Back in 2009 I wrote one of the most popular posts on London Cyclist that we’ve ever had. Since then, I’ve been meaning to update it. Today, I want to present to you a new list of iPhone apps for cyclists. Take a look, download, share the article, enjoy and let me know what you think in the comments!
For Android users we’ve got a list here.
Repair your bike using your iPhone
As I’m a shameless self promoter, I’ll start off with my iPhone app, Bike Doctor. For £2.99, the price of an inner tube, you get a comprehensive guide to bike repairs. The instructions are written in a simple and easy way to follow manner, with a clear picture demonstrating each step. Additional useful tips such as how to avoid the most common maintenance errors and how to prevent punctures are included. The iPhone app has been downloaded by over 15,000 cyclists and has received lots of enthusiastic, 5 star reviews.
Push yourself and track your cycling
The Strava iPhone app is bound to bring out the competitive side in anyone. The app contains all the usual functions you’d expect in a bike computer. It uses the iPhone GPS to track your ride and displays the usual stats such as distance travelled, speed and calories expended. Where things get really clever however, is how Strava uses the data it has collected from different cyclists. Segments are set up along routes and you can compete with fellow cyclists in the rankings. For example, there’s a counter clockwise segment around Regents Park that you can compete with over 1000 other cyclists on. I’m always looking to connect with more of my fellow cyclists on Strava and you can find my username here.
TomTom GPS for cyclists
How would you like a turn by turn navigator for cyclists? Would you like it if it picked out specific, more quiet back routes that are often better for cycling? Now, how would you like it if such a fantastic and complex app was complete free? Well, unbelievably, it’s all possible with the BikeHub app! Apologies, for the cheesy TV commercial style introduction! The BikeHub iPhone app combined with an iPhone bike mount is a game changer for cyclists. Download this app today, grab an iPhone bike mount and thank me later in the comments!
Follow cycling routes
One of the first iPhone apps for cyclists to hit the app store, was Cyclemeter (£2.99). Since then, the developer has been tirelessly updating it with new and amazing features, all the while keeping its simple appeal. Nowadays, I tend to use Strava for tracking my cycling, but Cyclemeter remains the best app for importing cycling routes. I can research great bike rides and then import them easily in to the app, by emailing myself the KML or GPX file. Then, I simply tap the attachment and choose to open it in Cyclemeter. With the ride on my iPhone screen, I attach my iPhone bike mount and off I go!
Find your nearest cycle hire bike
Cycle Hire is an iPhone app for cyclists by a good friend of mine Alexander. The app shows you the nearest cycle hire docking stations and at a quick glance you can see if any bikes are available and if there’s any space to leave your bike. The iPhone app also has a simple reminder function, so you know when it’s time to return your bike without paying more. It uses Open Street Maps so it’s available even when you don’t have cellular reception. Finally, it’s everyone’s favourite price: Free!
Cycle training coach on your iPhone
The £2.99 CoachMyRide iPhone app aims to bestow you with the knowledge of cycling coach Lionel Reynaud. A useful app for any cyclists who want to improve their times.
Viewranger Outdoors GPS
For mountain bikers and general outdoor fans, the OS Landranger maps are unmatched for detail. The Viewranger Outdoors iPhone app will give you access to them. However, do be aware that these maps are rather expensive to download and therefore the app will not come cheap.
Know when the sun is going down
The Daylight iPhone app is a useful app for cyclists. It tells you when the sun is coming up and going down, so you can plan your cycling. This is particularly useful to touring cyclists.
Fill that pothole
Report potholes to the CTC using the Fill That Hole iPhone app.
Manually track your cycling
If you like to manually log your training rides, runs and swims then the Active Goals iPhone app for cyclists will appeal.
See also:
Really brilliant thank you
Thank you Vicky – pleased you like the list!
i use my Gold x1 (agm) as a GPS on my cycling to the beach, i like going far parts since is less crowded- — just me my phone and the gear. BTW: the x1 doesnt need a waterproof case to resist falls and water. .. and still have battery left over; you know: rugged phone! The coolest thing about it is price: really cheap for those specs. Well, great note ! Thank you for sharing
I’d add Endomondo – like Strava it is another very popular exercise tracking app backed by a website, but with much less emphasis on always being the fastest.
Good recommendation Graham – that was an app I used to use and I like how it works across all the mobile platforms.
Nice product but perhaps the next step is something like the app used in this nice MTB film:
Watched that video before going to bed last night. That’s the future!
If you want to get back Google maps in you iPhone Map+ leverages the Apple Maps and buts Google maps over the top, so far it has been really fast and good
It has Cycle Routes and alternative Cycle routes but surprisingly it say they are only available for the US however that are there and seem to be very good.
The app also has GPS tracking that you can export but I have not tried this.
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/map+/id439478220?mt=8
Thanks for heads up on that Fern. Taking a look.
Thanks for this update. I have used Mapmyride, Cyclemeter and Endomondo. In fact Cyclemeter and Endomondo Pro are the only paid apps I have. The first was £2.99 and Endo Pro was on offer for 69p.
My go to app is Endomondo Pro simply for the interface online. May try Strava as have heard a lot of people go on about it.
My main gripe with using them is that they hammer my battery. Would also like a HRM and cadence sensor but they are ridiculously priced. IMO they should cost around £50 but they cost around £100.
If you are going to spend that much you may as well save up another £90 and get a Garmin that comes with all the kit and is weatherproof and has a decent battery life.
I use ViewRanger for importing routes – it’s free to download, and in addition to the OS Maps it is also compatible with OpenStreetMap, and allows you to download maps to the phone in advance so you can turn off data and get significantly longer battery life!
Great article! Really helped me out. I’m in training for a sponsored 85 mile ride in April so want something that I can track with accurately.
Thank you
🙂
You are very welcome Jo – pleased you are finding these apps useful!
I’m using RoadBike which is from Runtastic.
Backed by a website, to help you monitor your progress with weight, etc, it’s pretty nifty, plus it has some good functions, such as a “real time” dash, allowing me to see my overall time, distance, current speed, calories burnt, how much I’ve ascended, plus has other bits, but not having the gadgets, I’m not fussed about (rpm, bpm and mph).
It tracks my cycle using GPS, which is awesome, and has a great history, allowing me to break down by month.
I am only using the free version, but it’s good enough for my 2.8m commute.
I will admit, it does chew battery within the 15/20 minutes of cycling, but I do run RoadBike and my tunes in the background, so both power hungry apps.
I also mount the phone into my Tigra Mount, so the screen brightness has been turned up more than I’d normally have.
So having learnt my lesson, I now carry a lead to charge, and have a lead ready in work too.
What about the BikeHub App?
Please look at the post Mark – we’ve included BikeHub!
My Bad. I saw the TomTom one but missed the reference in the copy. Sorry! It’s a great App btw.
i use my Gold x1 (agm) as a GPS on my cycling to the beach, i like going far parts since is less crowded- — just me my phone and the gear. BTW: the x1 doesnt need a waterproof case to resist falls and water. .. and still have battery left over; you know: rugged phone! The coolest thing about it is price: really cheap for those specs. Well, great note ! Thank you for sharing
I would add SportyPal Coach,that’s a great app that features auto pause and one click start which I found particularly useful.
Have you seen BikeBrain? Looks great. Have to test it out yet. It’s free with an inapp purchase for BT connection.
http://appshopper.com/healthcare-fitness/bikebrain-lite
Bike Brain from Biologic is good. The Biologic I phone mounts etc are bulky and unreliable though.
As for reporting potholes……we won’t solve that problem until we concrete roads instead of tarring them and until drivers stop using power steering from stationary. This practise is what actually rips the surface off the top layer of tar.
Is it only me or BikeHub is crashing *a lot* and when not, it’s draining down my battery in 15 minutes?
I’ve not had these issues – I’d thoroughly recommend chatting to the developer they might have some answers for you.
The bike hub app is indeed a game changer – I just wish it was less buggy. I eventually cured the apps habit of barking “you have reached your destination!” at me as soon as I loaded a route by making sure I pressed (Done) and clear at the end of each journey. But the orientation still swings around crazily and often won’t load the map, the which makes it damn dangerous when you are depending on it to navigate a quiet route home with kids! If you want some to write a longer article I’d happily interview the developer; this is the face of the future for cycle navigation in London but needs championing, attention and investment. Can you hear me Boris?
I see Miles has had problems with the Bike Hub app, but I have been using it for about a year in and around London and only really had one problem. The pointer that shows where you are on the map sometimes stops moving and I think this is probably something to do with the phone signal. But it is easily fixed by just relaunching the route you are using. I don’t use the sat-nav part of the app because it does not show enough of the route for you to navigate if you miss a turn.
I use Bike Hub a lot. Plan the route on http://www.cycle.travel then email the Gpx to myself. Really good app
RunKeeper is also very good and it connects to a Pebble smartwatch so that you don’t have to keep turning on the display on the phone to find out how far you’ve gone etc. Their website is also very good.
Hi, I spotted Blubel, this neat gadget the other day – it’s a sat nav bicycle bell that also crowdsources data from the community for safer journeys.
Pretty cool! Here’s their campaign! http://kck.st/28Llxuj
Great list of apps! I’ve been using Strava for tracking my rides, but I’m excited to try out some of the others you mentioned. Any tips for integrating them with my Apple Watch?