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

If you were buying a mid-level performance bike, would you prefer an exceptional frame or a little compromise to get better components? That’s something that Ronan and Dave ponder in this week’s episode of Geek Warning.

In addition to that, you’ll learn about DT Swiss’ first wheel that features spokes that aren’t its own. There’s a PSA for anyone ignoring noises from their drivetrain. And Dave nerds out on some funny-looking screwdrivers.

Of course, members of Escape Collective get access to the Ask a Wrench segment at the end of the episode. Here, Dave and Brad Copeland go deep on whether bottom bracket bearings can last a lifetime and take a detour on the topic of flat mount mountain brakes.

Timestamps:

1:00 - Bigham’s Laser Bubble Tunnels
6:00 - Giant’s big bet on XC and high-end frames bumping up price points
19:00 - DT Swiss has a wheel with spokes that aren’t made by them
25:00 - Trek’s Project One now offering frame-only
29:00 - A PSA for your drivetrain
36:00 - Dave’s Good Thing of the week (decade?)
45:00 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland (Members Only)
46:00 - A watery floor pump
52:00 - Can a bottom bracket bearing last a lifetime?
1:02:00 - Upgrading flat mount brakes on a mountain bike

It’s rare to get a bike that’s raced professionally throughout the season, that wins a World Championship title, and only then is released.

The new Giant Anthem cross-country bike is finally official, and tech editor Dave Rome recently flew to Taiwan to see how it’s made and get some early ride time on it.

While at that launch, Dave sat down with the bike’s lead category manager, Joe Staub, to learn about some of the design decisions, how Giant designs for manufacturing, and plenty more. At the end of the episode, you’ll also hear an interview with current XCO World Champion Alan Hatherly (as well as team manager Sebastion Boyington) about some specific tech thoughts for cross-country racing.

Usually, the full versions of our special episodes are only available to members of Escape Collective. We’re making an exception for this and keeping the full episode free for all. We just ask that if you find it interesting, please consider sharing it with someone who may also like it.

If you want more information on the bike, then head to EscapeCollective.com for a full write-up, including early ride impressions.

Welcome back, geeks!

This week’s episode is a bit of a mixed bag, with Dave and Ronan kicking things off with a chat about Giant’s flagship factory. Things then jump to South Africa, where Escape’s CEO Wade Wallace sits down with racer and occasional tech contributor Kevin Bekenstein to chat tech at the inaugural Gravel Burn stage race.

Finally, members of Escape Collective will hear the return of Brad Copeland in the Ask a Wrench segment.

Time stamps:
2:30 - Dave’s trip to Taiwan
6:30 - Touring Giant’s flagship facility
14:45 - Equipment basics for Gravel Burn
22:00 - A proven use case for gravel suspension
50:00 - Brad Copeland returns for Ask a Wrench (Members only)
54:00 - Indoor bike and trainer servicing
1:14:00 - Shimano front shifter that keeps getting hard to use.
1:27:00 - Long-term storage of mountain bike suspension

Jeez, that Dave and Ronan can sure ramble on about a new groupset. Indeed, this week’s Geek Warning has the geeks geeking over Campagnolo’s much-awaited release of 1x13 wireless. They chat about what's new, the limitations of a single chainring for general road riding, and why the future for the iconic Italian manufacturer seems brighter.

While that chat may be a little premium for some tastes, the rest of the episode is all about more practical things. From tips for freehub servicing through to chatting good tech docs, this week’s episode lives up to the podcast’s name.

Time stamps:

2:30 - A Corrections Corner that only members need
4:00 - Campagnolo’s big Super Record expansion and the limits of 1x road
26:00 - Looking at Look’s Vision pedals
30:00 - New warranty options for CSS rim customers
32:00 - a PSA for your freehub
41:00 - Readily available technical manuals are a Good Thing
48:50 - Ask a Wrench (Members Only, with Zach Edwards)
49:30 - What’s up with gravel suspension?
55:00 - Threaded bottom bracket creaks
1:04:00 - Putting new Shimano XTR Di2 on a road bike
1:17:00 - Zach’s preferred brakes to bleed

Warning, geeks inbound. This week, Dave and Ronan catch up to discuss WorldTour rumours and a few of the bigger stories in tech. One of which is Wilier’s new aero bike, and while it wasn’t what Ronan had expected, it raises questions about whether the new crop of Hyperbikes are a consumer-friendly option.

Of course, there’s a PSA and Dave shares a ‘Good Thing’ that was on his mind from earlier in the day. And as per usual, members of Escape Collective get an extra half an hour of geekery as submitted questions get answered.

Time stamps:

1:00 - A little bit about electric tyre inflators
10:45 - Wilier’s new Filante SLR aero bike isn’t so radical
17:15 - WorldTour tech rumours
31:00 - Strava wants to be friends with Garmin again
34:00 - PSA to preventing stuck tubeless valve nuts
37:00 - Good Things for bleeding brakes
44:00 - Ask A Wrench (Members Only)
44:30 - Maintenance time versus durability in chain lubes
52:00 - Wedges in cycling shoes
1:01:00 - How to know when a slick tyre is worn
1:05:00 - Finding a 160 mm crank for use with 2x GRX