How do You Track MTB Ride Distance and Speed? [Survey]

For many of us, if there isn't a GPS trace to save at the end of the ride, it's as if it didn't happen.

By Jeff Barber
August 2, 2020 Last Updated: September 17, 2021

9 comments

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For many mountain bikers, if there isn’t a GPS trace to save at the end of the ride, it’s as if it didn’t happen. For others, leaving the watch at home makes mountain biking more enjoyable. For the truly obsessed, multiple devices are required to plot the necessary data points.

Watches

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GPS

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A Garmin device displaying performance metrics, featuring a message that says "Great Jump!" along with statistics for distance (3.1), hang time (0.35), and speed (32.0). The background is a solid turquoise color.

GPS

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Watches

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9 Comments

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Called2RideMTB Maryland // 2017
Aug 2, 2020

I use a wrist-mounted GPS (sports watch) AND a backup app on my phone. I've had one or the other fail, but not both.

0 reply

nebnagrah Colorado // 2016
Aug 3, 2020

If I track it at all, I tend to use a smartphone. Honestly id just rather get out and ride; and ignore the phone. Lots of miles logged every week but I guess 8f I don't track it, it didn't happen
I'm OK with that. I know what I rode

TK34 Minnesota // 2018
Aug 2, 2020

In my own testing, GPS loses roughly 20% from actual distance recorded on cyclocomputer especially with trees and tight turns. Accurate on the road, not so much on the trails.

Called2RideMTB Maryland // 2017
Aug 3, 2020

I use Strava as the "final resting place" for my rides. It has a feature that cleans up the idiosyncrasies of the GPS recording. It helps make the rides a little more accurate.

Oldandrolling South Carolina // 2018
Aug 2, 2020

I use GPS on my smartphone and I also agree with TK34. At times the GPS signal will get disrupted due to certain trail features.

grcgrc 2019
Aug 4, 2020

Tried to use Trailforks. It worked on my phone one time. Now nothing.
So that is what I use now. Nothing. Just go out and enjoy my ride. My riding partners all have their devices primed and working, so if I am curious I ask them.

wareagle4130 2010
Aug 3, 2020

Used to just use my phone, but got tired of being shorted every ride. Got a Wahoo wheel sensor that talks to the Wahoo app for accurate mileage, but doesn't feed to Strava (Strava will just use the GPS data). So bought a cheap Garmin (Edge 25) that will read the wheel sensor, and now I get accurate mileage without having to spend $300+.

jaredmente 2017
Aug 3, 2020

at the time of my posting this reply, the percentages in the poll above total to 115% (28%,26%,40%,10%,10%,1%). Sort of funny.
I use a smartphone, but I think I feel the pull towards using nothing at all. I remember those days, and think they may have been better.

AUTHOR

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Aug 3, 2020

Right, since the survey allows folks to pick more than one option, the percentages won't add up to 100%. With the total at 115% (and only 1% saying they don't track distance at all), I think that means the average rider uses more than 1 device to track distance which is super interesting!

1 reply

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