Escape Collective

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Channel • 9 Shows

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Sports News

Updated Weekly
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Updated 2d ago
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Updated Semiweekly
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Updated Mar 8
Sports

Sports

Updated Weekly

MAR 12

Is the new CAAD rider the old CAAD rider?

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.

Mar 12

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51 min
2D AGO

A barrel of UAE Team ADQ riders

There was a lot to talk about after the Trofeo Alfredo Binda, so Loren, Gracie, and Georgie all joined Abby this week on the podcast. We discuss the strength and depth of UAE Team ADQ, the importance of confidence in yourself and your team, how data has changed in-race decisions, and more.

2d ago

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1h 20m
MAR 9

Building Cannondale

In this episode, we are going deep inside the founding story of Cannondale, which has arguably been one of the most innovative bike companies in the world to this day. The founder who is the main character in this story is Joe Montgomery. But he wasn’t a hardcore cyclist as you might expect. He was an entrepreneur who liked building things, hired his customer, and figuring it out as he went. Sadly, Joe passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026. Telling Cannondale's origin story in this episode is Joe's son, Scott Montgomery. Scott lived and breathed Cannondale for most of his career, is synonymous with leadership of his father, and is more than able to do the story justice. If you like this podcast and want to hear more, please support our work by becoming a member: https://escapecollective.com/join/

Mar 9

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1h 30m
MAR 10

Was Strade Bianche the best bike race we've ever seen?

It's a full team this week to discuss Strade Bianche! Gracie, Loren, and Georgie joined Abby to talk all about FDJ United-Suez, how the team expertly pivoted when Demi Vollering was taken off the board, what made Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney and Elisa Longo Borghini's bids for the win different from Chabbey and Koch's, and more.We also talked about the importance of The Cyclists' Alliance, and you can find my written piece on their financial difficulties here.

Mar 10

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1h 5m
MAR 6

Is aero the new all-rounder?

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

Mar 6

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55 min
MAR 7

Did Pogačar actually attack at Strade Bianche?

Dane Cash and Cosmo Catalano are back for 2026 to break down all the action from Strade Bianche. To get access to the full member's only show, sign up over at escapecollective.com/htrww!

Mar 7

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19 min
4D AGO

Victor Campenaerts, Most Valuable Person

Today on the show: Jonas Vingegaard can now be mentioned alongside Eddy Merckx and Sean Kelly, Isaac del Toro grabbed Tirreno-Adriatico by the trident forks, and Javier Romo is angry with Matteo Jorgenson.

4d ago

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48 min
FEB 26

Can we stop talking in absolutes?

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

Feb 26

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51 min
MAR 3

The Omloop did not disappoint

A lot was learning during Opening Weekend, and Abby, Loren, and Gracie are here to break it all down. From FDJ United-Suez's seamless tactics to a promising spring ahead for Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney and our favourite storylines to look forward to this Classics season. Up next: Strade Bianche!

Mar 3

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1h 3m
MAR 8

A stolen bike's journey home

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.

Mar 8

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32 min

Welcome to Escape Collective, your home for independent cycling journalism.