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