Geek Warning Escape Collective

If you managed to take a look at some of the bikes from Spoken, you’ll quickly realise there’s a whole lot of tech to talk about. For this member’s special bonus episode of Geek Warning, Dave Rome sits down with a number of exhibitors while at the show. In this episode you’ll hear interviews with builders such as Feather Cycles and Woods Bicycle Co. Dave chats with Silca’s owner Josh Poertner about the future of chain waxing and 3D titanium printing. You’ll learn about the latest from Melbourne-based Curve Cycling and Project Flock. Plus, discussion on bike fit with RiderFit.CC and the future of the Spoken show with event co-founder Nathan Lorkin.
Only members of Escape Collective can listen to the full version of this episode, however, this shorter version is available here for free (and hopefully to once again, encourage you to join).
Also, we'd love to get your feedback on this show and our other shows. Share your thoughts at escapecollective.com/podcast-survey.
Time stamps:
1:00 - Feather Cycles and the launch of WKNDR9:40 - Woods Bicycle Co on hidden cable routing19:30 - Josh Poertner on 3D titanium printing and the next-generation of chain waxing40:00 - Project Flock44:30 - Curve Cycling and going higher-end49:00 - Stewart Morton of RiderFit56:30 - The future of Spoken?

In this week’s episode of Geek Warning, Escape Collective's tech editors Dave Rome and Ronan McLaughlin get lost in thought and go well over the magic hour. Hit play to hear whether Trek’s move to turn two race bikes into one is a decision based on performance or business, whether lateral chain wear is a measurement we should be considering, what we look for in bib shorts, and what possessed Ronan to do a nearly 20-hour-long ride.
Of course, the geeks also talk about other new products just released, including Wolf Tooth’s entry into mini pumps, Wahoo’s new heart rate strap, and Willier’s latest road bike. Enjoy!
Also, we'd love to get your feedback on this show and our other shows. Share your thoughts at escapecollective.com/podcast-survey.
Time stamps
3:00 - Trek goes all-in on the new Madone21:30 - Wilier’s new climbing bike31:30 - Abbey Bike Tools introduces a less thought way of measuring chain wear44:20 - RIP Jurgen Falke45:10 - Ronan’s big ride is on Dave’s mind55:30 - Picking one bib-short1:02:30 - Wahoo’s new heart rate strap, will this one last?1:09:40 - Wolf Tooth gets into mini pumps with internal storage1:13:30 - Bossi’s new Grit titanium gravel bike1:14:20 - MADE Australia is this weekend, while Ronan is heading to the Tour and Eurobike

It’s time to geek out. This week Brad Copeland, Ronan McLaughlin, and Dave Rome are on the pod to talk all the major news in the world of tech and what’s on their minds.
There’s a new road bike from Pinarello, and a new head unit that promises to be self-sustaining, and a more affordable full suspension race bike from Specialized. Plus Dave and Brad share some things on their minds.
Forward warning and an apology as the sound quality on this one doesn’t meet our usual standard. Dave was already under the weather, and if that weren’t enough, he then had mic issues. The information is there, it’s just Dave sounds like virus-riddled bot!
Escape Collective's podcasts are made possible by our members. Head on over to escapecollective.com/member to support this show and everything else on our podcast network.
Also, we'd love to get your feedback on this show and our other shows. Share your thoughts at escapecollective.com/podcast-survey.
Time stamps:
2:24 - New Pinarello Dogma11:50 - Coros’ entry into head units22:05 - More new alloy from Specialized, this time the Chisel FS28:33 - Spoken has been run, a bonus episode is incoming29:25 - Spare seatpost length is on Brad’s mind33:30 - Dave explains why he’s a reformed chain waxer43:50 - Quick tech bite in the form of Giant’s new kids bike50:05 - Brad shares a tip for getting tips

The tech never stops. This episode Brad Copeland and Dave Rome discuss a handful of new dropbar bikes, a recall, common mistakes with fitting chains, and their favourite… grease. Oh yes, it’s Geek Warning!
Those new bikes include the fascinatingly simple Specialized Crux DSW, a refreshed Bianchi Arcadex gravel bike, and OBED’s entry into the endurance road space. Meanwhile the geeks discuss Ellsworth’s recent return and entry into gravel.
Following a repair during the week, on Brad’s mind is how chain direction matters and it spurs a larger conversation about other common chain-related mistakes. Then Dave asks the hard hitting questions, asking Brad to pick a single grease of choice.
The episode wraps with a recall from Kuat and a tease for the upcoming Spoken Show (formerly Handmade Bicycle Show Australia) in Melbourne, Australia.
Escape Collective's podcasts are made possible by our members. Head on over to escapecollective.com/member to support this show and everything else on our podcast network.
Also, we'd love to get your feedback on this show and our other shows. Share your thoughts at escapecollective.com/podcast-survey.
Time stamps:
5:25 - Specialized’s new alloy bike and why simple wins20:00 - Bianchi new Arcadex and why UDH is now the common feature in gravel26:48 - Ellsworth returns to the dropbar world33:00 - OBED RVR is another option with a taller stack height39:25 - Chain direction is on Brad’s mind46:40 - Pick one: Grease. Yes, grease.53:50 - Roval releases a Team version of its Rapide CLX II road wheels58:32 - Kuat has a recall that impacts 86,000 racks1:01:30 - High-fives await in Melbourne

A €9,000 frame, a €27k build, and €22K spent on developing the bottle alone… Wilier has a new TT bike.
Escape Collective had exclusive access to the development of this new bike in a seemingly impossible time frame. Leading the design project was Marco Genovese, Head of Design at Wilier Triestina. With 14 years of experience in developing over 100 frames, Genovese knows a thing or two about carbon frame design. Escape Tech Editor Ronan Mc Laughlin sat down with Genovese to deep dive on all things frame design to discuss everything from brainwaves in the shower to initial concepts and from modern design tools to made-up UCI rules.
The Supersonica may be a time trial bike, but this bonus episode of the Geek Warning podcast is for anyone who has ever wondered how bikes are designed.
Escape Collective's podcasts are made possible by our members. Head on over to escapecollective.com/member to support this show and everything else on our podcast network.
Also, we'd love to get your feedback on this show and our other shows. Share your thoughts at escapecollective.com/podcast-survey.

A lot has happened in the world of cycling tech over the past week. The Dauphine has teased new bikes getting dialled in for the Tour. While Unbound has shown that gravel tech is still progressing at a rapid rate, including wider tyres, new 1x drivetrains, and aero-shaped suspension.
There’s a full cast of geeks to chat about it, with Ronan Mc Laughlin tuning in to discuss what’s new in the road space, while Dave Rome and new-old voice Brad Copeland discuss the rest.
Of course the geeks discuss something on their mind which should prove helpful for anyone with a stuck crank. The episode closes with tech news including Fulcrum’s new Sharq wheels, a new gravel race handlebar from Pro, a well-priced mountain bike shifter upgrade from SRAM, and more.
Escape Collective's podcasts are made possible by our members. Head on over to escapecollective.com/member to support this show and everything else on our podcast network.
Also, we'd love to get your feedback on this show and our other shows. Share your thoughts at escapecollective.com/podcast-survey.
Time stamps:
4:26 - A swarm of new road bikes are coming from Canyon, Willier, Pinarello, and more24:00 - A corrections corner24:51 - New tech seen at Unbound Gravel, including things from SRAM, wider wheels, aero Fox suspension, and new bikes42:20 - On our mind: stubborn crank bolts and methods for overcoming them55:00 – Bianchi’s ribbon-cutting ceremony has us giggling58:20 – Fulcrum’s new wavy-shaped Sharq wheels1:02:40 – Pro Bike Gear’s new Discover Aero Carbon handlebar for better GRX integration1:08:10 - SRAM’s new Pod Rocker upgrade for AXS