Now this could create a much more opinionated and hmm long thread than even this has!
1 Like
5 Likes
The KOM comment was clearly sarcastic. Also Iām not talking down to people who spend 80% of their time on a trainer getting ready for a dozen events per year even though to me it screams boring. But according to some, people posting their rides on Strava are wasting time on a social platform that offers no performance benefit, as if everyone cares about their performance.
I got into slightly more serious (no racing) cycling almost a decade ago and that seemed to be around the same time that Strava started.
Iād almost compare Strava to a gateway drug of cycling for reward. Iād enjoy my ride and then afterwards it was fantastic to see where I had improved and even, yes once or twice, got a KOM! You could settle debates with friends about who was actually faster on a segment despite someone starting first or whatever.
Once hooked I wanted to get more so thatās where TrainerRoad came in to help me get faster. And TR sure worked.
I think itās a shame that this āgatewayā is closing up for new entrants. Thatās all. I think there are places they could charge people. But for beginners there is a real thrill about seeing themselves move up a Leaderboard. Or there was.
1 Like
They know that, and they probably realized this is the only way they can stay afloat. Free users can still see their times and position on the board, just canāt analyze the segment or compare efforts. But there can still be friendly smack talk because you can tell your buddy āI got this timeā. My Strava experience was the same, if I never chased segments id never have moved to TR training and ended up where I am. I also love to meet new riders (maybe not right now), see where my friends are riding because sometimes I save the routes and ride them myself, and enjoy leaving comments on friendsā rides and encouraging them to keep riding
1 Like
It works out to $3.93/mo if you just buy an annual āgift subā on their Black Friday or cyber Monday sale for $59 and apply it to your own account, then also redeem the bonus 3 free months code yourself.
Doing this extends your sub by 15 months every year and it doesnāt matter when your renewal date is, it just extends your subscription further into the future. Iāve done this for a few years and I donāt expire well into late 2021. Use longer trial to get close to November and do the sale.
Most of us do like the app and I really think $5/mo at regular annual price is still nothing to worry about if you even spend a few minutes per day on it. Itās definitely mentally healthier than other social media options. It was the first app I found when I bought my first bike and itās just part of my day to see where my friends are riding.
1 Like
Not sure about you guys, but Strava is the only way I can communicate with many of my cycling acquaintances/friends. I donāt friend them on Facebook, I only have a few of their cell phone numbers, most of them donāt Zwift and 0 of them are on this forum. I would say 9 out of 10 of them are on Strava and we can set up rides, ask how they are doing and do other friendly things. It seems all of this can continue with the free version, but the fee is less than a cup of coffee so Iāll keep subscribing.
4 Likes
I set up more rides by commenting on otherās rides, than I ever did using clubs or route building.
Me either, I donāt care abt indoor rides. But for the remaining 8 months Iād hate for strava to not be around.
Hey! I just realized that social platforms are actually anti-social platforms because they enable you to get certain benefits that usually requiring socializing but without actually socializing. 
For example, Strava has helped me figure out the typical cycling routes in my area without ever having to ask or ride with anyone! Hmm, wondering now if that is a good thing. Nah. Itās a good thing.
Another idea that came to me is a comparison with Github. Github charges people who want to keep their data (code really) private and is free for people who are willing to keep their data public so that other people can benefit from it. Perhaps Strava could do the same or similar?
2 Likes
That seems like a stretchā¦
3 Likes
If giving someone a thumbs up is social then were screwed.
They are doing a strava kom challenge where I live, they put a bunch of the stuff in the middle of the city. Nothing like people risking there life to win a strava kom. Hard seeing how that benefits people. But hey I dont pay for the product, but people do and more power to you if that is what motivates you. Keep it up.
2 Likes
Good for Strava. Great product. They should get paid for all that they provide. Strava adds so much to my cycling life. Iām happy to pay for it (and already do.)
2 Likes
I would agree, but Strava has become as synonymous with cycling as the F150 or Silverado are to pickup trucks. Most cyclists whether they use it or not know what Strava is, same canāt be said for the dozens of training programs out there because thatās just not everyoneās cup of tea
Bit tricky for a free site! I think what they might do at some point is not allow power data out through the API for non-subscribers. Already only subs get segment data.
Youāve mentioned this like 5 times now, and I have seen literally no one in this thread say anything remotely close to that.
1 Like
Then your keeping count of this is as inaccurate as keeping count of my complaints.
OKā¦and?
Not trying to be snarky, but so what? If anything, that encapsulates the problems Strava is having and indicates they are a poorly run company. If your brand / product is āsynonymousā with an activity and you canāt find ways to monetize it without pissing off your customer base, you are doing something very wrong.
My guess is that someone buys them for a songā¦they were clearly hoping for a buyout at some point as they grew and that failed to materialize. Then the investors stated looking for some return on their investment, so they started looking for ways to drive revenue (fine and dandy) but have failed there too.
At some point the investors are just gonna cut their losses and want out. From a strict opportunistic viewpoint, this is a great opportunity for Garmin it RWGPS to make their services more robust. (I have no idea if either of those companies are interested or have the financial capabilities, or can generate them, to make the purchase. Just talking about strategic fit).
2 Likes
The people I see most pissed off a. Claim to not use Strava because itās stupid and b. Have been free users and expect to keep getting improvements that summit or whatever they call it now, members pay for
1 Like
I think the reason why people are pissed off is more the way Strava communicated this (essentially they didnāt) than the actual changes. Remember a few month ago when TR raised there prices over night without telling one?!
That thread read strikingly similar, even though most people on here werenāt even effected by it ('cause grandfathered in).
1 Like