Podcasts about escape collective

Today on the show: we have a new raft of national champions, a megabucks bid has apparently come in for Paul Seixas, and in the members-only Golden Hour section, we'll discuss how UCI President David Lappartient has said something that we don't think we hate, which is miraculous.Want to get Golden Hour and After Dark? Spin Cycle listeners get 25% off when you sign up for Escape Collective here.Already a member? Get the member feed here to listen to the whole Mailbag episode. 

Today on the show: David Gaudu may finally be running out of road and Remco Evenepoel needs a doctor's note.After we head to Golden Hour, Oscar Onley is out of the tour and leaves Netcompany-Ineos with few options. Oh, And we have opinions on TNT's new AI storytelling.Want to get Golden Hour and After Dark? Spin Cycle listeners get 25% off when you sign up for Escape Collective here.Already a member? Get the member feed here to listen to the whole Mailbag episode. 

The tech crew at Escape Collective have been paying close attention to the progression toward 32in wheels in gravel and mountain bike, and while the conversation has come up a few times, it felt time to dedicate some real time to the topic.This week, Escape tech staffers Dave Rome, Ronan Mc Laughlin, and Alex Hunt chat about 32ers in the news, whether the UCI's potential involvement will slow things, and if a new wheel size is of positive net gain for the wider industry. In addition to big wheels, the geeks also talk about some other new products. Meanwhile, members of Escape Collective get Ask a Wrench, the weekly segment where our members' technical questions get answered.Time stamps:  00:02:15 - 32ers in the news  00:03:00 - Thömus gets the first World Cup podium  00:07:00 - Canyon's Lux Era concept  00:10:20 - A few big wheels at Spoken  00:12:30 - The UCI's involvement  00:23:00 - Brands preparing for the next big thing 00:28:30 - Complications in 32er suspension  00:36:00 - It's a high-risk time for more stock  00:39:30 - Cheaper bikes will be worse  00:42:00 - Why didn't it start with gravel bikes?  00:49:00 - Wolf Tooth's lower cost range of products  00:51:50 - Black Inc's new Hyper wheels. So many carbon spokes 00:59:00 - Ask a Wrench with Colin Williams (members only)  01:01:00 - Should you service new suspension and talking bushing clearances  01:14:24 - Fighting stuck tubeless tyres. How to deal with them on the trail?  01:26:00 - A recall-related question 

Today we have a special episode for a special boy. Paul Seixas. The boy wonder, the one true king of France. The hope is immeasurable. The pressure is immense. The mailbag is bursting at the seams. So let's get to it. Spin Cycle listeners get 25% off when you sign up for Escape Collective here.Already a member? Get the member feed here to listen to the whole Mailbag episode. 

This week, Dave, Ronan, and new guy Jack chat about Eddy Merckx's new bike and why it's surprised Ronan. The bike provides good fodder for diving into more serviceable cockpits and for understanding why only fashion may limit the uptake of progressive road geometry. There's good news for those who prefer cable-actuated shifting, as Shimano has updated its mountain bike offerings. Dave has other things on his mind, too, including Australia's Spoken bike show and how downhill is teasing future puzzling for disc brakes.Of course, there's plenty more than that, and members of Escape Collective also get Ask a Wrench at the end of the episode (members-only feed).Time stamps: 00:01:30 - The new Eddy Merckx and an exploration into progressive road geometry  00:22:45 - Shimano's mechanical shifting update 00:29:00 - Shimano updates a real classic  00:31:45 - Don't miss Overnight Success  00:33:50 - Downhill tech is on Dave's mind and the pursuit of heat-regulated brakes  00:39:15 - Dave makes a case for why Australia's builder scene is world-class  00:46:00 - Cannondale's nostalgic Team Dream CAAD14s  00:47:15 - Bianchi's new Specialissima  00:51:45 - Ask a Wrench with Colin Williams (Members Only)  00:54:00 - A Shimano mechanical dropbar shifter that's coming undone  01:03:00 - Inconsistent Torx tooling  01:13:45 - Noisy eccentric bottom bracket challenges  01:21:20 - Disc brake pads for high elevation bike packing 

Today on the show: Isaac del Toro is the new old boy wonder, Luke Tucks well into second place, and we need to talk about Liam Slock.Sign up for Escape Collective.Already a member? Get the member feed here. 

Today on the show: Fighting talk at the Dauphiné, Ayuso is all the way back, and Chris Froome has found something to do.Sign up for Escape Collective.Already a member? Get the member feed here. 

New bikes are now rolling in from all directions with both the road and mountain bike race seasons in full swing. In this week's episode, Dave chats with new hire Jack Duncan about what he's been seeing at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (aka, the Dauphine). Later in the episode, Jack and Dave discuss new cross-country mountain bikes from Orbea and Lapierre. Then Alex Hunt joins to talk about his experience with the new Scott Spark. Not even prompted by Dave, the geeks also cover space and weight-efficient tools for travel. And as per usual, members of Escape Collective get access to our popular Ask a Wrench segment at the end of the episode. Time stamps: 00:01:10 - Pre-Tour tech at the Dauphine  00:09:00 - A tangent on big brand wheels  00:14:00 - Mystery new shoes  00:15:20 - New climbing bikes are being seen, but rarely raced  00:23:30 - How to pack tools for travel is on our mind  00:41:00 - It's a week of new 29er XC MTB, starting with the Orbea Oiz and Lapierre XR  00:49:30 - Alex Hunt joins to talk about Scott's Spark update  00:59:00 - RIP Charlie Cunningham  01:01:40 - Ask a Wrench with Colin Williams (members only)  01:03:00 - Small electric inflators where low pressures matter  01:13:00 - Discontinued pedal lubes and PFAS' 01:20:30 - What on saddles makes them a wear item?  01:27:00 - Pondering a handlebar that turns more freely  01:30:30 - Talking about our mechanical work 

Today on the show: Seixas hype hits the Dauphiné, Van Schip has been disqualified yet again, and everyone is invited to Thibaut Pinot's farm.Sign up for Escape Collective.Already a member? Get the member feed here. 

Today on the show: The motorbike whisperer gives his reasons, Richard Plugge is sad, and Dave Brailsford is officially back. Plus, Paul Seixas races the Dauphine (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes). Sign up for Escape Collective.Already a member? Get the member feed here. 

Geek Warning gets a new voice as Escape's new US tech editor - Jack Duncan - joins the motley crew. Together with Dave Rome and Ronan Mc Laughlin, the geeks cover a broad range of topics from Unbound tech, UCI doing UCI things, Ronan's custom inner sole journey, and hubs that allow cassettes to fall off. Of course, members of Escape Collective also get Ask a Wrench. This week, Dave is joined by Jack Duncan to answer a number of questions from our members. Also, Dave sends his apologies to members listening to Ask a Wrench as his mic settings had changed without warning. Time stamps:  00:00:00 - An introduction to Jack Duncan  00:04:30 - Unbound tech wrap  00:16:25 - Disqualification over 20 grams  00:28:00 - Cassettes that fall off and Dave's Public Rambling Rant  00:33:00 - Carbon inner soles are on Ronan's mind 00:49:30 - Ask a Wrench (members only)  00:51:00 - Running a 12-speed chain on a 11-speed cassette  00:57:45 - battery drain issues in an AXS shifter  1:04:00 - How to add grip to a slippery brake lever

Management changes, ties to Leopard-Trek, return of the Schlecks, and a team getting shaken like Mads Pedersen's hands on the Arenberg. Caley and Jonny break it all down, including some breaking news coming through at the very last minute. Sign up for Escape Collective.Already a member? Get the member feed here. 

Today on the show: Lorena Wiebes has been chucked out of the Giro, Jonas Vingegaard has won the Giro, and Giulio Ciccone was big mad, at the Giro.Sign up for Escape Collective.Already a member? Get the member feed here. 

Today on the show: Vingegaard is now a quotes machine, Thomas Dekker's panhandle burrito nightmares come back to haunt him, and Demi Vollering's chatbot will see you now.Sign up for Escape Collective. Already a member? Get the member feed here. 

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? 

Today on the show: Vingegaard finally takes pink, Tim Rex pulls a prehistoric face, and we had a breakaway win that made us feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside.Want After Dark? Sign up for Escape Collective.

Abby, Georgie, Gracie, and Loren break down all four stages of the Vuelta a Burgos. From the first two days for the sprinter(s), the second explosive stage that continued a fantastic run of form for a podcast favourite, and the final GC stage that allowed a new GC contender to emerge. Next, Abby spoke with Elisa Balsamo about sprinting against Lorena Wiebes, Lidl-Trek, and her wedding dress (written story coming to Escape Collective later this week).And finally, the team looks ahead to the Giro d'Italia, set to start Saturday, May 30th. Read Matt's story about Yara Kastelijn's victory here. Stay tuned for a special podcast on Friday, where Elisa Longo Borghini details her Giro d'Italia victory with Abby. Love what we do? Sign up for Escape Collective at escapecollective.com/wheeltalk

With Unbound on next week, and the Gralloch on last weekend, it felt timely to talk about going further on gravel. For this, Escape's tech and industry reporter, Suvi Loponen, joins Dave Rome. Also joining this week is special guest (and occasional Escape contributor) Kevin ‘Benky' Benkenstein, a familiar face in the ultra world. There's also talk of whether the trend in wide gravel rims is a good direction. And of course, there's plenty more. Just a quick note that Kevin did have some internet issues, so we apologise for the occasional delay in the recording. Members of Escape Collective get the full episode (and no ads!), where mechanic Colin Williams joins Dave to answer technical questions. Time stamps:  00:01:31 - Suvi's time at the Gralloch 00:10:48 - How to get comfortable when going far on gravel 00:17:13 - New Specialized and Canyon spotted at the Gralloch 00:18:29 - What benefits the pros doesn't always benefit us 00:20:33 - Unbound is coming 00:35:07 - New Enve gravel wheels  00:41:49 - Is wider really better, or is this just a trend? 00:45:55 - Niner bikes goes on pause 00:49:00 - Ask a Wrench (member-only feed)  00:50:30 - How long does a bag of wax last?  00:55:15 - Running a road cassette with mountain bike derailleurs  00:59:30 - Building a tool to stress relieve a wheel  1:06:04 - Does suspension need servicing after storage? 

This week, Abby, Georgie, and Loren are joined by special guest Matt de Neef of Escape Collective to talk about Itzulia Women - the latest WorldTour stage race in Spain, and Abby spoke with Lauren Dickson of FDJ United-Suez about the breakthrough results that landed her on the top team in women's cycling. The three stages and overall were swept by two riders, but neither was a member of the strongest team in the race. Mischa Bredewold was back for the third year, with a vengeance, while Dominika Włodarczyk surprised with a standout performance. Meanwhile, FDJ United-Suez was doing...something else. Earlier this year, Abby spoke with Lauren Dickson, who had a standout ride at Itzulia, about her rapid rise through the ranks and riding with some of the top women in the sport. You can read Matt's written story based on the interview here. Love women's cycling? Sign up for Escape Collective at escapecollective.com/wheeltalk to support this podcast, and thank you for listening!

This week, Abby, Gracie, and Georgie are joined by a very special guest to analyze La Vuelta Femenina: UAE Team ADQ's Brodie Chapman. They discussed the "comeback" of SD Worx-Protime and especially Lotte Kopecky and Anna van der Breggen, the famous L'Angliru, and the young riders who animated this year's Vuelta.  With "before the coverage" audio diaries from Alexis Magner and Babette van der Wolf of EF Education-Oatly and Riejanne Markus of Lidl-Trek. Love women's cycling? Become a member of Escape Collective by signing up at EscapeCollective.com/wheeltalk

Are full-blown aero gravel bikes all they're cracked up to be? Dave and Ronan share some strong thoughts on why this may be the wrong path, or at least, why it's still early days for these being the faster choice. For those in the workshop, Dave shares the importance of good lighting and some of his favourite hand-held options for seeing better. Alex Hunt then jumps on to talk about XC tech from the opening round of World Cup racing, including why the conditions caused so many dropped chains. Of course, members of Escape Collective get Ask a Wrench, this week with guru Colin Williams. Dave and Colin answer a handful of questions, but a chunk of the time is spent chatting about their most underrated and overrated tools. Time stamps:  00:02:13 - A Traka load of new, unreleased gravel bikes from Factor and Ridley  00:06:46 - Cervelo Aspero 5 where it's good and where it's really not 00:13:41 - Has gravel learned everything it knows from XC? 00:18:03 - Is the Factor Sarana Ronan McLaughlin's bike for ultras or just confusing? 00:29:42 - A good thing to share about lighting  00:41:47 - Alex joins to talk MTB World Cup 00:43:51 - New bikes spotted in South Korea from Scott and Lapierre 00:51:56 - Lots of mud and 1x drivetrains aren't a good match 01:01:15 - Ask a Wrench (member-only feed)  01:02:40 - Best mechanical shifting options for dropbar?  01:12:10 - Chainline variance and e-bikes  01:17:30 - Squeaky shoes with SPD  01:22:00 - Our most overrated and underrated tools 

This week, Abby talked to Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney about her Spring campaign, how she really feels about coming second, what was different coming into the season, and La Vuelta Femenina.Gracie, Georgie, and Loren joined Abby to talk about the Vuelta stages, what to look out for, and who they're watching for the GC in the final two stages.The written piece on Kasia can be found here.Abby also referenced Matt's story about the Vuelta, which can be found here.For more on the Vuelta this week, read Abby's stage-by-stage breakdown of the route and overview of the possible contenders.Love what we do? Sign up for Escape Collective by using this link: escapecollective.com/wheeltalk

It's an episode of three parts this week and there's been lots of big tech releases to chat through. Things kick off with Ronan Mc Laughlin and Dave Rome chatting about Campagnolo's new Record 13 release and why it may prove to be the move to put Campagnolo back in the minds of many. There's chat of where Zipp may be gone wrong with its latest 202 wheel release, and Ronan shares some thoughts of BMC's new gravel racer, the Kaius. Then Dave gets tech reporter Alex Hunt on the phone to talk about two new cross-country bike releases - the Specialized Epic 9 and Canyon Lux World Cup.   Finally, and as per every episode, members of Escape Collective get Ask a Wrench. Zach Edwards and Dave offer their insights to three member-submitted questions.   Happy geeking! Time stamps:  00:00:00 Introduction, Ronan's knackered, he's been testing. 00:02:40 Campagnolo release Record 13, cheaper than Super Record, still more expensive than most other things. 00:14:17 Zipp 202 wheels for going up hills. 00:25:29 BMC Kaius 01 Gravel Racing Bicycle 00:37:53 Alex is here to talk about new MTBs 00:40:54 The new 2026 Canyon Lux Word Cup  00:48:30 The 2026 Specialized Epic 9 has arrived with a big price tag and no frame storage 1:02:00 - Ask a Wrench (members only, audio only)  1:04:00 - Headset loosening woes and the Ring of Death 1:14:00 - Over-preloaded hub woes 1:21:10 - Our choice of tubeless tapes 

It's the week after the Sea Otter Classic, and the geeks speak surprisingly little of the products shown there. Instead, Ronan and Dave cover new budget drivetrains from SRAM and Shimano. Dave is thinking about unsustainable warranty policies. And there's plenty more covered from the world of cycling tech.  As a reminder, members of Escape Collective also get access to Ask a Wrench (at the end of the free episode). This week, Zach Edwards joins Dave in answering a variety of questions from members. Happy geeking! Time stamps: 00:01:29 - Should you grease headset spacers? 00:05:39 - Lifetime warranties on wear items  00:16:14 - Sea Otter - lots of 32” wheels and the rise of Chinese brands 00:31:38: - SRAM S-Series, where 9 becomes 3 00:39:54 - Shimano CUES 2x11 overlapping with Tiagra 2x11 00:45:37 - UCI vs SRAM. The UCI will make everything safer with limit screws 00:56: 11 - Ronan's nipples are sore, but it's in the name of unlocking performance 1:00:00 - Ask a Wrench (member-only) 1:02:00 - How does new Campagnolo differ in installation?  1:15:00 - Tips for maintaining a full suspension MTB 1:26:00 - Sweat causing Shimano pedal failures? 

Dane Cash and Cosmo Catalano break down the 2026 Amstel Gold Race. To get access to the full show and all the other Escape Collective member's only perks, sign up here!

A school bike bus is recognized by the Burbank, California City Council for promoting safe, active Transportation. With Alfonso Directo, Jr. Advocacy Director of Act-LA and Roosevelt Elementary School parent https://www.act-la.org/ (2:53). Bike Films: “Major Taylor: Champion of the Race" Earns National News & Documentary Emmy Award Nomination-can now be streamed https://video.indianapublicmedia.org/video/major-taylor-champion-of-the-race-7pwxvd/ (9:40). “Changing Lanes,” a documentary about the conflict over a protected bike lane in Greenpoint, Brooklyn on McGuinness Boulevard. Taylor talks with the Director of Changing Lanes, Ben Wolf https://www.changinglanesdoc.com/ (10:28). Listener Email: Julian disputes Asha Weinstein's take on high powered bikes from Bike Talk's 26/12 episode https://biketalk.org/2026/03/26-12-bike-more-worry-less-e-bikes-and-avs/(15:04). Stacey's (Charlie's) News: Jersey City Approves First Protected Bike Lane in The Heights Along Franklin Street https://jerseydigs.com/protected-bike-lane-jersey-city-heights/. The City of Detroit makes bike lane data available to all riders online https://www.wxyz.com/news/region/detroit/city-of-detroit-makes-bike-lane-data-available-to-all-riders-online. Local Cyclists Fund Their Own Bike Lane Sweeper as City Fails to Maintain Infrastructure https://momentummag.com/bike-lane-sweeper-richmond-virginia/ (18:25). An urban planner running on safe streets and active transportation for the City Council of Glendale, California, Alek Bartrosouf https://www.alekforglendale.com/ (20:39). The Spring Classics 2026 with Dane Cash of the Escape Collective https://escapecollective.com/author/danecash/ (32:50). Coffee and bikes (53:32). A bill to cap NY Citibikes at the price of a bus or subway ride by NYC Councilmember Lincoln Restler https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2024/09/16/restler-bill-to-cap-e-bike-fees-sets-the-bar-high-for-citi-bikes-future (54:35)

Whoa, what a week to be a cycling fan. And for the nerds among us, Roubaix rolling into Sea Otter is always great.This week Ronan, Alex, and Dave discuss some of the bigger tech finds and blunders of Roubaix and what they may spell for future products and trends. Many tangents are had. Ronan got to ride the new Colnago C72 and shares why he's always dreamed of owning a C-Series.Of course, the geeks also cover some tech news, and there's a PSA. It's a long one, but we think it's a good one! As usual, members of Escape Collective get Ask a Wrench (via the member-only podcast feeds). It's perhaps one not to miss for the chain waxers among us.Time stamps:  3:55 - New Shimano SLR pedals break cover 7:48 - MVDP not on that new Endurace 16:42 - 1x everywhere from Shimano and SRAM  25:30 - Tyres wider than first assumed?  29:00 - What's going on with all the punctures?  34;10 - Inflatable inserts from Odyssey Optis  41:30 - On your mind: The Roubaix-specific bike may still have its day again 49:15 - Roubaix's most intriguing tech picks (glue) 57:00 - Colnago's new C72  1:06:15 - Shimano finally adds crank options to GRX 1:07:15 - Dave's Tool Lust (Cushcore)  1:11:35 - Sea Otter Classic is here 1:12:15 - PSA: Be careful not to make a candle 1:17:30 - Ask a Wrench with Zach Edwards (Escape members only)  1:18:40 - Chain wax for ultra endurance applications  1:28:00 - Fixing a stuck brake hose olive  1:32:20 - Time XC pedal creak 1:39:55 - Why isn't Nitrogen used in tyres? 

A recent review comparing SRAM XPLR AXS to Shimano GRX Di2 1x brought up an interesting comment from a reader: does electronic shifting kill the soul of a bicycle? It's a topic of discussion in this week's episode. Also in this episode, tech editor and industry reporter Suvi Loponen rejoins Geek Warning to talk about Canyon's somewhat confusing new Endurace CFR release. You'll also hear about some other bits of new tech. Meanwhile, the PSA this week doesn't mince words, calling out a new product on Kickstarter as one to avoid.   Of course, members of Escape Collective also get access to Ask a Wrench, where this week Dave is joined by pro wrench Colin Williams to answer a number of your questions. Time stamps:  02:41 - Is electronic shifting lacking a soul?  16:36 - New Canyon Endurace CFR isn't an Endurace  31:59 - New things from Easton, Vittoria and Surly 41:28 - PSA: You can't lube a chain with nonsense 50:00 - Ask a Wrench with Colin Williams (Member's Only)  52:00 - Should I clear coat raw aluminium?  57:35 - Mystery Di2 chain dropping issue  1:05:00 - SRAM dropbar sticky pistons  1:10:20 - Bringing a bike out of winter storage 

Ronan and Dave return to chat through the week of cycling geeking. From emerging trends in one-piece cockpits to the latest in tech news, this episode has plenty of information nuggets. As usual, members of Escape Collective have access to the member-only podcast feeds where they receive the full versions of our episodes. Every week, this includes the bonus section of Geek Warning – Ask a Wrench, where you'll hear pro mechanics answer technical questions from members. This week, the mechanics answer questions related to restoring an older rim brake bike and the reasons to do it; tubeless sealants and dehumidifiers; and a handful of questions related to new disc brake setup.  Time stamps:   4:20 -  Mixing and matching cockpits  18:00 - Do modern handlebar measurements measure up?  24:40 - Escape Explained  25:45 - Prologo joins the pressure mapping game  34:45 - Safety first: Pikio Labs' Si helmet  39:00 - New Canyon spotted  41:00 - A PSA for crummy pump heads 46:00 - Ask a Wrench (members only)  46:30 - Bringing an old CAAD9 back to life and whether to upgrade the drivetrain 53:30 - The Chisel dropbar conversion continues 58:30 - Storing bikes with tubeless  1:02:45 - A fussy and sticky SRAM hydraulic disc brake, plus some sneaky tips 

This week, we have tech editors Ronan Mc Laughlin and Josh Weinberg coming in from opposite ends of the world, both in dimly lit hotel rooms, and without their usual podcast recording equipment. It's only up from here!  In the first section, Dave Rome chats to Ronan about his previous day touring Pirelli. Then Dave reminds us of the real-world compromises that 1x shifting continues to battle. Also, you'll hear a rant, and Ronan has a Good Thing that many probably already own.  Next stop is Dave catching up with our US tech editor Josh Weinberg, who finds himself in Taiwan for the Taipei Cycle Show.  And finally, members of Escape Collective (who get access to everything we do at Escape Collective), can tune in for our popular Ask a Wrench segment, where Dave and pro mechanic Zach Edwards answer technical questions from members. Finally, the day has come for Geek Warning to be a motion picture. You'll now find episodes on YouTube, too.    Happy Geeking!    Time stamps:    4:40 - Touring Pirelli HQ  12:00 - Pirelli's new flagship race tyre 18:00 - Wolf Tooth's new flagship Mark Zero range 21:40 - The real world compromises of 1x shifting  34:00 - Content creation that has Dave ranting  40:20 - Ronan's Good Thing that you may already own - 44:45 - Taipei Cycle Show with Josh  52:00 - 32er manufacturing is brewing, 3D printing, and other trends 1:07:00 - Ask a Wrench (members only)  1:08:00 - Shimano brakes gone bad if not used  1:17:30 - Stuck tyre bead on rim. Solutions?  1:26:00 - Re-using old brake hoses during re-routing 

This week, Ronan and Dave discuss Muc-Off's much-delayed entry into premium drip wax lubes. Better late than never? With some new gravel wheels from Swiss Side and Scope hitting the market, the conversation turns to how hooked rims are quickly becoming a sales feature even in disciplines where hookless is perfectly fine. The geeks also chat about rim widths and wheel choices. Of course, there's a PSA, while the free episode wraps with Ronan sharing a new app for the watts-obsessed – wattsthedifference. Something you'll be missing in this free feed is that members of Escape Collective get the full episode, including Ask a Wrench. This week, Dave is joined by pro mechanic Colin Williams to answer questions related to torque, DOT fluid, and picking one grease. Time stamps:  02:45 - Muc-Off does the thing they debated against  17:20 - Swiss Side's budget gravel performance and  20:16 - Hooked is a selling feature 22:30 - Scope enters the wider rim space and a rabbit hole down the rim width tunnel  31:15 - Wolf Tooth joins the nice semi-internal headset game 35:00 - Sapim expands beyond steel spokes  41:00 - PSA for the eyes  43:30 - Ronan's good thing  1:00:00 - Ask a Wrench (members only)  1:00:40 - More on torque, dry threadlocker, and carbon paste  1:08:00 - Worry about a frame repair  1:11:00 - How long does DOT fluid keep for?  1:14:00 - Picking one grease for general use 

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. 

Iain buys a stolen bike on Facebook Marketplace, with a plan to return it to its owner. But his good act takes an ominous turn when he meets the seller, an erratic man with a troubled past and a head full of conspiracies and violence. To read the written piece and see pictures, visit EscapeCollective.com. This podcast is an Escape Collective production, and is only possible through the support of our members. To become one of those, sign up at EscapeCollective.com/RabbitHoles. And sign up to the Rabbit Holes feed for future episodes - we've got a great one in the works. 

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 

Oh hi, Dave Rome here. It's time to get geeky about spokes.  I recently wrapped up a long-term review (now live on Escape Collective) where I compared two identical gravel wheelsets, one built with bladed steel spokes and the other built with Berd spokes, a spoke made from a Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, aka, Dyneema. Those white Berd spokes have been growing steadily in popularity, and off the back of Tom Pidcock and Pauline Ferrand Prevot winning the last Olympic games on them, I was ever more curious. To help with that curiosity, Tristan Thomas of the New Zealand-based wheel company, WheelWorks, lent me some wheels in order to get some answers to questions I had.  This episode is a sit-down with Tristan to discuss spokes and the considerations around an interesting polymer product like Berd. Happy geeking! 

Think of recent times when Apple, Samsung, or Google have once again claimed to change the phone, just for you to find out that you can now photograph everyone's wrinkles a little more clearly. Ronan believes we're in an age where performance bikes are like phones, and of course, the geeks discuss it.On Geek Warning this week, Dave and Ronan discuss Cannondale's latest bikes and what they may spell for some other emerging trends. Meanwhile, the PSA segment returns with a warning regarding increasingly common hood slippage. All of that is free to all, while members of Escape Collective also gain access to our popular Ask a Wrench segment at the end of the episode. From our favourite bearing greases to headset woes, there's plenty answered and discussed this week. Happy geeking! Time stamps:  1:45 - Cannondale SuperSix Evo 4.5 12:50 - TT frames as aero road bikes?  24:00 - Favero doubles battery longevity, for free 25:50 - Trek turns 50  26:30 - New Factor Ostro Gravel spotted  30:30 - RIP King Liu  31:30 - Performance bicycles are like phones  45:00 - PSA related to slipping hoods  54:30 - Ask a Wrench with Boulder Grupetto (member only) 55:48 - Mixing and matching SRAM Transmission with other cassettes  1:00:15 - Specialized Crux headset loosening woes 1:10:00 - Quick connectors for fully integrated drop bar bikes?  1:17:20 - Servicing versus replacing bottom brackets, and our go-to bearing greases 

The Virtual Velo Podcast is back for 2026, and we're kicking off the new year with one of cycling esports' rising talents: Team USA's Nicole Meyer.In Episode 90, co-hosts Chris Schwenker and Emma Martin sit down with Nicole to explore her rapid climb from her first races in 2024 to top performances in the Zwift World Series, MyWhoosh Sunday Race Club, and a hard-earned spot representing the USA at the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships live final in Abu Dhabi.Nicole shares what life looks like off the bike, how she balances elite-level racing with real-world family responsibilities, what it takes to compete from the US West Coast at “ungodly” hours, and how she's developed her gritty racing style into elite success.We also dive into the shifting landscape of multi-platform racing, the move of USA Cycling Nationals to TrainingPeaks Virtual, the challenges facing the Cycling Esports World Cup, and where Nicole hopes cycling esports goes next.A fun listen to kick off the fourth year of the Virtual Velo Podcast.Don't miss out on the unique opportunity to delve even deeper into the intriguing topics discussed in this episode.Osborne and McCarthy repeat as cycling esports world champions [Escape Collective, Nov. 2025]Cycling esports has a bunch of new rules in 2026: Will the UCI's gamble pay off? [Escape Collective, Feb. 2026]This is what it takes to win a cycling esports World Championship [Escape Collective, Jan. 2026]The story of cycling esports' most dominant season yet [Escape Collective, Feb. 2026] Statements made by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the podcast, its hosts, or its partners. Listeners are encouraged to form their own opinions.

Have you experienced certain models of Shimano 12-speed chains rusting more easily than expected? It's one of many topics in this week's Geek Warning, the cycling tech podcast from Escape Collective. This week, Suvi, Alex, and Dave also discuss limitations and concerns regarding the fast-arriving 32in wheels. There's talk of new bikes. And what we carry for fixing tubeless punctures. Those on our member-only feeds also get access to Ask a Wrench, where this week Colorado-based pro mechanic Colin Williams joins Dave for the first time. Happy geeking! Time stamps: 1:40 - Trek's new XC bike has been spotted 6:40 - Big (32”) wheels continue to gain momentum, but maybe we should pump the brakes?  18:00 -  Basso's new gravel bike  22:30 - Do 12-speed Shimano chains have a rust issue?  31:00 - Tubeless tyre plugging  42:30 - What we've finished working on  45:00 - Ask a Wrench (Member-only, with pro mechanic Colin Williams)  46:00 - When cutting carbon goes wrong  51:00 - Are there short-cuts to setting up SRAM Transmission?  58:40 - Tips for gravel racing in sand  1:04:00 - Specialized FutureShock headset tips

It's time for another bonus episode from the geeks. Hosted by Dave Rome, this episode is a dive into the world of torque wrench usage. Oh yes, it's time to get nerdy. Anyone who uses a torque wrench should find value in this episode that covers the do's and don'ts in using a torque wrench. To help with this topic, Dave is joined by Alex Boone, an aerospace engineer who works at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Formerly a quality control engineer, and before that, a bike shop rat, Alex knows the ins and outs of using a torque wrench and how best to apply that in bicycle terms. For more on this topic, head on over to EscapeCollective.com for Dave's latest edition of Threaded that summarises and shows many of the concepts discussed within. The full version of this episode is only available to members of Escape Collective. Those on the free feed will hear approximately half the episode. If independent journalism matters to you, you want access to all that we offer (and without ads), or you just want a website that's not trash to look at, then please consider joining at escapecollective.com/geekwarning .

This week's episode is packed tighter than a top tube bag before an all-day outing. Join Suvi, Dave, and Ronan as they chat through the latest industry and product news to hit the cycling world.Within, you'll hear where Suvi's head is at in picking a rear radar, and what Dave suggests for a portable air blower. The geeks also discuss bike-washing tips for those without a garden, plus thoughts on modern drivetrain wear.Members of Escape Collective also get access to the Ask a Wrench segment at the end of the episode, where member-submitted tech questions are answered. Plus, our member-only podcast feeds are ad-free.Time stamps:2:00 - Is Eurobike as we know it now over?9:00 - Good news from Campagnolo12:00 - Trek's gusty headwinds13:45 - Garmin's new rear radar and Suvi's existing picks23:30 - Surly's Midnight Special gets some fiber24:50 - Rose's Shave race and endurance bikes36:00 - Bike wash tips for apartment dwellers48:30 - Portable air blowers51:30 - The old rules of drivetrain wear no longer apply54:00 - Ask a Wrench with Zach Edwards (Members Only)54:30 - Dropper posts and internal cable routing woes1:05:00 - A funny PSA1:6:30 - Full Mount derailleurs and stripped bolts1:13:00 - Brake pad compounds for ultra wet off-road riding

Welcome back to Geek Warning! Turn up that radio and listen Suvi, Ronan, and Dave as they discuss the latest big stories in cycling tech.From why many dropbar MTBs being sold have it wrong, through to a rant about stem designs with limited adjustability, there's plenty to geek about this week.Members of Escape Collective also get Ask a Wrench, where Zach Edwards (Boulder Grupetto) and Dave Rome answer a number of technical questions.Happy bike nerding!Time stamps: 2:08 - Our first Velofollies6:00 - Why many dropbar MTBs are half-baked16:00 - A concept bike designed partly for reality25:30 - Less happy industry times29:30 - Gravaa ceases33:00 - On Dave's mind: Stems that can't be moved without cutting steerers42:00 - MADE tickets now open43:00 - Ask a Wrench with Boulder Grupetto (Members Only)44:00 - How do Hookless Max tyre pressures scale with size?51:00 - Quick connectors for hydraulic disc brakes?56:00 - Cannondale Ai offset confusion1:01:00 - Converting an old 29er MTB to dropbar

Welcome to a new year of Geek Warning, the cycling tech-focused podcast from Escape Collective.This week, Ronan and Dave get back into the swing of things by covering some fresh products from Cane Creek, SRAM, BBB, and more.It seems Ronan and Dave both had PSAs on their minds, so we have two this week. One is about watching wear on what are common wear items. The other is about how to perform a basic safety check on any bike.Unfortunately, we hit audio issues with the member-only Ask a Wrench that only showed up during editing. For some reason, the recording device decided to give Dave a lisp and mute him off-and-on. Sorry.Time stamps:4:00 - Cane Creek answered Dave's wish15:30 - BBB's CoreCap19:20 - SRAM goes shorter in cranks22:30 - Tailfin's bottle cage mount where you want it24:30 - Garbaruk breaks SRAM's rules28:00 - RIP Joe Montgomery29:00 - Mechanic crystal balling is on Dave's Mind38:30 - A basic safety check procedure43:00 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland (Members Only, with some audio issues, sorry!)43:30 - SRAM eTap rim brake shifters50:30 - Draining a bike and warding off corrosion1:04:30 - Can 3D printing save me from a new Wahoo speed sensor?1:08:00 - How to make toe spikes last longer

The red carpet is out and dozens of interesting cycling products are strutting their way down it.In this final episode of Geek Warning for 2025, the full cast of geeks assembles for the GWAs. What's the GWAs you ask? What's the GWAs?! It's only the most prestigious and hard fought nonsense in all of cycling tech!As always with Geek Warning, there are interesting and informative tangents around every corner. If you're keen on those time stamps in order to jump through the sections, then you're truly missing the point of this podcast.Much of this episode is free to all, but only members of Escape Collective are invited to the afterparty. And as is often the case, it's the afterparty where things get said and friendships are broken. If you haven't already, it's never too late to join.We had fun putting this one together and we hope you have fun listening to it.Time stamps:2:30 - The about time reward4:30 - Best new drivetrain10:00 - The coolest bike of the year18:30 - Our favourite products (one each)32:00 - Our most read tech articles38:00 - The biggest industry story and the word of the year41:30 - We didn't see that coming46:00 - Most overrated new trend56:00 - The Members Only after party57:00 - The buyer's remorse badge1:08:00 - The ‘Wait, What?!' Award1:11:30 - Media Beef of the year1:24:00 - The reoccurring news award1:27:00 - The messiest situation (shituation?)1:32:30 - The Grumpies1:34:00 - Most anticipated new thing

Geek Warning time! Factor's new One aero road bike, SRM's non-power pedals, and whether riding bikes ever feels like work are all things Dave and Ronan discuss this week.There's a bit of happy news for Spotify users, with our member-only channels now available on the green app. If you've been missing out on the Ask a Wrench segment (this week with Brad Copeland) because you're loyal to Spotify, then now is the time to jump in.Time stamps:3:00 - Factor's new One14:00 - New non-power pedals from SRM23:00 - Cube's recall25:30 - Do we ever get sick of bikes?37:30 - PSA for the bearings on your bike40:15 - Ask a Wrench (Members Only)41:00 - When to replace a punctured tubeless tyre49:00 - How much of a difference do a few millimetres make?57:00 - Pressures for winter tyres

In this episode, we finally dig into the tyre-testing project that quietly consumed most of my year.Nine months, six tyre widths, hundreds of test runs, three road surfaces, four identical wheelsets, and far too many cold late-night tests than any sane person should attempt. But it was worth it.Today, Ronan is joined by John Buckley the founder of Streamlines Aero, the company behind the hardware and technical support so crucial to this testing. Together, we break down how the test protocol worked, why it's different, and why those differences matter. We also unpack the major findings: why pressure mattered more than width in this dataset, why some long-held assumptions didn't hold up in the real world, and how tyre temperature turned out to be one of the biggest and least appreciated variables affecting performance.This is just the beginning. Later in the episode we explain where our tyre testing goes from here and what to expect in the new year.

Today on the show: There's pizza on the roof in Azerbaijan, we return to Israel intersection, and there's an auction that anyone with a spare $1000 should be watching very closely.

This final installment of the Orogenesis Dispatches series, which features host Josh Weinberg interviewing ultra endurance cyclist Kurt Refsnider, who has just completed the first full ride of the Orogenesis route – a massive backcountry mountain bike trail traversing the western U.S. from Canada to Mexico. The episode reflects on the full journey, covering logistics, experiences, highs and lows, and what's next.After riding for 72 of the past 82 days, Refsnider had just completed his ride and was enjoying some downtime before heading out again, this time to tackle Mexico's Baja Divide Trail. He detailed how, during his time following the Orogenesis route, he rode 3,130 miles (~5,000 km) and climbed nearly 413,000 ft (~126,000 m) of elevation across three states and a mix of singletrack (40%), pavement (10%), and a remainder or dirt tracks and Jeep roads.Looking back on the past three months, Refsnider talks of how the adventure was both a personal and collective effort. He experienced Orogenesis firsthand and tested what a purpose-built, bike-specific, transcontinental singletrack route feels like, while also demonstrating that the route “goes,” hopefully inspiring others to attempt it and validate the years of planning by the Orogenesis team. He also offers key highlights from the experience, lessons learned, and a deep dive into the gear he selected for the journey.

Today on the show: ASO rejects Ralph Denk's sausage mountain feifdom, Israel-Premier Tech goes dark, and we were very e-xcited by the e-cycling e-world e-championships!

Today on the show: A budget cap? But not for us! Mads Pedersen speaks out against the horrors of the Saitama Criterium, and the Olympic velodrome was farting.