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 and Ronan Mc Laughlin, 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: https://escapecollective.com/geekwarning/
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Sep 28, 2026 · 28:57
Many brands within the bike industry often speak about higher-performing products being stiffer, lighter, more aero, and faster-rolling. And yet when it comes to off-road…
Sep 24, 2026 · 52:33
Talk of big wheels continue to dominate headlines in the cycling tech world. This past week, Trek and Scott raced production-ready 32ers at the World Cup round in Utah, while Sea…
Sep 18, 2026 · 50:00
Welcome back to Geek Warning. This week, Dave Rome and Ronan McLaughlin talk through Shimano’s new road pedal system, which will eventually supersede the now two-decade-old…
Sep 11, 2026 · 1:03:00
This week, Caley Fretz returns to Geek Warning alongside Jack Duncan and Dave Rome. It’s been a week full of big new bike launches (all of which Escape Collective attended) and…
Aug 27, 2026 · 42:00
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…
Aug 19, 2026 · 32:00
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…
Aug 13, 2026 · 48:04
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…
Aug 6, 2026 · 52:08
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…
Jul 31, 2026 · 52:39
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…
Jul 23, 2026 · 1:05:03
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…
Jul 16, 2026 · 53:44
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…
Jul 10, 2026 · 1:08:03
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…
Jul 3, 2026 · 1:15:15
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…
Jul 2, 2026 · 53:26
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…
Jun 26, 2026 · 59:17
The tech crew at Escape Collective have been paying close attention to the progression toward 32in wheels in gravel and mountain bike, and while the conversation has come up a…
Jun 19, 2026 · 51:52
This week, Dave, Ronan, and new guy Jack chat about Eddy Merckx’s new bike and why it’s surprised Ronan. The bike provides good fodder for diving into more serviceable cockpits…
Jun 11, 2026 · 1:01:08
New bikes are now rolling in from all directions with both the road and mountain bike race seasons in full swing. In this week’s episode, Dave chats with new hire Jack Duncan…
Jun 5, 2026 · 49:38
Geek Warning gets a new voice as Escape’s new US tech editor - Jack Duncan - joins the motley crew. Together with Dave Rome and Ronan Mc Laughlin, the geeks cover a broad range…
May 28, 2026 · 50:55
Howdy geeks! It’s Unbound race week, and with that, we’ve seen an expected amount of fresh new tech in the gravel space. This week, Escape’s senior tech editors Dave Rome and…
May 22, 2026 · 49:01
With Unbound on next week, and the Gralloch on last weekend, it felt timely to talk about going further on gravel. For this, Escape’s tech and industry reporter, Suvi Loponen,…
May 14, 2026 · 44:59
In a rare treat, Caley Fretz (aka, The Hammer) makes a return to Geek Warning. Joined by Escape's Senior Tech Editor Dave Rome, this week’s chat covers electronic suspension on…
May 7, 2026 · 1:01:14
Are full-blown aero gravel bikes all they’re cracked up to be? Dave and Ronan share some strong thoughts on why this may be the wrong path, or at least, why it’s still early days…
Apr 30, 2026 · 1:02:30
It’s an episode of three parts this week and there’s been lots of big tech releases to chat through. Things kick off with Ronan Mc Laughlin and Dave Rome chatting about…
Apr 23, 2026 · 1:02:04
It’s the week after the Sea Otter Classic, and the geeks speak surprisingly little of the products shown there. Instead, Ronan and Dave cover new budget drivetrains from SRAM and…
Apr 16, 2026 · 1:17:49
Whoa, what a week to be a cycling fan. And for the nerds among us, Roubaix rolling into Sea Otter is always great. This week Ronan, Alex, and Dave discuss some of the bigger tech…
Apr 9, 2026 · 50:08
A recent r eview comparing SRAM XPLR AXS to Shimano GRX Di2 1x brought up an interesting comment from a reader: does electronic shifting kill the soul of a bicycle? It’s a topic…
Apr 8, 2026 · 55:47
This week, Escape’s senior tech editors Ronan Mc Laughlin and Dave Rome are back on the mics to talk about Campagnolo’s big news, Stan’s new products, and a big-tyred aero bike…
Apr 2, 2026 · 47:39
Ronan and Dave return to chat through the week of cycling geeking. From emerging trends in one-piece cockpits to the latest in tech news, this episode has plenty of information…
Mar 26, 2026 · 1:07:20
This week, we have tech editors Ronan Mc Laughlin and Josh Weinberg coming in from opposite ends of the world, both in dimly lit hotel rooms, and without their usual podcast…
Mar 19, 2026 · 1:01:40
This week, Ronan and Dave discuss Muc-Off’s much-delayed entry into premium drip wax lubes. Better late than never? With some new gravel wheels from Swiss Side and Scope hitting…
Mar 12, 2026 · 50:37
This week, Ronan reveals to the world that he’s never even sat on a Cannondale CAAD. Relatedly, Escape is now hiring a new tech editor. Separate from that controversy, Dave and…
Mar 6, 2026 · 54:30
From hookless hubs to the latest in 11-speed shifting, the past week of tech has been quite the rollercoaster for the tech-minded. This week on Geek Warning, Ronan, Dave, and…
Feb 26, 2026 · 50:45
It’s common for everyone to chase the simple answer for what the best product is. In this week’s Geek Warning, Dave and Ronan discuss why those chasing the best of something may…
Feb 20, 2026 · 31:06
Oh hi, Dave Rome here. It’s time to get geeky about spokes. I recently wrapped up a long-term review (now live on Escape Collective) where I compared two identical gravel…
Feb 18, 2026 · 55:24
Think of recent times when Apple, Samsung, or Google have once again claimed to change the phone, just for you to find out that you can now photograph everyone’s wrinkles a…
Feb 12, 2026 · 22:29
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…
Feb 12, 2026 · 44:52
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…
Feb 5, 2026 · 53:56
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…
Jan 29, 2026 · 43:11
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…
Jan 23, 2026 · 45:17
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…
Jan 15, 2026 · 43:41
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…
Jan 9, 2026 · 55:01
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…
Dec 19, 2025 · 56:19
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…
Dec 12, 2025 · 40:35
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…
Dec 10, 2025 · 23:44
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,…
Dec 4, 2025 · 51:18
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…
Nov 27, 2025 · 34:47
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…
Nov 20, 2025 · 55:43
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…
Nov 13, 2025 · 45:48
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…
Nov 12, 2025 · 1:13:20
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…
Nov 7, 2025 · 51:43
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…
Oct 31, 2025 · 48:36
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.…
Oct 24, 2025 · 44:21
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…
Oct 17, 2025 · 45:58
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…
Oct 14, 2025 · 38:14
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…
Oct 10, 2025 · 38:02
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…
Oct 10, 2025 · 43:52
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…
Oct 2, 2025 · 48:00
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…
Sep 25, 2025 · 52:18
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,…
Sep 25, 2025 · 28:39
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…
Sep 19, 2025 · 52:19
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…
Sep 11, 2025 · 42:53
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…
Sep 5, 2025 · 1:13:34
An Irish road cyclist walks into the R&D department of an international bike brand and rides a prototype mountain bike. That’s the joke. In this episode, Dave and Ronan discuss…
Aug 29, 2025 · 55:57
The Portland-based Made show has wrapped up for another year, and our website has been buzzing with coverage from the handmade bike event. This week’s Geek Warning is a bit…
Aug 22, 2025 · 37:45
It’s a shorter episode this week as Escape’s Suvi Loponen and Dave Rome catch up to discuss the spares they carry and how to ensure they work when you need them most. On the news…
Aug 14, 2025 · 42:25
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.…
Aug 8, 2025 · 44:11
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…
Jul 31, 2025 · 43:37
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…
Jul 25, 2025 · 48:09
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…
Jul 18, 2025 · 53:36
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.…
Jul 11, 2025 · 47:00
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…
Jul 4, 2025 · 1:23:36
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…
Jul 3, 2025 · 27:14
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…
Jun 27, 2025 · 59:00
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…
Jun 20, 2025 · 53:38
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…
Jun 18, 2025 · 16:00
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…
Jun 13, 2025 · 54:56
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…
Jun 6, 2025 · 1:05:27
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…
Jun 4, 2025 · 21:43
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…
May 30, 2025 · 58:54
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…
May 23, 2025 · 49:41
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,…
May 21, 2025 · 44:55
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…
May 16, 2025 · 51:33
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…
May 9, 2025 · 50:48
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…
May 7, 2025 · 59:51
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…
May 2, 2025 · 59:57
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…
Apr 25, 2025 · 45:42
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…
Apr 18, 2025 · 1:15:31
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…
Apr 11, 2025 · 57:22
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…
Apr 4, 2025 · 52:04
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…
Mar 28, 2025 · 50:56
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…
Mar 27, 2025 · 1:19:48
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…
Mar 21, 2025 · 47:57
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,…
Mar 14, 2025 · 1:00:49
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…
Mar 12, 2025 · 1:05:11
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…
Mar 6, 2025 · 58:39
It’s a geek-packed episode as senior tech editors Dave Rome and Ronan Mc Laughlin, plus Zach Edwards (Boulder Groupetto) discuss the week in tech. Ronan ponders the real highs…
Feb 28, 2025 · 20:25
In this special episode, we chat with Ultra-Distance specialist Kevin Benky Benkenstein on his bike and gear selections for a recent race across the Moroccan Atlas Mountain…
Feb 27, 2025 · 41:53
Why don’t you see much wind tunnel-based testing on Escape Collective? It’s something the geeks are forever discussing internally, and in this week’s episode, they discuss some…
Feb 21, 2025 · 29:10
The derailleur looks set to continue ruling the roost, but the increased attention to gearboxes is one to watch. In this week’s shorter-than-usual episode, the geeks chat about…
Feb 18, 2025 · 24:46
PFAS – also known as “forever chemicals” – are in everything from waterproof jackets to chain lubes and electronics. They’re praised for their stain, friction, and water…
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