Best Apps for Cyclists
With so many apps available for today’s cyclists it’s hard to choose the right one. We have decided to help you here a bit. Below is a list of best apps, defined by categories, that each serious cyclist should have on his or her smartphone:
Navigation-Only
Tracking & Navigation
Tracking & Navigation
Computer Apps
Weather Apps
Misc
Strava
Strava is without a doubt today’s #1 workout tracker (not only for cyclists but for any kind of workout you can virtually imagine).
The application does not only have a fancy interface but what many similar services lack – a huge community of engaged and more importantly, contributing members. This huge social component places Strava way above the competition.
There’s a Premium version that allows you to integrate with 3rd-party devices like a heart monitor in real-time, set custom goals and much more.
Price: Free (there’s a Premium version, too, for $59.99/year)
Website: https://www.strava.com/
Map My Ride
Map My Ride is another great application for cyclists. It has not that appealing interface compared to Strava, but functionality is very similar. Routes library is probably even bigger.
On the downside, the free version is packed with ads. But still, for the cyclists just starting to track their workouts, it’s more than enough.
Price: Free (MVP version gives you more analysis opportunities and costs $29.99/year)
Website: http://www.mapmyride.com/
Bike Computer
Bike Computer does what any, well, at least basic dedicated bike computer will do – it provides real-time data about your ride in a sleek and accessible interface. Just make sure to get yourself a decent phone mount and you’re ready to go without buying expensive devices.
It can integrate with Strava for logging your workouts and external HR monitors to give even more data.
Another great feature is great-designed embeds for sharing on social networks with your friends.
Price: Free, with Premium version available
Website: https://bikecomputer.co/
ViewRanger
This the app for outdoor cyclists among us. ViewRanger has the best topographic maps in the world which are priced very reasonably for the level of detail they offer.
A great feature of this app is Skyline, an amazing implementation of augmented reality that shows your routes in real-time on your phone screen.
As of now, topography maps (for offline use) are only available in Canada, but hopefully, developers will add more countries soon.
Price: Free, detailed maps are extra fee
Website: http://www.viewranger.com/
First aid by British Red Cross
We hope you will never have a chance to use this app. However, it only needs around 60 megabytes of space on your smartphone, so just download and let it sit there, just in case.
What this app does, is self-explanatory. It has all the instructions you need to perform first aid.
Even better, it works 100% offline.
Price: Free
Website: http://www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/First-aid/Mobile-app
Bike Doctor
DIY cyclists who like to do bike maintenance and repairs by themselves will like this app. Those who would like to learn would love it too.
This app is another reminder that you should always have your essential toolkit for a basic bike-related job somewhere with you.
Detailed and well-structured videos on how to perform any bike-related job for only five bucks? We’re in!
Price: $4.99
Website: http://bikedoctorapp.com/
MAPS.ME
Maps.me (previously known as MapsWithMe) is an app that offers the most detailed offline maps for free. You can import your pins from Google Maps or any other app that supports .kml format.
The level of detail is very impressive. On this app, we were able to find tracks that were invisible on major (even paid) apps.
On the downside, search functionality could work better – even if specific POI is present on your downloaded map, there’s a chance you won’t find it via search.
Price: Free
Website: https://maps.me/
Komoot
Another great app for outdoorsy cyclists. It allows to plan your biking adventure, has offline maps and seamlessly integrates with other tracking devices and apps. Turn-by-turn navigation makes things so much easier on hard trails.
The app’s goal is to give you the best adventure possible, so don’t expect shortcuts and fastest routes.
The first region is free, extra ones available via in-app purchase.
Price: Free (first region), extra is paid
Website: https://www.komoot.com/
Relive
Relive app allows you to create a great-looking video of your ride by uploading data from tracking devices and apps.
Of course, once generated the video can be uploaded to your favorite social media or sent directly to friends.
You can have a look at the demo here.
Price: Free
Website: https://www.relive.cc/
Bike Citizens
This is quite an interesting try to combine local city guides (the app is available in 450 cities worldwide) with tracking and navigation.
One of the advantages is a growing community of contributing users.
The application is paid and costs anywhere between $3.99 and $4.99 per city.
Price: Free (first region), extra is paid
Website: https://www.bikecitizens.net
Bike Fast Fit
Amazing app for those who want to analyze their riding position from a scientific point of view.
It allows you to shoot the video of you cycling right from the app and after that, analyze it with mathematic precision – angles, etc.
You will need a trainer stand. Also, it’s only available for iOS.
Price: $4.99
Website: http://bikefastfit.com
Cyclemeter
Another bike computer app that is now available on Android (there was an iOS-only version before).
If you like to attach your phone to the handlebar while cycling, it provides plenty of detail about your ride.
The level of detail and all the graphs, maps and integrations it provides will impress even sophisticated cycling geeks.
Price: Free, in-app option to upgrade to Elite version
Website: https://abvio.com/cyclemeter/
Google Maps
Since Google allowed to download offline maps a couple of years ago, its app became quite popular.
Even when offline, the quality of routes is great, but when you have a chance to download data it becomes very hard to compete with Google Maps.
In combination with any other map that gives access to OpenStreetMap data, you will have the best possible coverage for all your map needs. Yeah, and it’s absolutely free.
Price: Free
Website: https://get.google.com/
Epic Ride Weather
The Epic Ride Weather app is built with cyclists in mind. The idea behind it is very simple: you take your route from Strava or Runkeeper or pretty much any popular tracker on the market and feed it to the app.
In return, it provides personalized weather forecast specifically for your ride, updated in 10-minute increments.
We absolutely love the possibility to upload custom GPX or TCX files directly to an application without 3-rd party services and get a forecast instantly.
What is even better, the free version provides all the functionality you would probably need.
Price: Free, with Premium option
Website: https://www.epicrideweather.com/
Dark Sky Weather
Dark Sky Weather is not built specifically for cyclists. But, it will come very handy for those who don’t like those nasty rains (and honestly, who does?).
The app’s main feature in providing ultra-precise real-time assessment of weather conditions at your current location. When will the rain start? When exactly will it end? Those are questions Dark Sky will help you find answers for.
On the screen, you can literally see an animation of a rain cloud moving around you and make an informed decision about your ride.
Price: $3.99
Website: https://get.google.com/
We hope you will find this selection of applications helpful. Do you think we missed something and another favorite cycling app of your should be included in this list?