I use Strava free app.
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,060
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 422 Post(s)
Liked 245 Times
in
152 Posts
I think it works ok. I’ve downloaded it twice to my phone. The first time, I started it up, the timer started running, I started my ride. When I got to the 6.5 mile stop sign where I normally drink some water, I thought I’d compare it to my bike’s computer. Computer logged 6.5 miles on the route I rode. Strava logged a perfect straight line from my house to where I was stopped. Strava showed 2 miles at 0 minutes, 0 seconds. Now the speed of light would be very scary on a bike, but according to Strava, I’ve accomplished that feat, for 2 miles. I wasn’t impressed, so I removed it and downloaded MapMyRide, which seemed to work ok, but my friend was on Strava so we couldn’t watch each other’s rides. I was talked into downloading Strava again and it has worked fine ever since. I use the free version as well and it seems to work for what I do with it. Maybe the first time I used it I did something wrong?
#27
Full Member
I have an iPhone 6s that needed a new battery, so on every ride I would turn on low power mode prior to leaving. If I did not the battery would die during my ride. But as stated above, in low power mode Strava will lose GPS connection at times during a ride. It happens at start the most. Had the battery replaced(so no more low power mode) on my phone and since then I have had no problems with Strava.
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Bend Or.
Posts: 573
Bikes: 2 TiSports and a Ho Ko E Koo
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
1 Post
I tried to use Strava twice, it didn't work either time. I've been using Map my Ride for the last few years now. It does everything I want. After a ride I upload it to their site where it shows a Google map of my route. One thing I like about it is it shows in a box on the side of the screen a mile by mile, highlighting it on the map when you put your cursor on it and shows my average speed over that mile. If I click on the mile it will show me my maximum speed during that mile.
Last edited by John00; 07-23-18 at 10:53 PM.
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Berkeley CA
Posts: 2,376
Bikes: 1981 Ron Cooper, 1974 Cinelli Speciale Corsa, 2000 Gary Fisher Sugar 1, 1986 Miyata 710, 1982 Raleigh "International"
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 843 Post(s)
Liked 911 Times
in
384 Posts
I have an iPhone 6s that needed a new battery, so on every ride I would turn on low power mode prior to leaving. If I did not the battery would die during my ride. But as stated above, in low power mode Strava will lose GPS connection at times during a ride. It happens at start the most. Had the battery replaced(so no more low power mode) on my phone and since then I have had no problems with Strava.
#30
Chuggin' Along
I've gotten the old "as the crow flies" thing a couple of times with Strava, and I blame it on me not minimizing the app before putting my phone in my jersey pocket or into my holder on the handlebars. (I think I might accidentally hit "stop" if I don't remember to minimize.) The worst time was while I was riding in the "Trans New Hampshire" ride for MDA. Day one was 87 miles (and change), and I didn't notice the straight line until about halfway through the day. Arrrgh!!!!!!
The thing I like the most about Strava is when I do my local rides I can challenge myself on segments. There is one hill in particular which has become my arch enemy.
The thing I like the most about Strava is when I do my local rides I can challenge myself on segments. There is one hill in particular which has become my arch enemy.
__________________
Note to self:
If a road has the word "Hill" included in it's name, it might not be a good idea to try it.
Note to self:
If a road has the word "Hill" included in it's name, it might not be a good idea to try it.
#31
Full Member
I use cycling apps to log my total mileage. Both Strava and MapMyRide will show this but the thing I like about Strava is the Gear details. I can add gear (wheel, chain, etc) and log the miles on each component. Plus if you have multiple bikes you can log each ride based on the bike. Nerdy, yes, but I like that feature.
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: NJ, USA
Posts: 1,064
Bikes: two blacks, a blue and a white.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 369 Post(s)
Liked 614 Times
in
299 Posts
If the free version works for you, well, there ya go.
But if an app is something that really helps you, you like it, and you use it a lot, please reconsider a paid subscription - for whichever app you like the most.
Behind a great piece of software is a crew of of hard working people that took a great idea a *very long way* to finally reach your phone.
While dozens of other companies failed, they worked hard, listened to the users, worked even harder, and survived.
They should get paid for that. And as the beneficiaries of all that effort, we should be glad to pay a reasonable fee.
My Strava subscription costs the same as me buying just one of those folks one beer in a bar once a month. Seems fair to me.
Free apps are for free-riders. Just decide what's right for you.
But if an app is something that really helps you, you like it, and you use it a lot, please reconsider a paid subscription - for whichever app you like the most.
Behind a great piece of software is a crew of of hard working people that took a great idea a *very long way* to finally reach your phone.
While dozens of other companies failed, they worked hard, listened to the users, worked even harder, and survived.
They should get paid for that. And as the beneficiaries of all that effort, we should be glad to pay a reasonable fee.
My Strava subscription costs the same as me buying just one of those folks one beer in a bar once a month. Seems fair to me.
Free apps are for free-riders. Just decide what's right for you.
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 14,509
Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE
Mentioned: 143 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7108 Post(s)
Liked 2,532 Times
in
1,385 Posts
Behind a great piece of software is a crew of of hard working people that took a great idea a *very long way* to finally reach your phone.
While dozens of other companies failed, they worked hard, listened to the users, worked even harder, and survived. They should get paid for that. .
While dozens of other companies failed, they worked hard, listened to the users, worked even harder, and survived. They should get paid for that. .
You can buy them an extra beer for me.
#34
It's MY mountain
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 9,794
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3851 Post(s)
Liked 2,337 Times
in
1,266 Posts
Free version does most everything I want too - paid version doesn't offer anything extra that I want. Hey Strava - here's what'd make me buy up... you limit "free" data to one year's worth of rides... or similar restriction. I've got 6-years worth of rides logged in your app - and it'd piss me off if you took my suggestion... but I'd do it.
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Texas panhandle
Posts: 524
Bikes: 1987 Schwinn Circuit, 1986 Schwinn Passage, 1987 Shogun Katana, 2018 Giant Anyroad Advanced, 2013 Karate Monkey
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 124 Post(s)
Liked 269 Times
in
93 Posts
I use Endomondo primarily because it works with the MyFitnessPal app that I use to track calories. Endomondo is not as much of a social network as Strava. I did check out Strava when I wanted more stats but Endomondo was significantly cheaper for the premium version.
I know this isn't a weight loss thread but by using the apps and riding I have been able to lose 67 pounds so far.
I know this isn't a weight loss thread but by using the apps and riding I have been able to lose 67 pounds so far.
#36
dollar-store reject
Strava has been on & off my phone a couple times.. keeps getting corrupted and acting weird.. timer won't shut off, won't save & upload, etc.
I fall back on MapMyRide and sync it with MyFitnessPal.
MapMyRide does have a serious glitch, though.. it's very susceptible to cellular dead spots.
I fall back on MapMyRide and sync it with MyFitnessPal.
MapMyRide does have a serious glitch, though.. it's very susceptible to cellular dead spots.
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,289
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 654 Post(s)
Liked 560 Times
in
301 Posts
I have enjoyed Strava freebie since 2011. This app has done more for my motivation than anything else. It’s almost like having that rider up the road you just have to catch. I live in a small town community where riders know each other. That alone makes Strava worthwhile for tracking your friends and riding partners.
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 8,552
Bikes: Wilier Izoard XP (Record);Cinelli Xperience (Force);Specialized Allez (Rival);Bianchi Via Nirone 7 (Centaur); Colnago AC-R Disc;Colnago V1r Limited Edition;De Rosa King 3 Limited(Force 22);DeRosa Merak(Red):Pinarello Dogma 65.1 Hydro(Di2)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 550 Post(s)
Liked 276 Times
in
144 Posts
I was wondering if there are better phone apps or is Strava as good as any? The owner of my LBS suggested Strava to me and I have been happy with it but wondered if there was something better or more flexible? I use the free version and have no desire to get into paying for a bicycle riding app. At 69 I am happy just knowing how many miles I traveled.
Thanks in advance, Frank.
Thanks in advance, Frank.
#39
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Rolesville NC
Posts: 816
Bikes: Had an old Columbia in the 80's, here a used Schwinn hybrid, now a Cannondale Quick 3 and a Topstone 105..
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 249 Post(s)
Liked 305 Times
in
138 Posts
Thanks, Frank.
#40
Sr Member on Sr bikes
I think it works ok. I’ve downloaded it twice to my phone. The first time, I started it up, the timer started running, I started my ride. When I got to the 6.5 mile stop sign where I normally drink some water, I thought I’d compare it to my bike’s computer. Computer logged 6.5 miles on the route I rode. Strava logged a perfect straight line from my house to where I was stopped. Strava showed 2 miles at 0 minutes, 0 seconds. Now the speed of light would be very scary on a bike, but according to Strava, I’ve accomplished that feat, for 2 miles. I wasn’t impressed, so I removed it and downloaded MapMyRide, which seemed to work ok, but my friend was on Strava so we couldn’t watch each other’s rides. I was talked into downloading Strava again and it has worked fine ever since. I use the free version as well and it seems to work for what I do with it. Maybe the first time I used it I did something wrong?
Dan
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,140
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2208 Post(s)
Liked 1,453 Times
in
921 Posts

RidewithGPS allows you to set an interval, so it's only updated every 1 or 5 minutes. That feature sure saves on the phone's battery (and data, too, if you care). Downside is it's a hassle to set it up for the wife; I have to log into her computer or tablet for live logging to work. Strava's beacon is a text to her smart phone, click on the link, and she's tracking me.
And neither works at all if you forget to click at least three times on different buttons before you start riding.
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: 961' 42.28° N, 83.78° W (A2)
Posts: 2,344
Bikes: Mongoose Selous, Trek DS
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 941 Post(s)
Liked 319 Times
in
189 Posts

#43
Senior Member
I use RideWithGPS (also free) and if I also want to share my ride with my Strava friends, I can download the GPX file and upload it to Strava with a couple mouse-clicks.
That way i don't have to share every 13-mile ride at 13 mph---I just hit the good ones, or the longer, more challenging rides I might repeat, to compare to past performances and such. I don't need people giving me "kudos" if I went around the block to see if my derailleurs were adjusted right.
RideWithGPS seems easier for planning routes, and tracking routes ... and everything can be swapped back and forth anyway. I like it better ... but then, i am old,. I am not part of the "conected" generation that has to post every morsel of food consumed, and such. Strava is much more social and much better for people who like to compete with friends and strangers.
Check out the free RideWithGPS download, and if you don't like it, toss it, i guess.
That way i don't have to share every 13-mile ride at 13 mph---I just hit the good ones, or the longer, more challenging rides I might repeat, to compare to past performances and such. I don't need people giving me "kudos" if I went around the block to see if my derailleurs were adjusted right.

RideWithGPS seems easier for planning routes, and tracking routes ... and everything can be swapped back and forth anyway. I like it better ... but then, i am old,. I am not part of the "conected" generation that has to post every morsel of food consumed, and such. Strava is much more social and much better for people who like to compete with friends and strangers.
Check out the free RideWithGPS download, and if you don't like it, toss it, i guess.
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Bloomington, Indiana
Posts: 52
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I use a Garmin 230 watch to record my hiking, walking, running, and biking. I use the garmin app on my phone to push the data to Strava, Ride with GPS, and My "MYBlue" health account through work. Strava is my go to program to track my friends and I joined up with a clubs the my church and local shop have. The clubs announce rides and it sends me a note when the rides are starting and where. I'm rehabing at this time, and I love to see where my friends are riding since I can't go out with them. Strava is a good way to keep track of what you have done. I I look up activities from years past to see how my performance was on rides in the past. Or what route I took when we rode somewhere. Ride with GPS can also look up old rides online, but the best I like with it is to look up specific rides in my area that others have done. I use it to get ideas for rides my friends and I ride. But for the most part, I just use Strava.
#45
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 99
Bikes: 2017 Trek DS3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
9 Posts
I use Cyclemeter on my iPhone 8. I use the Premium version, which is $10/year, which is great compared to the monthly charge that Strava has. However, Cyclemeter doesn't sync directly to a FitBit, so I have to sync Cyclymeter to Strava free and that (theoretically) syncs to the FitBit. However, as of late, Strava has stopped syncing to FitBit. I have tried everything I have found by searching to get it to sync, but nothing has worked.
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 564
Bikes: 1976 Raleigh,2015 Bianchi Intenso, 2012 Specialized Secteur.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
I use strava free as well. It does what I need but admittedly that's very little. I don't even have the app, I just send my rides up to strava when I charge my old Garmin Edge 200. I guess about all I use it for are the challenges which do help me with some motivation at times.
#47
Junior Member
When I dusted off my old Bridgestone and decided to get serious again... I bought a Topeak Panobike cadence sensor and I installed the "Panobike+" app on my two iPhones (work and personal). That app has a nice "bike computer" dashboard. As I rode, I could easily see cadence, road speed, distance-traveled, average road speed, and average cadence. At the end of every ride, I could see a map of my ride and statistics for my ride. That might be all you need. But I downloaded every single ride to Strava anyway. The free version is great for reasons others have listed above.
I liked having the app on two phones because that gave me a back-up in case one had a weak battery or whatever... but I never found a way to sync the two. A ride's data was only on one or the other.
I upgraded to the paid version of Strava when I got a heart rate monitor... and I think the combination is brilliant and for me it's absolutely worth it. Now, I have a better appreciation of the line between under training and over training. Also, I'm motivated to compete, and I can define segments.
Topeak's cadence sensor is quite good, but their heart rate monitor disappointed me. (It would stop recording mid ride... and also it ate batteries.) I switched to a Wahoo heart rate monitor, and I believe it's categorically superior. One big advantage is that it has two LEDs on it: one tells me it's paired to my phone, and the other blinks with my pulse.
At the same time, I switched to using Wahoo's "Fitness" phone app. I think it's just marginally better than Panobike+. Like Panobike's, the Wahoo app has a good dashboard and it shows me my route and it logs my rides and statistics for each ride... and I still download every ride to Strava.
I liked having the app on two phones because that gave me a back-up in case one had a weak battery or whatever... but I never found a way to sync the two. A ride's data was only on one or the other.
I upgraded to the paid version of Strava when I got a heart rate monitor... and I think the combination is brilliant and for me it's absolutely worth it. Now, I have a better appreciation of the line between under training and over training. Also, I'm motivated to compete, and I can define segments.
Topeak's cadence sensor is quite good, but their heart rate monitor disappointed me. (It would stop recording mid ride... and also it ate batteries.) I switched to a Wahoo heart rate monitor, and I believe it's categorically superior. One big advantage is that it has two LEDs on it: one tells me it's paired to my phone, and the other blinks with my pulse.
At the same time, I switched to using Wahoo's "Fitness" phone app. I think it's just marginally better than Panobike+. Like Panobike's, the Wahoo app has a good dashboard and it shows me my route and it logs my rides and statistics for each ride... and I still download every ride to Strava.
#48
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Bend Or.
Posts: 573
Bikes: 2 TiSports and a Ho Ko E Koo
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
1 Post
Most people around here use Strava. With Map My Ride there's only 40 or less on the most popular of my rides. I ride every other day, put in so many miles and ride through the winter, so I'm "King of The Mountain", "Sprint King", and "Guru" on most of them, even though there are many people with much faster times than me. I guess MMR is a lot looser with their awards then Strava.
#49
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Eastern NC
Posts: 305
Bikes: '81 Puch '13 Cafe Noir
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
1 Post
I use Runtastic "Road Bike Pro". It does what I need it to do. Actually, it does a lot more than I need it to do. When I compare the mileage from ANY GPS app that I've tried ( I've tried 4 so far) to my Cat Eye computer it comes out to be about 7-10% less than the computer reads. I just figured that since the GPS is performing a running string of point to point measurements which are straight lines. Some corners and turns are shaved a bit. Whereas my Cat Eye represents a direct linear record.
Last edited by slorollin; 08-14-18 at 01:21 PM. Reason: .
#50
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Vermont
Posts: 308
Bikes: Trek Domane SL5, Raleigh Venture 4.0, Ross Gran Tour II
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My wife likes the beacon feature, too -- at least until I take a break. Then I get an "Are you all right?" text to which I must respond immediately. 
RidewithGPS allows you to set an interval, so it's only updated every 1 or 5 minutes. That feature sure saves on the phone's battery (and data, too, if you care). Downside is it's a hassle to set it up for the wife; I have to log into her computer or tablet for live logging to work. Strava's beacon is a text to her smart phone, click on the link, and she's tracking me.
And neither works at all if you forget to click at least three times on different buttons before you start riding.

RidewithGPS allows you to set an interval, so it's only updated every 1 or 5 minutes. That feature sure saves on the phone's battery (and data, too, if you care). Downside is it's a hassle to set it up for the wife; I have to log into her computer or tablet for live logging to work. Strava's beacon is a text to her smart phone, click on the link, and she's tracking me.
And neither works at all if you forget to click at least three times on different buttons before you start riding.