NYSteve

I am wondering which is better for you and why?

I don't have a bike computer, I have been using Map My Ride, but I hear and read so much about Strava.

I only want it to map my ride, list my distance. I want to show off to my friends. My former Fast Bastard self is very proud of every mile I put on my bike.

YogaKat

I started out with mapmyride and it has my entire cycling history as well as other workouts and my friends also use it so we have fun with challenges. I just recently started using Strava as well. It seems to have a lot more information and analytics as well as information on local flybys which I think is fun.

Currently I use them both at the same time, each for different reasons..

kc0bbq

I use Strava just because that's what I started with when I wanted something to leave notes for myself about rides. Then I started doing group rides and getting some followers and they were all being entertained by my comments to myself which were not really meant to be read by anyone else.

Flybys and some of the ride/segment comparison stuff is interesting. MMR has better route mapping, but I don't know if better is actually necessary, Strava is usually at the "good enough" level.

Podagrower

I used Strava early and hated it, every segment I rode I was DFL, and I thought it was pointless, so Imoved to Mytracks and used it for a long time because everything could be exported to a spreadsheet. Tried MMR once, but it said I was doing 99 MPH down a hill, so I decided the data would be inaccurate. Now I'm back to Strava, I have 2 KOM, a few top 5s, and seeing PR on routes I've ridden before is always a good motivator. At least 1/2 the people I ride with regularly use Strava, so it makes it easier to keep tabs and bragging rights.

Jarrett2

Strava is the shiz.

I would say RideWithGPS for map creation, but Strava's new global heatmap-infused route creator is beyond slick. I just used it to map out a rider-friendly route for my upcoming self-supported tour based on popular bike routes.

Garmin Connect gets an honorable mention if you are using a Garmin computer with a power meter. It has some slick info on there. It's route creator kinda sucks though.

mkadam68

+1

+1
I also really like their Flyby's tool.

+1

I use Strava with VeloViewer. Best data tracking tool. Period.

I am very anti-MapMyRide, FWIW.

LGHT

I agree.

Another thing I do in strava is create my own custom segments from any starting and finishing point I like and then set goals on those custom segments. Now I can see exactly how fast / slow I’ve ridden the same segment over time. I love this because I have certain climbs that start at a certain house or landmark and end at another landmark. I also have sprints that start and end at a certain points. It’s kind of funny because I ride at a normal pace and then all of a sudden I break out into a sprint and stop exactly a mile later. I few cars thought I was trying to race or keep up with them.

Of course you need to have to full premium edition to do this which is fine because I got half off when I picked up a speed cadence sensor at that same time.

Black wallnut 

I've used both. As a phone app I preferred Strava. I could never get all of the features to work right with MMR. Once I went to a Garmin bike computer Strava won the battle between the two. The metrics and layout were better. MMR when viewed on a PC just sucks with inline advertising with view timers every time you change the screen. Strava does not do any of that horse****. My time is valuable. Strava became a paid subscription when I moved up to HRM and speed/cadence on the bike.

bbbean 

Try both of them. They're free.

Either one will do a fine job of recording your rides, planning routes, and logging your exercise. But Strava has a MUCH larger and more active user base, and therefore is far more interesting for the social aspect.

Fangowolf

A year ago this wasn't even a contest. MMR has gotten alot better, but I still like strava better.

dr_lha

Strava. No ads and it's where all the riders are. Only used MMR for their mapping tools, but Stravas are better now.

HazeT

Strava here just to keep up with friends
Ridewithgps for routes creation with turn by turn
TrainingPeaks for ride, power, fitness, fatigue analysis.

MapMyRide, avoid like the plague.

PatrickR400

I used both but decided to stick to strava (I have a premium account) for the following reasons:

1. Groups. You can follow people and people can follow you. The kudos and comments help keep you working at your goals
2. Integrates smoothly with Tacx TTS4 so my virtual rides get uploaded in a few clicks

3rdcoast

I use MMR and Polar Beat

YogaKat

This looks really nice to use in addition to Strava.

slimyfrog

I used MapMyRide a few months and got tired of the app crashing, not recording, or recording only half my ride. I find the Strava app to be much more reliable and overall offer a lot more useful info. On Strava web, I'm a fan of the route creator as well.

CommuteCommando

+1. MapMyRide, or RideWithGPS (I prefer the later) for route planning, Strava for ride tracking.

YogaKat

Slightly off topic and perhaps a silly question, but regarding Strava: Is it alright to follow people that I find on flybys without knowing them or is that just creepy? (I've only had it for about a week so I'm trying to figure out the etiquette since there is a lot more information regarding local cyclists.)

bbbean 

Yes. It's like following people on Instagram. Follow whoever you want, no creepiness implied.

FWIW, if someone is concerned about privacy, they can set Strava to prohibit or limit people following them.

YogaKat

BPCycler

Thread is a little old but the question is still relevant as both apps continue to improve over time.

I've used MMR for tracking rides then upload my data to Strava. I like Strava's service better over all but continue to use MMR for tracking rides because it tracks in small increments. 10.01, 10.02, 10.1 ect. Strava only in full tenth mile increments.

I was wondering if Strava keeps track of the hundredths and adds to your weekly and monthly totals, or does it just drop those?

dr_lha

I would imagine that they're just rounding up in their web interface. You can download the GPX files of all your Strava rides, so I would guess that behind the scenes, two 10.05 mile rides would add up to 20.1 miles, and not 20.0 miles.

That said, if you care about those 0.01miles, that's probably a sign that you're not riding far enough.

BPCycler

https://www.strava.com/athletes/9304403
That thought actually crossed my mind. lol

I ride 2 - 4 times a week at 8 to 12 miles a pop. Trying to working up to regular 15-20 mile rides.

I'm just going to make the switch to Strava for tracking. It's where most of my connections are anyway. At MMR I only have two.


Edit: Strava profile https://www.strava.com/athletes/9304403

Primitive Don

I just have a cheap Android phone and the free Strava app, and I must say it's pretty cool. Once I figured out how to lock the phone while recording a ride, it has worked great. The bonus is that when I finish my rides, a cyclist/racer friend often gives me kudos and comments. The social networking aspect is cool so far. Also, seeing the stats on the segments gives me a sense of how a 'real' cyclist performs on the same routes I ride and encourages me to want to push myself.

TrojanHorse

Totally agree with all this.

Oh, if you have a power meter golden cheetah has some slick analytical stuff too.

Flybys are pretty cool - I've found some nice new routes near my house by checking out flybys. If you want to see the extreme busy side of flybys, check out this ride a couple of us did on Saturday and hit the flyby button.