The fastest sleeves you've ever seen | TDF Tech special

This week sees a big first for the Geek Warning podcast as the entirety of Escape Collective’s tech crew meet up in person over in Takayama, Japan. With that, we recorded live in front of a select group of Escape members! It’s certainly been a huge week on the tech front for our entire tech team to be away riding bikes at the annual Member Summit. Not only is the Vuelta a España in its first week (where new Dura-Ace prototypes were seen), we also had the last Mountain Bike World Cup round prior to the World Championships. And if that wasn’t enough, MADE was held over in Portland, Oregon, the past weekend. Given the special circumstances, our usual member-only ‘Ask a Wrench’ segment was replaced with an ‘Ask us anything’ from the live audience. Be sure to listen on the member-only feed for the full episode. So with that, join the tech crew of Alex Hunt, Jack Duncan, Ronan Mc Laughlin, and Dave Rome to hear about the week in tech. And yes, Suvi Loponen was there, but sadly couldn’t jump on the recording. Time stamps: 00:03:30 - New Dura-Ace R9300 breaks cover  00:23:00 - Leadville wasn’t the expected 32er domination, and that doesn’t matter 00:33:05 - Fox is seemingly returning to electronic suspension for cross-country  00:35:00 - Abbey Bike Tools’ new budget disc brake mount facer isn’t quite it  00:40:30 - Going into the member-only section with a live audience  00:42:00 - Ask us Anything!  00:44:00 - Are carbon spokes a fad?  00:50:00 - Silca’s entry to tires 00:53:00 - Can grease be too thick?  00:55:00 - Is there any further tech that road should expect from MTB?  01:03:30 - How are we addressing the spectrum of gravel? 

It’s time for another bonus edition of Geek Warning. This chat is a brief opener to our upcoming coverage of Made, North America’s Custom Bicycle Show. Held this coming weekend (21-23rd of August), the Portland-based show has grown to be a key event on the calendar for bike lovers, tech nerds, makers, and the like. A show like this also consistently serves as a crystal ball into emerging segments and tech trends. One such trend is the emergence of custom frame builders offering pre-built options. In the USA, a number of local frame builders have reduced purchase barriers by offering set models and stock geometry options. The likes of No.22, Moots, and Stinner are all examples of this. Meanwhile, one of the most prestigious names in the titanium space has now joined the list - Mosaic. For this chat, Dave Rome is joined by Mosaic’s founder Aaron Barcheck, along with chief vibe officer (and founder) of Made, Billy Sinkford. A heads up that the timing of publishing this episode coincides with Mosaic’s announcement of a 32er gravel bike and its accompanying launch of its own carbon component brand – Zero. The news of this only broke after we recorded this episode and so these products aren’t discussed within. We may do a dedicated chat covering those interesting products in the future. 

This week on Geek Warning, Dave is joined by Escape’s Suvi Loponen and Alex Hunt to talk about the latest in cycling tech. Alex was on the ground at the Tour de France Femmes and came away pondering why 1x hadn’t hit the women’s field like it has the men. Meanwhile, Suvi has spent the past couple of months riding the new Trek Domane endurance road bike. Dave and Suvi discuss why this bike is likely to be a big win for Trek. Then, as usual, those on our member-only podcast feeds get access to Ask a Wrench. This week Dave is joined by Colin Williams to answer questions related to replicating fit dimensions between bikes, headset changes, and why high-engagement hubs aren’t more popular in road racing.Time stamps: 00:01:20 - Accell group likely to be split up  00:08:15 - Tech trends at TDFF 00:17:09 - Tyres are growing, slowly  00:22:00 - Trek’s new Domane  00:33:45 - Bike prices coming down?  00:39:30 - The case for semi-integrated cable routing 00:43:00 - We’re all having a meet-up  00:48:15 - Ask a Wrench with Colin Williams (Members Only)  00:50:00 - How to match fit dimensions between bikes  01:01:30 - Is it ok to mismatch the headset?  01:06:15 - Replacing a proprietary headset 01:14:00 - High engagement hubs Crit racing? 

This week, Dave and Jack from the Escape Collective tech team talk modern cross-country bikes and where the nuance between race and downcountry sits. Plus, Dave shares why he believes remote lockouts are a race-day product. Meanwhile, the geeks discuss why rounded bolts are most often user error and how to avoid them (also check out Dave’s Threaded #15 article on the topic). Like every week, members of Escape Collective (on the exclusive member-only feeds) get access to the full episode, including Ask a Wrench. This week Colin Williams is back on the mic to answer questions from our members, including tips for washing bikes with waxed chains and removing stubborn hub end caps.Time stamps: 00:02:00 - Santa Cruz updates the Blur  00:12:00 - The difference between XC race and downcountry  00:16:30 - It’s in the lockouts  00:20:00 - Differences in spec  00:28:30 - A reminder why MTB tech matters to all listeners  00:30:00 - A little Clarifications Corner for last week’s PSA  00:36:30 - Rounded bolts are a you problem  00:43:45 - DT Swiss updates its budget 1800 wheel range  00:46:00 - Silca updates its saddle bags  00:47:45 - Giant and Liv’s new premium shoes  00:51:15 - Ask a Wrench (members only)  00:53:00 - How to wash a bike with a waxed chain  00:57:45 - How to remove stubborn hub end caps  01:06:20 - How to become a bicycle mechanic 

This week we got new Shimano R9300 Dura-Ace, although not quite the release many had wished for. Escape’s senior tech editors, Dave Rome and Ronan Mc Laughlin, talk through this new release, the details that are easily overlooked, and where Shimano could do more.Ronan then shares what he saw while covering tech at the Tour de France and how perceived trends can often be false. Dave then raises the increasing problem of Large Language Models (aka, Ai answers) leading people astray in topics that have limited information available online.There’s also a bit of interesting tech news from Silca and Tune.As per usual, members of Escape Collective also get Ask a Wrench. This week, Zach Edwards of the Boulder Groupetto joins Dave to cover topics such as noisy drivetrains, why aero isn’t more prominent in downhill racing, and what we look for in good headset cable routing. Time stamps: 00:02:21 - Shimano’s new Dura-Ace R9300, sorta 00:19:01 - How pro bike fit is and isn’t progressing 00:34:20 - PSA related to using Ai for tech help  00:41:15 - Silca’s new Super Secret 2.0  00:45:00 - Tune’s interesting approach to carbon spokes 00:51:00 - Ronan’s got some Record to build  00:52:30 - Ask a Wrench (Members Only)  00:53:00 - Chain noise in more extreme angles  01:02:45 - Where’s the aero in downhill?  01:11:20 - What to look for in good headset cable routing 

We’re going back to basics in this week’s episode. While Geek Warning is usually for tech-obsessed cyclists, this edition covers the common conversations a bicycle mechanic would have with a client. It’s for everyone and anyone who does a little of their own bike maintenance. Many road cyclists are still relatively new to disc brakes, so Jack Duncan and Dave Rome start the episode with a deep dive into many facets of ownership. The basics of chain lube and drivetrain wear are covered later on, as are some thoughts about tyre wear and who tubeless may be right for. After all that, members of Escape Collective get the usual Ask a Wrench segment, this time with the return of a familiar voice. Time stamps:   00:03:45 - The biggest red flag for when something is wrong  00:06:20 - Brakes usually shouldn’t squeak or squeal  00:16:00 - Disc brake pad wear  00:20:00 - Pad spacers and travel  00:24:00 - Burning brakes is questionable at best 00:26:15 - The importance of brake bed-in  00:29:20 - Why brakes need scheduled bleeding  00:35:00 - Shifting to chain lube basics 00:43:00 - How a drivetrain wears 00:50:30 - Tubeless is great, but not for everyone  00:57:30 - Don’t ignore your front tyre wear  1:05:00 - Ask a Wrench (members-only podcast feed)  1:05:30 - Welcome back to Zach Edwards  1:06:15 - Chasing a forward-offset seatpost  1:14:20 - A weird sound in older AXS front shifting 1:21:45 - Pedals with a top-out knock 

Dave and Jack are back for another round of Geek Warning. This week, new road bikes from Cervelo and Pinarello bring the discussion to topics such as what makes a good endurance road bike, where emerging Chinese brands are seeing success, and why aero bottles are an impractical feature. In this episode, you’ll also hear what Dave considers the best multi-tool and plenty more. Meanwhile, listeners on our members-only podcast feed will hear "Ask a Wrench" at the end of the episode. This week, Dave Rome is joined by pro mechanic Colin Williams to answer questions about sticking Shimano dropbar levers, how to handle failed internal dropper-post routing, and a difference in SRAM chains that the company has remained silent about. Happy geeking!  Time stamps: 00:02:13 - A correction’s corner related to airbags  00:04:00 - Pinarello’s Dogma X is a pure road bike  00:19:15 - Cervelo’s new Soloist is now less affordable  00:32:00 - Wrapping up the WheelTop EDS GeX review  00:42:00 - Dave’s multi-tool pick(s) 00:48:30 - Tern updates its compact cargo bike  00:53:30 - Ask a Wrench (members only feed)  00:54:30 - Sticking Shimano brake levers when tightened 00:58:45 - When internal dropper post routing fails  01:09:00 - SRAM T-Type versus Flat Top chains 

It’s the first week of the Tour and Escape’s geeks are seemingly all down different rabbit holes. This week, Dave Rome is joined by new hire Jack Duncan to talk through the week in cycling tech, which seems to involve a handful of juicy rumours. From rumours of new Dura-Ace to big wheels from big brands, there’s a lot to chew on. Dave and Jack also discuss airbag tech that keeps circling big budget teams. And there’s some tool talk for the wrench-enthusiasts.The free episode wraps up with Jack jumping on a call with aero clothing expert Johannes Rom Dahl (of Fusion) to try to get an answer on whether being in Yellow (or another leader jersey) has an aero disadvantage.   Time stamps: 00:02:30 - New Dura-Ace 9300 rumours  00:07:00 - Trek 32ers are coming  00:13:30 - Please tell us 30.5” wheels are actually a joke 00:21:30 - Will airbags ever come to pro racing? 00:30:45 - Jack bought some new tools  00:38:30 - You probably need a breaker bar  00:42:00 - Interview: What being a leader’s jersey costs you  01:07:45 - Ask a Wrench (members only)  01:10:00 - Corrections corner  01:12:00 - Torque and headset preload  01:20:00 - A chronically creaky headset and a rant about IS52 01:37:30 - Picking a custom steel frame and picking a builder 

It’s the week of the Tour de France Grand Départ, and with it have come a few big bike launches. Escape’s senior tech editors, Dave Rome and Ronan Mc Laughlin, jump on to discuss whether Specialized’s new Tarmac hits the mark. There’s also a new bike from Orbea. Plus Dave asks Ronan to confirm just how progressive his fit is, and as it turns out, the answer is not very. Ronan then jumps on a call with Daan Teugels from Belgian Cycling Factory to discuss how Eddy Merckx’s reduced-frame-size options can still meet racers' needs. As always, members of Escape Collective don’t just support independent journalism; they get access to everything we have to offer. For Geek Warning, that means access to the weekly Ask a Wrench segment, where pro mechanics answer our member’s tech questions. And apologies for the audio this week, as Dave accidentally landed on his backup microphone. Time stamps:    00:01:39 - Specialized’s new SL9 is a little too familiar  00:19:50 - Kinky steerer tubes aren’t as naughty as they sound  00:23:45 - Orbea’s new Orca Aero  00:32:00 - How progressive is Ronan’s position?  00:40:00 - An aero-optimised run at the Tour Divide 00:45:20 - Giant’s new Revolt Advanced SL (and the Liv Devote Advanced SL) 00:48:50 - Campagnolo and Zipp’s new price point wheel options  00:53:45 - Chatting reduced frame size options with Eddy Merckx  01:13:15 - Back to Ronan and Dave   01:15:00 - Ask a Wrench (members only)  01:17:00 - Bearing maintenance after a big event  1:26:30 - Can an event like Unbound ruin a new chain?   1:32:00 - MTB disc brake caliper alignment woes  1:42:30 - A fix for leaky ProMax brakes 

It's time for a Geek Warning crossover episode! Ronan Mc Laughlin and Jack Duncan join Caley Fretz ahead of this year's Tour de France to break down how bikes and gear are changing and highlight what our tech reporters think will be the most important equipment of a modern Tour.