Training: If you are out and about on your bike, you have at least heard of the “Strava” cyclists’ Facebook page. For many hobby cyclists in particular, the portal has been a part of cycling for years like chain oil. Whether training documentation, route planning or simply the hunt for course records on certain sections (KOM) including ranking battles in the leaderboards. All of this makes the service.
For a long time, the majority of all functions could also be used by members of the free access model. However, since Strava is a growing company that also has to pay the salaries of its employees, the provider has been increasingly changing its business model for some time. As Strava recently announced, the payment model will change again in the near future.
"We want to offer our athletes the greatest added value"
“Our focus on the community is a long-term investment. We are not yet a profitable company, but we must become one in order to offer our athletes the greatest added value. We have to do this properly - honestly, transparently and with respect for our athletes," said those responsible in their announcement. But what changes now for paying users and cyclists who use the free offer?
New features for everyone
Before we get to the paid-exclusive changes, let's first take a look at what all cyclists and athletes can expect on Strava. In addition to improved analysis for power and cadence, all users can now tailor their rides to protect their privacy. In addition, the system now automatically recognizes impossible performances, which makes knowing about records, KOMs and QOMs much fairer. There are also other options for organizing the feed and uploading data directly via Apple Watch.
Features that are no longer free
• Monthly development and comparison of activities
• Automatic analysis of comparable runs and achievements
• Optimized route planning with segments and improved maps
• Analyze, filter and compare segment performance
• Complete display of the segment leaderboard (only the top 10 are free)
Which is also new for premium members
• Similar to running, Strava now has a “comparable cycling ride” analysis feature.
• The training analysis is now available for all sports.
• Slope Adjusted Pace (SAT) is now viewable on iOS and Android.
• Display of all training sessions in the training diary now also on iOS.
• Improved route planning and recommendations on Android and iOS.
Another announcement from Strava is particularly exciting for all of you who are a bit competitive. Accordingly, in the future there will be a completely new way in which you can compete against each other on the marked segments. However, the company has not yet given any further information on the design.