Geek Warning

Caley Fretz

Welcome to Geek Warning, a podcast focused on how bikes work and how to make them better.

  • 1 hour 24 minutes
    Not your typical annual tech awards show

    It’s not the usual weekly show format this week, as instead, it’s time for our annual tech awards. Don’t worry, this isn’t just us praising new products, in fact, there’s hardly any of that.

    These are awards you won’t likely see promoted by the respective brand, as afterall, a poo emoji isn’t likely to help sell product. It’s not all negative though as the full cast of geeks discuss the biggest new tech trends, a few most desired products, and the most anticipated new products for 2025.

    With absolutely no sensical order to anything, let’s dive into the Geek Warning tech awards of 2024! Thanks for a great year, and you’ll hear from us again when 2025 arrives.

    Warning, spoilers (aka time stamps) below:

    1:00: Biggest tech trends of 2024 - All-road bikes, wider gravel tyres, converging categories, and shorter cranks
    13:00: The unexpected gimmick we don’t hate - Head units with integrated bicycle bells
    15:40: Silliest new product of 2024 - RAF’s aero backpack
    18:40: Thought-invoking/Most nuanced/potentially bad award - Zipp XPLR 303 gravel wheels, Highbar helmet system, Visma’s TT Giro Aerohead II helmet
    29:00: Most desired small product that doesn’t yet exist - A “long press” SRAM Blip shifter and a self-dropping dropper post
    34:00: Best new aero thing - Time-trial saddles for road bikes
    37:00: Best new maintenance tool thing - A different way to check chain wear from Abbey Bike Tools and disc brake piston presses
    41:30: Great new product most likely to bankrupt us - Scott Addict RC, RockShox Flight Attendant suspension, Body Rocket Aero Sensor (guess who picked what?)
    47:00: Glasshouse of the year - GCN Tech Show #359
    48:30: Worst trend of 2024 - Half-baked products being released for sale (looking at Wahoo and Coros as examples) and product leaks
    59:00: It’s about time they fixed it (aka most improved) - Pinarello Dogma F, SRAM Red AXS shifters, and SRAM brakes in general
    1:08:30: The more of this please bike industry award - Genuinely serviceable and repairable components, better representation in the industry, and less waste in general.
    1:14:00: Most anticipated new product for 2025 (which hopefully happens) - Shimano GRX Di2 1x, Shimano XTR Di2, SRAM mechanical T-Type shifting, Specialized reVenge, Fox’s answer to Flight Attendant suspension
    1:21:00: Looking to 2025 and some changes to the Geek Warning team

    20 December 2024, 12:59 am
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    Dedicated aero bikes are coming back in a big way

    Just when we started to think the bike industry was moving toward do-it-all road race bikes, we then get word that it’s all about to change once again. Dedicated aero bikes never entirely left, but as you’ll hear from the geeks, they’re very much coming back.

    This week, Ronan Mc Laughlin, Suvi Loponen, Brad Copeland, and Dave Rome are all on the pod to discuss the latest new bikes and what is driving these trends. You’ll learn about the biggest dos-and-don’ts in using a torque wrench, plus the geeks answer a few “Ask a Wrench” questions from Escape members.

    Enjoy!

    Time stamps:

    1:30 - Spotting bikes in the wild is getting easier
    5:00 - Colnago’s big investment in the new Y-Series is unapologetically for the pros
    14:20 - On our minds: Dedicated aero bikes are coming back in a big way and sharing our preferences
    25:00 - PSA: Proper usage of torque wrenches
    41:30 - Schwalbe’s new gravel range of tyres
    44:00 - Trek launches a tyre recycling program in the USA
    46:15 - Ask a Wrench: Removing stubborn tyres on the road
    53:00 - Ask a Wrench: Wear on metal steerer tubes
    59:00 - Ask a Wrench: Tyre inserts for XC racing
    1:06:00 - Geek Warning awards next week

    12 December 2024, 10:08 pm
  • 41 minutes 6 seconds
    Just why? The thinking behind Colnago’s new Y1Rs

    In this bonus episode of Geek Warning, Ronan McLaughlin sits down with the Colnago design team to dissect the design and development of their latest aero road bike, the Y1-RS.

    They explore how recent changes to UCI regulations opened up new possibilities in frame design, the challenges of balancing aerodynamics, stiffness, and rider comfort, and why the bike looks the way it does.

    The discussion covers everything from improving CFD modelling to a Colnago's stiffness tests, and the whys of that off set seat post design and Y shaped handlebar. Long story short… In the absence of being able to ride the bike, we set about finding out if this decisive bike is all go or all show.

    10 December 2024, 10:38 pm
  • 1 hour 11 minutes
    All for longer-lasting products

    Welcome back to Geek Warning!

    This week Ronan Mc Laughlin, Dave Rome, Suvi Loponen, and Brad Copeland are on the pod to discuss things such as Wahoo’s gigantic new head unit, Campagnolo’s return to the WorldTour, and the worrying trend of many cycling products being disposable.

    On our minds, and a general theme of the episode, is how to better cover sustainability aspects in the products we review. As you’ll hear, our focus is expecting a longer useable life (whether through serviceability or just straight up durability) from the products we buy.

    Of course, plenty more is discussed, too. Enjoy!

    Time stamps:

    1:00 - The big-sized release of the Wahoo Elemnt Ace, aero meters, and more
    19:30 - We told you so, Campagnolo returns to the WorldTour
    27:00 - Sustainability in products is on our minds
    36:00 - Giant’s expands its own range of suspension components for 2025
    41:00 - Ask a Wrench: Lacking access to service parts
    52:40 - Ask a Wrench: Pedal extenders and power meter pedals
    58:45 - Ask a Wrench: Odd movement between a Shimano SPD-SL pedal and cleat
    1:06:00 - Ask a Wrench: Finding a budget cassette for SRAM Eagle that fits an HG freehub

    6 December 2024, 1:01 am
  • 1 hour 16 minutes
    A future of simpler integrated bikes

    This week, Escape’s newest tech writer, Alex Hunt becomes the latest voice on the show. Joined by Suvi, Dave, and Brad, the geeks discuss the biggest news in the week of tech, a tech development that could have a game-changing application, and answer several technical questions.

    There is Scott’s newly renewed focus on weight and what appears to be crazily light tyres coming from Schwalbe. Dave thinks Magura’s recently announced Easy Link hose system could be a glimpse at the future of easing the pain that is integrated cabling.

    The geeks then discuss a few smaller bits of tech and then get to an important maintenance-related matter that impacts all bikes. Finally, the Ask a Wrench segment answers things related to headsets, bottom bracket/crank installation, and tandems. A special thanks to frame builder Brad Bingham (plus Butch Boucher and Steve Potts!) for helping to answer that tandem question.

    Time stamps
    1:00 - An introduction to Escape’s newest tech hire, Alex Hunt
    4:30 - Scott’s Addict RC proves weight still sells
    12:00 - The unknowns of Schwalbe’s new Aerothan tyres
    25:00 - On our minds, the future of quick disconnect hydraulic hoses
    33:00 - PSA: Draining those bikes
    40:50 - Enve’s SES Aero Pro one-piece road bar
    43:00 - Outlier's Unusual Axle-Free Pedal Designs
    47:00 - The Smart Lever, aims to ease tyre installation
    52:00 - Ask a Wrench: Steering range limiting headsets
    58:30 - Ask a Wrench: Tandem-related things, answered by the experts
    1:06:00 - Ask a Wrench: How freely should a new bottom bracket spin?

    28 November 2024, 10:39 pm
  • 1 hour 23 minutes
    Strava changing the app map

    It’s a big week in the cycling tech world with Strava dropping a bomb on many connected apps. To learn more about what this upcoming change could mean for you, Ray Maker, aka DCRainMaker, joins the pod.

    Following that chat, you’ll hear from Suvi, Ronan, Dave, and Brad on various topics, ranging from Rouleur Live, a bunch of new bikes, and answering a couple of member questions. Plus, Dave shares something on his mind that then follows a different path.

    As usual, we encourage you to visit escapecollective.com to see and learn more about the products and themes discussed.

    Enjoy!

    Time stamps:
    1:00 - DCRainMaker joins to explain Strava’s unexpected API changes
    21:30 - Rouleur Live highlights
    25:30 - Reap Type 300 gravel bike and rapid prototyping
    32:40 - On our mind: products shouldn’t be annoying to use and an unexpected tangent into disc brake caliper piston service and Dave’s tool testing
    43:30 - Bunch of new bikes, starting with the Mondraker Arid Carbon gravel bike
    46:30 - Argonaut’s Supernaut
    48:00 - Colnago has a new steel bike, the Steelnovo
    52:25 - Pinarello’s entry-level F1 road bike
    56:00 - DT Swiss partners on a dynamo hub and complete wheels
    59:50 - Ask a Wrench: Brake feel and air in Shimano brakes
    1:09:00 - Ask a Expert: Why compliance matters beyond the tyres

    22 November 2024, 3:41 am
  • 1 hour 11 minutes
    Tyre security, fitting, and setting pressures

    Join Ronan, Dave, Suvi, and Brad as they discuss all things related to modern tyres. You’ll hear why Ronan now prefers hard-to-fit tyres, tips to make the installation easier, and our favourite online (free) pressure calculators.

    Of course, there are a few bits of news to cover, including an interesting new freehub patent from Lauf. And as usual, Brad and Dave answer a few mechanical questions submitted by Escape members.

    As a reminder, we’re now covering tech news in our Daily News (published on site each day), and that means we’ve also made some changes to the podcast (for the better, we hope). Let us know in the comments how you like (or not) the format changes we’ve been making.

    Time stamps:

    1:15 - Corrections Corner related to pulling a chain from wax
    2:50 - On Ronan’s mind is that tyre fitment woes may not be a wholly bad thing
    18:00 - Making tyre installation easier
    21:30 - Ronan finally reveals the tight-fitting tyre
    24:30 - Pick One: Tyre pressure calculators
    39:45 - MRP creates a Cage Guard from SRAM Transmission derailleurs
    41:55 - Thule purchases Quadlock
    43:00 - Stinner’s introduces a well-priced USA-made stock geometry steel bike
    44:50 - Lauf’s teases patent for a springy freehub
    47:00 - Ask a Wrench: chain noises on SRAM Eagle AXS
    55:20 - Ask a Wrench: installing new brakes and hoses
    1:00:05 - Ask a Wrench: removing a stuck headset bearing

    15 November 2024, 1:50 am
  • 1 hour 6 minutes
    Mysterious creaks and snapped chains

    Welcome back to Geek Warning. It’s a big cast with Suvi Loponen, Ronan Mc Laughlin, Brad Copeland, and Dave Rome chatting through the latest new tech and answering some mechanic-related questions.Ronan is quizzed over the “too long didn’t read” for the newly Spotted Ridley Noah Fast, plus what Pirelli is up to with its FSC-certified tyres.

    SRAM chains have been back in the media this week after some comments from cyclocross legend Sven Nys, the geeks speculate what could be happening here and why it’s not a widespread issue. Of course there's more tech talk including a PSA and answering a few Ask a Wrench questions from Escape Collective members.

    Finally the episode wraps with a bunch of new product releases worth sharing.

    Enjoy!

    Time stamps:

    2:00 - Ridley’s new and unreleased Noah Fast
    7:15 - Pirelli and rubber trees
    12:20 - Coros’ new Pace Pro sports watch
    18:30 - Hammerhead Karoo updates battery life through firmware
    20:50 - Sven Nys complains of SRAM chains
    27:10 - PSA to not ignore creaks
    36:00 - Ask a Wrench: When pull your waxed chain
    41:20 - Ask a Wrench: Feeling a brake track
    45:15 - Ask a Wrench: Putting a longer fork on an XC bike
    49:50 - OneUp’s new dropbar dropper lever
    52:20 - Stan’s No Tubes and Daysaver collab
    55:20 - Canecreek’s GXC stem fills a gap
    57:40 - Aerocoach Blitz track handlebars
    1:00-40 - Lapierre’s new Pulsium endurance road bike
    1:02:15 - Yamaha stops e-bike sales in the USA
    1:03:30 - The Pro’s Closet returns

    8 November 2024, 1:47 am
  • 1 hour 9 minutes
    Fingers crossed for Campagnolo giving us a thumbs up

    It may be the off-season in the racing world, but the land of bike tech never sleeps. In this episode of Geek Warning, you’ll hear Suvi, Dave, and Brad discuss an intriguing shifter-related patent from Campagnolo that perhaps can’t come soon enough.

    The geeks then discuss what they each seek in a drop handlebar and what their favourites are. Within this extended segment, you’ll hear about one-piece cockpits, more traditional two-piece setups, and picks for road and gravel purposes.

    We’ve also got some great Ask a Wrench questions that spark some deeper conversation.

    Enjoy!

    Time stamps:

    1:45 - Campagnolo’s recent shifter patent
    11:00 - Discussing drop handlebars and picking one (well, maybe two)
    33:15 - Ask a Wrench: How to become a bike mechanic
    48:00 - Ask a Wrench: SRAM Flat Top and T-type chain compatibility
    53:22 - Ask a Wrench: Raising awareness for the actual cost of bike ownership and where the blame sits
    1:06:45 - Tech bites: an increasing number of lighter e-MTBs is a trend that won’t slow

    1 November 2024, 12:36 am
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Fork me, it's the ring of death
    24 October 2024, 10:15 pm
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    The bikes we’ll never let go

    Things are a little flipped upside down in this week’s Geek Warning. Suvi, Dave, and Brad open the show by discussing their most meaningful bikes. The geeks then turn to pick a favourite side-access bottle cage for when frame space is limited. Of course there’s a handful of Ask a Wrench questions, answered. And the show wraps with a round-up of new tech to drop over the past week.

    A small note: Suvi experienced some audio issues toward the end of the episode, and so, the power of editing has her disappear from the conversation without much warning.

    Time stamps:

    5:00 - The bikes we’ll never let go and those we wish we hadn’t
    20:30 - Picking one side-access bottle cage
    32:00 - Ask a wrench: resin versus metallic (sintered) disc brake pads
    40:00 - Ask a wrench: the importance of matching rear shock hardware sizes
    45:30 - Ask a wrench: Chainline woes in going old 2x to new 1x gravel
    51:30 - Tech news on the daily
    53:20 - Dare’s Velocity Ace goes full aero
    55:30 - Enduro also now offering polymer-infill frame pivot bearings
    1:00:00 - Enve’s new M-series wheels
    1:01:15 - Daysaver’s new mini pumps
    1:02:30 - Body Rocket on-bike aero sensor arrives

    17 October 2024, 8:58 pm
  • More Episodes? Get the App
© MoonFM 2024. All rights reserved.