Geek Warning

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 Ronan Mc Laughlin discuss Specalized’s long-awaited update to the Crux. There’s, of course, a bit of big wheel chatter. A fun new project product from Wheels Manufacturing. And plenty more.

As a reminder, members of Escape Collective also get access to Ask a Wrench, where member questions are answered by Dave Rome and a quest mechanic (this week, Colorado-based Colin Williams returns).  

If you liked this episode, please leave us a review. It helps like-minded cyclists discover us.

Time stamps:

00:00:30 - Ronan went racing
00:07:15 - Ronan rides the new Specialized Crux
00:14:50 - But is it actually aero?
00:23:47  - Are pure aero gravel bikes what we need? 
00:30:05  - Scott’s 32in gravel bike for Unbound
00:36:50  - Wheels Manufacturing’s better mud stick 
00:42:29  - Paragon Machine Works has been acquired
00:43:56 - Good thing: Mechanics you can trust
00:51:00 - Ask a Wrench (Members-Only feed) 
00:52:30 - Weird pulley wheel wear 
1:03:00 - When is it time to replace a wheel? 
1:12:00 - A Dangerholm-inspired Full-Suspension gravel bike? 

Show Notes

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 Ronan Mc Laughlin discuss Specalized’s long-awaited update to the Crux. There’s, of course, a bit of big wheel chatter. A fun new project product from Wheels Manufacturing. And plenty more.

As a reminder, members of Escape Collective also get access to Ask a Wrench, where member questions are answered by Dave Rome and a quest mechanic (this week, Colorado-based Colin Williams returns).  


If you liked this episode, please leave us a review. It helps like-minded cyclists discover us.


Time stamps:


  • 00:00:30 - Ronan went racing
  • 00:07:15 - Ronan rides the new Specialized Crux
  • 00:14:50 - But is it actually aero?
  • 00:23:47  - Are pure aero gravel bikes what we need? 
  • 00:30:05  - Scott’s 32in gravel bike for Unbound
  • 00:36:50  - Wheels Manufacturing’s better mud stick 
  • 00:42:29  - Paragon Machine Works has been acquired
  • 00:43:56 - Good thing: Mechanics you can trust
  • 00:51:00 - Ask a Wrench (Members-Only feed) 
  • 00:52:30 - Weird pulley wheel wear 
  • 1:03:00 - When is it time to replace a wheel? 
  • 1:12:00 - A Dangerholm-inspired Full-Suspension gravel bike? 

What is Geek Warning?

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, Ronan Mc Laughlin and Brad Copeland, 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/member/