Geek Warning

Welcome back to Geek Warning! The podcast that puts all the most interesting cycling tech and advice into one place.

Before you tune in to the latest episode, it’s worth noting that the geeks often record a few days before an episode drops. In any normal week that’s no problem, but it’s been far from a normal week. In this episode Ronan McLaughlin, Suvi Loponen, and Dave Rome chat about the impact of tariffs on the cycling industry - many of which have been put on hold in the time between recording and publishing. Still, some discussed themes are likely to become true.

On a happier note it’s the week of the Sea Otter Classic in California. Recent years have seen this event organically become the industry tradeshow for the North American market, and with that, you can bet there are always plenty of new things to see. The geeks discuss some of the bigger announcements leading into the event.

Lastly, the episode wraps up with our Ask a Wrench segment featuring pro-race mechanic Brad Copeland. As a reminder, you’ll need to be a member of Escape Collective (go here) in order to access this popular segment of the podcast. Members can submit new questions here.

Time stamps:

2:20 - Extra info corner and 40 mm road tyres
5:00 - Tariff fears and a potential benefiting sector
18:00 - A PSA for that bike used on an indoor trainer
24:00 - Sea Otter Classic is here, and oh so much new tech
25:00 - New Allied Able gravel bike
26:30 - Niner ORE 9 RDO
29:50 - Zwift’s big updates
37:20 - Wahoo’s new head units and a Radar
40:00 - Optis, an inflatable tyre insert
42:10 - DT Swiss 350 DEG
44:30 - Maxxis revamps entire gravel tyre range
46:15 - Cadex joins the 3D printed saddle game
48:10 - TPU Tube Sealant?!
50:30 - OneUp updates its carbon bar and a short tangent
54:10 - Fizik’s entry into helmets
57:00 - Ask a Wrench time (Member only)
1:00:00 - Longevity of Campagnolo gear cables
1:07:20 - Disc brake pad compounds
1:14:00 - Burning off oils from disc rotors
1:18:00 - Glitter and tyre sealants

Paris-Roubaix is just around the corner and the geeks have been pondering just how wide we’ll see the tyres of the pros go. Some studies have shown that 40s are fastest, but as you’ll hear from Ronan, the testing he’s currently in the thick of is showing otherwise.

You’ll also hear Dave Rome, Ronan Mc Laughlin, and Zach Edwards (Boulder Groupetto) discuss some of the new interesting groupsets coming from Chinese manufacturers and what it may take for them to break through into the mainstream market. Plus, there’s plenty of new tech to discuss, including the new RockShox Reverb AXS dropper and some interesting industry news.

Finally, the episode wraps up with our Ask a Wrench segment featuring pro-race mechanic Brad Copeland. As a reminder, you’ll need to be a member of Escape Collective in order to access this popular segment of the podcast.

Enjoy!

Time stamps:

2:15 - The widest tyre we’ll see at Roubaix?
23:15 - Taipei Cycle Show and lower-cost drivetrain competition
33:20 - refreshed eeWings from CaneCreek
35:10 - RockShox Reverb AXS dropper
38:15 - SRAM ‘cybersecurity’ issue
39:45 - Brose bicycle acquired by Yamaha
41:40 - Velo gets a recycling partner in SRAM
42:50 - One April Fools that got us chuckling
46:00 - CyclingSpy now on Escape
52:00 - Ask a Wrench - Member Only
53:30 - A mystery click in the front end
1:01:15 - The best cycling tool for persuasion
1:05:00 - Cutting steerer tubes and the impact on resale value
1:12:00 - A detailed conversation on tight XD/XDR cassette sleeves (plus related tools)

Our podcast episodes are a little like our own children, of course, we love them all. However, maybe, just maybe, some are loved a little more than others. This episode is a good one.

Tune in as the regular crew of Ronan, Dave, and Zach chat about the growing world of tyre pressure calculators and whether electronic shifting has made frame designers lazy. Meanwhile, the public service announcement relates to counterfeit products and it’s a big one that we’re sure to return to in future.

With the Taipei Cycle Show on we’re seeing a flurry of new products to discuss, including a few new fun bikes.

Finally, members of Escape Collective (go here) get another edition of Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland. Here, the geeks answer a few interesting questions, with a whole lot of detail related to bike setup for long gravel events.

If you liked this episode, then please give it a share with some like-minded riding friends.

Time stamps:

1:30 - Vittoria’s new tyre pressure app and wider category thoughts
14:00 - On Dave’s mind is frame limitation in mechanical groupset selection
29:45 - a PSA to not buy your big name product from sketchy sources
36:00 - Big new things from SRAM, which we’ve covered elsewhere
37:30 - Bendy road ahead for Komoot
39:00 - Bianchi celebrates 140 years
41:00 - Fox’s new 36 SL and where it sits
42:45 - Tern updates the GSD
43:30 - Giant’s first bike with a recycled composite frame
50:30 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland (member-only from this point)
54:00 - Ask a Wrench: Prepping a bike for performance at Unbound 200
1:10:00 - Ask a Wrench: Chainline confusion
1:17:00 - Ask a Wrench: Fixing peeling decals

Oh yes, we’re in the thick of product launch season, and we're keeping focused on the most interesting stuff. SRAM has just overhauled its more budget-conscious mountain bike drivetrains, and they share much in common with the premium Transmission AXS. Except, they have a cable.

Plus, at least on the mountain bike side, SRAM has gone all-in on mineral oil brakes. It’s a huge change for a company that’s spent more than 15 years promoting the benefits of DOT fluid.

To hear and learn all about the product, SRAM lent us a few of its product managers and engineers without the public relation adults in the room.

Of course, we have full and detailed write-ups on Escape Collective. There’s some overlap between this podcast and the writing, but you’ll find plenty of unique information in each.

It’s also worth reminding that Escape Collective is wholly funded by its members, and so this isn’t paid for, sponsored, or partnership content. It’s just a geeky chat that felt appropriate for the Geek Warning podcast. Those on the Escape Collective member feeds will get a bonus section at the end with Dave and Josh covering a few elements that SRAM didn't want to discuss, along with some early ride thoughts.

Enjoy!

Time stamps:

1:00 - Meet the guests
4:00 - An intro to Eagle 70 and 90
9:00 - Was SRAM all-in on electronic at a point?
11:20 - Cross-compatibility in Transmission and why mechanical is only a price point option
18:00 - Set up
26:00 - Cable routing basics
37:30 - What about bikes without a UDH?
39:00 - Shift speed things
46:30 - A fully rebuildable derailleur
50:00 - Time for brakes and a move to mineral oil
58:30 - Explaining the new brake range
1:03:00 - The Motive brake
1:07:30 - Are there tuning guides for these brakes?
1:10:00 - Brake set up tips
1:20:00 - Josh and Dave share their thoughts of Eagle 90 (member-only)
1:34:00 - Thoughts on the Motive brakes and a crystal ball moment (member-only) 

Why do so many road bikes with endurance geometry have unique selling added features that wouldn’t fly in more performance-oriented bikes? That’s the big question that Ronan, Dave, and Zach discuss in this week’s episode of Geek Warning.

Plus, you’ll hear a useful PSA for those who use newer road pedals. Dave then rings up new Escape recruit Josh Weinberg to discuss the latest in road, gravel, and cross-country mountain bike tech – including Fox's new 34 SL fork release (something we've also covered in writing).

The episode closes with the usual answering of member-submitted technical questions. However, for this last section, you will need to be a member of Escape Collective and either logged into the member-only podcast feed or via our Podcast page (again, logged in members only).

Thanks for listening! And if you like it, please consider sending it to a fellow tech-loving cyclist.

Time stamps:

1:40 - Corrections Corner
2:45 - On Our Minds: Unique selling features that actually don’t help sell bikes
22:00 - PSA: Composite-bodied road pedals are a wear item
25:00 - Introducing Josh and chatting Mid-South gravel tech
28:30 - Teravail has a whole wheel-system
31:20 - Chris King launches its own alloy wheelset
34:00 - Fox releases the new 34 SL fork
39:00 - Fox’s new all-in-one remote lever
41:55 - LiteSpeed’s new impressively lightweight road frame
45:25 - Ask a Wrench (member-feed only)
47:00 - A mystery and isolated leaking brake lever (member-feed only)
54:00 - Good and bad of solid polymer bearings (member-feed only)
1:01:00 - How to deal with a stuck tubeless valve (member-feed only)

What do matching bike fits and cordless air tools have in common? Truthfully, very little, but you’ll hear them both discussed in this week’s episode of Geek Warning.

Join Ronan Mc Laughlin, Dave Rome, and Zach Edwards as they discuss these topics on their minds, plus share the latest in tech.

Listeners on our free feed will get a whole hour, meanwhile members of Escape Collective get treated to an extra geeky 30 minutes with Dave Rome and pro race mechanic Brad Copeland answering listener questions.

Time stamps:

3:30 - Our methods, tips, and tools for matching fit between bikes
25:00 - On our mind: Air powered tools versus an air compressor
39:40 - PSA: Don’t forget your computer mount
42:00 - Cannondale’s new Topstone
45:20 - Vittoria has a 29 mm road tyre just for wide rims
50:10 - Specialized has a busy week of new tyres
51:45 - Ari’s new Signal Peak 3.0 cross-country bike
53:30 - State Bicycle’s budget Carbon All-Road
59:39 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland
1:03:00 - Repairing bikes for friends (member-only)
1:10:30 - Do jockey pulley wheels have a direction? (member-only)
1:18:15 - Is there a benefit to warming a chain? (member-only)
1:25:30 - Tips for removing frayed cables from shifters (member-only)

It was an idea teased in a previous episode of the Geek Warning podcast, and we’ve finally done it! Welcome to a pilot episode of In for Review – a special and approximately-monthly edition of Geek Warning that chats about some of the bikes and products we’re actively testing, the things on our minds related to those products, and the tangents that follow.

This episode is entirely free for all to hear, but the upcoming content that we discuss will largely be exclusive to members of Escape Collective.

This was a first draft, and we already have ideas for making it better. Still, we’re all ears if you have ideas, praise, or criticism.

Time stamps:

1:20 - The new Scott Addict Ultimate and Schwalbe Aerothan tyres
10:20 - Another Scott as Ronan is wrapping up the Foil
15:00 - Testing the Enve MOG through a Scottish winter
21:00 - Tangent into swapping between dropbar shifter brands
24:00 - Swapping between bikes
27:30 - Suvi is down the Rear Radar rabbit hole
37:40 - Fizik’s custom 3D printed saddle
49:15 - Ronan is trying to find a shoe he actually likes
53:00 - Just a pure shameless plug from Ronan
58:30 - Dave’s heaviest delivery in recent memory

It’s a geek-packed episode as senior tech editors Dave Rome and Ronan Mc Laughlin, plus Zach Edwards (Boulder Groupetto) discuss the week in tech.

Ronan ponders the real highs and lows of Lidl-Trek experimenting with SRAM XPLR 1x13 drivetrains in road races. There’s a skeptical point of view to integrated pressure sensors in tubeless wheels. And the geeks discuss the importance of Trail figures in geometry, and why it’s oddly not provided by all brands – a topic Ronan was inspired to put into writing, too (coming soon).

It had been a few weeks since the last PSA, and Dave has one related to common noises. And we’ve got a wrap of some fresh product news.

As per usual, the episode ends with our Ask a Wrench segment that sees pro race mechanic Brad Copeland and Dave Rome answer a few member-submitted tech questions. It’s something you’ll need to logged into our member-feed of the podcast to hear.

Time stamps:

1:40 - Lidl-Trek using a 1x gravel groupset
13:00 - Zipp playing with integrated pressure sensors
21:10 - Where are all the trail figures and fork rakes?
30:50 - PSA on easily solved bike noises
31:10 - Continental’s new Gran Prix TR tyre
42:00 - OneUp’s little pedal fumble
43:30 - Industry9’s new Hydra2 hub
47:50 - Velocio’s new high-riding hydration pack
49:35 - Hammerhead Karoo gets its own “native extension” library plus a tangent on computers.
58:30 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland (members-only)
1:00:00 - A further tip for comparing chain wear between riding disciplines (members-only)
1:01:05 - Plugs and repairing tubeless tyres (members-only)
1:06:10 - Speeding up the drying process of drip wax (members-only)
1:10:00 - A complement for a previous answer - the advice worked (members-only)
1:12:30 - Squealing Shimano brakes strike again (members-only)

In this special episode, we chat with Ultra-Distance specialist Kevin Benky Benkenstein on his bike and gear selections for a recent race across the Moroccan Atlas Mountain Range. That big ride is the Atlas Mountain Race (AMR), a beast of a ride that covers some 1,300 km with 23,000 m of elevation. It covers every surface imaginable, and both rider and bike are tested thoroughly in the little over four days that it took him to complete (good enough for a tied third-place finish in the men’s).

Designed to accompany an article that Kevin wrote for Escape Collective, this chat covers why a full-suspension frame ended up being the pick, why such trail-focussed tyres were selected, drivetrain choices, and plenty of geeky insight.

Enjoy! Oh, and don’t forget to check out escapecollective.com for the full write-up (or at least to see some photos).

Why don’t you see much wind tunnel-based testing on Escape Collective? It’s something the geeks are forever discussing internally, and in this week’s episode, they discuss some of the difficulties in getting such testing to provide truly useful results.

You’ll also hear Ronan McLaughlin, Dave Rome, and Zach Edwards (Boulder Groupetto) cover the latest news in the world of cycling tech, including a recent high-profile wheel failure, Canyon’s new customisation program, and BMC’s latest recall.

Members of Escape Collective get an extra 20 minutes in the form of Ask a Wrench. This week the geeks answer questions about converting a bike for triathlon, why chains wear more rapidly on mountain bikes, and silencing a certan type of creaky seatpost.

Enjoy!

Time stamps:

4:20 - Chris Froome’s wheel failure
9:15 - Canyon’s new customisation program
15:55 - On Ronan’s Mind: Quantitative testing making bikes worse
33:20 - BMC recalls the Kaius gravel bike
39:30 - Nukeproof returns
41:45 - Ask a Wrench: a first triathlon (member-only)
48:55 - Rapid chain wear on MTB (member-only)
53:25 - Fixing a creaking Canyon/Ergon seatpost and our thoughts on carbon pastes (member-only)