Gone are the days of aimlessly wandering, repeating the same routes, or lacking the ability to monitor our training like professionals. If you’re passionate about road cycling or MTB, technology is here to support you and revolutionize your biking experience. It can assist you in discovering exciting new routes and taking your bike races to a whole new level by providing enhanced training monitoring.
Thanks to technological advancements, cyclists now have access to a plethora of tools that can elevate their two-wheeled adventures. The days of relying on improvisation are long gone, as a wide array of tools are within our grasp. These tools ensure more efficient training sessions and enable us to enjoy the activity without any concerns.
In the following discussion, we will explore the finest apps available for MTB and cycling on Android and iOS. Whether you’re seeking free options or prefer comprehensive paid tools that allow detailed tracking of your rides, route exploration, goal setting, and workout improvement, we have you covered.
Komoot
Introducing a must-have app for all mountain biking enthusiasts: Komoot. This application is tailor-made for discovering fresh trails, tracks, paths, and routes, making it an essential addition to your smartphone. Komoot goes the extra mile by providing advanced elevation information, enabling you to plan routes in advance, and offering a variety of surface options to suit your preferred terrain or optimize your training efforts.
The best part is that Komoot allows you to venture into areas with low or no coverage. You can handpick your paths, plan your training in advance, and download the route to your phone, ensuring offline accessibility. This feature is especially valuable if you want to preserve your battery or embark on lengthy routes.
Available for both iOS and Android, Komoot boasts GPS navigation, offline topographic maps, and voice-guided directions. It’s not limited to MTB routes alone; it also serves as a reliable companion for road cycling, hiking, or running adventures across all types of terrain.
Komoot offers a free version that provides numerous features. However, if you desire more, you can opt for their various paid versions. The “Individual Region” subscription, priced at 3.99 euros, allows you to explore and train in your preferred area, uncovering new routes. The “Multi-region Package” starts at 8.99 euros, enabling you to broaden your horizons by exploring different regions. And for the true-born explorers, the “whole world package” grants access to routes and maps from across the globe for 29.99 euros.
Strava
Presenting one of the world’s most popular apps among cyclists and runners, with over 50 million downloads: Strava. This sports app is highly regarded for its ability to meticulously track all your cycling adventures. It seamlessly integrates with various watches and GPS devices, and even offers activity monitoring options for those without any additional devices.
Strava goes beyond mere tracking, as it also serves as a platform for discovering new routes through its maps. You can import routes from other tracking applications and save routes shared by friends, acquaintances, and fellow athletes, making them readily available for your next training session.
Notably, Strava has evolved into the most renowned sports social network globally. It allows users to upload photos, engage with other athletes, find motivation, and compare workouts. Its social features enhance the overall experience and foster a sense of community.
One of its standout features is the creation of “segments” by users, which serve as competitive zones. These segments establish a leaderboard where you can compare your results with other users and even challenge your own personal records. Achieving the highest training frequency in a particular area can earn you the title of “legend” in that location.
Strava is available for both Android and iOS platforms and offers a comprehensive free version. Additionally, a subscription option is available for €9.99 (prices increased from €7.99 this year), granting access to a wealth of additional routes, features, and options to enhance your experience.
Trailforks
Next on our list is Trailforks, a must-have app for off-road enthusiasts, especially cross-country MTB riders. This application provides comprehensive maps with up-to-date information on various types of trails.
Trailforks is perfect for monitoring and evaluating your progress during adventurous training sessions. It offers detailed post-training results, including essential data such as distance covered, elevation gains and losses, and trail conditions. Not only can you follow existing routes, but you can also create, record, and share your own routes, allowing other users to embark on your exciting adventures.
One notable feature of Trailforks is its reliable geolocation service. This feature proves invaluable when navigating lesser-traveled MTB routes or crafting your personalized trails. In case you find yourself lost, the geolocation service can send your coordinates to pre-selected individuals, ensuring prompt assistance and preventing any untoward incidents.
Trailforks is available for both Android and iOS platforms. The app offers a free version, granting access to a geographical chart covering an area of 60×60 km, showcasing all the trails within the app. You can move this chart once for free. If you require more extensive coverage, such as viewing all trails in Spain or worldwide, you can purchase a PRO license for approximately 20 euros per year. Additionally, experienced users who contribute trails can avail of discounts on the PRO license.
Training Peaks
If you’re seeking something beyond route exploration and wish to focus on training, Training Peaks is the perfect app for road cyclists aiming to enhance their performance and have a personalized “personal trainer” at their disposal.
With Training Peaks, you can establish specific goals, whether it’s a competition, weekly mileage targets, or tackling a challenging route. The app will generate tailored daily training sessions to help you achieve your objectives. It provides detailed reports on all your workouts, tracks your fitness level, and allows you to add additional details and comments. It’s undoubtedly the ideal app for monitoring your progress and ensuring you stay on track to reach your goals.
In fact, Training Peaks is widely used by training groups and personal trainers to efficiently manage and monitor their athletes, optimizing their training plans and outings.
While it may not offer pre-defined routes and extensive mapping features like the previously mentioned apps, Training Peaks excels in metrics and data. With each workout, you’ll receive comprehensive information regarding training loads, fatigue levels, and progress. In summary, it is the go-to app for planning, monitoring, and analyzing your workouts. It’s the best option for coaches and users alike who not only want to enjoy cycling but also strive for results and improve their physical condition.
Training Peaks is available for both Android and iOS devices. It offers a free version, as well as a paid version priced at 9.95 euros per month for annual subscriptions or 19.95 euros for monthly payments.
Bikemap
Lastly, let’s explore Bikemap, another remarkable cycling application that deserves a spot on your smartphone. Designed specifically for cyclists, this map and GPS app offers a plethora of features tailored to meet the needs of cycling enthusiasts. It enables you to view route distances and durations, plan your rides, and effortlessly follow them. Additionally, you can share your routes with other users of the platform, fostering a sense of community.
Bikemap boasts an extensive database of suggested routes, allowing you to explore new territories and discover exciting cycling destinations. One of its standout features is real-time monitoring, enabling you to track your progress during each ride as you pedal.
The app prides itself on its user-friendly and intuitive interface, making it an excellent choice for beginner cyclists who appreciate simplicity while on the road.
Available for both Android and iOS platforms, Bikemap offers various map styles to choose from and optimizes routes based on the type of cycling you’ll be engaging in. Furthermore, it provides the convenience of offline maps and routes, allowing you to save data and preserve battery life.
While Bikemap offers a free version with basic functionalities, to unlock its full potential, you can opt for different subscription plans. These include a monthly subscription for 9 euros, an annual subscription for 39 euros, or a three-year subscription for 99 euros, offering access to all the premium features the app has to offer.
Embrace the experience, whether you opt for the free versions or invest in the paid options, and regardless of your objectives—whether it’s improving your performance or simply joining a hobby that’s gaining popularity among enthusiasts. Whatever path you choose, may your cycling journey be filled with enjoyment and fulfillment. Happy cycling!