We’re pleased to announce the TrainerRoad iOS beta program!
To sign up for the beta and/or get news and updates go here. Due to restrictions in the Apple developer program, we can’t get everyone into the beta. Don’t worry though, as soon as the app is ready we’ll put it in the App Store for everyone to enjoy.
We’re very excited to get this long awaited part of TrainerRoad into everyone’s hands! We hope you’re excited too!
Beta Program FAQs
We’ve answered a few of our most frequently asked questions, but if there’s anything we’ve missed you can drop us a line in the comments.
What platforms are you supporting?
iPhone 4s+, iPad retina+, iPad mini, iPod touch with BT 4.0
How does ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart Work?
Bluetooth Smart is native on the phone, no need for external devices. ANT+ will require a Wahoo ANT+ dongle. Wahoo is also developing BT/ANT+ bridge devices, which means you’ll be able to use a Wahoo device and it will re-broadcast ANT+ device as BT devices (no ANT+ dongle necessary).
What about Android?
Our development team is hard at work bringing cycling’s most effective training tool to Android. You can sign up here to get updates and be the first to know when it’s ready. (Updated September 14, 2015.)
What about PC/Mac? Are they going away?
No way! This new code base is actually the starting point for a much improved desktop experience.
How much will the app cost?
The app will be free, but you will need an active TrainerRoad subscription to use it.
When is the app launching?
As soon as we are confident that the quality of the app meets our high standards we’ll release it to the App Store. We’re aiming for a first release with the core TrainerRoad feature and we’ll then fold in new features in small intervals after that.
How do I sign up for the beta?
Go here! http://www.trainerroad.com/ios
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Fantastic news 🙂 I’m sure you’ll be inundated with applications for testing. I’ve been really looking forward to this and checking most days for the merest morsel of information. As soon as the app appears in the app store i’ll be signing up, i’m looking forward to running all my Sufferfest Video’s through this. Thanks for your efforts Trainerroad team 🙂
Can I assume the Sufferfest videos will be supported in the beta/initial release? is there any functionality that currently exists that will not be in initial iOS release?
Hey Paul,
Yes, The Sufferfest videos will be supported in the initial release.
Support for the Computrainer, Powerbeam Pro, and CycleOps 300/400 isn’t included in the first release. We will eventually have iOS support for those trainers.
+1 for Sufferfest videos in an early beta!
Also, do you know if you’ll be supporting any other BT/ANT+ bridges, such as Viiiiva?
Hey Richard,
All I can say for now is that we’re still investigating 4iii support. 🙁 We’ll keep ya updated though!
Can’t wait! I hope I’m one of the “chosen” ones to test this out. Make me suffer.
4iiii viiiiva support please! Works fine with other apps for ant+ bridge to iphone…
Hi Nate, I’d sign up for the beta but I currently own a pre-retina iPad (last pre retina, 2nd series maybe??). Would it work with a wahoo ant+ key?
Hi Andre,
Yep! You’ll be able to use your 2nd gen iPad as long as you have the Wahoo ANT+ key.
I have only seen a Wahoo ANT+ 30 pin dongle, does a Lightning version exist? If not, I would have to have a 30 pin -> Lightning adapter AND the dongle? that seems like a bit much.
Hey Ben,
Unfortunately, you will need the 30 pin to Lightening adapter for now. 🙁 We’re looking into better solutions though. We’ll keep everyone updated!
Hi Nate, I’m using less often TrainerRoad since I have a power meter and have some IoS apps for training. TrainerRoad on IoS will give me a boost to come back more often.
I did sign up for the iOS beta program, but did not get any feedback!?
Hey KOrnel,
We can only accept a small number of beta testers at once. We’ll incrementally accept more and more testers as we fix bugs and get closer to the main release.
You’ll be notified via email if you’re chosen.
BTW:
1. will the app be the same for both iPhones and iPads?
2. will it be possible to do lthr only workout (f.i. while travelling)
3. iPad 2: should I go for a Wahoo ant+ dongle or a new BT4 iPad is needed?
Hey Andre,
1. Both the iPhone and iPad app will have the same features. Of course, there will be slight differences in design. There won’t be much difference in terms of functionality though.
2. Yep! 🙂 You’ll be able to do LTHR-only workouts on the road.
3. You’ll be able to use your 2nd gen iPad with the Wahoo ANT+ key.
No Android version? I assure you I won’t use this product again. Development of an android app should have been implemented from the start.
Hey Louis,
Update: We’ve begun building for Android Louis! Here’s a link to get more info: http://bit.ly/trainerroad-android-blog
It’s not that we’re saying “No way, no Android”. We are working really long days just to support iOS out of the gate and we don’t have time to do anything else. We think that iOS is an easier platform to develop for compared to Android, especially when you factor in the multiple devices and BT/ANT.
If you look at our web logs, there’s about a 10:1 ratio of iOS devices vs android devices visiting our site.
Because of the above, I think we made the best business decision on doing iOS first. The good news is that we used Xamarin to develop iOS, which means the majority of the code base can be reused for Android. The parts that will have to be written are the views (UI) and BT/ANT layer.
That BT/ANT layer is not trivial to get right, especially when you factor in the multitude of devices and versions of Android, they all have to be tested!
To give you an idea of how hard/expensive that is, we looked at automatically testing around 300 different combos of Android devices/OSes. The cost to us was going to be around $10,000/month, maybe more, since we have to run our tests for such a long time. This was from a third party testing company.
Once iOS is out we have to make a decision to move the desktop client into this new code base (using Xamarin) or go straight to Android. We’ll make that decision based on user base and complexity of development.
When people say they don’t want to use the desktop version in protest of Android development it means that Android will take that much longer. The only way to speed up development is for us to hire more people, and for that to happen we need more users.
Sorry for the long rant :). If you have any questions about our decision to go iOS first let me know. But again, I can assure we haven’t made a decision to never support Android.
How much would I love to work on your Xamarin team !!! This is what software/app development should be about – encouraging healthy living, beautiful UIs and clever systems all rolled into one. So excited that more companies are adopting Xamarin 🙂 Keep up the great work!
You can’t really fault a company for developing where the users are. This is less about fanboi’ism and more about show me the money.
If you could only realistically afford to develop for 1 platform, you’d build for the one with the most users and then use that revenue to develop for the other platform. That is unless you want to pony up for the cost of the development…
What is the current planed timescale to full launch?
I just got my Kickr a few days ago and my wife is taking over the Computrainer. We have an iPad retina and I’m getting a new iPad mini. Would LOVE to beta (have signed up). I’m also a retired software engineer and would be a great beta tester 🙂
I’m a former TrainerRoad user, so I haven’t signed up for the Beta since my account is not active at the moment. However, I will likely sign up again once the iOS app is available. I wanted to comment here to let you know I have an iPhone 6+, and would be happy to help test the beta version of you need testers with a 6+ to give the app a spin (no pun intended). Just let me know via the email address of this post..I’ll re-activate my account for the Beta.
How is beta going, any view on when you may release to a wider audience?
Would be interesting to get a second update on the progression of the app. The absence of the iOS app is today the only thing stopping me from becoming a subscriber to your service.
I’d love an update on possible iOS launch date. I’m really interested in the service, but don’t currently have a way use my PC. iPad would be fantastic.
Okay, I’ve subscribed to the beta, here’s how I’d like to use it (I write it here, because there are no flags for these options…)
– iPad 2 (pre-retina) and Wahoo Key
– RFLKT+ and iPhone 5
Yes? 🙂
Into my second week with the Wahoo Kickr. Seems to me that TrainerRoad and the Kickr were made for each other. I am happy enough with TR on my laptop on a nearby table and my Edge500 on the Handlebars, though i manually upload my workouts to Garmin Connect (better layout of laps) i bought a Tacx handlebar computer holder for my iPad Mini, which turned out to be a disaster of a device in every way. One – it wont hold the IPad in portrait mode and that is the only mode the Wahoo Apps display.
I was unfair to the Tacx Handlebar Computer Holder. It still won’t hold my Ipad Mini in Portrait, but will hold it securely enough in Landscape as it will similarly hold a 10″ Tablet. In my initial annoyance i had overlooked the little part that clicks in under the stem and makes it work. To achieve a more secure seating both tablets had to be removed from their cases. Not rock solid, and not remotely feasible as an outdoor solution, but why would one want to? Nate please tell me that the iOS TrainerRoad App works in LANDSCAPE?
Awful quiet out there in TrainerRoad land…..
Dear trainerroad,
Hook a brother up! I live in Minnesota, it’s going to snow 4-8in on Tuesday. No more outside until April/May. I am constructively critical. Beta me.
Jeff
Can you please make sure the iOS has a voice command, such as “Go 5 min at 200 watts, etc..” so that I can take trainer road on the trails? Trainer road along with voice commands would allow me to do my rides outside with an ear piece (I know, no cars on trails).
That would be great.
Release date please! Winter is coming and iPads are controlling my house nowadays 😉
Its here!!
Now just want to try it this afternoon
Initial commets:
– How I can upload a training video?
– The app is iphone oriented, nice, but also an ipad oriented will be nice (the Minions never ever will by satisfied!)
– Really look good, I am using an ipad mini and just messing around the app and look solid. For a short sighted person (as I am) visibility
Would there be any way to use ios and TrainerRoad outside on the road with a theoretical virtual power? I think Strava estimates power. It would be nice. Whatever I have to say I’m just SO pleased with your product as is.
It’s amazing in favor of me to have a site, which is helpful in
support of my know-how. thanks admin
I have been using TR, app, software and website for a couple of months. Love it. To re-ask a questions asked above, is there any way to use the TR app outdoors on a road or tri bike? If a power level has been baselined indoors, can’t the same power measurements be used outside?
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Love the first edition of the TR app.
I have a hopefully simpel request: Could you add beeps/sound for the change in the intervals/power, just like in the Mac version?