Geek Warning

Latest Episodes:

All for longer-lasting products Dec 06, 2024

Show notes

Welcome back to Geek Warning!

This week Ronan Mc Laughlin, Dave Rome, Suvi Loponen, and Brad Copeland are on the pod to discuss things such as Wahoo’s gigantic new head unit, Campagnolo’s return to the WorldTour, and the worrying trend of many cycling products being disposable.

On our minds, and a general theme of the episode, is how to better cover sustainability aspects in the products we review. As you’ll hear, our focus is expecting a longer useable life (whether through serviceability or just straight up durability) from the products we buy.

Of course, plenty more is discussed, too. Enjoy!

Time stamps:

1:00 - The big-sized release of the Wahoo Elemnt Ace, aero meters, and more
19:30 - We told you so, Campagnolo returns to the WorldTour
27:00 - Sustainability in products is on our minds
36:00 - Giant’s expands its own range of suspension components for 2025
41:00 - Ask a Wrench: Lacking access to service parts
52:40 - Ask a Wrench: Pedal extenders and power meter pedals
58:45 - Ask a Wrench: Odd movement between a Shimano SPD-SL pedal and cleat
1:06:00 - Ask a Wrench: Finding a budget cassette for SRAM Eagle that fits an HG freehub

A future of simpler integrated bikes Nov 28, 2024

Show notes

This week, Escape’s newest tech writer, Alex Hunt becomes the latest voice on the show. Joined by Suvi, Dave, and Brad, the geeks discuss the biggest news in the week of tech, a tech development that could have a game-changing application, and answer several technical questions.

There is Scott’s newly renewed focus on weight and what appears to be crazily light tyres coming from Schwalbe. Dave thinks Magura’s recently announced Easy Link hose system could be a glimpse at the future of easing the pain that is integrated cabling.

The geeks then discuss a few smaller bits of tech and then get to an important maintenance-related matter that impacts all bikes. Finally, the Ask a Wrench segment answers things related to headsets, bottom bracket/crank installation, and tandems. A special thanks to frame builder Brad Bingham (plus Butch Boucher and Steve Potts!) for helping to answer that tandem question.

Time stamps
1:00 - An introduction to Escape’s newest tech hire, Alex Hunt
4:30 - Scott’s Addict RC proves weight still sells
12:00 - The unknowns of Schwalbe’s new Aerothan tyres
25:00 - On our minds, the future of quick disconnect hydraulic hoses
33:00 - PSA: Draining those bikes
40:50 - Enve’s SES Aero Pro one-piece road bar
43:00 - Outlier's Unusual Axle-Free Pedal Designs
47:00 - The Smart Lever, aims to ease tyre installation
52:00 - Ask a Wrench: Steering range limiting headsets
58:30 - Ask a Wrench: Tandem-related things, answered by the experts
1:06:00 - Ask a Wrench: How freely should a new bottom bracket spin?

Strava changing the app map Nov 22, 2024

Show notes

It’s a big week in the cycling tech world with Strava dropping a bomb on many connected apps. To learn more about what this upcoming change could mean for you, Ray Maker, aka DCRainMaker, joins the pod.

Following that chat, you’ll hear from Suvi, Ronan, Dave, and Brad on various topics, ranging from Rouleur Live, a bunch of new bikes, and answering a couple of member questions. Plus, Dave shares something on his mind that then follows a different path.

As usual, we encourage you to visit escapecollective.com to see and learn more about the products and themes discussed.

Enjoy!

Time stamps:
1:00 - DCRainMaker joins to explain Strava’s unexpected API changes
21:30 - Rouleur Live highlights
25:30 - Reap Type 300 gravel bike and rapid prototyping
32:40 - On our mind: products shouldn’t be annoying to use and an unexpected tangent into disc brake caliper piston service and Dave’s tool testing
43:30 - Bunch of new bikes, starting with the Mondraker Arid Carbon gravel bike
46:30 - Argonaut’s Supernaut
48:00 - Colnago has a new steel bike, the Steelnovo
52:25 - Pinarello’s entry-level F1 road bike
56:00 - DT Swiss partners on a dynamo hub and complete wheels
59:50 - Ask a Wrench: Brake feel and air in Shimano brakes
1:09:00 - Ask a Expert: Why compliance matters beyond the tyres

Tyre security, fitting, and setting pressures Nov 15, 2024

Show notes

Join Ronan, Dave, Suvi, and Brad as they discuss all things related to modern tyres. You’ll hear why Ronan now prefers hard-to-fit tyres, tips to make the installation easier, and our favourite online (free) pressure calculators.

Of course, there are a few bits of news to cover, including an interesting new freehub patent from Lauf. And as usual, Brad and Dave answer a few mechanical questions submitted by Escape members.

As a reminder, we’re now covering tech news in our Daily News (published on site each day), and that means we’ve also made some changes to the podcast (for the better, we hope). Let us know in the comments how you like (or not) the format changes we’ve been making.

Time stamps:

1:15 - Corrections Corner related to pulling a chain from wax
2:50 - On Ronan’s mind is that tyre fitment woes may not be a wholly bad thing
18:00 - Making tyre installation easier
21:30 - Ronan finally reveals the tight-fitting tyre
24:30 - Pick One: Tyre pressure calculators
39:45 - MRP creates a Cage Guard from SRAM Transmission derailleurs
41:55 - Thule purchases Quadlock
43:00 - Stinner’s introduces a well-priced USA-made stock geometry steel bike
44:50 - Lauf’s teases patent for a springy freehub
47:00 - Ask a Wrench: chain noises on SRAM Eagle AXS
55:20 - Ask a Wrench: installing new brakes and hoses
1:00:05 - Ask a Wrench: removing a stuck headset bearing

Mysterious creaks and snapped chains Nov 08, 2024

Show notes

Welcome back to Geek Warning. It’s a big cast with Suvi Loponen, Ronan Mc Laughlin, Brad Copeland, and Dave Rome chatting through the latest new tech and answering some mechanic-related questions.Ronan is quizzed over the “too long didn’t read” for the newly Spotted Ridley Noah Fast, plus what Pirelli is up to with its FSC-certified tyres.

SRAM chains have been back in the media this week after some comments from cyclocross legend Sven Nys, the geeks speculate what could be happening here and why it’s not a widespread issue. Of course there's more tech talk including a PSA and answering a few Ask a Wrench questions from Escape Collective members.

Finally the episode wraps with a bunch of new product releases worth sharing.

Enjoy!

Time stamps:

2:00 - Ridley’s new and unreleased Noah Fast
7:15 - Pirelli and rubber trees
12:20 - Coros’ new Pace Pro sports watch
18:30 - Hammerhead Karoo updates battery life through firmware
20:50 - Sven Nys complains of SRAM chains
27:10 - PSA to not ignore creaks
36:00 - Ask a Wrench: When pull your waxed chain
41:20 - Ask a Wrench: Feeling a brake track
45:15 - Ask a Wrench: Putting a longer fork on an XC bike
49:50 - OneUp’s new dropbar dropper lever
52:20 - Stan’s No Tubes and Daysaver collab
55:20 - Canecreek’s GXC stem fills a gap
57:40 - Aerocoach Blitz track handlebars
1:00-40 - Lapierre’s new Pulsium endurance road bike
1:02:15 - Yamaha stops e-bike sales in the USA
1:03:30 - The Pro’s Closet returns

Fingers crossed for Campagnolo giving us a thumbs up Nov 01, 2024

Show notes

It may be the off-season in the racing world, but the land of bike tech never sleeps. In this episode of Geek Warning, you’ll hear Suvi, Dave, and Brad discuss an intriguing shifter-related patent from Campagnolo that perhaps can’t come soon enough.

The geeks then discuss what they each seek in a drop handlebar and what their favourites are. Within this extended segment, you’ll hear about one-piece cockpits, more traditional two-piece setups, and picks for road and gravel purposes.

We’ve also got some great Ask a Wrench questions that spark some deeper conversation.

Enjoy!

Time stamps:

1:45 - Campagnolo’s recent shifter patent
11:00 - Discussing drop handlebars and picking one (well, maybe two)
33:15 - Ask a Wrench: How to become a bike mechanic
48:00 - Ask a Wrench: SRAM Flat Top and T-type chain compatibility
53:22 - Ask a Wrench: Raising awareness for the actual cost of bike ownership and where the blame sits
1:06:45 - Tech bites: an increasing number of lighter e-MTBs is a trend that won’t slow

Fork me, it's the ring of death Oct 24, 2024

Show notes

Fork me, it's the ring of death

The bikes we’ll never let go Oct 17, 2024

Show notes

Things are a little flipped upside down in this week’s Geek Warning. Suvi, Dave, and Brad open the show by discussing their most meaningful bikes. The geeks then turn to pick a favourite side-access bottle cage for when frame space is limited. Of course there’s a handful of Ask a Wrench questions, answered. And the show wraps with a round-up of new tech to drop over the past week.

A small note: Suvi experienced some audio issues toward the end of the episode, and so, the power of editing has her disappear from the conversation without much warning.

Time stamps:

5:00 - The bikes we’ll never let go and those we wish we hadn’t
20:30 - Picking one side-access bottle cage
32:00 - Ask a wrench: resin versus metallic (sintered) disc brake pads
40:00 - Ask a wrench: the importance of matching rear shock hardware sizes
45:30 - Ask a wrench: Chainline woes in going old 2x to new 1x gravel
51:30 - Tech news on the daily
53:20 - Dare’s Velocity Ace goes full aero
55:30 - Enduro also now offering polymer-infill frame pivot bearings
1:00:00 - Enve’s new M-series wheels
1:01:15 - Daysaver’s new mini pumps
1:02:30 - Body Rocket on-bike aero sensor arrives

Members only: Gerard Vroomen Opens Up on why most gravel bikes are moving to 700C-only Oct 12, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to another members-only (at least the full episode) edition of the Geek Warning podcast.

This episode came together after the boutique brand Open Cycle [teased a long-awaited update to its Up gravel bike. For those who aren’t familiar with the Open Up, it was a bike to break new ground for the emerging sporty gravel space through its dual-wheel size compatibility with 700c and 650B. Meanwhile, it achieved the clearance between the rear tyre and chainring by introducing dropped chainstays to the market.
Open Cycle was founded by Andy Kessler (former CEO of BMC) and Gerard Vroomen (co-founder of Cervelo, and until recently, also the co-owner of 3T). Between Open and 3T, Vroomen has pushed many boundaries in the gravel space in recent years. In this episode, Vroomen covers the details of the new Up and Upper bike range and the design decisions made. We touch on Open’s move to on-shoring production. I pry unsuccessfully into teased compatibility with unreleased Shimano. And we chat about the move to threaded bottom brackets. Plus, members of Escape will hear me eat my own hat as despite designing a 700c-only bike, Vroomen strongly defends the smaller 650B-wheelsize and laments (and explains) its loss.

It’s a varied chat with a whole lot of interesting experience in designing and engineering bikes shared. Enjoy!

A portion of this podcast is available to all. The full length, including the conversation on 650B vs 700C is available exclusively to members of Escape Collective. To add member-only podcasts, including this one, to your podcast player of choice, click here.

Gravel Worlds and the Mount Rushmore of cranks Oct 11, 2024

Show notes

This episode introduces a new voice, Escape’s new tech writer, Suvi Loponen. Join Suvi, Brad, and Dave as they discuss the latest tech and a couple of new bikes seen at Gravel Worlds.

Picking the Mount Rushmore of bicycle cranksets is sure to cause debate. Within you’ll hear Brad and Dave share some of the cranks that have left an impression on them. We’d love to hear your picks, so jump into the comments.

Ask a Wrench continues, this time with Brad and Dave offering answers to three member-submitted questions. Within Ask a Wrench Brad answers a question about the basics of suspension setup. There was a recommended video mentioned, here’s a link to that. Enjoy!

Time stamps:
5:45 - Tech themes at Gravel Worlds
10:50 - Inflation on the fly with Gravaa
19:30 - Lapierre’s first carbon gravel bike
22:40 - Superior getting into gravel
27:30 - The Mount Rushmore of cranksets
40:15 - Ask a Wrench: A basic guide to setting up mountain bike suspension
50:00 - Ask a Wrench: increasing the lifespan of road tyres
55:00 - Ask a Wrench: geometry changes in putting road tyres on a gravel bike
1:01:20 - New Rolf Prima wheels go to 16 spokes for disc brakes
1:05:05 - Hunt’s new 40 Limitless gravel race wheel
1:08:00 - Sidi’s new Tenacia is for toe clips and L’Eroici

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