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 Ronan chat through some interesting but unreleased products. Dave worries he’s got too much on his mind when it comes to modern electronics in bicycles. And conversation turns a little behind-the-scenes.

Members of Escape Collective also get access to Ask a Wrench, where we answer your technical questions. This week a lot of those questions were up Ronan’s alley, so he’s present to answer them.

Happy geeking!

Time stamps:

• 3:40 - Escape is hiring!
• 7:00 - The new CAAD
• 16:30 - Interesting concept handlebar from Champn
• 24:00 - Pogi’s new Enve 6.7s
• 26:33 - Bianchi’s Infinito puzzling press launch
• 35:40 - New travel cases from Evoc and Post Carry Co
• 40:00 - Dave has no more mental capacity for electronics
• 50:00 - Ask a Wrench (members only)
• 51:00 - Corrections Corner
• 52:00 - Bike choice for Paris-Roubaix Challenge
• 1:04:00 - Hookless confusion in the real-world
• 1:10:00 - First bike with electronic shifting. Things to know.

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 Alex from Escape Collective’s tech team catch up to run through the news and offer plenty of thoughts along the way. This one is a little heavier on the news than we typically like to do, but it’s been quite the busy week on that front!

Of course, members of Escape Collective also get access to the full version of the episode that tacks on Ask a Wrench at the end. Zach Edwards joins Dave in answering a handful of interesting member questions, including one from a former winner of Unbound 200.

Time stamps:

• 2:40 - The new Cervelo Caledonia
• 3:34 - OneUp joins the XC SPD pedal game
• 6:40 - Nobl’s new sub-1,000 gram MTB wheels
• 9:20 - MicroShift’s Advent MX 1x11 shifting
• 10:10 - Shimano Tiagra goes 11-speed
• 11:50 - Hookless hub failures in the WorldTour
• 17:00 - Giant’s vaguely new Propel
• 22:00 - Merida’s new Reacto is finally released
• 31:00 - Closely overlapping road range confusion
• 50:30 - A SPD to flat pedal adapter that’s a Good Thing
• 53:50 - Ask a Wrench (Members Only feed)
• 54:45 - Getting specific with 2x shifting on Cane Creek EEwings cranks
• 1:01:50 - Do you need to bleed brakes after undoing and/or cutting hoses?
• 1:09:40 - Rusty chains, chain wax, and when to replace
• 1:19:00 - A real fancy bike behind Zach

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 be landing upon fiction.

Additionally, you’ll hear about the differing paths in aero road wheel design between the latest from Princeton Carbon Works and Cadex. Of course, there’s a PSA. And our Good Thing segment returns.

As with every week, members of Escape Collective get access to our Ask a Wrench segment. This week, Zach Edwards joins Dave to discuss greasing principles, whether to lube electronic derailleurs, mixing-and-matching SRAM brakes, and more.

If you like the show, then please consider leaving a review. It’s much appreciated.

Happy geeking!

Time stamps:

• 1:20 - Princeton Carbon Works’ research into rim widths
• 10:50 - Cadex’s new aero combo
• 20:00 - SRAM’s new gravity MTB products
• 22:55 - Ibis has a new XC bike
• 24:00 - On our mind: There is no best
• 36:50 - PSA: Know when you don’t know
• 46:00 - Good thing: Sync Ergonomics Aerobar Three
• 51:00 - Ask a Wrench (Members only)
• 51:30 - Do you lube the pivots of electronic derailleurs?
• 59:20 - Shimano MTB vs Road on an indoor trainer
• 1:04:00 - Mixing SRAM dropbar shifters with four-piston calipers
• 1:09:30 - Applying grease to a thread and how much to use