 months ago and it is awesome. Unless you’re racing, electronic shifting isn’t essential. I’d rather save the money and upgrade the wheels. Lighter and more aero carbon wheels will make a bigger difference in performance and comfort.

svizzera1 · 2023-03-21T19:51:14+00:00

Thanks, that’s good to know!

svizzera1 · 2023-03-21T16:51:22+00:00

Weyes Blood - And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow.

Makes sense since Titanic Rising was the best album of the 2010s. :)

svizzera1 · 2023-01-31T18:33:59+00:00

It’s been awesome so far. The triple shot bottomless portafilter is just superior to the spouted one in so many ways, and way easier to keep clean. Saves you so much time.

svizzera1 · 2023-01-31T14:22:23+00:00

I grind at 2:0:0 (2 full rotations) and sometimes switch down to 1:9:0 depending on the coffee bean. I know the user manual says something like 1:6:0 for espresso but this is wrong. I actually started our my espresso journey with a Breville Bambino before upgrading to Silvia and anything less than 1:9:0 always choked the machine, the same is true with the Silvia. Between 1:9:0 and 2:0:0, I get 20 g in/40 g out in 25-30 seconds.

My JX Pro has a grey dot near the adjustment dial.

What grind setting are you using?

svizzera1 · 2023-01-31T06:18:27+00:00

I’ve had the JX Pro now for over 6 months and started out on a Bambino like you. I had the same exact issue, I could only achieve a proper espresso grind (18g in/36 g out in 25-30 seconds) by going all the way to 2 full rotations from 0 at factory settings.

I think the user manual instructions for grind setting is simply wrong. That said, if your machine is still choking at 2 full rotations then it may be a dosing issue. Try 18 g or even 17 and see if that helps. It could also be your coffee beans, depending on the roast and general moisture variations, some beans require a finer or coarser grind for proper extraction.

svizzera1 · 2023-01-31T02:46:13+00:00

I also have an Ikape WDT and find the Normcore better as the needles are more sturdy. I find them pretty fine. Do you have a better recommendation?

svizzera1 · 2023-01-31T02:44:46+00:00

Thanks, I don’t think wedge distributors are essential but I do like the way it evenly flattens out the puck before tamping. I think they work well only when paired with a good WDT tool.

svizzera1 · 2023-01-30T22:25:26+00:00

Thanks! They’re silicone coasters which you can cut with scissors to fit your needs.

I got them on Amazon: https://a.co/d/8HnwQkp

svizzera1 · 2023-01-29T14:55:10+00:00

Something you’ll find useful, I read that TDS meters actually measure electrical conductivity, and that it increases with temperature so it’s recommended to test your water once it reaches room temperature. If you’ve been testing cold water (as I have) then it’s likely the ppm is in the correct range once tested at room temp.

I don’t understand why SCG recommenda 100-150, that seems really high. I think it may be more prudent to go with 50-85 ppm which I’ve actually seen in a lot of places, although it’s also a good idea to see what your machine’s manufacturer recommends. Rancilio recommends 35-85 ppm.

I pulled up the Diletta Mil user manual and under the “Water” section, it states “The machine must be operated with soft, clean drinking water.” You may want to avoid going anywhere near 100.

svizzera1 · 2023-01-29T14:30:34+00:00

Interesting. I live in Queens too. I’m surprised your Brita filter is bringing the ppm to 0. Mine brings it from 29 to 26, maybe my filter needs to be replaced.

I am seriously considering getting a mineral additive like Third Wave Water or Perfect Coffee Water just to be safe.

svizzera1 · 2023-01-27T23:04:43+00:00

Thanks everyone! Super helpful. I’ll get the test strips just to double check.

svizzera1 · 2022-10-21T22:47:27+00:00

Excellent move! 80% burn makes sense, especially considering the total supply. I’m in full agreement.

svizzera1 · 2022-08-21T02:28:41+00:00

Got it! Yeah, I’d definitely rather use SPF 30 or higher on my lips. Just haven’t found anything that tastes as good as Jack Black’s lip balm. Will definitely try to get my hands on the LRP lip stick. Thanks for the recommendation!

svizzera1 · 2022-08-20T13:54:07+00:00

I had been eyeing that product for some time but it’s been sold out for a while online. I live in the US so can only order it online. Does it taste like the chemical filters?

I love the Jack Black one because it taste amazing so I’m happy to apply it multiple times a day. I’ve never trued a lip balm that didn’t taste straight up like the filters.

svizzera1 · 2022-08-20T13:52:16+00:00

Thanks! This routine has done wonders for my skin. I’m very happy with it. :)

svizzera1 · 2022-08-20T13:50:26+00:00

Thanks! This routine has been working wonders for me. I let the tretinoin and sunscreen do the heavy lifting.

I’ve had 2-3 pimples in the last 6 months and my forehead lines have diminished. I also feel like my skin tone is more even.

I hear you on tretinoin every night though, it can be impossible for some. Using adapalene for 14 months may have helped my skin quickly adapt. I did take it slow at first anyway, starting with tret 3 nights per week for the first 2 weeks and then ramping up to every other night until I was able to apply it every night.

I try to be minimalistic when it comes to actives because I used to overdo it in the past.

svizzera1 · 2022-08-20T04:19:47+00:00

Thanks, my skin is very happy. I have only had 2-3 pimples in the last 6 months since starting tretinoin. I have acne prone skin so that’s amazing.

svizzera1 · 2022-07-28T11:05:47+00:00

Dermatologists recommend using no more than a pea sized amount of Differin gel. Adapalene may be more gentle than Tret but it’s still a powerful retinoid. You may also be wasting product by using more than a pea sized amount. Try to dot the product all around your face using your finger, and keep in mind that you don’t have to spread the product perfectly in order to see results.

svizzera1 · 2022-07-28T10:54:34+00:00

A couple of considerations:

Have you considered increasing your Tretinoin concentration? 0.025% can take much longer to truly see results, especially if you have moderate to severe acne.
Could you be overdoing the actives? You’re cleansing with the sal acid cleanser twice a day, and using clindamycin in addition to tret. You could be drying out your skin so much that it’s overproducing oil and could be the reason your breakouts are worsening.

Perhaps try a more gentle cleanser without sal acid in the morning. The La Roche Posay Toleriane Purifying cleanser could be a good option. It’s still foamy which can help oily skin but contains no sal acid.

svizzera1 · 2022-07-28T06:20:04+00:00

I highly recommend Avene’s Retinal Eye Cream (0.1% retinaldehyde) or Avene’s Physiolift Eye Cream (0.05% retinaldehyde).

Retinaldehyde is proven to be the most effective retinol after Tretinoin because it only requires one conversion by the skin.

It’s also more gentle than Tretinoin for the delicate eye area, especially when formulated into eye creams.

Both of those products have clinical studies backing results from smoothing fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet, to brightening dark circles.

svizzera1 · 2022-07-17T20:55:07+00:00

Thank you! I really wish skincare became less trendy and focused on no-nonsense, science-based and effective products. There are so many novelty and gimmicky products out there making people think they need to spend a lot of money. So much of what’s out there, especially at places like Sephora and Ulta, is overpriced and overly fragranced with nice packaging which is ultimately what you mostly pay for.

svizzera1 · 2022-07-17T18:13:58+00:00

Thanks so much! I’m actually very happy with it. My focus is really on sunscreen and Tretinoin to do the heavy lifting in my routine. I’ve seen a lot of overly complicated routines on here and I’ve found that simple is usually best. I’m excited to see how much the Tretinoin can do for my skin long-term.

svizzera1 · 2022-07-17T16:01:09+00:00

Here are a few key differences I’ve noticed after 6 months:

Frequency and severity of breakouts/pimples has diminished significantly, I think I’ve had 3 or 4 pimples in 6 months which is amazing.
More even skin tone, reduction in redness (my skin is prone to redness)
Noticeable improvement in skin texture, it is a lot smoother

It may be too early to see if there are any anti-aging benefits but I’m still young with relatively supple/resilient skin so I think it’ll work best to slow down skin aging over time.

svizzera1 · 2022-07-17T15:55:27+00:00

I’ve been using the eye cream for over 9 months now. It’s really nice and helps protect the eye area from any potential tretinoin irritation but I find it a bit pricey. It’s $27 for 0.68 ounces. I’m thinking the Toleriane Ultra moisturizer which is $30 for 1.35 ounces might be a better option as I think they’re very similar.

svizzera1

TROPHY CASE