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 Shimano. Dave is thinking about unsustainable warranty policies. And there’s plenty more covered from the world of cycling tech.

As a reminder, members of Escape Collective also get access to Ask a Wrench (at the end of the free episode). This week, Zach Edwards joins Dave in answering a variety of questions from members.

Happy geeking!

Time stamps:

• 00:01:29 - Should you grease headset spacers?
• 00:05:39 - Lifetime warranties on wear items
• 00:16:14 - Sea Otter - lots of 32” wheels and the rise of Chinese brands
• 00:31:38: - SRAM S-Series, where 9 becomes 3
• 00:39:54 - Shimano CUES 2x11 overlapping with Tiagra 2x11
• 00:45:37 - UCI vs SRAM. The UCI will make everything safer with limit screws
• 00:56: 11 - Ronan’s nipples are sore, but it’s in the name of unlocking performance
• 1:00:00 - Ask a Wrench (member-only)
• 1:02:00 - How does new Campagnolo differ in installation?
• 1:15:00 - Tips for maintaining a full suspension MTB
• 1:26:00 - Sweat causing Shimano pedal failures?
  
  

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 finds and blunders of Roubaix and what they may spell for future products and trends. Many tangents are had. Ronan got to ride the new Colnago C72 and shares why he’s always dreamed of owning a C-Series.

Of course, the geeks also cover some tech news, and there’s a PSA. It’s a long one, but we think it’s a good one! As usual, members of Escape Collective get Ask a Wrench (via the member-only podcast feeds). It’s perhaps one not to miss for the chain waxers among us.

Time stamps:

• 3:55 - New Shimano SLR pedals break cover
• 7:48 - MVDP not on that new Endurace
• 16:42 - 1x everywhere from Shimano and SRAM
• 25:30 - Tyres wider than first assumed?
• 29:00 - What's going on with all the punctures?
• 34;10 - Inflatable inserts from Odyssey Optis
• 41:30 - On your mind: The Roubaix-specific bike may still have its day again
• 49:15 - Roubaix’s most intriguing tech picks (glue)
• 57:00 - Colnago’s new C72
• 1:06:15 - Shimano finally adds crank options to GRX
• 1:07:15 - Dave’s Tool Lust (Cushcore)
• 1:11:35 - Sea Otter Classic is here
• 1:12:15 - PSA: Be careful not to make a candle
• 1:17:30 - Ask a Wrench with Zach Edwards (Escape members only)
• 1:18:40 - Chain wax for ultra endurance applications
• 1:28:00 - Fixing a stuck brake hose olive
• 1:32:20 - Time XC pedal creak
• 1:39:55 - Why isn’t Nitrogen used in tyres?

A recent review 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 of discussion in this week’s episode.

Also in this episode, tech editor and industry reporter Suvi Loponen rejoins Geek Warning to talk about Canyon’s somewhat confusing new Endurace CFR release. You’ll also hear about some other bits of new tech. Meanwhile, the PSA this week doesn’t mince words, calling out a new product on Kickstarter as one to avoid.

Of course, members of Escape Collective also get access to Ask a Wrench, where this week Dave is joined by pro wrench Colin Williams to answer a number of your questions.

Time stamps:

• 02:41 - Is electronic shifting lacking a soul?
• 16:36 - New Canyon Endurace CFR isn’t an Endurace
• 31:59 - New things from Easton, Vittoria and Surly
• 41:28 - PSA: You can’t lube a chain with nonsense
• 50:00 - Ask a Wrench with Colin Williams (Member’s Only)
• 52:00 - Should I clear coat raw aluminium?
• 57:35 - Mystery Di2 chain dropping issue
• 1:05:00 - SRAM dropbar sticky pistons
• 1:10:20 - Bringing a bike out of winter storage