Geek Warning

Latest Episodes:

Is aero the new all-rounder? Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

From hookless hubs to the latest in 11-speed shifting, the past week of tech has been quite the rollercoaster for the tech-minded.

This week on Geek Warning, Ronan, Dave, and Alex from Escape Collective’s tech team catch up to run through the news and offer plenty of thoughts along the way. This one is a little heavier on the news than we typically like to do, but it’s been quite the busy week on that front!

Of course, members of Escape Collective also get access to the full version of the episode that tacks on Ask a Wrench at the end. Zach Edwards joins Dave in answering a handful of interesting member questions, including one from a former winner of Unbound 200.

Time stamps:

2:40 - The new Cervelo Caledonia
3:34 - OneUp joins the XC SPD pedal game
6:40 - Nobl’s new sub-1,000 gram MTB wheels
9:20 - MicroShift’s Advent MX 1x11 shifting
10:10 - Shimano Tiagra goes 11-speed
11:50 - Hookless hub failures in the WorldTour
17:00 - Giant’s vaguely new Propel
22:00 - Merida’s new Reacto is finally released
31:00 - Closely overlapping road range confusion
50:30 - A SPD to flat pedal adapter that’s a Good Thing
53:50 - Ask a Wrench (Members Only feed)
54:45 - Getting specific with 2x shifting on Cane Creek EEwings cranks
1:01:50 - Do you need to bleed brakes after undoing and/or cutting hoses?
1:09:40 - Rusty chains, chain wax, and when to replace
1:19:00 - A real fancy bike behind Zach

Can we stop talking in absolutes? Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

It’s common for everyone to chase the simple answer for what the best product is. In this week’s Geek Warning, Dave and Ronan discuss why those chasing the best of something may be landing upon fiction.
Additionally, you’ll hear about the differing paths in aero road wheel design between the latest from Princeton Carbon Works and Cadex. Of course, there’s a PSA. And our Good Thing segment returns.
As with every week, members of Escape Collective get access to our Ask a Wrench segment. This week, Zach Edwards joins Dave to discuss greasing principles, whether to lube electronic derailleurs, mixing-and-matching SRAM brakes, and more.

If you like the show, then please consider leaving a review. It’s much appreciated.
Happy geeking!

Time stamps:

1:20 - Princeton Carbon Works’ research into rim widths
10:50 - Cadex’s new aero combo
20:00 - SRAM’s new gravity MTB products
22:55 - Ibis has a new XC bike
24:00 - On our mind: There is no best
36:50 - PSA: Know when you don’t know
46:00 - Good thing: Sync Ergonomics Aerobar Three
51:00 - Ask a Wrench (Members only)
51:30 - Do you lube the pivots of electronic derailleurs?
59:20 - Shimano MTB vs Road on an indoor trainer
1:04:00 - Mixing SRAM dropbar shifters with four-piston calipers
1:09:30 - Applying grease to a thread and how much to use

Bonus: Speaking spokes Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

Oh hi, Dave Rome here. It’s time to get geeky about spokes.
I recently wrapped up a long-term review (now live on Escape Collective) where I compared two identical gravel wheelsets, one built with bladed steel spokes and the other built with Berd spokes, a spoke made from a Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, aka, Dyneema.

Those white Berd spokes have been growing steadily in popularity, and off the back of Tom Pidcock and Pauline Ferrand Prevot winning the last Olympic games on them, I was ever more curious. To help with that curiosity, Tristan Thomas of the New Zealand-based wheel company, WheelWorks, lent me some wheels in order to get some answers to questions I had.

This episode is a sit-down with Tristan to discuss spokes and the considerations around an interesting polymer product like Berd. Happy geeking!

Performance bikes are like phones Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

Think of recent times when Apple, Samsung, or Google have once again claimed to change the phone, just for you to find out that you can now photograph everyone’s wrinkles a little more clearly. Ronan believes we’re in an age where performance bikes are like phones, and of course, the geeks discuss it.

On Geek Warning this week, Dave and Ronan discuss Cannondale’s latest bikes and what they may spell for some other emerging trends. Meanwhile, the PSA segment returns with a warning regarding increasingly common hood slippage.

All of that is free to all, while members of Escape Collective also gain access to our popular Ask a Wrench segment at the end of the episode. From our favourite bearing greases to headset woes, there’s plenty answered and discussed this week.

Happy geeking!

Time stamps:

1:45 - Cannondale SuperSix Evo 4.5
12:50 - TT frames as aero road bikes?
24:00 - Favero doubles battery longevity, for free
25:50 - Trek turns 50
26:30 - New Factor Ostro Gravel spotted
30:30 - RIP King Liu
31:30 - Performance bicycles are like phones
45:00 - PSA related to slipping hoods
54:30 - Ask a Wrench with Boulder Grupetto (member only)
55:48 - Mixing and matching SRAM Transmission with other cassettes
1:00:15 - Specialized Crux headset loosening woes
1:10:00 - Quick connectors for fully integrated drop bar bikes?
1:17:20 - Servicing versus replacing bottom brackets, and our go-to bearing greases

Bonus: Talking torque Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

It’s time for another bonus episode from the geeks. Hosted by Dave Rome, this episode is a dive into the world of torque wrench usage. Oh yes, it’s time to get nerdy.
Anyone who uses a torque wrench should find value in this episode that covers the do’s and don’ts in using a torque wrench. To help with this topic, Dave is joined by Alex Boone, an aerospace engineer who works at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Formerly a quality control engineer, and before that, a bike shop rat, Alex knows the ins and outs of using a torque wrench and how best to apply that in bicycle terms.
For more on this topic, head on over to EscapeCollective.com for Dave’s latest edition of Threaded that summarises and shows many of the concepts discussed within.
The full version of this episode is only available to members of Escape Collective. Those on the free feed will hear approximately half the episode. If independent journalism matters to you, you want access to all that we offer (and without ads), or you just want a website that’s not trash to look at, then please consider joining at escapecollective.com/geekwarning .

Geek Warning: Chains that rust too easily Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

Have you experienced certain models of Shimano 12-speed chains rusting more easily than expected? It’s one of many topics in this week’s Geek Warning, the cycling tech podcast from Escape Collective.

This week, Suvi, Alex, and Dave also discuss limitations and concerns regarding the fast-arriving 32in wheels. There’s talk of new bikes. And what we carry for fixing tubeless punctures.

Those on our member-only feeds also get access to Ask a Wrench, where this week Colorado-based pro mechanic Colin Williams joins Dave for the first time.

Happy geeking!

Time stamps:

1:40 - Trek’s new XC bike has been spotted
6:40 - Big (32”) wheels continue to gain momentum, but maybe we should pump the brakes?
18:00 - Basso’s new gravel bike
22:30 - Do 12-speed Shimano chains have a rust issue?
31:00 - Tubeless tyre plugging
42:30 - What we’ve finished working on
45:00 - Ask a Wrench (Member-only, with pro mechanic Colin Williams)
46:00 - When cutting carbon goes wrong
51:00 - Are there short-cuts to setting up SRAM Transmission?
58:40 - Tips for gravel racing in sand
1:04:00 - Specialized FutureShock headset tips

Apartment-dwelling bike washing Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

This week’s episode is packed tighter than a top tube bag before an all-day outing. Join Suvi, Dave, and Ronan as they chat through the latest industry and product news to hit the cycling world.
Within, you’ll hear where Suvi’s head is at in picking a rear radar, and what Dave suggests for a portable air blower. The geeks also discuss bike-washing tips for those without a garden, plus thoughts on modern drivetrain wear.
Members of Escape Collective also get access to the Ask a Wrench segment at the end of the episode, where member-submitted tech questions are answered. Plus, our member-only podcast feeds are ad-free.
Time stamps:
2:00 - Is Eurobike as we know it now over?
9:00 - Good news from Campagnolo
12:00 - Trek’s gusty headwinds
13:45 - Garmin’s new rear radar and Suvi’s existing picks
23:30 - Surly’s Midnight Special gets some fiber
24:50 - Rose’s Shave race and endurance bikes
36:00 - Bike wash tips for apartment dwellers
48:30 - Portable air blowers
51:30 - The old rules of drivetrain wear no longer apply
54:00 - Ask a Wrench with Zach Edwards (Members Only)
54:30 - Dropper posts and internal cable routing woes
1:05:00 - A funny PSA
1:6:30 - Full Mount derailleurs and stripped bolts
1:13:00 - Brake pad compounds for ultra wet off-road riding

Geek Warning: Tech that doesn’t sense make Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

Welcome back to Geek Warning! Turn up that radio and listen Suvi, Ronan, and Dave as they discuss the latest big stories in cycling tech.
From why many dropbar MTBs being sold have it wrong, through to a rant about stem designs with limited adjustability, there’s plenty to geek about this week.
Members of Escape Collective also get Ask a Wrench, where Zach Edwards (Boulder Grupetto) and Dave Rome answer a number of technical questions.
Happy bike nerding!
Time stamps:
2:08 - Our first Velofollies
6:00 - Why many dropbar MTBs are half-baked
16:00 - A concept bike designed partly for reality
25:30 - Less happy industry times
29:30 - Gravaa ceases
33:00 - On Dave’s mind: Stems that can’t be moved without cutting steerers
42:00 - MADE tickets now open
43:00 - Ask a Wrench with Boulder Grupetto (Members Only)
44:00 - How do Hookless Max tyre pressures scale with size?
51:00 - Quick connectors for hydraulic disc brakes?
56:00 - Cannondale Ai offset confusion
1:01:00 - Converting an old 29er MTB to dropbar

In the pits of the Tour Down Under Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

We’re in Adelaide for the Tour Down Under, and it would be rude not to take a stroll through the race mechanics’ village. After all, the race provides a unique opportunity to see all men’s and women’s WorldTour teams in one place.
Tune in as Caley Fretz and Dave Rome reunite and casually chat tech. From big changes, rumours, to fancy hand-built bikes – there’s plenty to take in.
It’s worth noting that the episode starts with some audio issues, but they're quickly fixed. This episode is wholly free to all of our listeners, whether members or not. And on that note, there is no Ask a Wrench segment this week.

Wear items don’t just suddenly become worn Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to a new year of Geek Warning, the cycling tech-focused podcast from Escape Collective.
This week, Ronan and Dave get back into the swing of things by covering some fresh products from Cane Creek, SRAM, BBB, and more.
It seems Ronan and Dave both had PSAs on their minds, so we have two this week. One is about watching wear on what are common wear items. The other is about how to perform a basic safety check on any bike.
Unfortunately, we hit audio issues with the member-only Ask a Wrench that only showed up during editing. For some reason, the recording device decided to give Dave a lisp and mute him off-and-on. Sorry.
Time stamps:
4:00 - Cane Creek answered Dave’s wish
15:30 - BBB’s CoreCap
19:20 - SRAM goes shorter in cranks
22:30 - Tailfin’s bottle cage mount where you want it
24:30 - Garbaruk breaks SRAM’s rules
28:00 - RIP Joe Montgomery
29:00 - Mechanic crystal balling is on Dave’s Mind
38:30 - A basic safety check procedure
43:00 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland (Members Only, with some audio issues, sorry!)
43:30 - SRAM eTap rim brake shifters
50:30 - Draining a bike and warding off corrosion
1:04:30 - Can 3D printing save me from a new Wahoo speed sensor?
1:08:00 - How to make toe spikes last longer

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