Geek Warning

Escape Collective
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  • TECH NEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Geek Warning, a podcast focused on deciphering the world of cycling tech, explaining how bikes work, and how to make them better. Hosted by Dave Rome, Ronan Mc Laughlin and Brad Copeland, this weekly show is your fix for tech geekitude, covering the latest tech news, industry trends, answering mechanical questions, and whatever else is on our minds. Escape Collective is entirely member-funded. If you like this podcast please consider supporting us by becoming a member: https://escapecollective.com/member/

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Campagnolo goes top-tier on gravel, now where’s Shimano?

    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 need4:00 - Campagnolo’s big Super Record expansion and the limits of 1x road26:00 - Looking at Look’s Vision pedals30:00 - New warranty options for CSS rim customers32:00 - a PSA for your freehub41:00 - Readily available technical manuals are a Good Thing48:50 - Ask a Wrench (Members Only, with Zach Edwards)49:30 - What’s up with gravel suspension?55:00 - Threaded bottom bracket creaks1:04:00 - Putting new Shimano XTR Di2 on a road bike1:17:00 - Zach’s preferred brakes to bleed

    49 min

  2. 24 OCT

    WorldTour rumours and a split in aero bikes

    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 inflators10:45 - Wilier’s new Filante SLR aero bike isn’t so radical17:15 - WorldTour tech rumours31:00 - Strava wants to be friends with Garmin again34:00 - PSA to preventing stuck tubeless valve nuts37:00 - Good Things for bleeding brakes44:00 - Ask A Wrench (Members Only)44:30 - Maintenance time versus durability in chain lubes52:00 - Wedges in cycling shoes1:01:00 - How to know when a slick tyre is worn1:05:00 - Finding a 160 mm crank for use with 2x GRX

    44 min

  3. 17 OCT

    Saddle positioning and Campagnolo goes Ultra

    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 Worlds8:00 - Ultra-wide wheels from Dangerholm19:00 - Campagnolo goes Ultra27:30 - Good products, inspired by another podcast33:30 - Pet peeve meets PSA related to saddle positioning45:00 - Ask a Wrench with Boulder Groupetto (Members Only)47:00 - Tech that less tech-savvy riders should avoid58:30 - Grease vs Anti-Seize vs Threadlocker1:12:00 - A member-submitted tip1:15:00 - Omnium tyre choices

    46 min

  4. 14 OCT

    Special ep: In for review, October 2025

    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 last5:00 - Early thoughts on the Cervelo Aspero 58:00 - Canyon Grizl12:00 - Trek CheckOut18:00 - Stinner Refugio Ti and Salsa Spearfish21:00 - A long-awaited Basso review23:00 - A tangent (rant) into how we do and don’t get review bikes to fit us37:30 - PFAS-free waterproof and cool-weather kit (Members Only)44:00 - Wolf Tooth’s entry to SPD pedals53:00 - Ronan’s power meter pedal deep-dive56:00 - Josh’ Dynamo adventures58:00 - Not feeling the difference in Shimano’s new cleats1:07:00 - 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!

    38 min

  5. 10 OCT

    Emergency Ep: SRAM's win and what it means for the UCI

    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.

    38 min

  6. 10 OCT

    Fancy bottom brackets and adjustable crank lengths

    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 SRM10:15 - A dive into fancy fancy bottom brackets via CeramicSpeed’s overhaul29:30 - 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

    44 min

  7. 2 OCT

    Back to basics with chain lubes

    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 lubes31:00 - UCI adjusts and confirms its bar width ruling37:30 - YT set to close42:50 - CSS Composites closing48:00 - Ask a Wrench (Members only)48:30 - Getting perfect shifting with Shimano Tiagra56:30 - Where to begin with modern mountain bike geometry1:04:30 - Shimano 12-speed cassettes and the Adhesive Ring

    48 min

  8. 25 SEPT

    Workshop wishes and crooked hoods

    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 question5:30 - 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 alignment38:00 - Rotor returns to the groupset game, sorta40:15 - Further update on SRAM’s Transmission firmware update41:40 - Trek’s CheckOut, a full suspension gravel bike43:15 - RockShox’s matching Rudy XL45:00 - RLS helmet safety system and Canyon growing the full-service side of the business48:30 - Lezyne enters the rear Radar game50:00 - Ask a Wrench (Escape members only)52:30 - Shimano Di2 rear shifting woes58:30 - Adding shifters to SRAM AXS1:04:00 - Greasing posts and cleaning seat tubes

    52 min
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About

Welcome to Geek Warning, a podcast focused on deciphering the world of cycling tech, explaining how bikes work, and how to make them better. Hosted by Dave Rome, Ronan Mc Laughlin and Brad Copeland, this weekly show is your fix for tech geekitude, covering the latest tech news, industry trends, answering mechanical questions, and whatever else is on our minds. Escape Collective is entirely member-funded. If you like this podcast please consider supporting us by becoming a member: https://escapecollective.com/member/

Information

  • Channel
    Escape Collective
  • Creator
    Escape Collective
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    182
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Escape Collective
  • Show Website
    Geek Warning
  • Provider

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