x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

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, Ronan Mc Laughlin and Brad Copeland, 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:

news tech news

All Episodes

55:01

A life of bikes with Calvin Jones

Geek Warning ·

2026/01/09

Welcome back to Geek Warning. We’re feeling well-rested from a couple of weeks off, despite the world of bicycle tech not waiting.To kick off the New Year we’re bringing you a special episode, one with someone who should be a familiar face. Calvin Jones has been the public face of Park Tool’s education resources and programs for 29 years, and this week he announced his upcoming retirement from the role.Dave Rome sat down with Calvin to talk through a variety of topics, including a number of

en

40:36

Do we ever get tired of bikes?

Geek Warning ·

2025/12/12

Geek Warning time! Factor’s new One aero road bike, SRM’s non-power pedals, and whether riding bikes ever feels like work are all things Dave and Ronan discuss this week.There’s a bit of happy news for Spotify users, with our member-only channels now available on the green app. If you’ve been missing out on the Ask a Wrench segment (this week with Brad Copeland) because you’re loyal to Spotify, then now is the time to jump in.Time stamps:3:00 - Factor’s new One14:00 - New non-power pedals

en

23:45

Introducing Escape tyre testing: Get ready to rethink...

Geek Warning ·

2025/12/10

In this episode, we finally dig into the tyre-testing project that quietly consumed most of my year.Nine months, six tyre widths, hundreds of test runs, three road surfaces, four identical wheelsets, and far too many cold late-night tests than any sane person should attempt. But it was worth it.Today, Ronan is joined by John Buckley the founder of Streamlines Aero, the company behind the hardware and technical support so crucial to this testing. Together, we break down how the test protocol

en

51:19

It’s the little things that matter most

Geek Warning ·

2025/12/04

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

en

34:48

One more cut to rim brakes

Geek Warning ·

2025/11/27

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

en

55:44

The value of trade shows and new off-road things

Geek Warning ·

2025/11/20

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

en

45:49

Top-end frames on mid-level bikes

Geek Warning ·

2025/11/13

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

en

73:21

Special ep: Design decisions behind the new Giant Anthem

Geek Warning ·

2025/11/12

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

en

51:44

A big factory tour and Gravel Burn tech

Geek Warning ·

2025/11/07

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 Taiwan6:30 - Touring

en

48:37

Campagnolo goes top-tier on gravel, now where’s Shimano?

Geek Warning ·

2025/10/31

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

en

44:22

WorldTour rumours and a split in aero bikes

Geek Warning ·

2025/10/24

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

en

45:59

Saddle positioning and Campagnolo goes Ultra

Geek Warning ·

2025/10/17

Gravel World’s, Bespoked Dresden, and new products have kept Escape’s tech team busy over the past week. In this episode of Geek Warning, Dave and Ronan discuss a few of the bigger tech sightings and why they may prove to be irrelevant.There’s talk of Campagnolo’s latest products, plus Ronan further explains the role of saddle positioning tools.Members of Escape Collective also get access to the Ask a Wrench segment (this week with Boulder Groupetto). Of particular interest for many is a

en

38:15

Special ep: In for review, October 2025

Geek Warning ·

2025/10/14

It’s a rare occurrence that timezone align for Escape’s entire tech team to get together and casually chat about what’s keeping each of them busy.For this bonus episode of Geek Warning, Dave, Ronan, Suvi, Josh, and Alex discuss some of the test products and testing that has been on their minds as of late.Enjoy!Time stamps:3:00 - The bikes we rode last5:00 - Early thoughts on the Cervelo Aspero 58:00 - Canyon Grizl12:00 - Trek CheckOut18:00 - Stinner Refugio Ti and Salsa Spearfish21:00 - A

en

38:03

Emergency Ep: SRAM's win and what it means for the UCI

Geek Warning ·

2025/10/10

Emergency episode time!Caley and Ronan dive into a story that started with chainrings and cogs, and ended up in court. The BCA has ordered the UCI to suspend its new Maximum Gear Ratio Standard, siding with SRAM in a dispute that could reshape how cycling’s rules are made. What began as a “safety test” for rider speed has become a battle over who really governs the sport, and whether the UCI is still above competition law.

en

43:53

Fancy bottom brackets and adjustable crank lengths

Geek Warning ·

2025/10/10

Come get geeky with Dave, Ronan, and Zach (Boulder Grupetto), as they add context to the latest cycling tech.This week you’ll hear about adjustable crank lengths, whether fancy bottom brackets are worth the expense, and if modular mechanical rear derailleurs will succeed.Members of Escape will also hear a non-safety-critical PSA, and of course, Ask a Wrench. That Ask a Wrench is a little different from the usual, with a long chat about whether the review bikes we get are given special

en

48:01

Back to basics with chain lubes

Geek Warning ·

2025/10/02

Long-time listeners of Geek Warning are in for a treat as Zach Edwards (Boulder Groupetto) returns for a full episode. Along with Dave Rome and Alex Hunt, there is a whole lot of ultimate bike geek to this week’s episode.Within, you’ll hear about some unintentionally leaked information related to what’s likely the next generation of Shimano road pedals.Dave then takes the conversation to an old favourite topic – chain waxing. Next, those new to cycling or less knowledgeable about the

en

52:19

Workshop wishes and crooked hoods

Geek Warning ·

2025/09/25

This week on Geek Warning, Ronan Mc Laughlin and Dave Rome discuss why SRAM’s battle with the UCI may also prove positive for Shimano.Ronan asks Dave what his workshop wish is, which leads to an unexpected tangent about bike washing. There’s, of course, a PSA, which ends up being a conversation about how to align dropbar shifters. And the geeks summarise a bunch of the latest and biggest new tech.Lastly, Zach Edwards (Boulder Groupetto) joins the pod to answer some questions from members in

en

28:40

Geek Warning Bonus: Trek on testing gravel suspension...

Geek Warning ·

2025/09/25

Today, Trek launched a bike that’s sure to spark debate in comments sections. It’s called the CheckOut. It features a new 60 mm travel front suspension fork, courtesy of the RockShox Rudy XL, and 55 mm rear travel to match. It fits gravel-width cranks and has official clearance for up to 56 mm tyres (about a 29x2.25in).However, it’s the design and testing of this bike that brings our fascination up to a boiling point. Trek published a white paper explaining how it used a rolling road with

en

52:20

There is no best bike

Geek Warning ·

2025/09/19

When Escape Collective first launched, Ronan Mc Laughlin announced plans for an aero leaderboard. The goal was to test race bikes in real-world conditions using the latest testing tools to determine which bikes are the fastest. That obviously didn’t come to fruition, and this week, Dave and Ronan discuss why. The conversation leads to the two discussing how they approach reviews and the anxieties that surround them.The geeks also have a PSA, Dave attempts to explain pedal kickback in

en

42:54

The barriers to entry-level road race bikes

Geek Warning ·

2025/09/11

This week, Ronan and Dave ponder how they would equip an entry-level road bike, and while chatting, realise that maybe the industry has backed itself into a costly corner.Of course, there’s a PSA and a bunch of tech news to discuss. Meanwhile, members of Escape Collective get access to Ask a Wrench, where this week Dave and Zach Edwards answer four member-submitted technical questions.Enjoy!Time stamps:3:15 - How would we spec an entry-level road race bike22:30 - A PSA to grease your

en

191 results

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

PBS News Hour - Full Show

PBS News

CD Voice

China Daily

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report

Noa Levi

Jeffrey Epstein: The Coverup Chronicles

Bobby Capucci