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Geek Warning

Escape Collective

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 and Ronan Mc Laughlin, 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 member-funded. If you like this podcast please consider supporting us by becoming a member: https://escapecollective.com/geekwarning/

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Yesterday · 50 min
A hands-on guide to Shimano’s new SPD-SLR
Welcome back to Geek Warning. This week, Dave Rome and Ronan McLaughlin talk through Shimano’s new road pedal system, which will eventually supersede the now two-decade-old SPD-SL. Dave has been hands-on with the new pedals and offers insight into how nuanced the differences are. Dave is then joined by Suvi Loponen to discuss the new Canyon Grail gravel bike along with a number of other standout bits of tech news from the week. At the end of the episode, and for those listening via a member-only feed, we have an interview with Bill Alcorn of BikeFlights about how air freighting and door-to-door bike delivery have changed, and potentially how to mitigate those increased costs. Timestamps: 02:00 - Shimano SPD-SLR, ridden and explained 18:00 - The potential performance gain of lower stack height 22:30 - Shimano’s three shoe widths, wide going wider. 25:00 - Suvi joins to discuss the new Canyon Grail gravel bike 37:00 - Scott’s interesting return to cable routing options 41:00 - Specialized goes internal routing with Future Shock 43:30 - Wolf Tooth gets into hubs 48:00 - Members-only section: Talking bike freight
September 11 · 1 hr 3 min
Fashion week, but new bikes
This week, Caley Fretz returns to Geek Warning alongside Jack Duncan and Dave Rome. It’s been a week full of big new bike launches (all of which Escape Collective attended) and there has been some equally big industry news. The geeks discuss new bikes from Scott, Factor, and Enve, and how each finds (or doesn't) a balance between performance and enjoyment. Plus, there’s a shift in product from WTB, some somewhat sad news out of an Australian business, and we speculate over why Specialized’s founder has returned to the helm. As usual, members of Escape Collective have access to the exclusive member-only feeds of the podcast, and in this we answer a number of technical questions in the Ask a Wrench segment. Happy geeking! Time stamps: 00:02:00 - New bikes, new bikes everywhere 00:03:15 - Talking two different approaches to gravel with the Scott Addict Gravel and Factor Elara 00:16:30 - Adding the new Enve Melee to the conversation 00:20:00 - Feelings or performance. Can it be both? 00:29:00 - WTB doing aero wasn’t on our bingo card 00:38:00 - Sad news from Fumpa 00:44:15 - Big changes at Specialized and a fun theory from a dude 01:02:00 - Members-only section and Ask a Wrench 01:05:00 - Our thoughts on running mismatched tyres 01:11:20 - “Critique my chain waxing” 01:12:15 - Gravel handlebar recommendations that keep the levers straight
August 27 · 42 min
In person and pondering new Dura-Ace
This week sees a big first for the Geek Warning podcast as the entirety of Escape Collective’s tech crew meet up in person over in Takayama, Japan. With that, we recorded live in front of a select group of Escape members! It’s certainly been a huge week on the tech front for our entire tech team to be away riding bikes at the annual Member Summit. Not only is the Vuelta a España in its first week (where new Dura-Ace prototypes were seen), we also had the last Mountain Bike World Cup round prior to the World Championships. And if that wasn’t enough, MADE was held over in Portland, Oregon, the past weekend. Given the special circumstances, our usual member-only ‘Ask a Wrench’ segment was replaced with an ‘Ask us anything’ from the live audience. Be sure to listen on the member-only feed for the full episode. So with that, join the tech crew of Alex Hunt, Jack Duncan, Ronan Mc Laughlin, and Dave Rome to hear about the week in tech. And yes, Suvi Loponen was there, but sadly couldn’t jump on the recording. Time stamps: 00:03:30 - New Dura-Ace R9300 breaks cover 00:23:00 - Leadville wasn’t the expected 32er domination, and that doesn’t matter 00:33:05 - Fox is seemingly returning to electronic suspension for cross-country 00:35:00 - Abbey Bike Tools’ new budget disc brake mount facer isn’t quite it 00:40:30 - Going into the member-only section with a live audience 00:42:00 - Ask us Anything! 00:44:00 - Are carbon spokes a fad? 00:50:00 - Silca’s entry to tires 00:53:00 - Can grease be too thick? 00:55:00 - Is there any further tech that road should expect from MTB? 01:03:30 - How are we addressing the spectrum of gravel?
August 19 · 32 min
Bonus: The business of batch-built versus custom metal bikes
It’s time for another bonus edition of Geek Warning. This chat is a brief opener to our upcoming coverage of Made, North America’s Custom Bicycle Show. Held this coming weekend (21-23rd of August), the Portland-based show has grown to be a key event on the calendar for bike lovers, tech nerds, makers, and the like. A show like this also consistently serves as a crystal ball into emerging segments and tech trends. One such trend is the emergence of custom frame builders offering pre-built options. In the USA, a number of local frame builders have reduced purchase barriers by offering set models and stock geometry options. The likes of No.22, Moots, and Stinner are all examples of this. Meanwhile, one of the most prestigious names in the titanium space has now joined the list - Mosaic. For this chat, Dave Rome is joined by Mosaic’s founder Aaron Barcheck, along with chief vibe officer (and founder) of Made, Billy Sinkford. A heads up that the timing of publishing this episode coincides with Mosaic’s announcement of a 32er gravel bike and its accompanying launch of its own carbon component brand – Zero. The news of this only broke after we recorded this episode and so these products aren’t discussed within. We may do a dedicated chat covering those interesting products in the future.
August 13 · 48 min
The endurance bike some of us have been waiting for
This week on Geek Warning, Dave is joined by Escape’s Suvi Loponen and Alex Hunt to talk about the latest in cycling tech. Alex was on the ground at the Tour de France Femmes and came away pondering why 1x hadn’t hit the women’s field like it has the men. Meanwhile, Suvi has spent the past couple of months riding the new Trek Domane endurance road bike. Dave and Suvi discuss why this bike is likely to be a big win for Trek. Then, as usual, those on our member-only podcast feeds get access to Ask a Wrench. This week Dave is joined by Colin Williams to answer questions related to replicating fit dimensions between bikes, headset changes, and why high-engagement hubs aren’t more popular in road racing. Time stamps: 00:01:20 - Accell group likely to be split up 00:08:15 - Tech trends at TDFF 00:17:09 - Tyres are growing, slowly 00:22:00 - Trek’s new Domane 00:33:45 - Bike prices coming down? 00:39:30 - The case for semi-integrated cable routing 00:43:00 - We’re all having a meet-up 00:48:15 - Ask a Wrench with Colin Williams (Members Only) 00:50:00 - How to match fit dimensions between bikes 01:01:30 - Is it ok to mismatch the headset? 01:06:15 - Replacing a proprietary headset 01:14:00 - High engagement hubs Crit racing?
August 6 · 52 min
The spectrum of XC race bikes
This week, Dave and Jack from the Escape Collective tech team talk modern cross-country bikes and where the nuance between race and downcountry sits. Plus, Dave shares why he believes remote lockouts are a race-day product. Meanwhile, the geeks discuss why rounded bolts are most often user error and how to avoid them (also check out Dave’s Threaded #15 article on the topic). Like every week, members of Escape Collective (on the exclusive member-only feeds) get access to the full episode, including Ask a Wrench. This week Colin Williams is back on the mic to answer questions from our members, including tips for washing bikes with waxed chains and removing stubborn hub end caps. Time stamps: 00:02:00 - Santa Cruz updates the Blur 00:12:00 - The difference between XC race and downcountry 00:16:30 - It’s in the lockouts 00:20:00 - Differences in spec 00:28:30 - A reminder why MTB tech matters to all listeners 00:30:00 - A little Clarifications Corner for last week’s PSA 00:36:30 - Rounded bolts are a you problem 00:43:45 - DT Swiss updates its budget 1800 wheel range 00:46:00 - Silca updates its saddle bags 00:47:45 - Giant and Liv’s new premium shoes 00:51:15 - Ask a Wrench (members only) 00:53:00 - How to wash a bike with a waxed chain 00:57:45 - How to remove stubborn hub end caps 01:06:20 - How to become a bicycle mechanic
July 31 · 52 min
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
July 23 · 1 hr 5 min
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
July 16 · 53 min
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
July 10 · 1 hr 8 min
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
July 3 · 1 hr 15 min
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
July 2 · 53 min
The fastest sleeves you've ever seen | TDF Tech special
It's time for a Geek Warning crossover episode! Ronan Mc Laughlin and Jack Duncan join Caley Fretz ahead of this year's Tour de France to break down how bikes and gear are changing and highlight what our tech reporters think will be the most important equipment of a modern Tour.
June 26 · 59 min
The consequences of big wheels and being gaslit
The tech crew at Escape Collective have been paying close attention to the progression toward 32in wheels in gravel and mountain bike, and while the conversation has come up a few times, it felt time to dedicate some real time to the topic. This week, Escape tech staffers Dave Rome, Ronan Mc Laughlin, and Alex Hunt chat about 32ers in the news, whether the UCI’s potential involvement will slow things, and if a new wheel size is of positive net gain for the wider industry. In addition to big wheels, the geeks also talk about some other new products. Meanwhile, members of Escape Collective get Ask a Wrench, the weekly segment where our members’ technical questions get answered. Time stamps: 00:02:15 - 32ers in the news 00:03:00 - Thömus gets the first World Cup podium 00:07:00 - Canyon’s Lux Era concept 00:10:20 - A few big wheels at Spoken 00:12:30 - The UCI’s involvement 00:23:00 - Brands preparing for the next big thing 00:28:30 - Complications in 32er suspension 00:36:00 - It’s a high-risk time for more stock 00:39:30 - Cheaper bikes will be worse 00:42:00 - Why didn’t it start with gravel bikes? 00:49:00 - Wolf Tooth’s lower cost range of products 00:51:50 - Black Inc’s new Hyper wheels. So many carbon spokes 00:59:00 - Ask a Wrench with Colin Williams (members only) 01:01:00 - Should you service new suspension and talking bushing clearances 01:14:24 - Fighting stuck tubeless tyres. How to deal with them on the trail? 01:26:00 - A recall-related question
June 19 · 51 min
Exploring progressive road geometry
This week, Dave, Ronan, and new guy Jack chat about Eddy Merckx’s new bike and why it’s surprised Ronan. The bike provides good fodder for diving into more serviceable cockpits and for understanding why only fashion may limit the uptake of progressive road geometry. There’s good news for those who prefer cable-actuated shifting, as Shimano has updated its mountain bike offerings. Dave has other things on his mind, too, including Australia’s Spoken bike show and how downhill is teasing future puzzling for disc brakes. Of course, there’s plenty more than that, and members of Escape Collective also get Ask a Wrench at the end of the episode (members-only feed). Time stamps: 00:01:30 - The new Eddy Merckx and an exploration into progressive road geometry 00:22:45 - Shimano’s mechanical shifting update 00:29:00 - Shimano updates a real classic 00:31:45 - Don’t miss Overnight Success 00:33:50 - Downhill tech is on Dave’s mind and the pursuit of heat-regulated brakes 00:39:15 - Dave makes a case for why Australia’s builder scene is world-class 00:46:00 - Cannondale’s nostalgic Team Dream CAAD14s 00:47:15 - Bianchi’s new Specialissima 00:51:45 - Ask a Wrench with Colin Williams (Members Only) 00:54:00 - A Shimano mechanical dropbar shifter that’s coming undone 01:03:00 - Inconsistent Torx tooling 01:13:45 - Noisy eccentric bottom bracket challenges 01:21:20 - Disc brake pads for high elevation bike packing
June 11 · 1 hr 1 min
New climbing bikes are being seen, but rarely raced
New bikes are now rolling in from all directions with both the road and mountain bike race seasons in full swing. In this week’s episode, Dave chats with new hire Jack Duncan about what he’s been seeing at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (aka, the Dauphine). Later in the episode, Jack and Dave discuss new cross-country mountain bikes from Orbea and Lapierre. Then Alex Hunt joins to talk about his experience with the new Scott Spark. Not even prompted by Dave, the geeks also cover space and weight-efficient tools for travel. And as per usual, members of Escape Collective get access to our popular Ask a Wrench segment at the end of the episode. Time stamps: 00:01:10 - Pre-Tour tech at the Dauphine 00:09:00 - A tangent on big brand wheels 00:14:00 - Mystery new shoes 00:15:20 - New climbing bikes are being seen, but rarely raced 00:23:30 - How to pack tools for travel is on our mind 00:41:00 - It’s a week of new 29er XC MTB, starting with the Orbea Oiz and Lapierre XR 00:49:30 - Alex Hunt joins to talk about Scott’s Spark update 00:59:00 - RIP Charlie Cunningham 01:01:40 - Ask a Wrench with Colin Williams (members only) 01:03:00 - Small electric inflators where low pressures matter 01:13:00 - Discontinued pedal lubes and PFAS’ 01:20:30 - What on saddles makes them a wear item? 01:27:00 - Pondering a handlebar that turns more freely 01:30:30 - Talking about our mechanical work
June 5 · 49 min
Inner soles, 20 grams, and a new voice
Geek Warning gets a new voice as Escape’s new US tech editor - Jack Duncan - joins the motley crew. Together with Dave Rome and Ronan Mc Laughlin, the geeks cover a broad range of topics from Unbound tech, UCI doing UCI things, Ronan’s custom inner sole journey, and hubs that allow cassettes to fall off. Of course, members of Escape Collective also get Ask a Wrench. This week, Dave is joined by Jack Duncan to answer a number of questions from our members. Also, Dave sends his apologies to members listening to Ask a Wrench as his mic settings had changed without warning. Time stamps: 00:00:00 - An introduction to Jack Duncan 00:04:30 - Unbound tech wrap 00:16:25 - Disqualification over 20 grams 00:28:00 - Cassettes that fall off and Dave’s Public Rambling Rant 00:33:00 - Carbon inner soles are on Ronan’s mind 00:49:30 - Ask a Wrench (members only) 00:51:00 - Running a 12-speed chain on a 11-speed cassette 00:57:45 - battery drain issues in an AXS shifter 1:04:00 - How to add grip to a slippery brake lever
May 28 · 50 min
The Crux is now a DirtMac
Howdy geeks! It’s Unbound race week, and with that, we’ve seen an expected amount of fresh new tech in the gravel space. This week, Escape’s senior tech editors Dave Rome and Ronan Mc Laughlin discuss Specalized’s long-awaited update to the Crux. There’s, of course, a bit of big wheel chatter. A fun new project product from Wheels Manufacturing. And plenty more. As a reminder, members of Escape Collective also get access to Ask a Wrench, where member questions are answered by Dave Rome and a quest mechanic (this week, Colorado-based Colin Williams returns). If you liked this episode, please leave us a review. It helps like-minded cyclists discover us. Time stamps: 00:00:30 - Ronan went racing 00:07:15 - Ronan rides the new Specialized Crux 00:14:50 - But is it actually aero? 00:23:47 - Are pure aero gravel bikes what we need? 00:30:05 - Scott’s 32in gravel bike for Unbound 00:36:50 - Wheels Manufacturing’s better mud stick 00:42:29 - Paragon Machine Works has been acquired 00:43:56 - Good thing: Mechanics you can trust 00:51:00 - Ask a Wrench (Members-Only feed) 00:52:30 - Weird pulley wheel wear 1:03:00 - When is it time to replace a wheel? 1:12:00 - A Dangerholm-inspired Full-Suspension gravel bike?
May 22 · 49 min
Going further on gravel
With Unbound on next week, and the Gralloch on last weekend, it felt timely to talk about going further on gravel. For this, Escape’s tech and industry reporter, Suvi Loponen, joins Dave Rome. Also joining this week is special guest (and occasional Escape contributor) Kevin ‘Benky’ Benkenstein, a familiar face in the ultra world. There's also talk of whether the trend in wide gravel rims is a good direction. And of course, there’s plenty more. Just a quick note that Kevin did have some internet issues, so we apologise for the occasional delay in the recording. Members of Escape Collective get the full episode (and no ads!), where mechanic Colin Williams joins Dave to answer technical questions. Time stamps: 00:01:31 - Suvi's time at the Gralloch 00:10:48 - How to get comfortable when going far on gravel 00:17:13 - New Specialized and Canyon spotted at the Gralloch 00:18:29 - What benefits the pros doesn’t always benefit us 00:20:33 - Unbound is coming 00:35:07 - New Enve gravel wheels 00:41:49 - Is wider really better, or is this just a trend? 00:45:55 - Niner bikes goes on pause 00:49:00 - Ask a Wrench (member-only feed) 00:50:30 - How long does a bag of wax last? 00:55:15 - Running a road cassette with mountain bike derailleurs 00:59:30 - Building a tool to stress relieve a wheel 1:06:04 - Does suspension need servicing after storage?
May 14 · 44 min
Will beep boop suspension come to gravel?
In a rare treat, Caley Fretz (aka, The Hammer) makes a return to Geek Warning. Joined by Escape's Senior Tech Editor Dave Rome, this week’s chat covers electronic suspension on mountain bikes and whether it makes sense for future gravel bikes. Time stamps: 00:00:00 - Intro, Caley is back 00:02:01 - Caley is a fan of Flight Attendant 00:25:30 - Electronics for gravel suspension? 00:34:30 - Endurace CF range 00:41:00 - Rotor in trouble 00:42:00 - Why Escape Collective 00:44:56 - Ask a Wrench (members only) 00:45:50 - Can you fix a creaking saddle? 00:50:10 - How to find info on older bikes? 00:56:30 - More Cannondale Ai oddness 01:02:20 - Why don’t mechanics provide their own tools?
May 7 · 1 hr 1 min
Aero gravel bikes are not always the fastest choice
Are full-blown aero gravel bikes all they’re cracked up to be? Dave and Ronan share some strong thoughts on why this may be the wrong path, or at least, why it’s still early days for these being the faster choice. For those in the workshop, Dave shares the importance of good lighting and some of his favourite hand-held options for seeing better. Alex Hunt then jumps on to talk about XC tech from the opening round of World Cup racing, including why the conditions caused so many dropped chains. Of course, members of Escape Collective get Ask a Wrench, this week with guru Colin Williams. Dave and Colin answer a handful of questions, but a chunk of the time is spent chatting about their most underrated and overrated tools. Time stamps: 00:02:13 - A Traka load of new, unreleased gravel bikes from Factor and Ridley 00:06:46 - Cervelo Aspero 5 where it’s good and where it’s really not 00:13:41 - Has gravel learned everything it knows from XC? 00:18:03 - Is the Factor Sarana Ronan McLaughlin’s bike for ultras or just confusing? 00:29:42 - A good thing to share about lighting 00:41:47 - Alex joins to talk MTB World Cup 00:43:51 - New bikes spotted in South Korea from Scott and Lapierre 00:51:56 - Lots of mud and 1x drivetrains aren’t a good match 01:01:15 - Ask a Wrench (member-only feed) 01:02:40 - Best mechanical shifting options for dropbar? 01:12:10 - Chainline variance and e-bikes 01:17:30 - Squeaky shoes with SPD 01:22:00 - Our most overrated and underrated tools

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