Just started using the free version today. One of my rides uploaded successfully, the other didn't... still trying to figure it out, but from what I have seen the data is accurate and the "tracks/maps" are awesome. Funny thing, someone was riding the trail the same time I was, never saw them, but can see their data. Will update as I figure out the features. Am already thinking about upgrading to the paid version. Am currently just using the app on my phone, may link my Fitbit for heart rate date, etc.
Pros I use it to track my rides and mileage, that all, I am not a fitness nut, I just like to know how far I have gone and if my time is improving, it does a great job and also being the most popular app it connects to most devices out there.
It's a simple to use free app that is pretty accurate. It's fun trying to beat the KOM. I am guilty of forgetting to use it most of the time until I see someone has thrown down a lightning fast run. Pretty competitive
I just don't really get this one. I have my Garmin Edge 500 and I download my rides into their software, but i don't really see the need to use Strava. I get the bragging rights and stuff of beating friends times, but I just don't have that with mountain biking. I don't care about racing and just like to be out and riding. I'm not slamming this or the folks that use it. It's just not for me.
Pros Great for tracking roadie progress and/or courses.
Cons I don't see the use case for mountain bikers.
I have recommended this, I enjoy watching fellow riders I know go out and do their thing, I like the monthly challenge but like I say it is geared towards road riders therefore not an accurate view of where I am personally with fellow mtn bikers.
Pros keeps track of trail ridden
auto stop feature so instead of door to door you get actual moving time
recognizes you are riding with other strava users
Cons only one type of map
no satellite style map
no mtn biking feature
geared to road bikers
quits in the middle of a ride once in a while
constantly have to change the filter on segments
It won't hurt you to download Strava. Its free and it has its advantages. I typically run Strava and Map My Ride in conjunction so I can spot inconsistencies, have voice feedback, and an unpaused version of my workout time. No app has everything but this is the best purpose built one out there.
Pros OK so since its free I won't complain much, apparently that last guy did enough complaining for all of us. In short, the app is more cycling specific than any other apps that I have found, including Map My Ride. I love the head to head Segment battles though they aren't 100% accurate. I often find new trails by using the Segment Explorer and seeing others times against yours is somewhat motivational. There are very few app glitches on my phone and very, very few speed spikes in my neck of the woods, even with poor signal. With the web page, you can create a road (or crude off road) course that will allow you to fine tune a workout by mileage or altitude gain. When you use this on the ride, make sure you hit that starting point and it starts tracking or it will not log anything.
Cons In the free version, no real time tracking, trail distances vary greatly from ride to ride. Paid app is too expensive for a weekend warrior. Data is needed upon start of ride to find your starting point. Doesn't work the greatest with low signal, neither does any other phone GPS app tho. Doesn't have voice feedback options like Map My Ride.
Innards:
1. It needs an internet connection in order to show you the track after your run/bike ride. This is ridiculous: the app only needs a GPS signal in order to show me my workout stats. *Maybe* it needs an Internet connection to show it on a map, but why the app relies on a mandatory Internet connection to sync the 'feed' is beyond me. The Nike Running app works just fine without WiFi and Cellular, as do many other apps.
2. You cannot edit a workout session, which you sometimes need to do because you answered a phone call right before the start or something. However, that option is only available on your personal webpage.
3. No auto-pause on incoming calls, no auto Do Not Disturb when firing off the app, only have audio feedback at 0.5 or 1.0 km/miles, or off, but no time or less often intervals. Bit annoying for marathon runners, never mind endurance runners. No audio feedback on cycling.
4. No countdown to start
GUI:
1. When tapping 'Record' before your Run / Bike ride there's an option to choose between the two. But it's a Pull-down menu: this ought to be a slider so it is immediately apparent what that icon does, showing the 2 option without having to tap on it. What's weird is that your personal webpage on their website has a whole list of activity options.
2. You can set a 'Performance Potential' in your profile. But only for 1 type of workout, while the app was designed for both running and cycling.
3. The fonts are readable, but way too small. There is a vast amount of empty space, and the choice of orange/red on a black background doesn't help, it's all quite difficult to read. And while that may be due to loss of eye sight on my part, the app should be designed to make better use of screen real estate.
4. When looking at your ride on the map you cannot view it in landscape. Why is this unfortunate? Because you're not making full use of the display when you have a West/East or East/West track.
5. In the app you can only choose between cycling or running while the webpage with your workouts has a whole list of activities to choose from (though I would like to know what the difference is between 'Run' and 'Running').
6. Your personal webpage shows your workout on a (Google) map. You can't however zoom in very far, Nike does this better. Oddly enough you can zoom in all the way on your iPhone which has Apple Maps.
7. The activity type colour-coding differs between the webpage and the app. Red for cycling, green for running on the website. In the app they're both red. Designed without thinking, without testing, without an eye for detail. Which, when someone writes for Apple devices, is, well, odd.
8. If you don't have an Internet connection you can still view your 'Feed' but the map isn't displayed; only the track is. Strangely the map is displayed when you tab the 'expand to full screen' icon in the top left corner (tapping on the map itself is broken)
GPS:
1. The GPS obviously relies on the GPS data the iPhone gives access to. Why it takes about a minute to get a fix on where I am where it always instantly works when shooting a picture is beyond me.
2. The GPS registers my bike ride seemingly fine: anything from 0 km/h to about 35 km/h. After a bike ride I'm always seeing strange peaks at some weird speed, like 80 km/h. No way I did that, so it might be due to a faulty GPS signal. And while the app itself cannot be blamed for what data iOS is giving to the app, I can't wrap my head around the fact that the designers of the app never tested it themselves. Make no mistake here: it was designed by IT people who have never used the app outdoors, on a full day trip, or doing half a marathon with it. If they did they would have seen these peaks happen in almost every Record, and should understand that it makes the collected data completely useless as your average and max speed is completely off. In their defence, none of these running/cycling apps take the time to write the app in such a way that they delete these weird peaks in impossible speeds/distances, if they wanted to stand out of the crowd Strava would have taken care of this. Alas, it's yet another useless app, doesn't matter if it's free or if they charge $499 for it: the recorded data is useless.
3. On a 5 hour bike ride the app says my ride was 10 minutes shorter than what my Garmin GPS tells me. While this could be the fault of my Garmin device (which is a total piece of crap, in spite of its $700 price tag; device maps subscription) but because they are both using the same satellites one would expect simple times to be the same.
4. The GPS signal says it works indoors when I have my home WiFi on. Yet my home WiFi isn't recorded in any database as I have the protecting foil on my windows; no one knows the location of my WiFi yet the app says the GPS signal is strong, but that's impossible because I am indoors and no other GPS devices or apps on my iPhone work indoors.
So, in short, another useless GPS workout tracking app. In their defence, all these apps are completely useless as they don't look at what is recorded, what could be wrong with the GPS data, and correct it either automatically or prompt the user to edit out these sudden spikes in speed increase. These developers may hide behind the fact that they cannot influence or guarantee the quality of the information the GPS gives their app, but why is it then that native iOS apps, like the Camera has excellent and instant GPS signals and recordings?
And it doesn't matter that the app is free; I'd pay good money for a working app, but it doesn't seem to be available.
Now for the good stuff:
1. The available voices, they have quite a list of languages, many available as male and female. Great way to brush up on, say, the Thai language.
2. Your personal webpage looks good, is clear, easy to understand.
3. The summary of your workouts on the Profile page in the app are nice.
4. Their website has various import options, also BATCH import from GPS files (max 25 per upload), which is great. Not many apps have this option.
5. Social: FB, Twitter, mail, thumb-up, comments.
6. The app supports 5 HW devices: HRM, Power, Speed/Cadence & Footpod. These need to be either BT (Low Energy) (no WiFi), or ANT , however this isn't supported natively by the iPhone. There are adapters, but only with the 30-pin, making you need a 2nd adapter for the 5, 5s & 5c. The app also supports Echo & RFLKT.
Totally recommended. I was originally using Mapmyride but had so many issues, like loss data and app problems.
Pros 98% reliable
Great interface
Great website
Cons Live Segments could be designed so that it is more useful...as in:
When you click on the segment, it should take you to the segment's main info page.
If you are super competative then this is the app for you. I perfer the data and being able to see the map during the ride so I will stick to Runtastic Mountain biking. I do however download each GPX from Runtastic and upload it to firstly Singletracks.com to update any trails and then to my STRAVA account.
Pros Tracks a lot of data and there is a free version
Cons I don't care too much about how fast I am on the tril as long as I have fun!
Most of the segments are just short climbs or decents anyways. It would be nice if there where more full loops as segments. It would be nice to be able to see the map during the ride also!
I don't take Strava very seriously, since it's stats are not true (ex.: distance). But still interesting to track workouts. And now it's possible to get a GPX file of your ride. It also uses very little of phones battery. I like this app
Pros Free, records all your activities, shows stats.
Cons Can't see your track while riding. Like any GPS, provide incorrect mileage.
This is a great training tool to push yourself to the next level and see where you are among other riders in the area. I don't always use it, but checking occasionally can really show your progress.
Pros Awesome to see how fast other people are, makes it easy to set goals, easy to track riding information
Just started using the free version today. One of my rides uploaded successfully, the other didn't... still trying to figure it out, but from what I have seen the data is accurate and the "tracks/maps" are awesome. Funny thing, someone was riding the trail the same time I was, never saw them, but can see their data. Will update as I figure out the features. Am already thinking about upgrading to the paid version. Am currently just using the app on my phone, may link my Fitbit for heart rate date, etc.
Pros
many features
Cons
| ThankLost one of my rides today...
great way to keep track of your rides for free.
Pros
I use it to track my rides and mileage, that all, I am not a fitness nut, I just like to know how far I have gone and if my time is improving, it does a great job and also being the most popular app it connects to most devices out there.
Cons
| Thanknot really mountain bike specific.
Pros
Phenomenal. I can never go fast enough until I'm #1 on every segment.
Cons
| ThankMakes me ride faster than I otherwise would.
Not much more to say.
Pros
Great app that works well and helps keep track of your rides
Cons
| ThankPeople can ride purely for the winning time, which can ruin social rides.
Pros
accurate enough, FREE
Cons
| ThankI don't think it is the best with elevation
Yep.
Pros
| ThankDoes what it's suppose to do.
It's a simple to use free app that is pretty accurate. It's fun trying to beat the KOM. I am guilty of forgetting to use it most of the time until I see someone has thrown down a lightning fast run. Pretty competitive
Pros
Accurate
Free
Cons
| ThankMakes me override some corners,,,
I just don't really get this one. I have my Garmin Edge 500 and I download my rides into their software, but i don't really see the need to use Strava. I get the bragging rights and stuff of beating friends times, but I just don't have that with mountain biking. I don't care about racing and just like to be out and riding. I'm not slamming this or the folks that use it. It's just not for me.
Pros
Great for tracking roadie progress and/or courses.
Cons
| ThankI don't see the use case for mountain bikers.
I have had a hard time getting this app to work on my phone. It quits in the middle of a ride a lot. I have been very frustrated with it.
Pros
Most recognized app with third party sites.
Cons
| ThankThis app seems more geared to road bikes.
I have recommended this, I enjoy watching fellow riders I know go out and do their thing, I like the monthly challenge but like I say it is geared towards road riders therefore not an accurate view of where I am personally with fellow mtn bikers.
Pros
keeps track of trail ridden
auto stop feature so instead of door to door you get actual moving time
recognizes you are riding with other strava users
Cons
| Thankonly one type of map
no satellite style map
no mtn biking feature
geared to road bikers
quits in the middle of a ride once in a while
constantly have to change the filter on segments
Strava is like the Facebook for cyclist. You can fallow and compete with your friends and see your rides afterward. It is awsomel
Pros
| ThankAwsome
Good info
easy
It won't hurt you to download Strava. Its free and it has its advantages. I typically run Strava and Map My Ride in conjunction so I can spot inconsistencies, have voice feedback, and an unpaused version of my workout time. No app has everything but this is the best purpose built one out there.
Pros
OK so since its free I won't complain much, apparently that last guy did enough complaining for all of us. In short, the app is more cycling specific than any other apps that I have found, including Map My Ride. I love the head to head Segment battles though they aren't 100% accurate. I often find new trails by using the Segment Explorer and seeing others times against yours is somewhat motivational. There are very few app glitches on my phone and very, very few speed spikes in my neck of the woods, even with poor signal. With the web page, you can create a road (or crude off road) course that will allow you to fine tune a workout by mileage or altitude gain. When you use this on the ride, make sure you hit that starting point and it starts tracking or it will not log anything.
Cons
| ThankIn the free version, no real time tracking, trail distances vary greatly from ride to ride. Paid app is too expensive for a weekend warrior. Data is needed upon start of ride to find your starting point. Doesn't work the greatest with low signal, neither does any other phone GPS app tho. Doesn't have voice feedback options like Map My Ride.
Another useless GPS app. Here's why:
Innards:
1. It needs an internet connection in order to show you the track after your run/bike ride. This is ridiculous: the app only needs a GPS signal in order to show me my workout stats. *Maybe* it needs an Internet connection to show it on a map, but why the app relies on a mandatory Internet connection to sync the 'feed' is beyond me. The Nike Running app works just fine without WiFi and Cellular, as do many other apps.
2. You cannot edit a workout session, which you sometimes need to do because you answered a phone call right before the start or something. However, that option is only available on your personal webpage.
3. No auto-pause on incoming calls, no auto Do Not Disturb when firing off the app, only have audio feedback at 0.5 or 1.0 km/miles, or off, but no time or less often intervals. Bit annoying for marathon runners, never mind endurance runners. No audio feedback on cycling.
4. No countdown to start
GUI:
1. When tapping 'Record' before your Run / Bike ride there's an option to choose between the two. But it's a Pull-down menu: this ought to be a slider so it is immediately apparent what that icon does, showing the 2 option without having to tap on it. What's weird is that your personal webpage on their website has a whole list of activity options.
2. You can set a 'Performance Potential' in your profile. But only for 1 type of workout, while the app was designed for both running and cycling.
3. The fonts are readable, but way too small. There is a vast amount of empty space, and the choice of orange/red on a black background doesn't help, it's all quite difficult to read. And while that may be due to loss of eye sight on my part, the app should be designed to make better use of screen real estate.
4. When looking at your ride on the map you cannot view it in landscape. Why is this unfortunate? Because you're not making full use of the display when you have a West/East or East/West track.
5. In the app you can only choose between cycling or running while the webpage with your workouts has a whole list of activities to choose from (though I would like to know what the difference is between 'Run' and 'Running').
6. Your personal webpage shows your workout on a (Google) map. You can't however zoom in very far, Nike does this better. Oddly enough you can zoom in all the way on your iPhone which has Apple Maps.
7. The activity type colour-coding differs between the webpage and the app. Red for cycling, green for running on the website. In the app they're both red. Designed without thinking, without testing, without an eye for detail. Which, when someone writes for Apple devices, is, well, odd.
8. If you don't have an Internet connection you can still view your 'Feed' but the map isn't displayed; only the track is. Strangely the map is displayed when you tab the 'expand to full screen' icon in the top left corner (tapping on the map itself is broken)
GPS:
1. The GPS obviously relies on the GPS data the iPhone gives access to. Why it takes about a minute to get a fix on where I am where it always instantly works when shooting a picture is beyond me.
2. The GPS registers my bike ride seemingly fine: anything from 0 km/h to about 35 km/h. After a bike ride I'm always seeing strange peaks at some weird speed, like 80 km/h. No way I did that, so it might be due to a faulty GPS signal. And while the app itself cannot be blamed for what data iOS is giving to the app, I can't wrap my head around the fact that the designers of the app never tested it themselves. Make no mistake here: it was designed by IT people who have never used the app outdoors, on a full day trip, or doing half a marathon with it. If they did they would have seen these peaks happen in almost every Record, and should understand that it makes the collected data completely useless as your average and max speed is completely off. In their defence, none of these running/cycling apps take the time to write the app in such a way that they delete these weird peaks in impossible speeds/distances, if they wanted to stand out of the crowd Strava would have taken care of this. Alas, it's yet another useless app, doesn't matter if it's free or if they charge $499 for it: the recorded data is useless.
3. On a 5 hour bike ride the app says my ride was 10 minutes shorter than what my Garmin GPS tells me. While this could be the fault of my Garmin device (which is a total piece of crap, in spite of its $700 price tag; device maps subscription) but because they are both using the same satellites one would expect simple times to be the same.
4. The GPS signal says it works indoors when I have my home WiFi on. Yet my home WiFi isn't recorded in any database as I have the protecting foil on my windows; no one knows the location of my WiFi yet the app says the GPS signal is strong, but that's impossible because I am indoors and no other GPS devices or apps on my iPhone work indoors.
So, in short, another useless GPS workout tracking app. In their defence, all these apps are completely useless as they don't look at what is recorded, what could be wrong with the GPS data, and correct it either automatically or prompt the user to edit out these sudden spikes in speed increase. These developers may hide behind the fact that they cannot influence or guarantee the quality of the information the GPS gives their app, but why is it then that native iOS apps, like the Camera has excellent and instant GPS signals and recordings?
And it doesn't matter that the app is free; I'd pay good money for a working app, but it doesn't seem to be available.
Now for the good stuff:
1. The available voices, they have quite a list of languages, many available as male and female. Great way to brush up on, say, the Thai language.
2. Your personal webpage looks good, is clear, easy to understand.
3. The summary of your workouts on the Profile page in the app are nice.
4. Their website has various import options, also BATCH import from GPS files (max 25 per upload), which is great. Not many apps have this option.
5. Social: FB, Twitter, mail, thumb-up, comments.
6. The app supports 5 HW devices: HRM, Power, Speed/Cadence & Footpod. These need to be either BT (Low Energy) (no WiFi), or ANT , however this isn't supported natively by the iPhone. There are adapters, but only with the 30-pin, making you need a 2nd adapter for the 5, 5s & 5c. The app also supports Echo & RFLKT.
| ThankTotally recommended. I was originally using Mapmyride but had so many issues, like loss data and app problems.
Pros
98% reliable
Great interface
Great website
Cons
| ThankLive Segments could be designed so that it is more useful...as in:
When you click on the segment, it should take you to the segment's main info page.
This is a great alternative to buying an expensive garmin.
Pros
| Thankeverything
motion x
Pros
good way of tracking
Cons
| Thankinaccurate information prefer to use motion x then import information to strava
motion x
Pros
good way of tracking
Cons
| Thankinaccurate information prefer to use motion x then import information to strava
If you are super competative then this is the app for you. I perfer the data and being able to see the map during the ride so I will stick to Runtastic Mountain biking. I do however download each GPX from Runtastic and upload it to firstly Singletracks.com to update any trails and then to my STRAVA account.
Pros
Tracks a lot of data and there is a free version
Cons
| ThankI don't care too much about how fast I am on the tril as long as I have fun!
Most of the segments are just short climbs or decents anyways. It would be nice if there where more full loops as segments. It would be nice to be able to see the map during the ride also!
I don't take Strava very seriously, since it's stats are not true (ex.: distance). But still interesting to track workouts. And now it's possible to get a GPX file of your ride. It also uses very little of phones battery. I like this app
Pros
Free, records all your activities, shows stats.
Cons
| ThankCan't see your track while riding. Like any GPS, provide incorrect mileage.
This is a great training tool to push yourself to the next level and see where you are among other riders in the area. I don't always use it, but checking occasionally can really show your progress.
Pros
| ThankAwesome to see how fast other people are, makes it easy to set goals, easy to track riding information