About this episode

Dave and Jack discuss modern cross-country bikes and bike maintenance tips with guest Colin Williams.

This week, Dave and Jack from the Escape Collective tech team talk modern cross-country bikes and where the nuance between race and downcountry sits. Plus, Dave shares why he believes remote lockouts are a race-day product. Meanwhile, the geeks discuss why rounded bolts are most often user error and how to avoid them (also check out Dave’s Threaded #15 article on the topic ). Like every week, members of Escape Collective (on the exclusive member-only feeds) get access to the full episode, including Ask a Wrench. This week Colin Williams is back on the mic to answer questions from our members, including tips for washing bikes with waxed chains and removing stubborn hub end caps. Time stamps: 00:02:00 - Santa Cruz updates the Blur 00:12:00 - The difference between XC race and downcountry 00:16:30 - It’s in the lockouts 00:20:00 - Differences in spec 00:28:30 - A reminder why MTB tech matters to all listeners 00:30:00 - A little Clarifications Corner for last week’s PSA 00:36:30 - Rounded bolts are a you problem 00:43:45 - DT Swiss updates its budget 1800 wheel range 00:46:00 - Silca updates its saddle bags 00:47:45 - Giant and Liv’s new premium shoes 00:51:15 - Ask a Wrench…

People in this episode

Hosts: Dave, Jack

Guest: Colin Williams

Topics covered

• cross-country bikes
• race bikes
• downcountry
• bike maintenance
• mountain bike technology

Keywords

• XC race bikes
• downcountry
• bike maintenance
• remote lockouts
• rounded bolts

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Escape Collective

Products: Santa Cruz Blur, DT Swiss 1800 wheel range, Silca saddle bags, Giant and Liv’s new premium shoes

Books & works: Threaded #15

More episodes of Geek Warning

• In person and pondering new Dura-Ace · August 27, 2026 · 42 min
• Bonus: The business of batch-built versus custom metal bikes · August 19, 2026 · 32 min
• The endurance bike some of us have been waiting for · August 13, 2026 · 48 min
• Pros are not not slamming their stems · July 30, 2026 · 53 min
• Going back to basics · July 23, 2026 · 1h 5m

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Geek Warning podcast page.