Geek Warning

Latest Episodes:

Rumours all around and the aero cost of being in the Yellow jersey Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

It’s the first week of the Tour and Escape’s geeks are seemingly all down different rabbit holes. This week, Dave Rome is joined by new hire Jack Duncan to talk through the week in cycling tech, which seems to involve a handful of juicy rumours.

From rumours of new Dura-Ace to big wheels from big brands, there’s a lot to chew on. Dave and Jack also discuss airbag tech that keeps circling big budget teams. And there’s some tool talk for the wrench-enthusiasts.

The free episode wraps up with Jack jumping on a call with aero clothing expert Johannes Rom Dahl (of Fusion) to try to get an answer on whether being in Yellow (or another leader jersey) has an aero disadvantage.
Time stamps:

00:02:30 - New Dura-Ace 9300 rumours
00:07:00 - Trek 32ers are coming
00:13:30 - Please tell us 30.5” wheels are actually a joke
00:21:30 - Will airbags ever come to pro racing?
00:30:45 - Jack bought some new tools
00:38:30 - You probably need a breaker bar
00:42:00 - Interview: What being a leader’s jersey costs you
01:07:45 - Ask a Wrench (members only)
01:10:00 - Corrections corner
01:12:00 - Torque and headset preload
01:20:00 - A chronically creaky headset and a rant about IS52
01:37:30 - Picking a custom steel frame and picking a builder

Making the test provide the desired result Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

It’s the week of the Tour de France Grand Départ, and with it have come a few big bike launches. Escape’s senior tech editors, Dave Rome and Ronan Mc Laughlin, jump on to discuss whether Specialized’s new Tarmac hits the mark.

There’s also a new bike from Orbea. Plus Dave asks Ronan to confirm just how progressive his fit is, and as it turns out, the answer is not very. Ronan then jumps on a call with Daan Teugels from Belgian Cycling Factory to discuss how Eddy Merckx’s reduced-frame-size options can still meet racers' needs.

As always, members of Escape Collective don’t just support independent journalism; they get access to everything we have to offer. For Geek Warning, that means access to the weekly Ask a Wrench segment, where pro mechanics answer our member’s tech questions.

And apologies for the audio this week, as Dave accidentally landed on his backup microphone.

Time stamps:

00:01:39 - Specialized’s new SL9 is a little too familiar
00:19:50 - Kinky steerer tubes aren’t as naughty as they sound
00:23:45 - Orbea’s new Orca Aero
00:32:00 - How progressive is Ronan’s position?
00:40:00 - An aero-optimised run at the Tour Divide
00:45:20 - Giant’s new Revolt Advanced SL (and the Liv Devote Advanced SL)
00:48:50 - Campagnolo and Zipp’s new price point wheel options
00:53:45 - Chatting reduced frame size options with Eddy Merckx
01:13:15 - Back to Ronan and Dave
01:15:00 - Ask a Wrench (members only)
01:17:00 - Bearing maintenance after a big event
1:26:30 - Can an event like Unbound ruin a new chain?
1:32:00 - MTB disc brake caliper alignment woes
1:42:30 - A fix for leaky ProMax brakes

The fastest sleeves you've ever seen | TDF Tech special Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

It's time for a Geek Warning crossover episode! Ronan Mc Laughlin and Jack Duncan join Caley Fretz ahead of this year's Tour de France to break down how bikes and gear are changing and highlight what our tech reporters think will be the most important equipment of a modern Tour.

The consequences of big wheels and being gaslit Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

The tech crew at Escape Collective have been paying close attention to the progression toward 32in wheels in gravel and mountain bike, and while the conversation has come up a few times, it felt time to dedicate some real time to the topic.

This week, Escape tech staffers Dave Rome, Ronan Mc Laughlin, and Alex Hunt chat about 32ers in the news, whether the UCI’s potential involvement will slow things, and if a new wheel size is of positive net gain for the wider industry.

In addition to big wheels, the geeks also talk about some other new products. Meanwhile, members of Escape Collective get Ask a Wrench, the weekly segment where our members’ technical questions get answered.
Time stamps:

00:02:15 - 32ers in the news
00:03:00 - Thömus gets the first World Cup podium
00:07:00 - Canyon’s Lux Era concept
00:10:20 - A few big wheels at Spoken
00:12:30 - The UCI’s involvement
00:23:00 - Brands preparing for the next big thing
00:28:30 - Complications in 32er suspension
00:36:00 - It’s a high-risk time for more stock
00:39:30 - Cheaper bikes will be worse
00:42:00 - Why didn’t it start with gravel bikes?
00:49:00 - Wolf Tooth’s lower cost range of products
00:51:50 - Black Inc’s new Hyper wheels. So many carbon spokes
00:59:00 - Ask a Wrench with Colin Williams (members only)
01:01:00 - Should you service new suspension and talking bushing clearances
01:14:24 - Fighting stuck tubeless tyres. How to deal with them on the trail?
01:26:00 - A recall-related question

Exploring progressive road geometry Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

This week, Dave, Ronan, and new guy Jack chat about Eddy Merckx’s new bike and why it’s surprised Ronan. The bike provides good fodder for diving into more serviceable cockpits and for understanding why only fashion may limit the uptake of progressive road geometry.

There’s good news for those who prefer cable-actuated shifting, as Shimano has updated its mountain bike offerings. Dave has other things on his mind, too, including Australia’s Spoken bike show and how downhill is teasing future puzzling for disc brakes.
Of course, there’s plenty more than that, and members of Escape Collective also get Ask a Wrench at the end of the episode (members-only feed).

Time stamps:

00:01:30 - The new Eddy Merckx and an exploration into progressive road geometry
00:22:45 - Shimano’s mechanical shifting update
00:29:00 - Shimano updates a real classic
00:31:45 - Don’t miss Overnight Success
00:33:50 - Downhill tech is on Dave’s mind and the pursuit of heat-regulated brakes
00:39:15 - Dave makes a case for why Australia’s builder scene is world-class
00:46:00 - Cannondale’s nostalgic Team Dream CAAD14s
00:47:15 - Bianchi’s new Specialissima
00:51:45 - Ask a Wrench with Colin Williams (Members Only)
00:54:00 - A Shimano mechanical dropbar shifter that’s coming undone
01:03:00 - Inconsistent Torx tooling
01:13:45 - Noisy eccentric bottom bracket challenges
01:21:20 - Disc brake pads for high elevation bike packing

New climbing bikes are being seen, but rarely raced Jun 11, 2026

Show notes

New bikes are now rolling in from all directions with both the road and mountain bike race seasons in full swing. In this week’s episode, Dave chats with new hire Jack Duncan about what he’s been seeing at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (aka, the Dauphine).

Later in the episode, Jack and Dave discuss new cross-country mountain bikes from Orbea and Lapierre. Then Alex Hunt joins to talk about his experience with the new Scott Spark.

Not even prompted by Dave, the geeks also cover space and weight-efficient tools for travel. And as per usual, members of Escape Collective get access to our popular Ask a Wrench segment at the end of the episode.
Time stamps:

00:01:10 - Pre-Tour tech at the Dauphine
00:09:00 - A tangent on big brand wheels
00:14:00 - Mystery new shoes
00:15:20 - New climbing bikes are being seen, but rarely raced
00:23:30 - How to pack tools for travel is on our mind
00:41:00 - It’s a week of new 29er XC MTB, starting with the Orbea Oiz and Lapierre XR
00:49:30 - Alex Hunt joins to talk about Scott’s Spark update
00:59:00 - RIP Charlie Cunningham
01:01:40 - Ask a Wrench with Colin Williams (members only)
01:03:00 - Small electric inflators where low pressures matter
01:13:00 - Discontinued pedal lubes and PFAS’
01:20:30 - What on saddles makes them a wear item?
01:27:00 - Pondering a handlebar that turns more freely
01:30:30 - Talking about our mechanical work

Inner soles, 20 grams, and a new voice Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

Geek Warning gets a new voice as Escape’s new US tech editor - Jack Duncan - joins the motley crew.

Together with Dave Rome and Ronan Mc Laughlin, the geeks cover a broad range of topics from Unbound tech, UCI doing UCI things, Ronan’s custom inner sole journey, and hubs that allow cassettes to fall off.

Of course, members of Escape Collective also get Ask a Wrench. This week, Dave is joined by Jack Duncan to answer a number of questions from our members. Also, Dave sends his apologies to members listening to Ask a Wrench as his mic settings had changed without warning.

Time stamps:

00:00:00 - An introduction to Jack Duncan
00:04:30 - Unbound tech wrap
00:16:25 - Disqualification over 20 grams
00:28:00 - Cassettes that fall off and Dave’s Public Rambling Rant
00:33:00 - Carbon inner soles are on Ronan’s mind
00:49:30 - Ask a Wrench (members only)
00:51:00 - Running a 12-speed chain on a 11-speed cassette
00:57:45 - battery drain issues in an AXS shifter
1:04:00 - How to add grip to a slippery brake lever

The Crux is now a DirtMac May 28, 2026

Show notes

Howdy geeks! It’s Unbound race week, and with that, we’ve seen an expected amount of fresh new tech in the gravel space.
This week, Escape’s senior tech editors Dave Rome and Ronan Mc Laughlin discuss Specalized’s long-awaited update to the Crux. There’s, of course, a bit of big wheel chatter. A fun new project product from Wheels Manufacturing. And plenty more.
As a reminder, members of Escape Collective also get access to Ask a Wrench, where member questions are answered by Dave Rome and a quest mechanic (this week, Colorado-based Colin Williams returns).

If you liked this episode, please leave us a review. It helps like-minded cyclists discover us.
Time stamps:

00:00:30 - Ronan went racing
00:07:15 - Ronan rides the new Specialized Crux
00:14:50 - But is it actually aero?
00:23:47 - Are pure aero gravel bikes what we need?
00:30:05 - Scott’s 32in gravel bike for Unbound
00:36:50 - Wheels Manufacturing’s better mud stick
00:42:29 - Paragon Machine Works has been acquired
00:43:56 - Good thing: Mechanics you can trust
00:51:00 - Ask a Wrench (Members-Only feed)
00:52:30 - Weird pulley wheel wear
1:03:00 - When is it time to replace a wheel?
1:12:00 - A Dangerholm-inspired Full-Suspension gravel bike?

Going further on gravel May 22, 2026

Show notes

With Unbound on next week, and the Gralloch on last weekend, it felt timely to talk about going further on gravel. For this, Escape’s tech and industry reporter, Suvi Loponen, joins Dave Rome. Also joining this week is special guest (and occasional Escape contributor) Kevin ‘Benky’ Benkenstein, a familiar face in the ultra world.

There's also talk of whether the trend in wide gravel rims is a good direction. And of course, there’s plenty more. Just a quick note that Kevin did have some internet issues, so we apologise for the occasional delay in the recording.

Members of Escape Collective get the full episode (and no ads!), where mechanic Colin Williams joins Dave to answer technical questions.

Time stamps:

00:01:31 - Suvi's time at the Gralloch
00:10:48 - How to get comfortable when going far on gravel
00:17:13 - New Specialized and Canyon spotted at the Gralloch
00:18:29 - What benefits the pros doesn’t always benefit us
00:20:33 - Unbound is coming
00:35:07 - New Enve gravel wheels
00:41:49 - Is wider really better, or is this just a trend?
00:45:55 - Niner bikes goes on pause
00:49:00 - Ask a Wrench (member-only feed)
00:50:30 - How long does a bag of wax last?
00:55:15 - Running a road cassette with mountain bike derailleurs
00:59:30 - Building a tool to stress relieve a wheel
1:06:04 - Does suspension need servicing after storage?

Will beep boop suspension come to gravel? May 14, 2026

Show notes

In a rare treat, Caley Fretz (aka, The Hammer) makes a return to Geek Warning. Joined by Escape's Senior Tech Editor Dave Rome, this week’s chat covers electronic suspension on mountain bikes and whether it makes sense for future gravel bikes.

Time stamps:

00:00:00 - Intro, Caley is back
00:02:01 - Caley is a fan of Flight Attendant
00:25:30 - Electronics for gravel suspension?
00:34:30 - Endurace CF range
00:41:00 - Rotor in trouble
00:42:00 - Why Escape Collective
00:44:56 - Ask a Wrench (members only)
00:45:50 - Can you fix a creaking saddle?
00:50:10 - How to find info on older bikes?
00:56:30 - More Cannondale Ai oddness
01:02:20 - Why don’t mechanics provide their own tools?

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