Geek Warning

Latest Episodes:

Aero gravel bikes are not always the fastest choice May 07, 2026

Show notes

Are full-blown aero gravel bikes all they’re cracked up to be? Dave and Ronan share some strong thoughts on why this may be the wrong path, or at least, why it’s still early days for these being the faster choice.

For those in the workshop, Dave shares the importance of good lighting and some of his favourite hand-held options for seeing better.

Alex Hunt then jumps on to talk about XC tech from the opening round of World Cup racing, including why the conditions caused so many dropped chains.

Of course, members of Escape Collective get Ask a Wrench, this week with guru Colin Williams. Dave and Colin answer a handful of questions, but a chunk of the time is spent chatting about their most underrated and overrated tools.

Time stamps:

00:02:13 - A Traka load of new, unreleased gravel bikes from Factor and Ridley
00:06:46 - Cervelo Aspero 5 where it’s good and where it’s really not
00:13:41 - Has gravel learned everything it knows from XC?
00:18:03 - Is the Factor Sarana Ronan McLaughlin’s bike for ultras or just confusing?
00:29:42 - A good thing to share about lighting
00:41:47 - Alex joins to talk MTB World Cup
00:43:51 - New bikes spotted in South Korea from Scott and Lapierre
00:51:56 - Lots of mud and 1x drivetrains aren’t a good match
01:01:15 - Ask a Wrench (member-only feed)
01:02:40 - Best mechanical shifting options for dropbar?
01:12:10 - Chainline variance and e-bikes
01:17:30 - Squeaky shoes with SPD
01:22:00 - Our most overrated and underrated tools

Campagnolo is oh so back Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

It’s an episode of three parts this week and there’s been lots of big tech releases to chat through.

Things kick off with Ronan Mc Laughlin and Dave Rome chatting about Campagnolo’s new Record 13 release and why it may prove to be the move to put Campagnolo back in the minds of many.

There’s chat of where Zipp may be gone wrong with its latest 202 wheel release, and Ronan shares some thoughts of BMC’s new gravel racer, the Kaius.

Then Dave gets tech reporter Alex Hunt on the phone to talk about two new cross-country bike releases - the Specialized Epic 9 and Canyon Lux World Cup.
Finally, and as per every episode, members of Escape Collective get Ask a Wrench. Zach Edwards and Dave offer their insights to three member-submitted questions.
Happy geeking!

Time stamps:

00:00:00 Introduction, Ronan’s knackered, he’s been testing.
00:02:40 Campagnolo release Record 13, cheaper than Super Record, still more expensive than most other things.
00:14:17 Zipp 202 wheels for going up hills.
00:25:29 BMC Kaius 01 Gravel Racing Bicycle
00:37:53 Alex is here to talk about new MTBs
00:40:54 The new 2026 Canyon Lux Word Cup
00:48:30 The 2026 Specialized Epic 9 has arrived with a big price tag and no frame storage
1:02:00 - Ask a Wrench (members only, audio only)
1:04:00 - Headset loosening woes and the Ring of Death
1:14:00 - Over-preloaded hub woes
1:21:10 - Our choice of tubeless tapes

No questions asked warranties aren’t all upside Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

It’s the week after the Sea Otter Classic, and the geeks speak surprisingly little of the products shown there. Instead, Ronan and Dave cover new budget drivetrains from SRAM and Shimano. Dave is thinking about unsustainable warranty policies. And there’s plenty more covered from the world of cycling tech.

As a reminder, members of Escape Collective also get access to Ask a Wrench (at the end of the free episode). This week, Zach Edwards joins Dave in answering a variety of questions from members.

Happy geeking!

Time stamps:

00:01:29 - Should you grease headset spacers?
00:05:39 - Lifetime warranties on wear items
00:16:14 - Sea Otter - lots of 32” wheels and the rise of Chinese brands
00:31:38: - SRAM S-Series, where 9 becomes 3
00:39:54 - Shimano CUES 2x11 overlapping with Tiagra 2x11
00:45:37 - UCI vs SRAM. The UCI will make everything safer with limit screws
00:56: 11 - Ronan’s nipples are sore, but it’s in the name of unlocking performance
1:00:00 - Ask a Wrench (member-only)
1:02:00 - How does new Campagnolo differ in installation?
1:15:00 - Tips for maintaining a full suspension MTB
1:26:00 - Sweat causing Shimano pedal failures?

Roubaix Tech and classic Colnagos Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

Whoa, what a week to be a cycling fan. And for the nerds among us, Roubaix rolling into Sea Otter is always great.
This week Ronan, Alex, and Dave discuss some of the bigger tech finds and blunders of Roubaix and what they may spell for future products and trends. Many tangents are had. Ronan got to ride the new Colnago C72 and shares why he’s always dreamed of owning a C-Series.
Of course, the geeks also cover some tech news, and there’s a PSA. It’s a long one, but we think it’s a good one! As usual, members of Escape Collective get Ask a Wrench (via the member-only podcast feeds). It’s perhaps one not to miss for the chain waxers among us.
Time stamps:

3:55 - New Shimano SLR pedals break cover
7:48 - MVDP not on that new Endurace
16:42 - 1x everywhere from Shimano and SRAM
25:30 - Tyres wider than first assumed?
29:00 - What's going on with all the punctures?
34;10 - Inflatable inserts from Odyssey Optis
41:30 - On your mind: The Roubaix-specific bike may still have its day again
49:15 - Roubaix’s most intriguing tech picks (glue)
57:00 - Colnago’s new C72
1:06:15 - Shimano finally adds crank options to GRX
1:07:15 - Dave’s Tool Lust (Cushcore)
1:11:35 - Sea Otter Classic is here
1:12:15 - PSA: Be careful not to make a candle
1:17:30 - Ask a Wrench with Zach Edwards (Escape members only)
1:18:40 - Chain wax for ultra endurance applications
1:28:00 - Fixing a stuck brake hose olive
1:32:20 - Time XC pedal creak
1:39:55 - Why isn’t Nitrogen used in tyres?

Is electronic shifting soulless? Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

A recent review comparing SRAM XPLR AXS to Shimano GRX Di2 1x brought up an interesting comment from a reader: does electronic shifting kill the soul of a bicycle? It’s a topic of discussion in this week’s episode.

Also in this episode, tech editor and industry reporter Suvi Loponen rejoins Geek Warning to talk about Canyon’s somewhat confusing new Endurace CFR release. You’ll also hear about some other bits of new tech. Meanwhile, the PSA this week doesn’t mince words, calling out a new product on Kickstarter as one to avoid.

Of course, members of Escape Collective also get access to Ask a Wrench, where this week Dave is joined by pro wrench Colin Williams to answer a number of your questions.

Time stamps:

02:41 - Is electronic shifting lacking a soul?
16:36 - New Canyon Endurace CFR isn’t an Endurace
31:59 - New things from Easton, Vittoria and Surly
41:28 - PSA: You can’t lube a chain with nonsense
50:00 - Ask a Wrench with Colin Williams (Member’s Only)
52:00 - Should I clear coat raw aluminium?
57:35 - Mystery Di2 chain dropping issue
1:05:00 - SRAM dropbar sticky pistons
1:10:20 - Bringing a bike out of winter storage

A promising future for Campagnolo Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

This week, Escape’s senior tech editors Ronan Mc Laughlin and Dave Rome are back on the mics to talk about Campagnolo’s big news, Stan’s new products, and a big-tyred aero bike from Ridley.
Also, Dave has easy-to-build bikes on his mind and why they’re the sort of bike he personally still seeks out. Plus there’s a PSA for those who ever turn a hex key near a SRAM Transmission or XPLR-equipped bike.

Geek Warning usually finishes on a member-only segment of Ask a Wrench, but not this week. Instead, Dave catches up with famed frame builder Rob English (of English Cycles) about his time at MADE (the North American boutique bicycle show).

Happy geeking!

Time stamps:

00:01:45 - Ronan and Jack’s big ride
00:05:45 - Campagnolo gets its first outside investor
00:17:30 - For love of easy-to-build bikes
00:30:00 - A conspiracy theory for proprietary design
00:36:00 - A PSA for SRAM Full Mount owners
00:37:40 - Stan’s NoTubes has been busy
00:46:00 - Ridley’s Kanzo Fast 2.0
00:55:48 - Talking all things MADE with Rob English (Members Only)

Mixing and matching integrated components Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

Ronan and Dave return to chat through the week of cycling geeking. From emerging trends in one-piece cockpits to the latest in tech news, this episode has plenty of information nuggets.

As usual, members of Escape Collective have access to the member-only podcast feeds where they receive the full versions of our episodes. Every week, this includes the bonus section of Geek Warning – Ask a Wrench, where you’ll hear pro mechanics answer technical questions from members. This week, the mechanics answer questions related to restoring an older rim brake bike and the reasons to do it; tubeless sealants and dehumidifiers; and a handful of questions related to new disc brake setup.
Time stamps:

4:20 - Mixing and matching cockpits
18:00 - Do modern handlebar measurements measure up?
24:40 - Escape Explained
25:45 - Prologo joins the pressure mapping game
34:45 - Safety first: Pikio Labs’ Si helmet
39:00 - New Canyon spotted
41:00 - A PSA for crummy pump heads
46:00 - Ask a Wrench (members only)
46:30 - Bringing an old CAAD9 back to life and whether to upgrade the drivetrain
53:30 - The Chisel dropbar conversion continues
58:30 - Storing bikes with tubeless
1:02:45 - A fussy and sticky SRAM hydraulic disc brake, plus some sneaky tips

The continual compromise of 1x shifting Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

This week, we have tech editors Ronan Mc Laughlin and Josh Weinberg coming in from opposite ends of the world, both in dimly lit hotel rooms, and without their usual podcast recording equipment. It’s only up from here!
In the first section, Dave Rome chats to Ronan about his previous day touring Pirelli. Then Dave reminds us of the real-world compromises that 1x shifting continues to battle. Also, you’ll hear a rant, and Ronan has a Good Thing that many probably already own.
Next stop is Dave catching up with our US tech editor Josh Weinberg, who finds himself in Taiwan for the Taipei Cycle Show.
And finally, members of Escape Collective (who get access to everything we do at Escape Collective), can tune in for our popular Ask a Wrench segment, where Dave and pro mechanic Zach Edwards answer technical questions from members.

Finally, the day has come for Geek Warning to be a motion picture. You’ll now find episodes on YouTube, too.
Happy Geeking!
Time stamps:

4:40 - Touring Pirelli HQ
12:00 - Pirelli’s new flagship race tyre
18:00 - Wolf Tooth’s new flagship Mark Zero range
21:40 - The real world compromises of 1x shifting
34:00 - Content creation that has Dave ranting
40:20 - Ronan’s Good Thing that you may already own -
44:45 - Taipei Cycle Show with Josh
52:00 - 32er manufacturing is brewing, 3D printing, and other trends
1:07:00 - Ask a Wrench (members only)
1:08:00 - Shimano brakes gone bad if not used
1:17:30 - Stuck tyre bead on rim. Solutions?
1:26:00 - Re-using old brake hoses during re-routing

It’s all marketing Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

This week, Ronan and Dave discuss Muc-Off’s much-delayed entry into premium drip wax lubes. Better late than never?

With some new gravel wheels from Swiss Side and Scope hitting the market, the conversation turns to how hooked rims are quickly becoming a sales feature even in disciplines where hookless is perfectly fine. The geeks also chat about rim widths and wheel choices.

Of course, there’s a PSA, while the free episode wraps with Ronan sharing a new app for the watts-obsessed – wattsthedifference.

Something you'll be missing in this free feed is that members of Escape Collective get the full episode, including Ask a Wrench. This week, Dave is joined by pro mechanic Colin Williams to answer questions related to torque, DOT fluid, and picking one grease.

Time stamps:

02:45 - Muc-Off does the thing they debated against
17:20 - Swiss Side’s budget gravel performance and
20:16 - Hooked is a selling feature
22:30 - Scope enters the wider rim space and a rabbit hole down the rim width tunnel
31:15 - Wolf Tooth joins the nice semi-internal headset game
35:00 - Sapim expands beyond steel spokes
41:00 - PSA for the eyes
43:30 - Ronan’s good thing
1:00:00 - Ask a Wrench (members only)
1:00:40 - More on torque, dry threadlocker, and carbon paste
1:08:00 - Worry about a frame repair
1:11:00 - How long does DOT fluid keep for?
1:14:00 - Picking one grease for general use

Is the new CAAD rider the old CAAD rider? Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

This week, Ronan reveals to the world that he’s never even sat on a Cannondale CAAD. Relatedly, Escape is now hiring a new tech editor.

Separate from that controversy, Dave and Ronan chat through some interesting but unreleased products. Dave worries he’s got too much on his mind when it comes to modern electronics in bicycles. And conversation turns a little behind-the-scenes.

Members of Escape Collective also get access to Ask a Wrench, where we answer your technical questions. This week a lot of those questions were up Ronan’s alley, so he’s present to answer them.
Happy geeking!

Time stamps: