It’s time for another bonus episode from the geeks. Hosted by Dave Rome, this episode is a dive into the world of torque wrench usage. Oh yes, it’s time to get nerdy.

Anyone who uses a torque wrench should find value in this episode that covers the do’s and don’ts in using a torque wrench. To help with this topic, Dave is joined by Alex Boone, an aerospace engineer who works at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Formerly a quality control engineer, and before that, a bike shop rat, Alex knows the ins and outs of using a torque wrench and how best to apply that in bicycle terms.

For more on this topic, head on over to EscapeCollective.com for Dave’s latest edition of Threaded that summarises and shows many of the concepts discussed within.

The full version of this episode is only available to members of Escape Collective. Those on the free feed will hear approximately half the episode. If independent journalism matters to you, you want access to all that we offer (and without ads), or you just want a website that’s not trash to look at, then please consider joining at escapecollective.com/geekwarning .

Have you experienced certain models of Shimano 12-speed chains rusting more easily than expected? It’s one of many topics in this week’s Geek Warning, the cycling tech podcast from Escape Collective.

This week, Suvi, Alex, and Dave also discuss limitations and concerns regarding the fast-arriving 32in wheels. There’s talk of new bikes. And what we carry for fixing tubeless punctures.

Those on our member-only feeds also get access to Ask a Wrench, where this week Colorado-based pro mechanic Colin Williams joins Dave for the first time.

Happy geeking!

Time stamps:

• 1:40 - Trek’s new XC bike has been spotted
• 6:40 - Big (32”) wheels continue to gain momentum, but maybe we should pump the brakes?
• 18:00 - Basso’s new gravel bike
• 22:30 - Do 12-speed Shimano chains have a rust issue?
• 31:00 - Tubeless tyre plugging
• 42:30 - What we’ve finished working on
• 45:00 - Ask a Wrench (Member-only, with pro mechanic Colin Williams)
• 46:00 - When cutting carbon goes wrong
• 51:00 - Are there short-cuts to setting up SRAM Transmission?
• 58:40 - Tips for gravel racing in sand
• 1:04:00 - Specialized FutureShock headset tips

This week’s episode is packed tighter than a top tube bag before an all-day outing. Join Suvi, Dave, and Ronan as they chat through the latest industry and product news to hit the cycling world.

Within, you’ll hear where Suvi’s head is at in picking a rear radar, and what Dave suggests for a portable air blower. The geeks also discuss bike-washing tips for those without a garden, plus thoughts on modern drivetrain wear.

Members of Escape Collective also get access to the Ask a Wrench segment at the end of the episode, where member-submitted tech questions are answered. Plus, our member-only podcast feeds are ad-free.

Time stamps:

2:00 - Is Eurobike as we know it now over?
9:00 - Good news from Campagnolo
12:00 - Trek’s gusty headwinds
13:45 - Garmin’s new rear radar and Suvi’s existing picks
23:30 - Surly’s Midnight Special gets some fiber
24:50 - Rose’s Shave race and endurance bikes
36:00 - Bike wash tips for apartment dwellers
48:30 - Portable air blowers
51:30 - The old rules of drivetrain wear no longer apply
54:00 - Ask a Wrench with Zach Edwards (Members Only)
54:30 - Dropper posts and internal cable routing woes
1:05:00 - A funny PSA
1:6:30 - Full Mount derailleurs and stripped bolts
1:13:00 - Brake pad compounds for ultra wet off-road riding

Welcome back to Geek Warning! Turn up that radio and listen Suvi, Ronan, and Dave as they discuss the latest big stories in cycling tech.

From why many dropbar MTBs being sold have it wrong, through to a rant about stem designs with limited adjustability, there’s plenty to geek about this week.

Members of Escape Collective also get Ask a Wrench, where Zach Edwards (Boulder Grupetto) and Dave Rome answer a number of technical questions.

Happy bike nerding!

Time stamps:

2:08 - Our first Velofollies
6:00 - Why many dropbar MTBs are half-baked
16:00 - A concept bike designed partly for reality
25:30 - Less happy industry times
29:30 - Gravaa ceases
33:00 - On Dave’s mind: Stems that can’t be moved without cutting steerers
42:00 - MADE tickets now open
43:00 - Ask a Wrench with Boulder Grupetto (Members Only)
44:00 - How do Hookless Max tyre pressures scale with size?
51:00 - Quick connectors for hydraulic disc brakes?
56:00 - Cannondale Ai offset confusion
1:01:00 - Converting an old 29er MTB to dropbar

We’re in Adelaide for the Tour Down Under, and it would be rude not to take a stroll through the race mechanics’ village. After all, the race provides a unique opportunity to see all men’s and women’s WorldTour teams in one place.

Tune in as Caley Fretz and Dave Rome reunite and casually chat tech. From big changes, rumours, to fancy hand-built bikes – there’s plenty to take in.

It’s worth noting that the episode starts with some audio issues, but they're quickly fixed. This episode is wholly free to all of our listeners, whether members or not. And on that note, there is no Ask a Wrench segment this week.

Welcome to a new year of Geek Warning, the cycling tech-focused podcast from Escape Collective.

This week, Ronan and Dave get back into the swing of things by covering some fresh products from Cane Creek, SRAM, BBB, and more.

It seems Ronan and Dave both had PSAs on their minds, so we have two this week. One is about watching wear on what are common wear items. The other is about how to perform a basic safety check on any bike.

Unfortunately, we hit audio issues with the member-only Ask a Wrench that only showed up during editing. For some reason, the recording device decided to give Dave a lisp and mute him off-and-on. Sorry.

Time stamps:

4:00 - Cane Creek answered Dave’s wish
15:30 - BBB’s CoreCap
19:20 - SRAM goes shorter in cranks
22:30 - Tailfin’s bottle cage mount where you want it
24:30 - Garbaruk breaks SRAM’s rules
28:00 - RIP Joe Montgomery
29:00 - Mechanic crystal balling is on Dave’s Mind
38:30 - A basic safety check procedure
43:00 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland (Members Only, with some audio issues, sorry!)
43:30 - SRAM eTap rim brake shifters
50:30 - Draining a bike and warding off corrosion
1:04:30 - Can 3D printing save me from a new Wahoo speed sensor?
1:08:00 - How to make toe spikes last longer

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 throwback moments, a chat about the current state of professional bicycle education, how some modern tech changes may be driven by a lack of that education, some life tips for all, and so much more.

This is a wholesale listen to kick off the new year, and so we’ve left it open to all. Hope you enjoy it.

The red carpet is out and dozens of interesting cycling products are strutting their way down it.

In this final episode of Geek Warning for 2025, the full cast of geeks assembles for the GWAs. What’s the GWAs you ask? What’s the GWAs?! It’s only the most prestigious and hard fought nonsense in all of cycling tech!

As always with Geek Warning, there are interesting and informative tangents around every corner. If you’re keen on those time stamps in order to jump through the sections, then you’re truly missing the point of this podcast.

Much of this episode is free to all, but only members of Escape Collective are invited to the afterparty. And as is often the case, it’s the afterparty where things get said and friendships are broken. If you haven't already, it's never too late to join.

We had fun putting this one together and we hope you have fun listening to it.

Time stamps:

2:30 - The about time reward
4:30 - Best new drivetrain
10:00 - The coolest bike of the year
18:30 - Our favourite products (one each)
32:00 - Our most read tech articles
38:00 - The biggest industry story and the word of the year
41:30 - We didn’t see that coming
46:00 - Most overrated new trend
56:00 - The Members Only after party
57:00 - The buyer’s remorse badge
1:08:00 - The ‘Wait, What?!’ Award
1:11:30 - Media Beef of the year
1:24:00 - The reoccurring news award
1:27:00 - The messiest situation (shituation?)
1:32:30 - The Grumpies
1:34:00 - Most anticipated new thing