Big tubular is Cross

02/07/25 • 48 min

This week on The Geek Warning podcast, join Ronan McLaughlin, Zach Edwards, and Dave Rome as they discuss the latest happenings in the world of cycling tech.

The geeks cover what is believed to be the first win for tubeless in a cyclocross World Championship. There’s a UCI rider survey circling that strongly points to a few technical changes being considered. An approved patent and many rumours point to new SRAM Transmission mechanical coming soon. And there’s a new headset that claims to solve for cable routing woes, but we’re not so sure.

Plus, there’s something mechanic-related on Ronan’s mind, a few little bits of news, and of course, Ask a Wrench (now with the addition of Zach, joining Brad Copeland).

As a reminder, Ask a Wrench is now exclusively available on our members-only podcast feed. Head to escapecollective.com/member in order to hear the full episodes.

Time stamps:

1:20 - Corrections Corner on Shimano CUES
2:11 - Zoe Backstedt’s CX win on tubeless
10:20 - UCI’s new “Safer Group” rider survey
19:30 - SRAM Transmission looks to be going mechanical
26:20 - Easy Bike Parts’ solution (or is it?) to headset cable routing
30:15 - On our minds are angry mechanics on social media
39:40 - US government changes mean you should hold off on some overseas orders
43:25 - MADE Bike Shows, dated announced
43:50 - Welcoming Josh Weinberg to Escape Collective
44:48 - Bianchi’s new TT bike
47:50 - Ask a Wrench (member-only) about storing tyres
53:00 - Ask a Wrench (member-only), more about bottom bracket plastic top-hats
1:01:00 - Ask a Wrench (member-only), switching chain lubes for cleaning running

This week on The Geek Warning podcast, join Ronan McLaughlin, Zach Edwards, and Dave Rome as they discuss the latest happenings in the world of cycling tech.

Plus, there’s something mechanic-related on Ronan’s mind, a few little bits of news, and of course, Ask a Wrench (now with the addition of Zach, joining Brad Copeland).

As a reminder, Ask a Wrench is now exclusively available on our members-only podcast feed. Head to escapecollective.com/member in order to hear the full episodes.

Time stamps:

Previous Episode

Explaining Shimano’s new entry-level dropbar range

Oh hi, welcome back to Geek Warning!

There are some things to tell this week. We’ve had a number of changes to the pod over the past few months (sorry!), and we’ve got a few more to share.

Ask a Wrench, which sits at the end of our episodes, is now members-only. That means you’ll need to be on our member podcast feed to hear that extra part of the podcast. Meanwhile, the first hour of goodness is free for all.

Additionally, you’ll still hear from UK-based tech writers Suvi Loponen and Alex Hunt on occasion, just not every episode. Suvi will soon begin on a new podcast series that investigates industry-related topics. Meanwhile, you’ll also hear Alex and Suvi on an upcoming and recurring special episode where we’ll catch up on the bikes and gear we’ve been testing.

With all that said, jump on in to hear Dave Rome, Ronan McLaughlin, and the return of Zach Edwards (Boulder Groupetto). Also, Brad Copeland is present at the end to answer some of your Ask a Wrench questions.

The episode itself is jam-packed. The geeks offer their opinions on what the UCI’s relaxed equipment ruling from four years ago are doing to bikes of today and tomorrow. They cover the details of new Shimano CUES. And talk about the realities in the durability of modern road pedals. Plus a whole lot more...

Time stamps:

0:00 - Changes are happening
2:30 - The impact of the UCI’s relaxed rules from 2021
19:45 - New Shimano CUES and ESSA for dropbar bikes
31:00 - On our mind: Pedals should be serviceable
41:35 - Ritchey ditches the World Champ rainbow
46:20 - QO cranks, from the founders of Rotor
48:05 - Wolf Tooth’s EnCase mini pump line
49:10 - A bad week for smartwatch users
52:20 - CeramicSpeed has a new tool for (DUB) crank removal
55:20 - State’s new 4130 All-Road is very cheap
57:42 - Biggest tech news for the week comes from Chris King (spoiler, it’s a coffee tamper).
59:22 - Tangent into our favourite tool-related bottle openers
1:01:00 - Switch to the Member-Only feed if you want Ask a Wrench!
1:05:00 - Modern drivetrain compatibility leading to road and MTB gravel (recorded a week before the CUES announcement, oops)
1:11:00 - Sweating tubeless tyres and what to do about it.
1:17:00 - Disc brake performance and bed-in when using multiple wheelsets, plus a dive into bed-in procedure.

Next Episode

Forever chemicals and another product leak

It’s a new week and that means a new episode of the Geek Warning podcast. This week you’ll hear Suvi Loponen and Zach Edwards (Boulder Groupetto) join Dave Rome in covering the big tech topics of the week.

You’ll get a beginner’s guide to PFAS (forever chemicals) and why you should care. Thoughts are shared on the new Cannondale SuperX gravel race bike. And a widespread leak teases new full wireless from Shimano.

There’s something silly on Dave’s mind, and then the geeks wrap up the remaining tech news of the week.

Finally, and as usual, the episode wraps with Brad Copeland, Zach, and Dave answering mechanic-related questions from Escape’s members – including a tangent into our favourite shift cables. As a reminder, Ask a Wrench is now exclusively available on our members-only podcast feed. Head to escapecollective.com/member in order to hear the full episode.

Time stamps:

2:00 - PFAS’ and why you should be aware
13:55 - Cannondale’s SuperX returns, now more gravel
23:45 - Next generation of Di2 appears to be truly wireless
27:05 - Dave thinks the white off-road shoe trend won’t last
32:00 - iceBike, a trade show from a single distributor
36:35 - TrainerRoad training programs now work in Zwift
3730 - A new tool from Enduro Bearings
38:40 - Berd collabs with HED on a road wheel
41;30 - Garbaruk teases its entry into wheels
43:50 - Pivot joins the lifetime bearing replacement policy club
48:00 - Removing dried tyre sealant from inside of a tyre (member-only feed)
53:05 - Diagnosing SRAM AXS battery and derailleur issues (member-only feed)
59:00 - Cable routing for Shimano mechanical 11-speed and our favourite cables