Jeez, that Dave and Ronan can sure ramble on about a new groupset. Indeed, this week’s Geek Warning has the geeks geeking over Campagnolo’s much-awaited release of 1x13 wireless. They chat about what's new, the limitations of a single chainring for general road riding, and why the future for the iconic Italian manufacturer seems brighter.

While that chat may be a little premium for some tastes, the rest of the episode is all about more practical things. From tips for freehub servicing through to chatting good tech docs, this week’s episode lives up to the podcast’s name.

Time stamps:

2:30 - A Corrections Corner that only members need
4:00 - Campagnolo’s big Super Record expansion and the limits of 1x road
26:00 - Looking at Look’s Vision pedals
30:00 - New warranty options for CSS rim customers
32:00 - a PSA for your freehub
41:00 - Readily available technical manuals are a Good Thing
48:50 - Ask a Wrench (Members Only, with Zach Edwards)
49:30 - What’s up with gravel suspension?
55:00 - Threaded bottom bracket creaks
1:04:00 - Putting new Shimano XTR Di2 on a road bike
1:17:00 - Zach’s preferred brakes to bleed

Warning, geeks inbound. This week, Dave and Ronan catch up to discuss WorldTour rumours and a few of the bigger stories in tech. One of which is Wilier’s new aero bike, and while it wasn’t what Ronan had expected, it raises questions about whether the new crop of Hyperbikes are a consumer-friendly option.

Of course, there’s a PSA and Dave shares a ‘Good Thing’ that was on his mind from earlier in the day. And as per usual, members of Escape Collective get an extra half an hour of geekery as submitted questions get answered.

Time stamps:

1:00 - A little bit about electric tyre inflators
10:45 - Wilier’s new Filante SLR aero bike isn’t so radical
17:15 - WorldTour tech rumours
31:00 - Strava wants to be friends with Garmin again
34:00 - PSA to preventing stuck tubeless valve nuts
37:00 - Good Things for bleeding brakes
44:00 - Ask A Wrench (Members Only)
44:30 - Maintenance time versus durability in chain lubes
52:00 - Wedges in cycling shoes
1:01:00 - How to know when a slick tyre is worn
1:05:00 - Finding a 160 mm crank for use with 2x GRX

Gravel World’s, Bespoked Dresden, and new products have kept Escape’s tech team busy over the past week. In this episode of Geek Warning, Dave and Ronan discuss a few of the bigger tech sightings and why they may prove to be irrelevant.

There’s talk of Campagnolo’s latest products, plus Ronan further explains the role of saddle positioning tools.

Members of Escape Collective also get access to the Ask a Wrench segment (this week with Boulder Groupetto). Of particular interest for many is a question related to the use of grease versus anti-seize versus threadlocker.

Happy geeking!

Time stamps:

2:20 - Tech at UCI Gravel Worlds
8:00 - Ultra-wide wheels from Dangerholm
19:00 - Campagnolo goes Ultra
27:30 - Good products, inspired by another podcast
33:30 - Pet peeve meets PSA related to saddle positioning
45:00 - Ask a Wrench with Boulder Groupetto (Members Only)
47:00 - Tech that less tech-savvy riders should avoid
58:30 - Grease vs Anti-Seize vs Threadlocker
1:12:00 - A member-submitted tip
1:15:00 - Omnium tyre choices

It’s a rare occurrence that timezone align for Escape’s entire tech team to get together and casually chat about what’s keeping each of them busy.

For this bonus episode of Geek Warning, Dave, Ronan, Suvi, Josh, and Alex discuss some of the test products and testing that has been on their minds as of late.

Enjoy!

Time stamps:

3:00 - The bikes we rode last
5:00 - Early thoughts on the Cervelo Aspero 5
8:00 - Canyon Grizl
12:00 - Trek CheckOut
18:00 - Stinner Refugio Ti and Salsa Spearfish
21:00 - A long-awaited Basso review
23:00 - A tangent (rant) into how we do and don’t get review bikes to fit us
37:30 - PFAS-free waterproof and cool-weather kit (Members Only)
44:00 - Wolf Tooth’s entry to SPD pedals
53:00 - Ronan’s power meter pedal deep-dive
56:00 - Josh’ Dynamo adventures
58:00 - Not feeling the difference in Shimano’s new cleats
1:07:00 - Ronan thinks he’s owned a Tarmac SL8 for 7 years. Alex praises the Scott Addict RC.
1:13:00 - THE electric inflator test is coming this week!

Emergency episode time!

Caley and Ronan dive into a story that started with chainrings and cogs, and ended up in court. The BCA has ordered the UCI to suspend its new Maximum Gear Ratio Standard, siding with SRAM in a dispute that could reshape how cycling’s rules are made. What began as a “safety test” for rider speed has become a battle over who really governs the sport, and whether the UCI is still above competition law.

Come get geeky with Dave, Ronan, and Zach (Boulder Grupetto), as they add context to the latest cycling tech.

This week you’ll hear about adjustable crank lengths, whether fancy bottom brackets are worth the expense, and if modular mechanical rear derailleurs will succeed.

Members of Escape will also hear a non-safety-critical PSA, and of course, Ask a Wrench. That Ask a Wrench is a little different from the usual, with a long chat about whether the review bikes we get are given special treatment by the brands.

Time stamps:

1:50 - Adjustable length cranks return with SRM
10:15 - A dive into fancy fancy bottom brackets via CeramicSpeed’s overhaul
29:30 - Did Specialized get the new Aethos right?
37:30 - Debating premium, modular, mechanical rear derailleurs.
44:00 - PSA - Check your hex keys for wear (Members Only)
51:00 - Ask a Wrench (Members Only)
53:00 - Do we get special bikes to review?
1:04:00 - Solving mystery air in disc brakes

Long-time listeners of Geek Warning are in for a treat as Zach Edwards (Boulder Groupetto) returns for a full episode. Along with Dave Rome and Alex Hunt, there is a whole lot of ultimate bike geek to this week’s episode.

Within, you’ll hear about some unintentionally leaked information related to what’s likely the next generation of Shimano road pedals.

Dave then takes the conversation to an old favourite topic – chain waxing. Next, those new to cycling or less knowledgeable about the technical aspects may appreciate a dedicated new section that aims to cover topics that bike shop staff frequently repeat multiple times a week. This week, it’s all about drip-on wax lubes.

Of course there’s some industry news to talk about, and finally a decision on the UCIs handlebar width pondering.

All of that is free for all, but members of Escape Collective then get access to the Ask a Wrench segment of the podcast. Here, the geeks answer a number of member-submitted technical questions with information that should prove helpful if you’re working on bikes or keen to expand your technical knowledge.

Happy geeking!

Time stamps:
01:50 - Is a new generation of Shimano road pedals around the corner?
10:40 - Chain waxing temperatures, does it matter?
17:00 - Back to basics: Chain lubes
31:00 - UCI adjusts and confirms its bar width ruling
37:30 - YT set to close
42:50 - CSS Composites closing
48:00 - Ask a Wrench (Members only)
48:30 - Getting perfect shifting with Shimano Tiagra
56:30 - Where to begin with modern mountain bike geometry
1:04:30 - Shimano 12-speed cassettes and the Adhesive Ring

This week on Geek Warning, Ronan Mc Laughlin and Dave Rome discuss why SRAM’s battle with the UCI may also prove positive for Shimano.

Ronan asks Dave what his workshop wish is, which leads to an unexpected tangent about bike washing. There’s, of course, a PSA, which ends up being a conversation about how to align dropbar shifters. And the geeks summarise a bunch of the latest and biggest new tech.

Lastly, Zach Edwards (Boulder Groupetto) joins the pod to answer some questions from members in the Ask a Wrench segment. As a reminder, only members of Escape Collective get access to this section of the podcast.

Happy geeking!

Time stamps:
1:00 - A hypothetical question
5:30 - SRAM taking the UCI to court, explained (plus a big rumour)
10:15 - Waiting on an update to the UCI’s handlebar ruling (now out of date since recording)
13:00 - Ronan ponders Dave’s dream workshop wish
25:00 - PSA that alignment markings on bars may be fictional plus an explainer on road shifter alignment
38:00 - Rotor returns to the groupset game, sorta
40:15 - Further update on SRAM’s Transmission firmware update
41:40 - Trek’s CheckOut, a full suspension gravel bike
43:15 - RockShox’s matching Rudy XL
45:00 - RLS helmet safety system and Canyon growing the full-service side of the business
48:30 - Lezyne enters the rear Radar game
50:00 - Ask a Wrench (Escape members only)
52:30 - Shimano Di2 rear shifting woes
58:30 - Adding shifters to SRAM AXS
1:04:00 - Greasing posts and cleaning seat tubes

Today, Trek launched a bike that’s sure to spark debate in comments sections. It’s called the CheckOut. It features a new 60 mm travel front suspension fork, courtesy of the RockShox Rudy XL, and 55 mm rear travel to match. It fits gravel-width cranks and has official clearance for up to 56 mm tyres (about a 29x2.25in).

However, it’s the design and testing of this bike that brings our fascination up to a boiling point. Trek published a white paper explaining how it used a rolling road with 3D motion capture, on bike sensors, and a metabolic mask to understand the benefits of having suspension on typical gravel terrain. We had questions.

So with that, Alex Bedinghaus (Lead Design Engineer) and Kyle Russ (Analysis team) jumped on to geek out with Escape's Dave Rome. The conversation covers the design of the bike, what modern off-road efficiency testing looks like, why gravel bikes continue to go where mountain bikes have been, and plenty more.

Meanwhile, head over to Escape Collective.com to see Dave Rome’s early coverage of the new Check Out.

Those on the free feed for Geek Warning get the first 25 minutes free. Meanwhile, members of Escape Collective get the whole thing, which frankly, includes the best parts.

Time stamps:
3:00 - Introductions
6:00 - The design goal of the CheckOut
10:00 - Why not a mountain bike?
15:30 - Designing for bikepacking
20:00 - Longer suspension and stack heights
25:00 - Suspension layout versus Trek’s IsoTrust
27:00 - Testing explained (Escape Members Only from here on)
35:00 - Body is a damper and a spring
37:00 - Suspension versus bigger tyres
44:00 - Measuring steering compensation
49:00 - Qualitative versus quantitative data
53:30 - Is smoother always faster?
57:00 - CheckOut versus a gravel race bike

When Escape Collective first launched, Ronan Mc Laughlin announced plans for an aero leaderboard. The goal was to test race bikes in real-world conditions using the latest testing tools to determine which bikes are the fastest. That obviously didn’t come to fruition, and this week, Dave and Ronan discuss why. The conversation leads to the two discussing how they approach reviews and the anxieties that surround them.

The geeks also have a PSA, Dave attempts to explain pedal kickback in mountain bikes to Ronan, and there's chat of SRAM's speed update for Transmission.

Members of Escape Collective (via the member podcast feed) get the full episode, which contains Ask a Wrench. This week Dave answers a handful of member-submitted questions, which this week relate to bottom brackets, servicing hydraulic disc brakes, and cassette wear.

Time stamps:
2:00 - Why bike reviews can’t have conclusive answers
26:00 - PSA related to replacing disc brake pads
31:00 - DT Swiss’ new DF system and pedal kickback explained
39:30 - A quiet release from SRAM that speeds up Transmission shift speed
50:00 - Ask a Wrench (member-only feed)
50:00 - Specialized’s OSBB explained
56:30 - Cassette wear and how to measure for it
1:04:00 - SRAM Road Hydro lever service
1:11:00 - Buying a bike with a BB86 bottom bracket

This week, Ronan and Dave ponder how they would equip an entry-level road bike, and while chatting, realise that maybe the industry has backed itself into a costly corner.

Of course, there’s a PSA and a bunch of tech news to discuss. Meanwhile, members of Escape Collective get access to Ask a Wrench, where this week Dave and Zach Edwards answer four member-submitted technical questions.

Enjoy!

Time stamps:

3:15 - How would we spec an entry-level road race bike
22:30 - A PSA to grease your axles
27:20 - Cervelo’s new R5
30:40 - Castelli’s PFAS-free poor weather jacket
37:00 - SRAM’s 1987 Limited Edition Silver group
38:00 - What’s coming up, plus Escape gets a much-wanted feature
42:00 - Ask a Wrench (member’s only)
44:00 - Suspension service intervals and not riding
50:00 - Breaking chainring bolts
56:00 - Using a shorter fork on a modern XC bike
1:01:30 - Why are aero wheels not a thing in fast MTB races?

An Irish road cyclist walks into the R&D department of an international bike brand and rides a prototype mountain bike. That’s the joke.

In this episode, Dave and Ronan discuss 32-inch-wheeled mountain bikes and whether Ronan is now a mountain biker.

There’s a detailed chat about the torque required when working with UDH hangers or SRAM Full Mount derailleurs, along with some buying advice for an appropriate torque wrench.

There are new road bikes from Pinarello and Scott worth talking about, while Shimano’s new cleats are equally worthy of discussion.

The free-version of the episode wraps with a quick chat about Dave’s recent counterfeit chain article, while the Member-only version offers some more detailed answers on this matter. Then it’s time for Ask a Wrench, where Dave is joined by mechanic Zach Edwards in answering a handful of member-submitted technical questions.

Happy geeking!

As requested by a few members, we're now offering episode chapters – hope it works as expected! And a language warning for around the 9-minute mark, as Ronan is a potty mouth.

Time stamps:

1:23 - Corrections Corner for another podcast
3:55 - Ronan is now a mountain biker?
20:00 - PSA - Torque that UDH and Full Mount, plus a tangent on torque wrench choice
33:28 - Shimano's new cleats
42:26 - Explaining Pinarello's Dogma F-Series
50:12 - Scott's interesting new Addict endurance road bike
58:42 - Counterfeit versus Fake Chains
1:14:18 - Ask a Wrench: Chain waxing in hot conditions (member only)
1:20:50 - Ask a Wrench: Wheels with creaking spokes (member only)
1:28:00 - Ask a Wrench: Setting up a kids bike for better shifting (member only)

The Portland-based Made show has wrapped up for another year, and our website has been buzzing with coverage from the handmade bike event.

This week’s Geek Warning is a bit different from the usual format, with the conversation focused mainly on what was seen at Made. Here, Dave Rome chats with Escape’s US tech editor Josh Weinberg along with famed framebuilder (and Escape contributor!) Rob English.

Within you’ll hear about emerging trends from the custom bike world, why Rob believes there are no new ideas left for bicycles, and some of Rob and Josh’s top picks.

As usual, the episode wraps with our regular Ask a Wrench segment, where Zach Edwards (Boulder Groupetto) and Dave Rome answer technical questions from Escape members. You’ll need to be on the Escape member podcast feed to listen to this section.

See all the coverage from Made 2025 here.

Time stamps:

2:40 - Explaining Made and industry vibes
10:00 - Trends in the handmade scene
18:30 - Josh and Rob’s favourite bikes of Made
31:30 - Rob’s absolute favourite - a bike from 1979
36:00 - A little Aero bike
38:30 - Favourite small parts of Made
55:45 - Ask a Wrench (Members only)
57:00 - A corrections corner related to impact wrenches
58:40 - Bottom bracket torque settings
1:03:15 - Solving a worn dropout
1:09:00 - Sticky cables, sticky drink mix

It’s a shorter episode this week as Escape’s Suvi Loponen and Dave Rome catch up to discuss the spares they carry and how to ensure they work when you need them most.

On the news front, they discuss the latest developments regarding the ongoing Shimano crank recall and an unexpected (and hopefully short-lived) issue affecting older Wahoo Bolt and Roam head units.

Finally, Zach Edwards of the Boulder Grupetto returns to Ask a Wrench to answer a number of member-submitted questions.

Time stamps:

2:00 - Shimano crank recall update
11:20 - Older Wahoo devices living in 2006
15:00 - a PSA to check your spares
20:00 - The specific spares we carry
35:00 - Made is coming up!
37:45 - Ask a Wrench (Member Only)
39:25 - Impact wrenches around e-bikes
45:20 - Sprockets versus Cogs
48:00 - Slipping SPD cleats on carbon shoes
53:00 - Hanging up modern bikes

It’s time to geek out. This week, Ronan Mc Laughlin and Dave Rome discuss how as bikes progress, market opportunity is often created in what those bikes previously provided. Through this conversation, Ronan and Dave come to an agreement on a specific style of bike that’s obviously missing today.

You’ll hear a PSA relevant to any modern bike, along with a few quick updates that provide a couple of brief tangents.

The episode wraps with Ronan and Dave discussing a fancy type of hex key (the topic of Dave’s Threaded article this week). We love our members, and so those on the member-only feed of the podcast get a little extra bonus chat before the regular 'Ask a Wrench' segment kicks in.

Happy geeking!

Time Stamps:

4:45 - There is always an opportunity to backfill
23:00 - PSA: Don’t ignore worn bearings
27:30 - No.6’s new gravel suspension corrected rigid fork
30:15 - Fara’s new GR4 gravel bike and a tangent on claimed frame weights
38:00 - Dave has sliding T-handle hex keys on his mind (again)
42:15 - The best sliding T-handle hex key (Member’s only)
49:30 - Ask a Wrench (Member’s only)
50:00 - Can a chain wear out even when it doesn’t measure as worn?
57:15 - The best spoke wrench to avoid nipple damage
1:02:00 - How should you clean a disc brake? How often?

A mix of rumours circling and the recently reviewed FiftyOne Sika road bike have Ronan and Dave pondering whether the UCI frame sticker is relevant to many of us. Spoiler, it’s not.

The episode was recorded a few days before we know for sure, but the social media profiles of athletes strongly point toward some interesting drop-bar-converted mountain bikes for the Leadville 100 race ahead.

Ronan and Dave discuss a PSA for themselves, and of course, members of Escape Collective get access to the Ask a Wrench segment with Brad Copeland, where this week a handful of drivetrain-related questions are answered, including one about measuring for lateral chain wear.

Enjoy!

Time stamps:

2:20 - The UCI approval sticker overrated
16:50 - Wild bikes expected at Leadville
31:30 - PSA for those with an air compressor
40:00 - Standert’s new Keiswerk
44:00 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland (Members Only)
45:30 - Chasing noises that only occur under high load
54:00 - Upgrading an old MTB drivetrain that’s locked to an HG freehub
1:03:00 - All about lateral chain wear

What in the upside-down world is this? Ronan Mc Laughlin has been investigating rumours around the UCI getting involved with the new 32 in wheelsize, and in this episode of Geek Warning, you’ll hear the crew discuss what it may spell.

Additionally, you’ll hear the geeks (Ronan, Dave, and Alex) talk about some products that have left them a little underwhelmed as of late. New SRAM centerlock lockrings are on Dave’s mind. And there’s a PSA related to disc brake bed-in.

Members of Escape Collective also get access to our popular Ask a Wrench segment, where Dave and pro race mechanic (with Specialized Off-Racing Racing) Brad Copeland answer a number of member-submitted questions with helpful tips for all.

Enjoy!

Time stamps:

1:00 - Products that leave us wanting more
9:45 - UCI looking to ban 32in wheels and will it matter?
28:00 - SRAM finally has centerlock lockrings
33:00 - PSA: Brake bed-in is skipped far too much
39:30 - DT Swiss’ and Swiss Side’s recall
43:00 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland (Escape members only)
45:00 - A call to action for the industry in regards to manuals
51:00 - Best chain lube for indoor cycling
58:15 - Stubborn tubeless tyre installs
1:09:00 - Dehumidifiers and tubeless sealant longevity

Recorded just after watching Tadej and Jonas summit Ventoux on aero bikes, this episode sees Ronan McLaughlin, Dave Rome, and Suvi Loponen discuss whether the latest and lightest road bikes are now designed for consumers, while aero bikes are for the pros.

Also within this week’s Geek Warning, you’ll hear Dave discuss why he thinks too many products are being released in an unfinished state. Of course, there’s a useful PSA, one that’s useful for anyone running disc brakes. And you’ll hear the geeks discuss some of the latest industry news.

The episode wraps with the Ask a Wrench segment. Here, Dave chats with pro race mechanic Brad Copeland in answering a number of member-submitted questions, including whether premium bottom brackets are less likely to make noises, a deep dive on SRAM’s newest ThreadMount power meters and the cross-compatibility available.

As usual, you’ll need to be a member of Escape Collective in order to listen the Ask a Wrench segment. You can sign up here and gain access to everything that Escape Collective has to offer.

Time stamps:

5:05 - Are aero bikes now climbing bikes?
14:25 - Unfinished products are on Dave’s mind
25:00 - PSA to check your rotors
30:00 - Rapha and EF-Education to part ways
35:30 - YT Industries’ “restructuring”
40:00 - Rouvy acquires BKool
48:00 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland (Member Only)
53:00 - Are premium bottom brackets less likely to make noise?
1:07:40 - Schwalbe, pronounced
1:08:40 - SRAM ThreadMount power meter compatibility
1:16:30 - Mixing Shimano wheels and SRAM 12-speed drivetrains

We’re in thick of race season and there’s plenty to discuss on the tech front. The mountain bike world is rubbing their eyes at the sight of a 32-inch-wheeled full suspension. Meanwhile, on the road, it’s the Time Trial that continues to tease future tech trends. Join Ronan Mc Laughlin, Dave Rome, and Alex Hunt as they discuss these new sightings.

Outside of racing, you’ll also hear the geeks talk about a revised scoring system from the helmet test lab of Virginia Tech. Meanwhile, Dave has a PSA closely related to the latest edition of his Threaded workshop series. Plus there’s chat about news from DT Swiss, Pinarello, and Lightweight.

Members of Escape Collective get access to the popular Ask a Wrench segment at the end of the episode. This week, pro race mechanic Brad Copeland joins Dave Rome in answering questions related to narrowing down choices in buying a gravel wheelset, how to go about converting a certain suspension fork for use with dropbars, and whether there’s a difference between Shimano GRX and Ultegra brakes.

Time stamps:

2:00 - BMC’s big wheel testing
13:40 - Tour Time Trial tech
23:40 - Virginia Tech updates its helmet star ratings
32:00 - a PSA that every part is safety critical
41:00 - Lightweight’s big update
47:40 - Pinarello’s new gravel bikes
49:20 - DT Swiss’ stop ride notice
52:30 - Alex’s new bike day
53:30 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland (member only)
54:45 - Thoughts on upgrading gravel bike wheels
1:10:00 - Converting a MTB to dropbar with a remote lockout suspension
1:20:00 - Shimano Ultegra versus GRX brakes

It’s Tour time and tech editor Ronan McLaughlin has been on the ground capturing all the latest little tricks and tidbits. In this week’s Geek Warning, Dave Rome, and Ronan get together to talk through some of the bigger tech stories and finds coming from the biggest race.

Within you’ll hear about new bikes from Merida and Cervelo, some behind-the-scenes sponsorship movements, how front derailleurs are becoming less common, and why the UCI’s handlebar width ruling is likely set to change (again).

In Ask a Wrench, members of Escape Collective will hear pro race mechanic Brad Copeland and Dave Rome answer questions related to rust-proofing steel frames, solving for a drooping chain, and how to solve the dreaded disc brake turkey gobble. As an added bonus, you’ll hear Brad’s impression of a turkey.

Time stamps:

2:00 - Merida’s unreleased Reacto
5:50 - Cervelo’s new S5 and Ronan’s early impressions
14:20 - Cervelo has a new R5 coming, too
18:30 - Musical Saddles of Sponsorships
26:00 - Updates inbound for the UCI’s handlebar width change?
37:45 - 1x gearing is on the rise
47:00 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland (members only)
48:30 - Rust-protecting a steel frame
52:30 - Chain droop when riding in smaller cassette cogs
1:03:00 - Fixing the SRAM brake turkey gobble