23109VC

I am relatively new to cycling... at least really being serious about it. I have been riding off/on for the last several years and had been just using my iPhone with a fitness tracker like Digifit or mapmyride and I would get basic speed info, gps, etc. I currently have an apple watch - and for about the past 6 months I have been using my watch combined iwht apple's fitness app to track basic info.

the watch is nice because I can look at my wrist and quickly see: total time, current speed, average speed, heart rate, etc...

I have seen people with their phones on their handle bars in a mount, or other smaller dedicated devices attached to their bikes that must be recording similar data. I've also heard of Strava - which looks like a site for uploading ride info and you cans hare it directly from there... althoughb my apple app lets me share my info as well if I want to.

I've also seen people talking about how many watts of power they use at the moment or on average.. I don't believe my apple watch / phone can track that..

i'm assuming there may be some third party apps out there that would be better than the basic apple app for trakcing rides? my watch app/iPhone honestly works fine for my needs - but if there is something out there better that most of you use/recommend, I'd be up for checking it out.

thanks.

Jeff Neese

MapMyRide

My wife has it loaded on her iPhone and it works great. It uses the phone's GPS to "Map My Ride". Then it gives you the statistics you mentioned, and (as the title suggests), a map. I like the map a lot - it's fun to see where you rode.

Bike Maps, Cycling Workout, Biking Routes | MapMyRide

Mobile 155

I used my Iphone with Strava for a while and the information provided was OK. But then I decided to get a Garmin and added Garmin Connect on my computer with Garmin Express on my phone. The new garmin is blue tooth and at the end of the ride syncs with the app on the phone and sends the information to Strava.

The Phone works almost as well as the Garmin except if you are planning on using a power meter. I don't use one often and tend to ride by my Heart Rate as much as anything else. One big reason I switched to Garmin was if I was on a long ride draining or running the Garmin dead was inconvenient but a dead phone is a pain.

Why do I use Strava? It is a bit of a social program and make it easy to follow friends and compare results.

RonH

Why look at your watch on your wrist? I have my iPhone mounted on this on the stem on both of my bikes so the phone is right in front of me. No need to move my arm to see my wrist and no need to turn my head either.

ramzilla

Cyclemeter. Apple I-phone compatible freeware. Look for the white bike on the yellow background.

jefnvk

I use Cyclometer on my Windows Phone. It is nice as it allows me to upload my ride directly to Strava (as there is not an official app for Strava on WP).

It goes in my back jersey pocket. All my bikes also have a cheap wired computer, that gives me quick and easy to see speed, distance, and time. Nicer when it is raining, the phone can stay in a dry baggie.

John_V 

^^^This!

Cyclemeter captures data on your iPhone and will send the data to your Apple Watch at the same time. It will also allow you to customize the Apple Watch screen/page layout so that you see exactly what you want to see and how you want to see it. You will need the Elite version of Cyclemeter to use the Apple Watch but it's low subscription price is yearly and not monthly, like most of the other popular cycling apps. You may want to check out Garmin's website for handlebar mounts for their Forerunner GPS watches. It will keep the watch in front of you and keep you from having to constantly lift your hand off the handlebars to look at the watch. They also reduce the risk of scratching the watch during a fall.

SpeshulEd 

Strava.

/thread

Hiro11

Strava + smartphone. Get a Garmin if you have some extra cash.

therealjoeblow

I tried MapMyRide, Strava and Runtastic Roadbike.

Runtastic was hands-down the best of the 3 in my opinion. Out of the 3, I couldn't for the life of me figure out why people like Strava compared to the others.

Cheers
TRJB

memebag

I used Strava + an Android phone for 3 years. That works well, but can be hard on the battery, and smart phone GPS is not as good as dedicated GPS units. So now I use a Garmin Edge 25. It automatically uploads my rides to my Android phone, which automatically uploads them to Strava. Longer battery usage, more accurate, and it shows me when to turn when I'm on official rides. The Edge 25 is also inconspicuous when mounted on my stem.

SpeshulEd 

Do your friends congratulate you for long rides, PRs, Trophies on Runtastic? Can you compare your riding stats with everyone else on Runtastic? Does Runtastic sync to your Garmin and Zwift accounts? Does VeloViewer connect to Runtastic so I can compare all of my stats and analytics from all the years I've been riding?

Seattle Forrest

A Garmin. Their watches work better than their Edge units, but aren't as convenient to look at while on the bike.

jeffreythree

Strava + smartphone. Turn it on, stick it in my pocket, and forget about it. Review it at home on my pc with the stravistix add on. I usually wear a $20 Jarv Run BT hr strap with it to use the fitness and freshness function which has turned out to be very helpful.

therealjoeblow

I ride for myself and am personally gratified by my own advances, successes and accomplishments. I don't post my stats (nor anything else about my personal/private life) on social media of any kind, and don't need anyone else to congratulate me or stroke my ego; but that said, yes, with Runtastic, you can do all of those things if you are so inclined, and yes, you can compare your stats and analytics for your entire history. I have about 5 years of stats stored in the Runtastic cloud that I can review and watch my progress.

Cheers
TRJB

GeneO 

Geez, everyone doesn't ride to compete. Only competition I do is with myself. Something simple as a Garmin edge 500 and connect is good enough for me. It shows me my basic stats real time when I am riding and I can analyze my rides fine with Garmin connect. I could give a flying hoot about Strava. I hope I am never inflicted with it, I would have to quit riding because it would no longer be real fun.

SpeshulEd 

You asked why people like Strava over the others, I gave examples - wasn't trying to offend.

I use a Garmin, it syncs with Strava...I'd have to upload every ride manually with Runtastic. That's a YUUUUGE negative for me.

Chandne

I use Strava only now. Well, I use a Garmin since I can get 15+ hours of battery life but my Garmin automatically uploads to Connect app on my iPhone an then automatically to Strava. All my cycling friends are on Strava now too, so we can compare rides/routes and comment or ask questions. The iPhone works in place of the Garmin but it is pretty worthless on MTB rides since there is no signal and it drains very quickly. Plus, if I crash, I'd rather let the Garmin take the hit. I like Strava a lot.

builderguy

[QUOTE=jefnvk;19159216]I use Cyclometer on my Windows Phone. It is nice as it allows me to upload my ride directly to Strava (as there is not an official app for Strava on WP).


I loved my windows phone. I still look at them on ebay. They just never really got off the ground. I always think I'll get another one, then I back out. They just don't have some of the apps I use.

I use the same mount as RonH. Target has them for $20. Works great.

I use Map my Ride. Does everything I want it to do. Almost. Sunday it emailed me with week end results. It's never done that before. Must have been an update.

I do wish it would track cadence. I imagine I would have to have one mounted to the bike to do that.

caloso

You need a powermeter to measure power. These are basically strain gauges in the hub (PowerTap), crankset (SRM, Quarq, Pioneer), or pedals (Garmin, Look) that transmit that data to a computer like a Garmin.

bgraham111

Strava is my go to app to track and store rides, as it is for many many people.

When I started, I used my cell phone. Then I upgraded, and got a Garmin 500. Then I got a Garmin 800. I actually use the Garmin 500 more, and I like the look and functions of it better. Go figure. I track heart rate on both Garmins.

For power, you need a power meter on the bike (pedals, BB, rear axle, etc... although there are some coming out for shoes). Power meters are a little more pricey, and I haven't found the need for them yet. But I'm sure they are a blast to use. (I'm an engineer - I like data.)

Jarrett2

Buy whatever Garmin Edge you can afford and link it to Strava.

I wish I would have done that much sooner.

jefnvk

I'm not much of an app guy. I've got Facebook and Untappd, a bike tracking app, a native news/sports score app and FM radio and TuneIn, so the overwhelming majority of app needs are met. The base platform is SO much better than Google, though, light enough that even cheap hardware works well with it. I bought my phone unlocked and outright from a Microsoft store for $149, I can't imagine paying that much or more for Apple or Google for a locked contract phone.

But, to keep it on topic, if you want tracking anything that links to Strava will keep you in the loop.

jgwilliams

Thanks for that info. I have a Lumia myself (and I love it) so I'll give it a go.

I have an eight year old Garmin Edge 705 that is still going strong but there are occasions when you want to track a ride without getting out the Garmin, and a phone is something that you always have on you. Plus I get bonus points on my health insurance for tracked exercise, although their support for apps is quite limited so I may not have any luck there.

John

jgwilliams

Strava does do a guestimate of power output but I don't imagine it's very accurate. It doesn't appear to take note of wind for starters. What it does do for free, though, is allow you to use it as a measure of your progress. I got back into cycling regularly this year after a few years of being a bit sporadic and it's been gratifying to see my power output climb as I've got fitter.

John