Geek Warning

Escape Collective
  • 5.0 (284)
  • 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. 1D AGO

    There is no best 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 answers26:00 - PSA related to replacing disc brake pads31:00 - DT Swiss’ new DF system and pedal kickback explained39:30 - A quiet release from SRAM that speeds up Transmission shift speed50:00 - Ask a Wrench (member-only feed)50:00 - Specialized’s OSBB explained56:30 - Cassette wear and how to measure for it1:04:00 - SRAM Road Hydro lever service1:11:00 - Buying a bike with a BB86 bottom bracket

    52 min

  2. SEP 11

    The barriers to entry-level road race bikes

    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 bike22:30 - A PSA to grease your axles27:20 - Cervelo’s new R530:40 - Castelli’s PFAS-free poor weather jacket37:00 - SRAM’s 1987 Limited Edition Silver group38:00 - What’s coming up, plus Escape gets a much-wanted feature42:00 - Ask a Wrench (member’s only)44:00 - Suspension service intervals and not riding50:00 - Breaking chainring bolts56:00 - Using a shorter fork on a modern XC bike1:01:30 - Why are aero wheels not a thing in fast MTB races?

    43 min

  3. SEP 5

    Riding a 32in and Ronan is now a mountain biker

    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 podcast3:55 - Ronan is now a mountain biker?20:00 - PSA - Torque that UDH and Full Mount, plus a tangent on torque wrench choice33:28 - Shimano's new cleats42:26 - Explaining Pinarello's Dogma F-Series50:12 - Scott's interesting new Addict endurance road bike58:42 - Counterfeit versus Fake Chains1:14:18 - 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)

    1h 14m

  4. AUG 29

    'There are no new ideas left in cycling'

    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 vibes10:00 - Trends in the handmade scene18:30 - Josh and Rob’s favourite bikes of Made31:30 - Rob’s absolute favourite - a bike from 197936:00 - A little Aero bike38:30 - Favourite small parts of Made55:45 - Ask a Wrench (Members only)57:00 - A corrections corner related to impact wrenches58:40 - Bottom bracket torque settings1:03:15 - Solving a worn dropout1:09:00 - Sticky cables, sticky drink mix

    56 min

  5. AUG 22

    The spares we carry

    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 update11:20 - Older Wahoo devices living in 200615:00 - a PSA to check your spares20:00 - The specific spares we carry35:00 - Made is coming up!37:45 - Ask a Wrench (Member Only)39:25 - Impact wrenches around e-bikes45:20 - Sprockets versus Cogs48:00 - Slipping SPD cleats on carbon shoes53:00 - Hanging up modern bikes

    38 min

  6. AUG 14

    Progress creates opportunity in the backfill

    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 backfill23:00 - PSA: Don’t ignore worn bearings27:30 - No.6’s new gravel suspension corrected rigid fork30:15 - Fara’s new GR4 gravel bike and a tangent on claimed frame weights38:00 - 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 damage1:02:00 - How should you clean a disc brake? How often?

    42 min

  7. AUG 8

    The UCI approval sticker is overrated

    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 overrated16:50 - Wild bikes expected at Leadville31:30 - PSA for those with an air compressor40:00 - Standert’s new Keiswerk44:00 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland (Members Only)45:30 - Chasing noises that only occur under high load54:00 - Upgrading an old MTB drivetrain that’s locked to an HG freehub1:03:00 - All about lateral chain wear

    44 min

  8. JUL 31

    Brakes, brakes, and brakes on big wheels

    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 more9:45 - UCI looking to ban 32in wheels and will it matter?28:00 - SRAM finally has centerlock lockrings33:00 - PSA: Brake bed-in is skipped far too much39:30 - DT Swiss’ and Swiss Side’s recall43:00 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland (Escape members only)45:00 - A call to action for the industry in regards to manuals51:00 - Best chain lube for indoor cycling58:15 - Stubborn tubeless tyre installs1:09:00 - Dehumidifiers and tubeless sealant longevity

    44 min
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5
out of 5
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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

  • Creator
    Escape Collective
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    173
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Escape Collective
  • Show Website
    Geek Warning

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