Ian560

I recently bought a Garmin Edge 500 and when I upload thing to my Strava account via my computer, all of the data is slightly different from what the Garmin says, for example I did a 40 miles ride with a 17.3 mph average but the Strava says i did 3 more miles than i did with a 15 mph average. Im confused as to why this is. It is frustrating because I want to know how I actually did on Strava and not only have the stats on my Garmin.

Digitalfiend

I've noticed this with one of my rides. Garmin said I averaged 28.6 km/h while Strava said 29 km/h. So far, only two or three out of 50 rides that I've uploaded to Strava seem to not match up with my Garmin Connect uploads. Wish I could help, but you're not alone in wondering why they are sometimes different. Perhaps it is the conversion from FIT to TCX or the way Strava stores the data (loss of precision/resolution?) The only odd thing is then why doesn't it happen with all uploads.

boxerboxer

I'm almost positive I've seen this discussed before. I don't mean that in a snarky "you shoulda searched first" way but it's worth a try if you haven't.

jsutkeepspining

did you stop at all on your ride? if so strava might be showing your overal average speed, not your average moving speed.

hamster

By Garmin, do you mean the trip meter on Edge 500?

The trip meter could be off if you have a speed/cadence sensor and your GPS unit has incorrect wheel size in its settings. Distance on Strava should be accurate to less than 0.1 mile.

TrojanHorse

In my experience, the "average moving speed" on garmin is generally similar to the strava average speed. Exceptions will crop up if you pause your garmin and move.

The thing that's chapping my hide lately is the altitude - I did a couple laps around my neighborhood today and Garmin said I did 1,200 or so feet of climbing, but when I clicked on the elevation correction button to use survey data, it skyrocketed to 1900 feet. Strave shows 1200 feet or so.

Bah.

Regardless, it's not really a big deal. if your life is in danger because of a few tenths difference between strava and garmin maybe you're over focused. Obviously it would be nice to know which one is "right" but maybe good enough is good enough. Just a though.

Hendo252 

The barometric sensor on your Edge can be more accurate than the "corrected" data.

The problems arise in how well the topo data (the "Survey" data you refer to) is referenced to the GPS position data. If you are near a steep slope (a mountain road, for example) and the GPS data is off by 100 feet, that can turn into a large error in the elevation at your position.

The barometer in the Edge isn't perfect, but most of the time it will be pretty good, especially on rides that are 2 or 3 hours or shorter.

So try it with and without the "correction" and see what you get.

hamster

In my experience, they are all quite consistent with each other. I just came from a ride, Strava is showing 16.6, Garmin Connect is showing 16.61, the odometer on the unit is showing 16.75, and, mapping the route on Google Maps, I get 16.71.

mrardo

I use Garmin training center, Garmin connect and Strava. They all use different rules and algorithms and give a slightly different look at the data. I use them all for different reasons.
One thing they agree on is I suck.

RT

Awesome summation. We all suck

Ricanfred

I agree, but fun to use though....

Elduderino2412

Not to hijack the thread, but what does Strava give you that Garmin Connect doesn't? Never used strava, so just wondering the difference.

K&K_Dad

a facebook like/social media type of feel.

moppeddler

Maybe this is a silly question, but why do you need the Garmin AND Strava? Starva does everything you could want, especially if you pay the fee to upgrade. That's probably still cheaper than the Gramin. The only thing I can see that Garmin might do that Starva can't is display a map while riding. That, and Strava can eat up you cell phone battery pretty good. But then again, I don't have the Garmin, so maybe there are things I don't know.

I like how Starva maps your rides for you so I don't have to go to Map MY Ride and do it manually. I'm thinking about upgrading so I can use my HR monitor with it but haven't looked into the cost yet.

Seattle Forrest

Something like this might be going on, or another problem with the speed sensor. If the Garmin is using that for its summary, but Strava is using the GPS data, that could easily explain the discrepancy. And that's much easier to believe than that one or the other of them got the programming wrong enough to gain or lose 3 miles on a 40 mile ride.

Elduderino2412

Most people that use Garmin Connect have a Garmin GPS device.

Seattle Forrest

I have an HRM and cadence sensor, and a dumb phone. I want my data from every ride I've done, but I don't want to make this available to the world at large. A dedicated GPS unit is much cheaper for me, even an Edge 800; my phone bill is $25 a month, but it would be $50 or more if I had to pay for a data plan. And, as you said, the maps are on the unit, so they're available whether you have a cell connection or not

I started down this path with a hiking GPS, which I'd also use hiking and kayaking; I'd be pretty hesitant to bring an expensive phone kayaking, lest the waterproof bag failed, or I rolled the boat. (You've probably guessed I don't use Strava.)

I'm not trying to be snarky, just to give you an answer.

TrojanHorse

I forgot about that factor too - if your wheel magnet doesn't go by the sensor the garmin won't think you moved, even though the bloody GPS will show that you moved. Mine failed on me once for about 3 miles before I noticed my mileage wasn't increasing, so this could be part of your problem. The GSC-10 isn't the best device out there.

As for why a garmin and why Strava? Well, the garmin is a kick-butt bike computer. I used to have a regular bike computer & used my phone for strava but I do like the GPS and HR functions of the garmin. If I ever get a power meter I'll need it, but that's unlikely any time soon. As for the phone, when you go on a 6 hour ride with sketchy radio coverage, your phone will suck its battery dry and I prefer to keep my phone available for phone uses (google maps if I get lost, emergency calls etc). That's just a personal preference.

The best features of Strava are that it's a sort of social, mutual encouragement site and segments - I can map out a segment that I frequently ride and see how I'm doing over time. Breaking my rides down into chunks is more useful to me than the way garmin connect displays data.

Strava is also a great way to underscore the fact that I am irreparably slow up big hills.

mrardo

Strava gives you computed version of power and you can compete with other riders on sections. Garmin connect has better report functions and I have 704 rides entered that I don't care to import to Strava. Garmin training center has all my rides and is my backup/archive and is good for year to year statisics.

simonaway427

Go look in the SUPPORT section on the STRAVA website...it explains why your Edge 500 data differs than what Strava calculates. Its a combination of how Strava collates all of the data, coupled with the fact that STRAVA reacts strangely if you have AUTO PAUSE enabled on your device.

Bottom line, I use Garmin Connect for my own personal training database, but I use Strava for the interaction and challenges with my friends.

Cowboy905

I have a Garmin Forerunner 305 with HR Monitor and i uploaded my ride to Garmin Connect AND to Strava and while everything is pretty similar, the calorie count is WAYYYY off.

it's showing 2,144cals on GC and 1,094 on Strava.

rangerdavid

the calorie count on Garmin is wayyyyyy off. Strava is much more accurate.

pallen

I would trust Strava more on calories. Garmin's algorithms are notoriously generous on reporting calories burned - particularly on the older units.

simonaway427

If you use an HRM, Garmin's calorie calculation becomes more realistic.

Beaker

The main angle with Strava is that it autodetects your time over stretches of road on your ride ("segments") and tabulates them for you allowing you to see how you've done vs prior attempts. It also searches it's database to show you how you rank vs other cyclists. It makes Garmin connect look pretty vanilla by comparison.