This much in advance: cyclists can Strava will continue to be free of charge. However, the free app and online platform will contain fewer features than before. The paid version of Strava will cost five euros per month and, in addition to familiar features such as segment leaderboards, will also include completely new features such as a comprehensive training diary (in the app/from 25 May) and the Strava Route Builder, which has more options as a web version than the free app. route suggestions presented in April 2020 in the Strava app and tour planning, which is still in the beta stage.
Strava also available as a long-term free version
"Some of our newly developed features will only be available to members - so we're investing most in the athletes who are investing in us," said Strava founders Mark Gainey and Michael Horvath in a recent press release from the US company.
"In addition, the free version of Strava must continue to be of high quality. We promise you that this free version will continue to exist and that your place in the community is secure, whether you have a membership or not." (Strava founder Mark Gainey/Michael Horvath)
What new features are there in the paid version of Strava?
According to the founding duo, the aim of the new Strava direction is clarity. In concrete terms, this means saying goodbye to the previously familiar Summit model, which temporarily included three different packages (training, analysis and safety). Those who now pay the fee of €7.99 per month or €59.90 per year will receive the following features that users of the free version cannot use:
- Comprehensive rankings in all segments (top 10 best list remains free of charge)
- Comparison of "Matched Activities" also for bike rides (previously a feature only for runners)
- Analysis of the estimated performance in the segment
- Comparison and analysis of all performance parameters and results of each journey
- Extensive route planning via web browser (basic functions can still be used free of charge)
The new route planning on Strava
Barely a month after the launch of the Route tools for the Strava appa more comprehensive route planner has now also been integrated into Strava's web platform. The so-called "Route Builder" is based on the same open source data (OpenStreetMap) that is also available for other routing products and tour portals - supplemented by Strava data from over three billion tracked activities. The global Strava heatmap can be displayed as an option, including individual segments. The huge pool of data offers reliably good routes - especially for road cyclists - but the wealth of options can be overwhelming at first.
Otherwise, the Route Builder relies on tried and tested features: adding waypoints for intermediate stops or route extensions and many filter functions (by surface type, by type of sport and by topography). The "altitude metre filter" makes planning easier. By setting the minimum or maximum elevation gain accordingly, you can make bike tours beginner and family-friendly, or deliberately collect metres in altitude. However, Strava has room for improvement when it comes to the surface filter. As with the app-based routing tool, you only have the choice between tarmac, gravel and any terrain. This makes it difficult to plan specific trail-based tours.
In the free Strava version saved routes can be displayed or the routes of others can be saved. A subscription is only required to create new routes and edit existing routes.
The new training area on Strava
The training area is becoming even more of a focal point - this can be seen from the fact that the term "Training" is now more prominent in the Strava app: the training icon is now located where the Summit tab once appeared in the navigation. In the training area, the weekly activities and weekly intensity are displayed and the monthly fitness is calculated from the load profiles. In the fourth area, the training diary, each athlete can record individual feedback on their training. New: The diary now covers all 32 sports on Strava. Previously, only running, cycling and swimming were implemented. The training diary can now also be used in the app. Filter functions help to keep an overview of the various sports.
