Escape Collective

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Updated 1 day ago
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Updated 25/10/2025
Sports News

Sports News

Updated 8 Mar

4 days ago

Going back to basics

We’re going back to basics in this week’s episode. While Geek Warning is usually for tech-obsessed cyclists, this edition covers the common conversations a bicycle mechanic would have with a client. It’s for everyone and anyone who does a little of their own bike maintenance. Many road cyclists are still relatively new to disc brakes, so Jack Duncan and Dave Rome start the episode with a deep dive into many facets of ownership. The basics of chain lube and drivetrain wear are covered later on, as are some thoughts about tyre wear and who tubeless may be right for. After all that, members of Escape Collective get the usual Ask a Wrench segment, this time with the return of a familiar voice. Time stamps: 00:03:45 - The biggest red flag for when something is wrong 00:06:20 - Brakes usually shouldn’t squeak or squeal 00:16:00 - Disc brake pad wear 00:20:00 - Pad spacers and travel 00:24:00 - Burning brakes is questionable at best 00:26:15 - The importance of brake bed-in 00:29:20 - Why brakes need scheduled bleeding 00:35:00 - Shifting to chain lube basics 00:43:00 - How a drivetrain wears 00:50:30 - Tubeless is great, but not for everyone 00:57:30 - Don’t ignore your front tyre wear 1:05:00 - Ask a Wrench (members-only podcast feed) 1:05:30 - Welcome back to Zach Edwards 1:06:15 - Chasing a forward-offset seatpost 1:14:20 - A weird sound in older AXS front shifting 1:21:45 - Pedals with a top-out knock
16 July

Aero bottles are often a step too far

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
20 July

The Wheel Talk Tour de France Femmes Draft

This week, with the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift on the horizon, Abby, Loren, Gracie, and Georgie draft their own teams for the nine-day race. But first, they talk about the Baloise Ladies Tour and Kate Courtney's introduction to road racing with the top team in the WorldTour. A disclaimer: the finalized rosters for the Tour are not out, so the draft is based on assumptions. Adjustments will be made once the final start list is released.
1 day ago

The 2026 Tour de France Femmes Route (in detail)

With the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift starting on Saturday, Abby, Loren, Gracie, and Georgie break down the 2026 route in detail. Plus, Abby talked to Iris Slappendel about the Cheer Squad that will be on Mont Ventoux for stage 7.
19 July

A crash and a surprise stage winner at the Tour de France

Dane Cash and Cosmo Catalano break down all the action from stage 15 of the Tour de France.
10 July

Rumours all around and the aero cost of being in the Yellow jersey

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
3 July

Making the test provide the desired result

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
16 June

Industry Special EP3: The Rise of the Chinese Brands

They seemed to arrive overnight: Chinese bike brands turning up in the WorldTour peloton, in your local shop, and all over your feed. But almost no one inside the industry thinks it was sudden at all. Most of the bikes we ride have been built in Asia for decades, so perhaps it was only a matter of time before those factories started putting their own names on the down tube. This episode digs into why these brands are expanding now, and the competition this poses for many Western brands who are already struggling. We cover China's national strategy behind the rise, the role COVID played as an accelerator, government subsidies, the domestic price war, and aspects of vertical integration. To become a member so you can listen to this full episode, head over to www.escapecollective.com/overnightsuccess
3 days ago

Alpe d'Haterz | Stage 20, Tour de France 2026

Today on the show: Sepp Kuss comes close, Seixas has a minor falter, and Pogi is a super domestique. If you want to get Golden Hour and After Dark for the rest of the month, then 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 every full-length episode.
13 May

Industry Special EP1: The False Dawn

In our last Industry Special series, we asked how the bike industry got itself into such deep trouble. What we found was a supply chain riddled with problems, a leadership culture built on false optimism, and an industry that mistook a pandemic bump for a permanent new normal. They called it the bike gold rush. Sadly it came to an abrupt end. Since that time, businesses have gone bankrupt. Shops have closed. Thousands of employees have been laid off. So the question has changed. We know how the industry got into trouble. Now we're asking something harder: why can't it get out? Over the past few months, my colleague Suvi Loponen and I have spoken to leaders and employees across the industry to find out if this is something far more systemic than COVID ever was.The following 4 episodes after this one will be exclusive for our members. If you want become a member, go to www.escapecollective.com/overnightsuccess to sign up for a limited time offer.

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