Long gone are the days when we had to buy a dedicated cycling computer to tell us how far and fast we were riding – now we can find out all that from our smart phones. But with new products appearing all the time, it’s increasingly hard to keep track of what’s available.
Because apps are free or inexpensive, and because there are often many different choices providing essentially very similar functions, we suggest you play with a few different versions to find which one you like best. There may be something with a very popular product that you find infuriating, while a hidden gem lurks somewhere lower down an app store’s rankings.
Rather than create a spurious ‘our favourite top 10' or 'top 20’ list, here we’ve tried to round up as many cycling-based apps currently available as possible. We have included the app name, price, website and available operating systems.
For the less tech savvy, iOS works on iPhone and other Apple products, meanwhile Android is used by Samsung, Moto and most other phone manufacturers. Previously the main alternative was the Windows operating system – found on phones from Nokia/Lumia and Blu – but Microsoft has recently withdrawn support for that.
However, there are still a few cycling apps for Windows phones available, so we’ve listed those in a separate section at the bottom of the page.
Perhaps the first type of app cyclists think about are GPS and mapping services that record your ride – where you cycled, when and how fast – and present it on a suitable map. These apps often synch with a website to record your riding schedule and may offer other functions, such as monthly mileage or climbing challenges, or even elements of community social media where you can interact with other users.
£Free / iOS and Android
https://www.strava.com
£Free / iOS and Android
http://www.mapmyride.com
£Free / iOS and Android
https://abvio.com/cyclemeter/
£Free / iOS and Android
https://www.runtastic.com/en/apps/roadbike
£Free / iOS and Android
https://ridewithgps.com
£Free / iOS and Android
http://www.sports-tracker.com
£Free / iOS only
https://trackmytour.com
£2.29 / iOS only
http://www.bluefinapps.com/cycle-tracker-pro.html
£7.99 (iOS) £3.99 (A) / iOS and Android
http://b-icycle.com
£Free / iOS and Android
https://www.bikemap.net/en/apps/
£Free / Android only
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zeopoxa.fitness.cycling.bike&hl=en
£Free / Android only
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fehmin.bikeometer&hl=en
Want to know how to get from A to B in the quickest, simplest or safest way? Cycle journey planning apps are the answer – think of them almost as sat nav for bicycles.
Journey planning app using the same mapping as Cycling UK’s Journey Planner
£Free / iOS and Android
https://cyclestreets.net/mobile/
£Free / iOS only
https://cyclema.ps/hello
From £3.99 / iOS and Android
https://www.komoot.com/product
£Free / iOS and Android
https://www.outdooractive.com/en/mobile-app.html
£Free / Android only
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=abhiank.maplocs&hl=en_GB
The next section is a broad range of different apps that supply practical help, from bike maintenance to Cycling UK’s very own FillThatHole app, which records, reports and then helps local authorities repair potholes across the country. We’ve added a one-line description for each app below to explain what they provide.
Repair instruction guides and riding tips.
£3.99 (iOS) £2.49 (Android) / iOS and Android
http://www.bikerepairapp.com
Personal pocket bike mechanic.
£4.99 (iOS) £2.15(Android) / iOS and Android
http://bikedoctorapp.com
Cycling UK’s pothole recording and reporting app.
£Free / iOS and Android
http://www.fillthathole.org.uk
Bike fitting and positioning guidance.
£3.99 / iOS only
http://bikefastfit.com
Bike fitting for road cyclists.
£3.25 / Android only
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mantapix.android.theroadiebikefit&hl=en_GB
Calculating gear sizes with different parameters.
£Free
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bike-gear-calculator-bike-gears-cycling-gear/id936361951
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.andrew.Gear_Calc_Free&hl=en_GB
Advice to deal with most common cycling injuries.
£Free / iOS and Android
https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/free-first-aid-app/
Simple advice for looking after your bike.
£4.99 / Android only
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bicyclemaintenanceguide.bicyclemaintenanceguideforandroid&hl=en
Easy way to keep on top of wear and tear issues.
£Free / iOS and Android
https://www.probikegarage.com/#download
Dedicated apps designed to make cycling in London and other cities easier.
The official and quickest way to hire a London Cycle Hire bike.
£Free / iOS and Android
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander-cycles/community?intcmp=5390
30 great cycle routes through London.
£2.29 / iOS only
http://londonbikerides.com
Route planning app for cities using cycle courier knowledge.
£Free / iOS and Android
http://www.bikecitizens.net/app/
While road and commuting apps might seem the most obvious users of smartphone technology, off-road riders have plenty of app options available as well.
GPS route mapping and training app.
£Free / iOS and Android
https://www.runtastic.com/en/apps/mountainbike
Mountain bike trail database, GPS and other features.
£Free / iOS and Android
http://www.trailforks.com/apps/map/
Route guides, offline maps, GPS navigation and innovative Skyline functions.
£Free / iOS and Android
https://www.outdooractive.com/en/mountain-biking-trails/5101/
Trail guides, offline mapping and GPS navigation.
£Free / iOS and Android
https://www.mtbproject.com/mobile-app
Official app from Ordnance Survey allowing you to buy map tiles for your device.
£Free / iOS and Android
https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/shop/os-maps-online.html
Download maps to your device so they are available offline.
£Free / Android only
https://www.frogsparks.com
While many of the GPS and mapping apps have elements that contribute towards establishing an effective training programme, the apps below are particularly focused on developing cycling fitness.
Interactive virtual coach for Elite turbo-trainers.
Initially free then €9.99 a yearly subscription / iOS and Android
https://www.elite-it.com/en/products/app-software/my-e-training
Variety of turbo-training and spinning programmes.
Free / iOS only
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/plus-workout-indoor-cycling/id944800953
Variety of HIIT programmes for indoor bikes.
Free / Android only
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spacedema.exercisebikeworkout&hl=en_GB&gl=US
Use your daily rides to achieve an overall fitness challenge.
£Free / iOS and Android
https://www.myvirtualmission.com
£Free / iOS and Android
www.trainingpeaks.com
£Free / iOS and Android
www.wahoofitness.com
GPS route recording and mapping app.
£3.09
http://b-icycle.com
GPS and training app.
£Free
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/store/p/cyclometer/9wzdncrfj0bm
Journey planning app.
£Free
https://cyclestreets.net/mobile/
Journey planning app.
£3.29
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/store/p/cyclemaps/9wzdncrdc8xv
Finally, don’t forget every cyclist’s favourite get-out-of-jail-free card: Google Maps. It might not have the bells and whistles of other mapping apps, but when it comes to trying to work out exactly where you are, there’s nothing simpler.
Comments
Osmand
Osmand is a free Andoid app that provides route planning, tracking and navigation (including turn-by-turn announcements like a SatNav). It uses Open Street Maps so can cover many different countries. Its key benefit is that it doesn't need a data connection. Everything it needs is stored on the phone (and Osmand is SD-card aware). Turning data off dramatically extends battery life. I navigated a couple of 80+ mile rides last week and the battery on my cheap Motorola never fell below 50%.
There is an IOS version but it is not as fully-featured as the Android one - however, the development team is working on it.
There are also paid for versions. I signed up because the app is so useful, I want to see it continue.
More details: Osmand.net
Andy