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Updated 01/14/2025
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Updated Weekly
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Updated Weekly

FEB 18

Performance bikes are like phones

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

Feb 18

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55 min
2D AGO

The power of social media

It's Opening Week! The week before opening weekend, the Wheel Talk podcast just opened our new Instagram account. Follow us for women's cycling coverage and news, plus more content from Abby, Georgie, Loren and Gracie. This week, we talk about Pauline Ferrand-Prèvot's extension, salary caps, and the upcoming Classic - Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Plus, Abby chatted with Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig about coming back from her crash in 2024, her first year with Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto, and the one race she wants to add to her palmares.

2d ago

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1h 11m
FEB 20

Bonus: Speaking spokes

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!

Feb 20

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31 min
FEB 17

Pros and cons of the 'new' Paris Roubaix Femmes

After a windy edition of Setmana Valenciana, Gracie, Loren, and Abby chat about the Spanish stage race that attracts a good amount of top talent. They also break down the new Paris Roubaix Femmes course, what it means, and how the change of date will impact the race. Finally, it's back to the Winter Olympics to talk about which retired riders would return to the peloton today and throw their hats in the ring.

Feb 17

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1h 9m
FEB 12

Bonus: Talking torque

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 .

Feb 12

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22 min
FEB 12

Geek Warning: Chains that rust too easily

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

Feb 12

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45 min
FEB 5

Apartment-dwelling bike washing

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

Feb 5

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54 min
FEB 10

They're coming for you, Lorena Wiebes

Gracie, Loren, Georgie, and Abby are back this week to talk about the UAE Tour, Lorena Wiebes, sprinting in February, UAE Team ADQ, and...the Winter Olympics.

Feb 10

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1h 3m
JAN 29

Geek Warning: Tech that doesn’t sense make

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

Jan 29

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43 min
JAN 28

The remarkable life of Phil Liggett (replay)

In this episode replay, I speak to Phil Liggett about how he got his start in commentating, how he met Paul Sherwen, how he’s been doing since Paul’s untimely passing, about his relationship with Lance Armstrong, and the cut-throat nature of his position at the top of his profession. Liggett is undeniably the most recognisable voice in cycling and his dulcet tones have brought the sport we all love into the mainstream through his ‘Liggetisms’, through his descriptions of châteaux, and through his partnership with co-commentator Paul Sherwen. Many enthusiasts say that Phil is long past his prime and should retire. There’s no denying that the media landscape is a very different place now than it was when Phil started commenting — before many of us were even born. But Phil has witnessed and called so many of cycling’s most significant and historic moments; moments that made us all jump out of our chairs with excitement. You have to thank Phil for being part of those memories. Personally, I bookmark my years by who won the TdF in that particular July, and Phil and Paul’s voices are part of that. Phil is now 76 years old and has been commentating since the late 70s. Think about that. His impact on the sport and his pioneering role have been tremendous. These days, while he might get some details wrong while calling a race in front of millions of people, I call tell you first-hand through many interactions with him that he’s still sharp as a tack. And as much as you don’t want to hear it, his commentary isn’t really for you or me, the hardcore cycling fans – it’s for the people who immerse themselves in the Tour de France once a year, and who still love him. From aspiring pro bike racer, to journalist, to commentating with Paul Sherwen for 33 years, Phil is now in the twilight of his career. I sat down with him to hear how he got started, and to learn about some of his struggles along the way.

Jan 28

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57 min

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