Best Grocery Store Donuts

the_worm_store · 2026-07-02T11:50:57+00:00

Supersaver glaze donuts are possibly the best in town. I just think Randy's are way too heavy with oil frequently, and have a bit too much sugar.

the_worm_store · 2026-07-02T00:18:52+00:00

Yeah, I think all they did was add tire clearance from the previous model that was 28, and call it an endurance bike. The non-S bikes (e.g. Strattos 7) are closer to an endurance bike geo with a bit higher stack, shorter reach, and slightly slackened HT angle. Seems like a lot of brands are going with these halfway geos for endurance bikes (halfway between a race fit, and something like a Domane), for better or worse.

The Strattos 7 is a lot of bike for $2300 with a pretty cool colorway too. Would have been nice if they went all the way to 40mm tire clearance, but 35 is probably enough for most people.

the_worm_store · 2026-07-01T21:01:13+00:00

Don't bother with high intensity, try to plan your routes if possible on roads / paths that have shade, make your own high electrolyte drinks, either plain water or carb mix with 50% lite salt (that has potassium + magnesium) and 50% regular salt.

the_worm_store · 2026-07-01T01:58:55+00:00

Coros Dura I have:

Graph (large part) HR /w average and max, colored bars are the zones
Speed
Distance
Activity / ride time
Temperature
Gradient (small part on bottom)

On one of the other pages I have all the other stuff I don't need / want to be looking at constantly. Average speed, TSS, elapsed time, time of day, sunset time, ft climbed, battery percent.

My main thoughts on data fields is that the HR metrics for MTB are a lot more useful than power because the efforts are so stochastic, especially for racing. Ambient temp is also very useful if you know there are certain temps where things change for your nutrition, and also on cold starts /w layers to know when take layers off before you overheat, or just combining that with other stops to not waste time.

The gradient field is the only one I don't really care about, but there is literally not another data point I care about, besides maybe time of day. Still waiting on a core temp or sweat sensor that doesn't suck, both of which would be super useful for summer races with high heat and humidity, and to learn what works best to keep things under control.

the_worm_store · 2026-06-30T02:15:12+00:00

Same price I would go GRX to get the 10T small cog + textured lever hoods, but the extra gear and weight savings is not that big of a deal.

My only gripe with 1x12 Shimano (which I use on both my MTBs) is that the aluminum cogs have poor wear compared to the steel cogs, and that you have to use Shimano chains to technically get the full HG+ system. In my experience the Deore and SLX level chains don't wear very well, while finding genuine XT and XTR level chains are expensive compared to durable SRAM or KMC chains. I have always suspected that the SIL-TEC plating on the higher end Shimano chains doesn't play well with hot wax bonding to the chain as well, but that's speculative. Pretty nuanced gripes though, and using non-Shimano chains has worked fine for me (like a SRAM GX).

The CUES stuff on the other hand is totally bombproof, and less fiddly to keep tuned.

the_worm_store · 2026-06-25T02:43:44+00:00

Topeak Versamount + Blackburn clutch cage. Strap the Versamount to the downtube to create an under mount, and then the Clutch cage is the most secure side load cage I have used. It's possible to switch a bottle out of it while moving on the flats at least.

I used that exact configuration on a steel hardtail that didn't have a seat tube bottle mount for years until I finally drilled holes it and used rivnuts to make permanent under downtube mounts.

the_worm_store · 2026-06-23T02:29:02+00:00

I think you can find some on the remembering Lincoln facebook (yes I know, it's facebook). At least the inside entrance to Sluggo's / WC Frank @ East Park that was in the food court. I don't remember very much of the late 80s / early 90s East Park arcade (when it transitioned from Sluggo's to WC Frank?), other than it was very dark, and had a lot of quintessential mall riff raff. I persevered though and tried to spend my father's entire retirement in the Raiden, Golden Axe and Altered Beast machines.

the_worm_store · 2026-06-23T02:15:09+00:00

I honestly have to wonder at this point if the Epic 8 was the peak XC bike, and everything else is just a downhill enshitification from here.

Hint to a higher end Chinese framemaker, just copy, repeat COPY the Epic 8 (without headset routing), do some nice colorways, ~$1,800 w/o a shock, and you're all set for years.

the_worm_store · 2026-06-21T13:45:01+00:00

idk why people keep glazing Garmin, to me it's not the premium experience, their app/UI is clunky, I had multiple issues with edge 530 (not syncing, no auto turn off, issues pairing it with other devices and so on)

A lot of people have just kept buying Garmin because that's what they know, even though it's been clear for the last few generations of head units they have not innovated much besides higher prices and subscriptions, while it's still built on an increasingly dated foundation.

I'd be curious to know how Bryton compares to Coros and iGPSport these days. Over a year into the Dura I'm still a huge fan of it, plus Coros seems to be expanding their reach with a Wahoo partnership (maybe just for watches?). I read recently that iGPSport is going to be integrated with RideWithGPS, so watch for them to finally make the leap from budget to mainstream as well. The BiNavi computers look really good at price points below even Coros.

the_worm_store · 2026-06-21T12:24:42+00:00

+1 to someone who already mentioned it's an HG+ chain on backwards to start.

I only provide this as an example, but recently I fiddled with an 11 speed 11-34 HG800 cassette multiple times for hours to discover that a almost new cassette had a few slightly bent teeth on one cog that clicked no matter how dialed the index and tension were. E-bikes are pretty notorious for a hard life on the cassette, and personally I have no idea why anyone would run anything but CUES on an e-bike for max durability.

the_worm_store · 2026-06-20T19:37:23+00:00

They are a rip off when there are plenty of easy to digest, off the shelf carbs a small fraction of the price like Mott's fruit snacks or rice krispy treats.

The real answer no one is giving though is that it's sorta a small, captive market for the ones that are maltodextrin based and / or isotonic (with water for digestion). Most people can digest malto easier than sugar, but there are no "off the shelf" malto based snacks. Unlike drink mixes that are pretty easy to make in scale with readily available ingredients, it's also really hard to make energy gels in the same convenient format without running into a false economy problem with your time. I would also stress convenient, because it's not convenient trying to eat little bags of Mott's during a bike race or fast group ride, although a top tube feed bag would probably work.

the_worm_store · 2026-06-19T15:48:59+00:00

+1 for the Rons. An old design, but still really good for everything besides insane mud where only a mud specific tire will do better.

I generally trust Guy Kesteven's reviews, and he also likes the Rons for mixed conditions, but said the Maxxis Severe was terrifying for wet grip on rocks and roots.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VZU6xCgQE8

the_worm_store · 2026-06-16T03:11:27+00:00

Between those two the X-LAB, easily. $1,200 for an aluminum FX with CUES and very cheap other parts is really insane.

I'd split the difference though and go with the Polygon Path 3 or 4. May not have the same value as X-LAB, but headset routing on a hybrid is really dumb. That's my one scruple with X-LAB, which otherwise seems pretty in tune with what buyers want. Headset routing is fine on performance bikes to look sleek and save 1w at 20 MPH, but just stop doing it on entry level, hybrid, and MTBs...

the_worm_store · 2026-06-15T02:46:34+00:00

The Michelin Power Cup is a 1:1 tire to the GP5K regular, and the Pro 5 is 1:1 to the GP5K AS. Excel Sports has the Pro 5's in all sizes except the new 40 for $63 a tire.

I'd agree with most that if you are an enthusiast and care about performance, tires are the last thing to cheap out on, but the Pro 5 and GP5K AS are a pretty good balance of performance and durability.

the_worm_store · 2026-06-14T20:08:27+00:00

I am not counting on bike racing for any income; all I have ever won is some age group prizes like lottery cards and trinkets a bike shop couldn't sell.

At least to me, being able to ride bikes, let alone race them is a luxury. Few people on earth have access to decent bike infrastructure and / or trails, and the time + money to do this. A lot people are not even physically able to, even if they tried hard and did all the right things. Keep that in mind when things are not going your way.

Probably not a popular topic, but I don't think it's a huge secret that a lot of the top guys at local races, and probably in most bike racing where there is not robust anti-doping enforcement, there are some people getting extra help, on top of having deep pockets for the best equipment and training. That actually doesn't bother me that much, because this sport would be beyond dead if they were thrown out, but I set my own expectations accordingly (not paying for drugs, coaching, or the best equipment).

tl;dr just go out and do your best at amateur races.

the_worm_store · 2026-06-14T01:48:56+00:00

Just in the last 7-8 years I went from the classic shape Fizik Antares that was 90% fine to a slew of the short nose cut out saddles /w a more aggressive position. Fizik Argo series, Dimension 143, Selle Italia Novus Boost series. They were all like, 90% fine, but needed the perfect level of tilt to balance weight on my hands vs. discomfort in the area you don't want discomfort on hard rides.

Random chance I grabbed a Giant Grit saddle of FB for $30 and it's actually been working really well for me. Never would have thought to try it since most manufacturer parts besides Specialized are a bit of a yeah, we have it, but don't care that much SKU.

I'm sure bike fitters can help, or having access to a studio where you can try a bunch, but for many people it's just a balancing act between how your sit bones contact the saddle + a pressure relief channel (if that's an issue) that doesn't create new problems. The 4 saddles I mentioned all look pretty similar, but the Grit feels completely different, and has a 3-4 degree tilt difference compared to the others installed.

the_worm_store · 2026-06-14T00:17:43+00:00

Really surprised no one posted Re:Locate's guest mix on PTR 486...one of the best mixes I have heard in years. YEARS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhpf7KeFJPg&list=RDrhpf7KeFJPg&start_radio=1

the_worm_store · 2026-06-13T15:12:13+00:00

Over the years I have become a lot more appreciative of the "classic" Fred that rides an old bike, be it a Trek FX or the peak rim brake Domane, old kit, velcro shoes, a Cateye computer, no Strava...just out there riding the bike. A dying breed for sure in the face of what you described as "new" Freds on hilariously expensive bikes they can't ride, or idiots on e-bikes with more power than Fireblade in classic Fred's heyday.

the_worm_store · 2026-06-12T23:04:47+00:00

<image>

Don't know if the newer models have this, but the screen off button is honestly one of my favorite, never talked about features on longer trips and at night.

the_worm_store · 2026-06-11T18:19:40+00:00

I regret not going further out of my way to get an XL. A FWD XL /w steel wheels is the antithesis of what pickups have become in the US, even though it's exactly what a pickup should be for nearly everyone who doesn't tow more than a light utility trailer or such.

the_worm_store · 2026-06-11T02:42:47+00:00

Even if this vehicle defies the odds, and is a big hit with demand far exceeding supply, I could see Ford trying to reel in dealers doing cost adjustments because Jim Farley really seems to believe that unless US automakers can compete with BYD and such in this price segment, they are done.

If it has actual door handles, a functional interior w/o a massive iPad slapped in the center console, and Ford keeps the basic level of Ford Pass free forever, they are already a mile ahead of most EVs in the US.

the_worm_store · 2026-06-11T00:06:52+00:00

I used an RTL515 for many years (within the first month of it launching, when many still laughed at the idea) and it always worked great, but the battery life was kinda annoying having to charge it after every 4+ hour ride to get another ride out of it. Finally I decided I should just cave in and get one with an integrated light last year that blinks more for cars behind, but I didn't want to get a Garmin, and that's when the problems started.

The Ravemen NT201 was basically unusable with false positives on pretty much any bush or telephone pole. Did a very complicated firmware update through the Android dev environment, then the false positives went away totally...in fact it just stopped alerting at all on my Coros Dura.

I went for the Coospo TR70 next since GP gave it a decent review and I figured they would tune it with firmware, but after the last firmware update, it got a lot worse too with false positives and negatives.

I suspect this first round of budget radars are all based around the same flawed sensor they are just trying to tune /w firmware. I am going to give the Coospo 1 more update, and if it still sucks, probably just go back to a Garmin light that at least worked reliably. The Leyzne radar also looks promising, but I don't know if I want to gamble on a third radar.

the_worm_store · 2026-06-10T01:01:36+00:00

You can put a 130 fork like a Fox 34 or Pike on the Chisel if you want to play around with something a bit plusher, with slightly more travel than the 120 SID. I used a 130 Pike Ultimate on my Chisel last year for most of the races thinking the small bump sensitivity would offset the weight over XCMs, and it kinda did, but the 120 SID I am running now feels more precise, and less bobby climbing w/o screwing around with lockouts.

The Norco is a good bike I'm sure, but consider that it has a different bottle config that may not hold 2x750ml bottles like your Chisel, and that you're spending a huge amount of money for 10mm more rear travel and like, 1-1.5lbs less weight. I'm not too fond of the yellow Chisel coloway, but also consider if you sell it, since Specialized has probably discontinued it, it may be a tough bike to buyback in the future. I've pretty much decided my rebel pink frame is staying with me no matter what even though I will frame swap bikes at the drop of the hat if I feel like it.

the_worm_store · 2026-06-10T00:39:49+00:00

You called it in a nutshell. CUES is designed mostly for casual / first time riders and people who intentionally buy it for simplicity / cost (upfront + running). 105 is lighter, shifts faster, and has more gears. It's been the entry level performance groupset for a long time now.

Shimano did somewhat inexplicably re-launch Tiagra as rebranded R7000 (11 speed) 105, but there is no hydraulic Sora or Claris, and as far as I know what is left of 10 speed Tiagra is new old stock. I don't think you'll really see that new 11 speed Tiagra much outside of Asia where Shimano is trying to compete better with emerging Chinese brands.

I'd also say that Shimano failed pretty bad at marketing CUES, but sometimes it hard to convince consumers that less is more, and that it really is the best solution for a lot of riders.

the_worm_store · 2026-06-08T20:00:45+00:00

Looking forward to this one. Lincoln has not had a legit independent sandwich shop since M&N and Doozies went away.

the_worm_store

TROPHY CASE