Podcasts about road bikes

Today on the show: We have new world champions, but there are many more fun things to talk about from the road races in Rwanda. Meanwhile, breaking news, Juan Ayuso is already causing a ruckus at Lidl-Trek.

Juan Ayuso has a new home, Chloe Dygert has a sticker printing machine, and there are also some World Championships happening in Rwanda. 

This week on Geek Warning, Ronan Mc Laughlin and Dave Rome discuss why SRAM's battle with the UCI may also prove positive for Shimano.Ronan asks Dave what his workshop wish is, which leads to an unexpected tangent about bike washing. There's, of course, a PSA, which ends up being a conversation about how to align dropbar shifters. And the geeks summarise a bunch of the latest and biggest new tech.Lastly, Zach Edwards (Boulder Groupetto) joins the pod to answer some questions from members in the Ask a Wrench segment. As a reminder, only members of Escape Collective get access to this section of the podcast.Happy geeking!Time stamps:1:00 - A hypothetical question5:30 - SRAM taking the UCI to court, explained (plus a big rumour)10:15 - Waiting on an update to the UCI's handlebar ruling (now out of date since recording)13:00 - Ronan ponders Dave's dream workshop wish 25:00 - PSA that alignment markings on bars may be fictional plus an explainer on road shifter alignment38:00 - Rotor returns to the groupset game, sorta40:15 - Further update on SRAM's Transmission firmware update41:40 - Trek's CheckOut, a full suspension gravel bike43:15 - RockShox's matching Rudy XL45:00 - RLS helmet safety system and Canyon growing the full-service side of the business48:30 - Lezyne enters the rear Radar game50:00 - Ask a Wrench (Escape members only)52:30 - Shimano Di2 rear shifting woes58:30 - Adding shifters to SRAM AXS1:04:00 - Greasing posts and cleaning seat tubes

Today, Trek launched a bike that's sure to spark debate in comments sections. It's called the CheckOut. It features a new 60 mm travel front suspension fork, courtesy of the RockShox Rudy XL, and 55 mm rear travel to match. It fits gravel-width cranks and has official clearance for up to 56 mm tyres (about a 29x2.25in).However, it's the design and testing of this bike that brings our fascination up to a boiling point. Trek published a white paper explaining how it used a rolling road with 3D motion capture, on bike sensors, and a metabolic mask to understand the benefits of having suspension on typical gravel terrain. We had questions.So with that, Alex Bedinghaus (Lead Design Engineer) and Kyle Russ (Analysis team) jumped on to geek out with Escape's Dave Rome. The conversation covers the design of the bike, what modern off-road efficiency testing looks like, why gravel bikes continue to go where mountain bikes have been, and plenty more.Meanwhile, head over to Escape Collective.com to see Dave Rome's early coverage of the new Check Out.Those on the free feed for Geek Warning get the first 25 minutes free. Meanwhile, members of Escape Collective get the whole thing, which frankly, includes the best parts.Time stamps:3:00 - Introductions6:00 - The design goal of the CheckOut10:00 - Why not a mountain bike?15:30 - Designing for bikepacking20:00 - Longer suspension and stack heights25:00 - Suspension layout versus Trek's IsoTrust27:00 - Testing explained (Escape Members Only from here on)35:00 - Body is a damper and a spring37:00 - Suspension versus bigger tyres44:00 - Measuring steering compensation49:00 - Qualitative versus quantitative data53:30 - Is smoother always faster?57:00 - CheckOut versus a gravel race bike

Josh Weinberg recently checked in with Kurt Refsnider, a bikepacker attempting the first full ride of the Orogenesis Trail. At roughly 5,000 miles, the route begins at the Canada–US border and travels through Washington, Oregon, and California to the Mexico border, then onto the Baja Divide.At the time of recording, Kurt was in Paisley, Oregon, about 1,100 miles in, nearing California and the halfway point through the U.S. section.Kurt details how challenging the ride through Washington was, with nearly 120,000 feet of climbing and descending over rugged moto trails and non-motorized singletrack near Mount St. Helens. He faced detours due to land closures, and construction added to the difficulty.Once in Oregon, Kurt has primarily followed the Oregon Timber Trail. Using elevation gain as a metric for daily effort, he explains how climbing has taken priority over daily mileage, aiming for 7,000 to 8,000 feet of climbing per day.He also dives into gear maintenance and resupply strategies, which have been tough, with dust wearing down his suspension and brake pads, and unpredictable provision availability. He's already swapped out some wear items and explains how opting for battery packs over a dynamo hub for power has worked out.Along the way, Kurt has been fueled by strong community support.Folks following along are tracking his progress, offering lodging, bringing food, and sharing real-time trail conditions. Looking ahead, he faces a tough, deadfall-heavy section in southern Oregon. Once he crosses into California, he'll encounter faster ATV trails before taking a rest near Quincy and heading into long singletrack sections through Truckee and Tahoe, where we plan to catch up with him again.

Today on the show: Remco made it three in a row as he passed Pogačar by, SRAM is suing the UCI and we have an update on the Israel-Premier Tech situation.

Today on the show: Worlds starts this weekend, we love Tom Pidcock's mum, and Philly is back, baby. 

When Escape Collective first launched, Ronan Mc Laughlin announced plans for an aero leaderboard. The goal was to test race bikes in real-world conditions using the latest testing tools to determine which bikes are the fastest. That obviously didn't come to fruition, and this week, Dave and Ronan discuss why. The conversation leads to the two discussing how they approach reviews and the anxieties that surround them.The geeks also have a PSA, Dave attempts to explain pedal kickback in mountain bikes to Ronan, and there's chat of SRAM's speed update for Transmission.Members of Escape Collective (via the member podcast feed) get the full episode, which contains Ask a Wrench. This week Dave answers a handful of member-submitted questions, which this week relate to bottom brackets, servicing hydraulic disc brakes, and cassette wear.Time stamps:2:00 - Why bike reviews can't have conclusive answers26:00 - PSA related to replacing disc brake pads31:00 - DT Swiss' new DF system and pedal kickback explained39:30 - A quiet release from SRAM that speeds up Transmission shift speed50:00 - Ask a Wrench (member-only feed)50:00 - Specialized's OSBB explained56:30 - Cassette wear and how to measure for it1:04:00 - SRAM Road Hydro lever service1:11:00 - Buying a bike with a BB86 bottom bracket

Today on the show: Alabelievers rejoice, the greatest Vuelta podium on a shortened final stage, and what does this all mean for pro cycling? 

Today on the show: Tadej Pogacar has is mojo back, Juan Ayuso won a bet, and we've got new tech to talk about.

This week, Ronan and Dave ponder how they would equip an entry-level road bike, and while chatting, realise that maybe the industry has backed itself into a costly corner.Of course, there's a PSA and a bunch of tech news to discuss. Meanwhile, members of Escape Collective get access to Ask a Wrench, where this week Dave and Zach Edwards answer four member-submitted technical questions.Enjoy!Time stamps:3:15 - How would we spec an entry-level road race bike22:30 - A PSA to grease your axles27:20 - Cervelo's new R530:40 - Castelli's PFAS-free poor weather jacket37:00 - SRAM's 1987 Limited Edition Silver group38:00 - What's coming up, plus Escape gets a much-wanted feature42:00 - Ask a Wrench (member's only)44:00 - Suspension service intervals and not riding50:00 - Breaking chainring bolts56:00 - Using a shorter fork on a modern XC bike1:01:30 - Why are aero wheels not a thing in fast MTB races?

Or is there any difference anymore? Today on the show: Is the Vuelta is a real bike race? Is UAE a good bicycle team? Is Chris Hoy the best? And is Geraint Thomas happy he's done? 

An Irish road cyclist walks into the R&D department of an international bike brand and rides a prototype mountain bike. That's the joke.In this episode, Dave and Ronan discuss 32-inch-wheeled mountain bikes and whether Ronan is now a mountain biker.There's a detailed chat about the torque required when working with UDH hangers or SRAM Full Mount derailleurs, along with some buying advice for an appropriate torque wrench.There are new road bikes from Pinarello and Scott worth talking about, while Shimano's new cleats are equally worthy of discussion.The free-version of the episode wraps with a quick chat about Dave's recent counterfeit chain article, while the Member-only version offers some more detailed answers on this matter. Then it's time for Ask a Wrench, where Dave is joined by mechanic Zach Edwards in answering a handful of member-submitted technical questions.Happy geeking!As requested by a few members, we're now offering episode chapters – hope it works as expected! And a language warning for around the 9-minute mark, as Ronan is a potty mouth.Time stamps:1:23 - Corrections Corner for another podcast3:55 - Ronan is now a mountain biker?20:00 - PSA - Torque that UDH and Full Mount, plus a tangent on torque wrench choice33:28 - Shimano's new cleats42:26 - Explaining Pinarello's Dogma F-Series50:12 - Scott's interesting new Addict endurance road bike58:42 - Counterfeit versus Fake Chains1:14:18 - Ask a Wrench: Chain waxing in hot conditions (member only)1:20:50 - Ask a Wrench: Wheels with creaking spokes (member only)1:28:00 - Ask a Wrench: Setting up a kids bike for better shifting (member only)

In this first dispatch from the field, Josh Weinberg talks to Kurt Refsnider, who is attempting to ride the entire Orogenesis Trail from the Canadian border through Washington, Oregon, and California to Mexico via the Baja Divide.On day 12 of his journey, Kurt shares his progress, which entails riding over 500 miles into Washington with nearly 85,000 feet of climbing, much of it on challenging single-track and moto trails.Kurt also discusses the physical and mental demands of this particular trail thus far. He compares the experience to other long-distance trails, such as the Colorado Trail and the Tour Divide, with an emphasis on how rugged and demanding Orogenesis is. Reflecting on the balance between effort and reward, Kurt also touches on the performance of his equipment, camping conditions, and the encouragement he receives from local riders and towns.

Remember when Juan Ayuso was the biggest story of the week? Today on the show: Protests in the Basque Country bring the Vuelta to a halt, GC Pidcock has arrived, maybe? And we still haven't talked about Juan Ayuso officially leaving UAE, so we'll definitely talk about that.

Today on the show: Juan Solo looks to free himself from the new Death Star, rebel fighter Jonas Vingegaard quietly plots his route to destroying the UAE empire, High Prince Kulset is out of a job thanks to his father, and on the distant republic of Edinburgh, the Grand Départ isn't looking as certain as it once was …

Today on the show: Vuelta drama fizzles before it starts and there's been another bike theft.

The Portland-based Made show has wrapped up for another year, and our website has been buzzing with coverage from the handmade bike event.This week's Geek Warning is a bit different from the usual format, with the conversation focused mainly on what was seen at Made. Here, Dave Rome chats with Escape's US tech editor Josh Weinberg along with famed framebuilder (and Escape contributor!) Rob English.Within you'll hear about emerging trends from the custom bike world, why Rob believes there are no new ideas left for bicycles, and some of Rob and Josh's top picks.As usual, the episode wraps with our regular Ask a Wrench segment, where Zach Edwards (Boulder Groupetto) and Dave Rome answer technical questions from Escape members. You'll need to be on the Escape member podcast feed to listen to this section.See all the coverage from Made 2025 here.Time stamps:2:40 - Explaining Made and industry vibes10:00 - Trends in the handmade scene18:30 - Josh and Rob's favourite bikes of Made31:30 - Rob's absolute favourite - a bike from 197936:00 - A little Aero bike38:30 - Favourite small parts of Made55:45 - Ask a Wrench (Members only)57:00 - A corrections corner related to impact wrenches58:40 - Bottom bracket torque settings1:03:15 - Solving a worn dropout1:09:00 - Sticky cables, sticky drink mix

Today on the show: The Vuelta is underway, Vingegaard is back, and Danny van Poppel can't stop collecting yellow cards.

Today on the show: Mads' middle finger, Pogačar doesn't want you to take his picture, and the Secret Pro is back. And no, we will not be answering the question in the episode title. But you're welcome to guess! 

It's a shorter episode this week as Escape's Suvi Loponen and Dave Rome catch up to discuss the spares they carry and how to ensure they work when you need them most.On the news front, they discuss the latest developments regarding the ongoing Shimano crank recall and an unexpected (and hopefully short-lived) issue affecting older Wahoo Bolt and Roam head units.Finally, Zach Edwards of the Boulder Grupetto returns to Ask a Wrench to answer a number of member-submitted questions.Time stamps:2:00 - Shimano crank recall update11:20 - Older Wahoo devices living in 200615:00 - a PSA to check your spares20:00 - The specific spares we carry35:00 - Made is coming up!37:45 - Ask a Wrench (Member Only)39:25 - Impact wrenches around e-bikes45:20 - Sprockets versus Cogs48:00 - Slipping SPD cleats on carbon shoes53:00 - Hanging up modern bikes

Today on the show: A Vuelta preview from Dane, disqualifications at Romandie with Abby, and Mike Woods is retiring, which makes us sad. Plus, the big green egg Pogačar bought his teammates. 

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today.Today on the show: Arkea and maybe Jayco are in a little bit of trouble? Tom Pidcock is going for GC again, and Patrick Levefere is angrily posting photos of his sandwiches.

It's time to geek out. This week, Ronan Mc Laughlin and Dave Rome discuss how as bikes progress, market opportunity is often created in what those bikes previously provided. Through this conversation, Ronan and Dave come to an agreement on a specific style of bike that's obviously missing today.You'll hear a PSA relevant to any modern bike, along with a few quick updates that provide a couple of brief tangents.The episode wraps with Ronan and Dave discussing a fancy type of hex key (the topic of Dave's Threaded article this week). We love our members, and so those on the member-only feed of the podcast get a little extra bonus chat before the regular 'Ask a Wrench' segment kicks in.Happy geeking!Time Stamps:4:45 - There is always an opportunity to backfill23:00 - PSA: Don't ignore worn bearings27:30 - No.6's new gravel suspension corrected rigid fork30:15 - Fara's new GR4 gravel bike and a tangent on claimed frame weights38:00 - Dave has sliding T-handle hex keys on his mind (again)42:15 - The best sliding T-handle hex key (Member's only)49:30 - Ask a Wrench (Member's only)50:00 - Can a chain wear out even when it doesn't measure as worn?57:15 - The best spoke wrench to avoid nipple damage1:02:00 - How should you clean a disc brake? How often?

Today on the show: Pogacar is tired, a punch up in Portugal, and Kit went to a show. Let's get to it.

Is Remco's move to Red Bull good? Is Michael Storer an egg thief? Caley, Jonny, and Iain have the answers. 

A mix of rumours circling and the recently reviewed FiftyOne Sika road bike have Ronan and Dave pondering whether the UCI frame sticker is relevant to many of us. Spoiler, it's not.The episode was recorded a few days before we know for sure, but the social media profiles of athletes strongly point toward some interesting drop-bar-converted mountain bikes for the Leadville 100 race ahead.Ronan and Dave discuss a PSA for themselves, and of course, members of Escape Collective get access to the Ask a Wrench segment with Brad Copeland, where this week a handful of drivetrain-related questions are answered, including one about measuring for lateral chain wear.Enjoy!Time stamps:2:20 - The UCI approval sticker overrated16:50 - Wild bikes expected at Leadville31:30 - PSA for those with an air compressor40:00 - Standert's new Keiswerk44:00 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland (Members Only)45:30 - Chasing noises that only occur under high load54:00 - Upgrading an old MTB drivetrain that's locked to an HG freehub1:03:00 - All about lateral chain wear

“Orogenesis” is the geologic process of mountain building — a gradual evolution powered by unfathomable forces that expand across and transform broad swaths of the landscape.Orogenesis is also set to be the longest mountain biking trail in the United Sates. At 3,500 miles, this new route stretches through Washington, Oregon, California, and then it connects to the existing Baja Divide bikepacking route to add another 1,600 miles to San Jose del Cabo at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula. The creation of such a trail is an absolutely monumental vision, and endurance cyclist Kurt Refsnider will be guinea pigging his way down the full length of it for the remainder of this year as the first person to attempt the ride in its entirety.In this episode, we talk to Kurt Refsnider about the history of the trail, what drew him to it, and what to expect along the way. We'll then be checking in with him over the next few months as he makes his way from the US/Canadian border to Mexico.

Pauline Ferrand Prevot won the Tour de France Femmes in style, there's big drama in Guadeloupe, Roglic dropped his latest quote, and Remco hasn't moved yet. So much to talk about, and to keep us out of our post-Tour doldrums. Caley, Jonny, and Iain bring you the latest. 

It's fun when directors fight. Lucky for us, we've got a true mano a mano bout in the team cars of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. This week, Caley, Jonny, and Dane chat through Visma vs FDJ, Visma vs UAE, and congratulate Ben Healy on winning a fake bike race twice in one go. 

What in the upside-down world is this? Ronan Mc Laughlin has been investigating rumours around the UCI getting involved with the new 32 in wheelsize, and in this episode of Geek Warning, you'll hear the crew discuss what it may spell.Additionally, you'll hear the geeks (Ronan, Dave, and Alex) talk about some products that have left them a little underwhelmed as of late. New SRAM centerlock lockrings are on Dave's mind. And there's a PSA related to disc brake bed-in.Members of Escape Collective also get access to our popular Ask a Wrench segment, where Dave and pro race mechanic (with Specialized Off-Racing Racing) Brad Copeland answer a number of member-submitted questions with helpful tips for all.Enjoy!Time stamps:1:00 - Products that leave us wanting more9:45 - UCI looking to ban 32in wheels and will it matter?28:00 - SRAM finally has centerlock lockrings33:00 - PSA: Brake bed-in is skipped far too much39:30 - DT Swiss' and Swiss Side's recall43:00 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland (Escape members only)45:00 - A call to action for the industry in regards to manuals51:00 - Best chain lube for indoor cycling58:15 - Stubborn tubeless tyre installs1:09:00 - Dehumidifiers and tubeless sealant longevity

Caley, Jonny, and Kit are back in the Spin Cycle studio for the final (men's) Tour episode. Is Pogačar burned out? Was it a good Tour? We have thoughts. 

From the rain-drenched cobbles of the Champs Élysées, Iain Treloar is joined by Joshua Robinson of the Wall Street Journal and Patrick Redford of Defector to discuss Montmartre, an epic stage win, and the whiplash of arriving in Paris. Also: the famous Escape Collective Tour Award Show.

A breakaway winner was expected for stage 20 of the Tour de France, but did anyone expect it to be Kaden Groves?Iain Treloar is joined by Joshua Robinson of the Wall Street Journal, Patrick Redford of Defector, and Jacob Whitehead from The Athletic to discuss the penultimate stage of this year's race.

The final mountain stage of the Tour de France – shortened though it was for cattle-related reasons – went to Thymen Arensman as Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar mostly watched each other on the final summit finish of the race.Iain is joined by Patrick Redford of Defector and Joshua Robinson of the Wall Street Journal to talk about the racing but also the broader strokes.

Recorded just after watching Tadej and Jonas summit Ventoux on aero bikes, this episode sees Ronan McLaughlin, Dave Rome, and Suvi Loponen discuss whether the latest and lightest road bikes are now designed for consumers, while aero bikes are for the pros.Also within this week's Geek Warning, you'll hear Dave discuss why he thinks too many products are being released in an unfinished state. Of course, there's a useful PSA, one that's useful for anyone running disc brakes. And you'll hear the geeks discuss some of the latest industry news.The episode wraps with the Ask a Wrench segment. Here, Dave chats with pro race mechanic Brad Copeland in answering a number of member-submitted questions, including whether premium bottom brackets are less likely to make noises, a deep dive on SRAM's newest ThreadMount power meters and the cross-compatibility available.As usual, you'll need to be a member of Escape Collective in order to listen the Ask a Wrench segment. You can sign up here and gain access to everything that Escape Collective has to offer.Time stamps:5:05 - Are aero bikes now climbing bikes?14:25 - Unfinished products are on Dave's mind25:00 - PSA to check your rotors30:00 - Rapha and EF-Education to part ways35:30 - YT Industries' “restructuring”40:00 - Rouvy acquires BKool48:00 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland (Member Only)53:00 - Are premium bottom brackets less likely to make noise?1:07:40 - Schwalbe, pronounced1:08:40 - SRAM ThreadMount power meter compatibility1:16:30 - Mixing Shimano wheels and SRAM 12-speed drivetrains

The Queen stage of the Tour de France is now behind us. One mountain stage remains. Ben O'Connor played perfect legs with perfect tactics and took home a huge win for Jayco, while behind the battle for yellow wimpered and the battle for third, the white jersey, and the crucial Red Bull classification were absolutely firing. 

A straightforward sprint stage turned out to be anything but. A storm rolled into Valence just before the peloton did and led to a huge pileup in the finale. The good news? The fight for the green jersey is on. And tomorrow? The Alps. 

A beautiful day on Mont Ventoux capped by Johan Bruyneel calling UCI President David Lappartient the "Selfie King." Does it get any better? 

Ever have a question about the Tour de France? We've got you covered. 

Out of the Pyrenees and into the breakaway. The last stage before the final rest day of this Tour de France brought plenty of action, most of it off the front. Plus Pogačar admitted he's been a bit sick and Visma was attacking itself. 

One of the hardest stages of this Tour de France is now behind us. What did we learn? Vingegaard attacked but didn't get anywhere, Pogačar looks comfortable, and the race for 4th-6th is on. Plus, we found some juice on a gondola and there's a new maillot sable in town. 

If a time trial happens at the Tour de France and Ronan isn't there to see it, does it make a sound? Caley, Jonny, and Iain are joined by Defector's Patrick Redford to talk through a TT that ended up tighter (in some ways) than we expected. Plus, more on the 2012 Sky/Brailsford saga and the photographers are in trouble. 

Alternate headline: Jesus Christ PogačarWelcome to a podcast in three parts. Caley, Jonny, and Iain first join from the Tourmalet, then a traffic jam, and then a fascinating restaurant in Lourdes. Tadej Pogačar is the story of the day but there are plenty of other bits to dig into. 

What a stage. The stage of the Tour so far? We think so. It had everything, from breakaway wins to big GC crashes to finish line protesters. Caley, Jonny, and Iain are joined by Joshua Robinson of the Wall Street Journal and (briefly) Defector's Patrick Redford to talk through the day. Today's podcast title brought to you by Jason Gay of the Wall Street Journal. 

We did it. We made it to the first rest day of the Tour de France. It took ten days but we got there. Caley, Jonny, and Iain sit down in Toulouse to answer your rest day questions. 

What a day in the mountains. Two races in one, a fantastic yellow jersey, and the first hints of a coming GC battle. Caley, Jonny, and Iain are joined by Chris Marshall Bell to talk through the day's stories. Alternate episode titles today (feel free to suggest your own):Massif Bental St Martins CollegePhilippe Philippe Simon is Massif France's Bastille Day Bungle is Massif

Jonas Rickaert had a dream.A fast, chaotic sprint made even more interesting thanks to some heroics (or insanity? Fine line) from Mathieu van der Poel on the road to Chateauroux. Caley, Jonny, and Iain break down the stage.

Sprint day! It was a hot one in central France and Jonathan Milan won the drag race up a slight rise to take his first Tour de France stage. Did Alpecin-Decueuninck back the wrong man? And is Pogačar a threat for the green jersey? Caley, Jonny, and Iain break it all down and then extol the virtues of a Bergadou breakaway and discuss Feed Zone Gate. 

We thought it would be a breakaway day, and indeed it was. Ben Healy put on a show, sneaking away at just the right moment to take his first Tour stage win. Behind, weird decisions from UAE and Visma left the pod crew with many questions. Caley and Jonny are joined by pro photographer Zac Williams and reporter Chris Marshall Bell to break down the motivations of those big teams, how Healy pulled it off, and plenty more.