Cyclists: Strava or MapMyRide?
amandaeve
Posts: 723 Member
Which do you use? I've been a free version MapMyRide user for years. Now I am looking for the paid version because I want to add heart rate data. Strava is much more expensive, but also seems easier to connect with others and seems to be a more popular choice. I've only tried it out a few times. What are your experiences? Which do you use?
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I use the free Strava app but it also gets HR data via my Garmin.
Strava suits my self-competitive nature and I really like the features - never felt the need to upgrade to the paid version.4 -
Neither, I'd use Strava if either of them were of interest to me. I don't think Map My Ride offers anything of real value for cyclists and their user interface is needlessly cluttered.1
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I use Strava - I find the segments quite a useful training tool.1
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MapMyRide - paid version. Just because I wanted to add heart rate also.1
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Strava - you can see HR, but no detailed analysis. Not sure of your device but if you want to see that just use Garmin connect. If you're in doubt use the free version of Strava and see how you get on and often there are free trials of premium you can take advantage of.
Strava is a lot more widely used than MMR and such there are more segments and more people to beat up them
It's only a small thing but I really like the training diary feature too.
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@ConicalFern, that training log is neat! I always sign in on mobile, so I didn't know about it. That's pretty cool! It sounds like Strava is the more popular choice. I've been using MapMyRide since 2009, so I have a lot of history there, but it looks like it might be time to cross over. I can import my heart rate data over to Strava's free version, but I am really into the zones, which is paid only. Not sure if the expense is worth just for that one feature, however.1
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Analytics? TRIMP? Try Golden Cheetah, www.goldencheetah.org, it's free and you can analyze your data in whatever way you see fit. Most of the out-of-the-box analytics are for power but there's plenty for HR.
I use Strava (free) to compare stats against guys I ride with.1 -
My husband uses Strava.
For maps, I use Ride with GPS.1 -
Strava1
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I use Strava Premium .... mixed with Garmin Connect and Training Peaks.1
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I like Strava. I have premium. I really like the "Fitness vs. Freshness" tool, and heatmaps. Heatmaps are awesome.2
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I like the fitness vs freshness a lot too. I don't use Strava for it, there are several tools that give you that chart (Training Peaks, WKO, Golden Cheetah, Cycling Analytics). Most of them call it performance management chart but it's basically the same thing. However it's most convenient to look at, it's a fantastic tool.
Also like heat maps. I make my own with GIS software but Strava's global heatmap is a great way to find new places to ride.
http://labs.strava.com/heatmap/1 -
Strava Premium1
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Strava1
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Runkeeper3
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Strava , garmin for the recording, and the stravistix strava plugin to get additional levels of analysis on the pc.
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Haven't used MapMyRide, but I do use Strava. I was using Runtastic Road Bike, and pretty quickly switched once somebody mentioned Strava to me.
I get to have better analysis of the grade I'm riding (was truly surprised by some of the hills near me), better functioning GPS (Runtastic had some corners where it would *not* track properly unless I stopped there and waited, thereby causing me to have wildly varying ride lengths because I'd lose 0.1mi every time I had to make a turn), and cleaner interface.
I haven't learned how to connect my Garmin Vivosmart HR+ to it for heart rate monitoring, and I don't have the bike computer yet either. I want to get both of those to help me figure out where I'm falling down more precisely (right now, I think I just need to take up strength training my legs in the gym to get better endurance, but I'm not sure).
Strava fits for me, very well. I'm happy enough with it to have paid for premium. Whichever you choose, I hope you get the same enjoyment out of it that I get out of Strava.
Good luck!2 -
Neither. Garmin 910xt1
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pedermj2002 wrote: »I want to get both of those to help me figure out where I'm falling down more precisely (right now, I think I just need to take up strength training my legs in the gym to get better endurance, but I'm not sure).
Nope. That seems intuitive, but it's not how it works in the real world. Leg strength is not a limiting factor for cyclists. Ability to power your legs is.
Maybe you can leg press a thousand pounds, or whatever; you have a high 1 rep max. When you get on the bike you're not doing 1 rep. Ideally you're doing in the ballpark of 90 revolutions per minute. Entirely different things.
To improve your endurance, go out and do "LSD Rides," long slow distance. Try to never stop turning the pedals. The exertion shouldn't be more than "moderate." Your heart rate should be elevated but not terribly so, ideally in the aerobic zone (zone 2).4 -
Strava. I like the social side of it.2
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@NorthCascades I have been following the "don't stop pedaling" rule already with very limited times where I don't (basically, I'm going downhill and hitting 30+MPH because of the downhill, I really am doing nothing other than steering).
Guess I'll simply keep that up for the most part. I'm still going to add the gym, since I need to get my strength training going again. I've abandoned it lately while I work on getting myself to my minimum acceptable level (5 mile rides is where I consider to be the minimum acceptable), and I'm almost there consistently.
Thank you again!1 -
MiloBloom83 wrote: »Neither. Garmin 910xt
Confused...... I have a Garmin VivóActive HR, and a Garmin Edge 520... I still use Strava
...2 -
Yeah, I use Strava with my Garmin Edge500. I only use the Strava ap to record when I've forgotten my GPS.1
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pedermj2002 wrote: »I haven't learned how to connect my Garmin Vivosmart HR+ to it [strava on phone] for heart rate monitoring, and I don't have the bike computer yet either.
Your phone has to be capable of ANT+ to connect your VivoHR to it. Maybe somebody who understands this better than I do can chime in. I couldn't get that to work on my last phone, I'm using a Samsung Galaxy 4 now and can use my Garmin HRMs with it if I want to. I don't know if ANT+ is a hardware thing or a software thing but it's how Garmins transmit HR and other data.
I assume you could record your bike ride on your Vivosmart as an exercise or activity? If so, another option you have is instead of running Strava on your phone, Garmin can send the data off to Strava as soon as you sync it. That would get your HR data to Strava because Garmin just sends everything they have. Even if this works you might not want to do it because Strava can show you more information at a glance, just by virtue of its larger screen.
I have a dedicated bike computer, a Garmin Edge 800. I've had it almost 6 years. Never bothered to upgrade because it still does just about everything I need. But it wasn't cheap and if I had it to do over again I'd probably spend 1/10th the money on a phone mount and use that.0 -
RunKeeper - works for just about everything0
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NorthCascades wrote: »pedermj2002 wrote: »I haven't learned how to connect my Garmin Vivosmart HR+ to it [strava on phone] for heart rate monitoring, and I don't have the bike computer yet either.
Your phone has to be capable of ANT+ to connect your VivoHR to it. Maybe somebody who understands this better than I do can chime in. I couldn't get that to work on my last phone, I'm using a Samsung Galaxy 4 now and can use my Garmin HRMs with it if I want to. I don't know if ANT+ is a hardware thing or a software thing but it's how Garmins transmit HR and other data.
Hardware. It's a physical chip. Samsung has it in a number of phones (they use a chip that is both bluetooth and ANT+). Sony does too. HTC, Motorola, LG don't. Apple doesn't and never have.
On android phones it's easy to add - an OTC cable and a USB ANT+ fob. Naturally Garmin hasn't included an USB fob in a few generations... Amazon, etc. has nice little ones for not very $.
On Apples, it's tougher, because Apple is like that. Basically you need Wahoo's ANT+ dongle and (maybe) a 30-pin to lightning adapter.1 -
Free strava here. Too. Broke
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HTC One M7 has the Ant+ chip but not enabled. Depending on the phone, it may need to piggy back on Bluetooth. Check out Ant+ Enabler. Some phones need to be rooted (e.g. my HTC One M7 so it can receive via Bluetooth stack). If you have or get it working, check out IpBike. It's basically a Garmin minus the live tracking stuff. It has ops for mountain biking (gearing & shocks) and setup for running (possible swimming too, not my sport).
Or just pickup a used/refurbished Sony Xperia Active for ~$100 and never worry about water damage (like my HTC
). The bad is battery life, ~5 hours. I finally cough up and bought a Garmin Edge 520 in May, on sale for $225. Same sale on/back at precisionbikeshop.com. 2 -
NorthCascades wrote: »pedermj2002 wrote: »I haven't learned how to connect my Garmin Vivosmart HR+ to it [strava on phone] for heart rate monitoring, and I don't have the bike computer yet either.
Your phone has to be capable of ANT+ to connect your VivoHR to it. Maybe somebody who understands this better than I do can chime in. I couldn't get that to work on my last phone, I'm using a Samsung Galaxy 4 now and can use my Garmin HRMs with it if I want to. I don't know if ANT+ is a hardware thing or a software thing but it's how Garmins transmit HR and other data.
I assume you could record your bike ride on your Vivosmart as an exercise or activity? If so, another option you have is instead of running Strava on your phone, Garmin can send the data off to Strava as soon as you sync it. That would get your HR data to Strava because Garmin just sends everything they have. Even if this works you might not want to do it because Strava can show you more information at a glance, just by virtue of its larger screen.
I have a dedicated bike computer, a Garmin Edge 800. I've had it almost 6 years. Never bothered to upgrade because it still does just about everything I need. But it wasn't cheap and if I had it to do over again I'd probably spend 1/10th the money on a phone mount and use that.
I had no idea Garmin HRM would work with phones (I have a S5). Interesting. I also have an Edge500, so I don't need it to work with my phone, but still interesting.
I got my husband a refurbished 800 for a really good price.1
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