It’s time to geek out. This week, Ronan Mc Laughlin and Dave Rome discuss how as bikes progress, market opportunity is often created in what those bikes previously provided. Through this conversation, Ronan and Dave come to an agreement on a specific style of bike that’s obviously missing today. You’ll hear a PSA relevant to any modern bike, along with a few quick updates that provide a couple of brief tangents. The episode wraps with Ronan and Dave discussing a fancy type of hex key (the topic ...
Aug 14, 2025•42 min•Ep. 166
A mix of rumours circling and the recently reviewed FiftyOne Sika road bike have Ronan and Dave pondering whether the UCI frame sticker is relevant to many of us. Spoiler, it’s not. The episode was recorded a few days before we know for sure, but the social media profiles of athletes strongly point toward some interesting drop-bar-converted mountain bikes for the Leadville 100 race ahead. Ronan and Dave discuss a PSA for themselves, and of course, members of Escape Collective get access to the A...
Aug 08, 2025•44 min•Ep. 165
What in the upside-down world is this? Ronan Mc Laughlin has been investigating rumours around the UCI getting involved with the new 32 in wheelsize, and in this episode of Geek Warning, you’ll hear the crew discuss what it may spell. Additionally, you’ll hear the geeks (Ronan, Dave, and Alex) talk about some products that have left them a little underwhelmed as of late. New SRAM centerlock lockrings are on Dave’s mind. And there’s a PSA related to disc brake bed-in. Members of Escape Collective...
Jul 31, 2025•44 min•Ep. 164
Recorded just after watching Tadej and Jonas summit Ventoux on aero bikes, this episode sees Ronan McLaughlin, Dave Rome, and Suvi Loponen discuss whether the latest and lightest road bikes are now designed for consumers, while aero bikes are for the pros. Also within this week’s Geek Warning, you’ll hear Dave discuss why he thinks too many products are being released in an unfinished state. Of course, there’s a useful PSA, one that’s useful for anyone running disc brakes. And you’ll hear the ge...
Jul 25, 2025•48 min•Ep. 163
We’re in thick of race season and there’s plenty to discuss on the tech front. The mountain bike world is rubbing their eyes at the sight of a 32-inch-wheeled full suspension. Meanwhile, on the road, it’s the Time Trial that continues to tease future tech trends. Join Ronan Mc Laughlin, Dave Rome, and Alex Hunt as they discuss these new sightings. Outside of racing, you’ll also hear the geeks talk about a revised scoring system from the helmet test lab of Virginia Tech. Meanwhile, Dave has a PSA...
Jul 18, 2025•54 min•Ep. 162
It’s Tour time and tech editor Ronan McLaughlin has been on the ground capturing all the latest little tricks and tidbits. In this week’s Geek Warning, Dave Rome, and Ronan get together to talk through some of the bigger tech stories and finds coming from the biggest race. Within you’ll hear about new bikes from Merida and Cervelo, some behind-the-scenes sponsorship movements, how front derailleurs are becoming less common, and why the UCI’s handlebar width ruling is likely set to change (again)...
Jul 11, 2025•47 min•Ep. 161
The drowsiness of Eurobike has barely faded just as the Tour is about to kick off. This week, Escape’s tech team members Suvi Loponen, Ronan Mc Laughlin, and Dave Rome are on Geek Warning to discuss the biggest tech of the week and some things on their minds. A recap of Eurobike is provided by Suvi, along with pondering what the future holds for this event that seems to be in decline. Ronan and Dave go deep on Enve’s new road wheels , which quite surprisingly, have a hooked rim. That’s big news ...
Jul 04, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 160
In this special Performance Process x Geek Warning crossover, Dave Rome grills Ronan Mc Laughlin about every technical detail from his 3,000 km unsupported lap of Ireland. From aero bag hacks and drivetrain quirks to cleat regrets and a failed light, this is a deep dive into the tech setup behind a truly personal and punishing ultra-endurance ride. Ronan shares what worked, what didn’t, and what he’d change next time – all while reflecting on how the gear supported his mission to raise awareness...
Jul 03, 2025•27 min•Ep. 159
We’re not sure we’ve ever experienced a busier month in the world of cycling tech. All the major drivetrain manufacturers have released new things. We’ve had two custom bike shows and now it’s the world’s largest cycling tradeshow - Eurobike. And the tech conversations in the racing world have been a flurry of activity, too. In this episode, you’ll hear the voices of the entire Escape tech editorial staff. Ronan McLaughlin, Dave Rome, and Alex Hunt share their thoughts on new Shimano GRX, Classi...
Jun 27, 2025•59 min•Ep. 158
Wow, what a week for those who love cycling tech! If four new dropbar groupsets from SRAM weren’t enough, then Shimano certainly fills that glass with its sudden release of XT and Deore Di2. Join Escape’s Dave Rome, Suvi Loponen and Alex Hunt as they discuss what’s new and some things to be aware of. Meanwhile, the UCI released some upcoming rule changes that have many riders and cycling businesses upset. The geeks discuss why some of these rulings have been blown out of proportion, and why one ...
Jun 20, 2025•54 min•Ep. 157
In this bonus episode of Geek Warning, Suvi Loponen sits down with SRAM’s Dan Stefiuk and Paul Kantor to chat about the all-new Rival and Force AXS groupsets. From tech trickled down from Red, to the design philosophies that shaped these mid-tier offerings, we chat about how SRAM approaches performance, pricing, and compatibility. For the full tech details and reviews of these new groupsets – or to sign up to get the full episode – head over to escapecollective.com ....
Jun 18, 2025•16 min•Ep. 156
This week in Geek Warning, tech writers Suvi Loponen and Alex Hunt join Dave Rome to discuss their recent factory visits to SRAM, DT Swiss, Oquo, and more. You’ll hear Dave and Alex debate about using full-suspension gravel bikes instead of a mountain bike. The geeks also discuss a whole lot of new and interesting tech. As usual, members of Escape Collective have access to the Ask a Wrench segment of the episode, and this week, Australian national team mechanic, Peter Arch, joins to help answer ...
Jun 13, 2025•55 min•Ep. 154
June has started with a bang when it comes to new cycling tech. This week we’ve seen the long-awaited release of new Shimano XTR Di2 , the next generation Super Record from Campagnolo , and a welcomed new power pedal from Favero . All are new products that Dave Rome and Ronan Mc Laughlin discuss, in addition to being covered in more detail on Escape Collective. In addition to all that, Unbound gravel saw a whole bunch of unreleased bikes being raced , which Dave and Josh Weinberg (US tech and cu...
Jun 06, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 153
Seven years have passed since we last saw an updated version of Shimano’s flagship mountain bike group. Assuming you weren’t holding your breath, and as a result are still with us, then today is the day of the update. Yes, new XTR Di2 M9200 is here. It represents Shimano’s delayed entry into true wireless shifting, and brings with it a number of other interesting developments (a new brake oil, anyone?).In this episode, Escape Collective’s Dave Rome and Alex Hunt sit down with Shimano North Ameri...
Jun 04, 2025•22 min•Ep. 152
Our necks are hurting from the whiplash of information regarding what tyres are actually fastest off-road. Ronan teases a fresh discussion he had about optimising one sponsored rider for Unbound and some surprising lessons that came from that. It's a topic that continues to fascinate, especially given some of the world's best cross-country mountain bikers have been racing Short Track on 50 mm gravel tyres. In addition to that, you’ll hear Dave Rome, Alex Hunt, and Ronan McLaughlin explain why no...
May 30, 2025•59 min•Ep. 151
Welcome back to the cycling tech podcast with a Geek Warning. This week, Escape’s tech editors Dave Rome and Ronan Mc Laughlin discuss what’s been on their minds. For Dave, that’s how good modern chains have become and a cool upgrade option for DT Swiss hub users.For Ronan, it’s the new wheels from Zipp that have been occupying his time. This is a fairly long episode for members of Escape Collective ( go here ). Those on the member-only podcast feed won’t just hear what’s new, but rather will he...
May 23, 2025•50 min•Ep. 150
You don’t have to look far these days to find a jersey and bib short that costs more than my first road bike, or one that costs less than lunch. In this episode, I sit down with Steve Smith, Brand Manager at Castelli and Sportful, to unpack what really drives the cost of cycling kit. From €1.50 chamois pads to €300 retail tags, we explore the full supply chain, manufacturing realities, sponsorship costs, direct-to-consumer myths, and why a €30 short might look the part and what it might be missi...
May 21, 2025•45 min•Ep. 149
This week we’ve got wireless shifting on our minds. Campagnolo’s new 13-speed wireless continues to be seen out in the wild, now at the Giro d’Italia. Dave has had his hands on WheelTop’s latest wireless mountain bike derailleur and shifter. And SRAM has an option to upgrade its new mechanical T70/T90 system to wireless, and nope, we’re not joking. Additionally, Ronan is feeling misunderstood. We warn about using modern Ai-type tech in your repair endeavours. And of course, there’s plenty more. ...
May 16, 2025•52 min•Ep. 148
How is it that a product can be raced by a professional, in a professional event, and that the media aren’t allowed to tell all? It’s become a surprisingly common occurrence, and in this episode, you’ll hear Ronan Mc Laughlin and Dave Rome explain how it all works. You’ll also hear about Campagnolo’s latest spotted new drivetrain, and why it likely spells a wider change to 13-speed. Also, Ronan and Dave discuss the new Cannondale Synapse and its rather confusing overlap with other bikes in Canno...
May 09, 2025•51 min•Ep. 147
It’s time for the second edition of our ‘In for Review’ Geek Warning podcast. Like the first edition , this one looks to share some of the bikes we’ve been testing and the gear we’ve been enjoying. Plus, we’ve added a segment that talks about newly released products we’re interested in trying. And for those on the Escape Collective member feed (which as the name implies, is only for members), you’ll get a little extra as we discuss a few of the products that haven’t quite met the mark. If you ar...
May 07, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 146
Hello geeks! It’s time to talk about the big wheels that are seemingly beginning to gain speed. As reported by Josh Weinberg, it sure seems many are looking at 32 in wheels , but it’s still early days as to whether we’ll see history repeat itself. Within you’ll also find a new segment where Dave puts the call out to brands to produce a product that he feels is lacking in the market. You’ll also hear Josh, Zach, and Dave discuss some of the more interesting products from the BeSpoked show . The e...
May 02, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 145
The travel bike is a highly desirable item for many cyclists with dreams of frequent travel, but does it still hold a place with many modern airline policies? It’s one of the many topics you’ll hear the geeks discuss in this week’s episode. In addition to that, you’ll hear Dave Rome, along with Zach Edwards (Boulder Groupetto) and Escape’s newest tech hire, Josh Weinberg, cover the latest in tech. They discuss the new Factor Monza road bike, where it sits in the range, and the sneaky new UDH Min...
Apr 25, 2025•46 min•Ep. 144
Welcome back to Geek Warning. It’s been a big few weeks for the cycling world, with the Classics and the Sea Otter Classic sharing a weekend. Ronan Mc Laughlin and Dave Rome kick off the show chatting Roubaix tech, including some hacked derailleurs and questionable measurements. Then they chat about Colnago’s latest race bike. Dave then jumps on with US tech editor Josh Weinberg to talk all things Sea Otter, including some of the bigger tech news. Plus, there’s a beginner's guide to why many in ...
Apr 18, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 143
Welcome back to Geek Warning! The podcast that puts all the most interesting cycling tech and advice into one place. Before you tune in to the latest episode, it’s worth noting that the geeks often record a few days before an episode drops. In any normal week that’s no problem, but it’s been far from a normal week. In this episode Ronan McLaughlin, Suvi Loponen, and Dave Rome chat about the impact of tariffs on the cycling industry - many of which have been put on hold in the time between record...
Apr 11, 2025•57 min•Ep. 142
Paris-Roubaix is just around the corner and the geeks have been pondering just how wide we’ll see the tyres of the pros go. Some studies have shown that 40s are fastest, but as you’ll hear from Ronan, the testing he’s currently in the thick of is showing otherwise. You’ll also hear Dave Rome, Ronan Mc Laughlin, and Zach Edwards (Boulder Groupetto) discuss some of the new interesting groupsets coming from Chinese manufacturers and what it may take for them to break through into the mainstream mar...
Apr 04, 2025•52 min•Ep. 141
Our podcast episodes are a little like our own children, of course, we love them all. However, maybe, just maybe, some are loved a little more than others. This episode is a good one. Tune in as the regular crew of Ronan, Dave, and Zach chat about the growing world of tyre pressure calculators and whether electronic shifting has made frame designers lazy. Meanwhile, the public service announcement relates to counterfeit products and it’s a big one that we’re sure to return to in future. With the...
Mar 28, 2025•51 min•Ep. 140
Oh yes, we’re in the thick of product launch season, and we're keeping focused on the most interesting stuff. SRAM has just overhauled its more budget-conscious mountain bike drivetrains, and they share much in common with the premium Transmission AXS. Except, they have a cable. Plus, at least on the mountain bike side, SRAM has gone all-in on mineral oil brakes. It’s a huge change for a company that’s spent more than 15 years promoting the benefits of DOT fluid. To hear and learn all about the ...
Mar 27, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 139
Why do so many road bikes with endurance geometry have unique selling added features that wouldn’t fly in more performance-oriented bikes? That’s the big question that Ronan, Dave, and Zach discuss in this week’s episode of Geek Warning. Plus, you’ll hear a useful PSA for those who use newer road pedals. Dave then rings up new Escape recruit Josh Weinberg to discuss the latest in road, gravel, and cross-country mountain bike tech – including Fox's new 34 SL fork release (something we've also cov...
Mar 21, 2025•48 min•Ep. 138
What do matching bike fits and cordless air tools have in common? Truthfully, very little, but you’ll hear them both discussed in this week’s episode of Geek Warning. Join Ronan Mc Laughlin, Dave Rome, and Zach Edwards as they discuss these topics on their minds, plus share the latest in tech. Listeners on our free feed will get a whole hour, meanwhile members of Escape Collective get treated to an extra geeky 30 minutes with Dave Rome and pro race mechanic Brad Copeland answering listener quest...
Mar 14, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 137
It was an idea teased in a previous episode of the Geek Warning podcast, and we’ve finally done it! Welcome to a pilot episode of In for Review – a special and approximately-monthly edition of Geek Warning that chats about some of the bikes and products we’re actively testing, the things on our minds related to those products, and the tangents that follow. This episode is entirely free for all to hear, but the upcoming content that we discuss will largely be exclusive to members of Escape Collec...
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 136
