Geek Warning

Pros are not not slamming their stems

This week we got new Shimano R9300 Dura-Ace, although not quite the release many had wished for. Escape’s senior tech editors, Dave Rome and Ronan Mc Laughlin, talk through this new release, the details that are easily overlooked, and where Shimano could do more.Ronan then shares what he saw while covering tech at the Tour de France and how perceived trends can often be false. Dave then raises the increasing problem of Large Language Models (aka, Ai answers) leading people astray in topics that have limited information available online.There’s also a bit of interesting tech news from Silca and Tune.As per usual, members of Escape Collective also get Ask a Wrench. This week, Zach Edwards of the Boulder Groupetto joins Dave to cover topics such as noisy drivetrains, why aero isn’t more prominent in downhill racing, and what we look for in good headset cable routing. Time stamps: 00:02:21 - Shimano’s new Dura-Ace R9300, sorta 00:19:01 - How pro bike fit is and isn’t progressing 00:34:20 - PSA related to using Ai for tech help  00:41:15 - Silca’s new Super Secret 2.0  00:45:00 - Tune’s interesting approach to carbon spokes 00:51:00 - Ronan’s got some Record to build  00:52:30 - Ask a Wrench (Members Only)  00:53:00 - Chain noise in more extreme angles  01:02:45 - Where’s the aero in downhill?  01:11:20 - What to look for in good headset cable routing 

Going back to basics

We’re going back to basics in this week’s episode. While Geek Warning is usually for tech-obsessed cyclists, this edition covers the common conversations a bicycle mechanic would have with a client. It’s for everyone and anyone who does a little of their own bike maintenance. Many road cyclists are still relatively new to disc brakes, so Jack Duncan and Dave Rome start the episode with a deep dive into many facets of ownership. The basics of chain lube and drivetrain wear are covered later on, as are some thoughts about tyre wear and who tubeless may be right for. After all that, members of Escape Collective get the usual Ask a Wrench segment, this time with the return of a familiar voice. Time stamps:   00:03:45 - The biggest red flag for when something is wrong  00:06:20 - Brakes usually shouldn’t squeak or squeal  00:16:00 - Disc brake pad wear  00:20:00 - Pad spacers and travel  00:24:00 - Burning brakes is questionable at best 00:26:15 - The importance of brake bed-in  00:29:20 - Why brakes need scheduled bleeding  00:35:00 - Shifting to chain lube basics 00:43:00 - How a drivetrain wears 00:50:30 - Tubeless is great, but not for everyone  00:57:30 - Don’t ignore your front tyre wear  1:05:00 - Ask a Wrench (members-only podcast feed)  1:05:30 - Welcome back to Zach Edwards  1:06:15 - Chasing a forward-offset seatpost  1:14:20 - A weird sound in older AXS front shifting 1:21:45 - Pedals with a top-out knock 

Aero bottles are often a step too far

Dave and Jack are back for another round of Geek Warning. This week, new road bikes from Cervelo and Pinarello bring the discussion to topics such as what makes a good endurance road bike, where emerging Chinese brands are seeing success, and why aero bottles are an impractical feature. In this episode, you’ll also hear what Dave considers the best multi-tool and plenty more. Meanwhile, listeners on our members-only podcast feed will hear "Ask a Wrench" at the end of the episode. This week, Dave Rome is joined by pro mechanic Colin Williams to answer questions about sticking Shimano dropbar levers, how to handle failed internal dropper-post routing, and a difference in SRAM chains that the company has remained silent about. Happy geeking!  Time stamps: 00:02:13 - A correction’s corner related to airbags  00:04:00 - Pinarello’s Dogma X is a pure road bike  00:19:15 - Cervelo’s new Soloist is now less affordable  00:32:00 - Wrapping up the WheelTop EDS GeX review  00:42:00 - Dave’s multi-tool pick(s) 00:48:30 - Tern updates its compact cargo bike  00:53:30 - Ask a Wrench (members only feed)  00:54:30 - Sticking Shimano brake levers when tightened 00:58:45 - When internal dropper post routing fails  01:09:00 - SRAM T-Type versus Flat Top chains 

Rumours all around and the aero cost of being in the Yellow jersey

It’s the first week of the Tour and Escape’s geeks are seemingly all down different rabbit holes. This week, Dave Rome is joined by new hire Jack Duncan to talk through the week in cycling tech, which seems to involve a handful of juicy rumours. From rumours of new Dura-Ace to big wheels from big brands, there’s a lot to chew on. Dave and Jack also discuss airbag tech that keeps circling big budget teams. And there’s some tool talk for the wrench-enthusiasts.The free episode wraps up with Jack jumping on a call with aero clothing expert Johannes Rom Dahl (of Fusion) to try to get an answer on whether being in Yellow (or another leader jersey) has an aero disadvantage.   Time stamps: 00:02:30 - New Dura-Ace 9300 rumours  00:07:00 - Trek 32ers are coming  00:13:30 - Please tell us 30.5” wheels are actually a joke 00:21:30 - Will airbags ever come to pro racing? 00:30:45 - Jack bought some new tools  00:38:30 - You probably need a breaker bar  00:42:00 - Interview: What being a leader’s jersey costs you  01:07:45 - Ask a Wrench (members only)  01:10:00 - Corrections corner  01:12:00 - Torque and headset preload  01:20:00 - A chronically creaky headset and a rant about IS52 01:37:30 - Picking a custom steel frame and picking a builder 

Making the test provide the desired result

It’s the week of the Tour de France Grand Départ, and with it have come a few big bike launches. Escape’s senior tech editors, Dave Rome and Ronan Mc Laughlin, jump on to discuss whether Specialized’s new Tarmac hits the mark. There’s also a new bike from Orbea. Plus Dave asks Ronan to confirm just how progressive his fit is, and as it turns out, the answer is not very. Ronan then jumps on a call with Daan Teugels from Belgian Cycling Factory to discuss how Eddy Merckx’s reduced-frame-size options can still meet racers' needs. As always, members of Escape Collective don’t just support independent journalism; they get access to everything we have to offer. For Geek Warning, that means access to the weekly Ask a Wrench segment, where pro mechanics answer our member’s tech questions. And apologies for the audio this week, as Dave accidentally landed on his backup microphone. Time stamps:    00:01:39 - Specialized’s new SL9 is a little too familiar  00:19:50 - Kinky steerer tubes aren’t as naughty as they sound  00:23:45 - Orbea’s new Orca Aero  00:32:00 - How progressive is Ronan’s position?  00:40:00 - An aero-optimised run at the Tour Divide 00:45:20 - Giant’s new Revolt Advanced SL (and the Liv Devote Advanced SL) 00:48:50 - Campagnolo and Zipp’s new price point wheel options  00:53:45 - Chatting reduced frame size options with Eddy Merckx  01:13:15 - Back to Ronan and Dave   01:15:00 - Ask a Wrench (members only)  01:17:00 - Bearing maintenance after a big event  1:26:30 - Can an event like Unbound ruin a new chain?   1:32:00 - MTB disc brake caliper alignment woes  1:42:30 - A fix for leaky ProMax brakes