Join Ronan, Dave, Suvi, and Brad as they discuss all things related to modern tyres. You’ll hear why Ronan now prefers hard-to-fit tyres, tips to make the installation easier, and our favourite online (free) pressure calculators.

Of course, there are a few bits of news to cover, including an interesting new freehub patent from Lauf. And as usual, Brad and Dave answer a few mechanical questions submitted by Escape members.

As a reminder, we’re now covering tech news in our Daily News (published on site each day), and that means we’ve also made some changes to the podcast (for the better, we hope). Let us know in the comments how you like (or not) the format changes we’ve been making.

Time stamps:

1:15 - Corrections Corner related to pulling a chain from wax
2:50 - On Ronan’s mind is that tyre fitment woes may not be a wholly bad thing
18:00 - Making tyre installation easier
21:30 - Ronan finally reveals the tight-fitting tyre
24:30 - Pick One: Tyre pressure calculators
39:45 - MRP creates a Cage Guard from SRAM Transmission derailleurs
41:55 - Thule purchases Quadlock
43:00 - Stinner’s introduces a well-priced USA-made stock geometry steel bike
44:50 - Lauf’s teases patent for a springy freehub
47:00 - Ask a Wrench: chain noises on SRAM Eagle AXS
55:20 - Ask a Wrench: installing new brakes and hoses
1:00:05 - Ask a Wrench: removing a stuck headset bearing

Welcome back to Geek Warning. It’s a big cast with Suvi Loponen, Ronan Mc Laughlin, Brad Copeland, and Dave Rome chatting through the latest new tech and answering some mechanic-related questions.Ronan is quizzed over the “too long didn’t read” for the newly Spotted Ridley Noah Fast, plus what Pirelli is up to with its FSC-certified tyres.

SRAM chains have been back in the media this week after some comments from cyclocross legend Sven Nys, the geeks speculate what could be happening here and why it’s not a widespread issue. Of course there's more tech talk including a PSA and answering a few Ask a Wrench questions from Escape Collective members.

Finally the episode wraps with a bunch of new product releases worth sharing.

Enjoy!

Time stamps:

2:00 - Ridley’s new and unreleased Noah Fast
7:15 - Pirelli and rubber trees
12:20 - Coros’ new Pace Pro sports watch
18:30 - Hammerhead Karoo updates battery life through firmware
20:50 - Sven Nys complains of SRAM chains
27:10 - PSA to not ignore creaks
36:00 - Ask a Wrench: When pull your waxed chain
41:20 - Ask a Wrench: Feeling a brake track
45:15 - Ask a Wrench: Putting a longer fork on an XC bike
49:50 - OneUp’s new dropbar dropper lever
52:20 - Stan’s No Tubes and Daysaver collab
55:20 - Canecreek’s GXC stem fills a gap
57:40 - Aerocoach Blitz track handlebars
1:00-40 - Lapierre’s new Pulsium endurance road bike
1:02:15 - Yamaha stops e-bike sales in the USA
1:03:30 - The Pro’s Closet returns

It may be the off-season in the racing world, but the land of bike tech never sleeps. In this episode of Geek Warning, you’ll hear Suvi, Dave, and Brad discuss an intriguing shifter-related patent from Campagnolo that perhaps can’t come soon enough.

The geeks then discuss what they each seek in a drop handlebar and what their favourites are. Within this extended segment, you’ll hear about one-piece cockpits, more traditional two-piece setups, and picks for road and gravel purposes.

We’ve also got some great Ask a Wrench questions that spark some deeper conversation.

Enjoy!

Time stamps:

1:45 - Campagnolo’s recent shifter patent
11:00 - Discussing drop handlebars and picking one (well, maybe two)
33:15 - Ask a Wrench: How to become a bike mechanic
48:00 - Ask a Wrench: SRAM Flat Top and T-type chain compatibility
53:22 - Ask a Wrench: Raising awareness for the actual cost of bike ownership and where the blame sits
1:06:45 - Tech bites: an increasing number of lighter e-MTBs is a trend that won’t slow