This week’s episode is perhaps a little more behind the scenes than most. Ronan tells Dave about his nine-month tyre-testing project and why he is now ready to actually test tyres. There’s chat about the struggles in picking products for our favourite things lists. And you'll hear a conversation that involves a lot of cliches such as ‘you don’t know what you don’t know’ and ‘listen to your bike and body’. Of course, there’s a PSA, and somehow the conversation even turns to elephant asses. Oh yes, the Geeks cover some real ground in this one!

Members of Escape Collective get all of that plus the Ask a Wrench segment (with pro mechanic Brad Copeland). It’s a big segment this week with five questions answered, but like every other week, it’s only available on the member-feed. Speaking of which, members can now access these episodes on Spotify!

Time stamps:

00:45 - Ronan’s long-awaited tyre testing
15:10 - The struggle of picking our favourite products
23:00 - It’s the last 5% that counts the most
39:00 - The latest Rabbit Holes
42:00 - PSA: The organised mess
51:00 - Ask a Wrench (members only)
52:00 - Servicing hubs and dealing with freehub drag
1:01:25 - Singlespeeds and chain wear
1:08:30 - Toe spikes and dealing with faulty shoes
1:14:00 - Our preferred safety window for Hookless Road
1:21:00 - A torque adapter question

Big wheels, a product recall, and another rant about poor bike design – oh yes, it’s time for Geek Warning.

This week Dave and Ronan return to your digital radios. On the list is a sneaky disappearance of a liked SRAM product, news from UCI regarding 32in wheels, and a recall from Trek. Some time on the tools has Dave ranting about a particularly bad example of internal cable routing, and of course, there’s a PSA.

Members of Escape Collective get access to the full episode, which includes our popular Ask a Wrench segment (this week with pro race mechanic Brad Copeland). Just a note that we had an audio issue, and so Ask a Wrench this week has us answering two questions rather than the usual three. Still, there’s plenty of ground covered.

Happy geeking!

Time stamps:

4:00 - SRAM quietly discontinues older AXS rim brake options
7:20 - UCI leaves the door open to 32in wheels in MTB
12:00 - Trek’s big recall of little things
17:10 - Rant time from Dave
24:00 - PSA for another place to look for a creak
29:00 - Ask a Wrench (Members Only)
32:00 - Corrections Corner for the previous Ask a Wrench
34:00 - Can a chainring wear out before a chain?
41:00 - Shimano 105 shifter levers not engaging

In a tech-launch heavy week, Suvi, Josh, and Alex have taken over the pod to chat about what was happening at the recent, season-ending Rouleur Live show, which led them to discuss the value of these cycling exhibitions a little more.

To wrap things up, the team chatted through the – admittedly very off-road focused – new product launches from Nukeproof, Ritchey, Velocity USA, and Lazer. If you scroll past the show timestamps, we've also included a little Rouleur Live gallery there for you to browse.

Timestamps:

00:10 – Intro, and Suvi's Brompton skills
04:49 – Rouleur Live: crowds, vibes & venue
05:45 – Show tech highlights: Reap aero gravel bike & POC bags
10:30 – What are trade shows even for now?
15:00 – Industry networking, media value & meeting members
20:39 – Nukeproof is back: new Reactor trail bike
25:00 – Ritchey Septimer breakaway gravel bike
32:00 – Tangent to talk about travel bikes vs hire vs bags
39:44 – 32" wheels & the emerging 32er niche
46:40 – New Lazer Impala: Dual Core trail helmet, helmet testing, MIPS rivals & Virginia Tech ratings
55:00 – Outro