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

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

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