With several years of data they should be able to build an AI layer that creates user-specific workout programs and actively modifies them based on individual rider performance.
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You could always sign up for multiple subscriptions…
Mike
I would suggest paying a subscription for other riders in your area, to build the brand through expanded customer base.
I just hope it’s better than the Xert app.
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I tried doing that. I used to ride quite a bit with Amanda Coker. After she was done with her world record attempt, her goal has been to become a pro cyclist. I offered to buy her an annual membership to TR since money is an issue for her. She seemed to be offended. I am not sure why but it seems like doing structured training may be taboo for some “serious” cyclists. There may be a cultural wall somewhere. I do most of my stuff solo so I don’t know exactly.
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I suspect that everyone will react a bit differently to an offer of a TR subscription. Pride, motives and who knows what else can be felt and questioned.
I see it an an offer to share a great resource and help someone who may not see the benefits or be able to afford the cost. But I know that wouldn’t work for everyone.
Hmm, I’m cringing a little (just a little mind you) at some of the arm-chair business advice that people are giving TR. Have we considered that…
- Accepting money from investors who’s goals do not align with your team is worse than no money at all? Sure Zwift got an injection of funds but at what cost to their dream?
- Advertising on platforms who’s goals and target audience do not align with yours is worse than no advertisement at all? Spam is just a tiny hop away from this. Sufferfest and Zwift advertising on GCN could just mean that they don’t really have a specific kind of user in mind and care more about head count and revenue. I found TR by following a racer that I respected on Strava and seeing that he used TR. In 2018, I was being spammed by Zwift ads from every angle, so naturally I tried it but the connection I made with TR was much more powerful. If TR is good, people who will click with it will find it in good time. You don’t even need to evangelize and I would argue that you should not. Just walk the walk and talk the talk. If that sounds elitist to you, then you haven’t spent enough time getting help on this (free-to-the-public) forum!
- Assuming businesses can only survive by growing in size and beating out competition is perhaps missing the point for TR? There are plenty of healthy examples of thriving businesses that succeed via specialization, razor sharp objectives (that are not simply about market share), and targeting very specific audiences. Do we know what the TR team wants? Are you giving advice that is appropriate?
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Very interesting points, @bclarkson. I think focus and a healthily sized niche can be way more than good enough for TrainerRoad, though.
If TR took venture capital money, I’d bet big bucks that one of the pushes they’ll make is the social aspect, which is in a sense antithetical to TR’s design. They focus on the individual and their training plans and needs. It is not a @bclarkons vs. @OreoCookie FTP or W/kg battle or some such. And for me that is exactly what I want.
And that focus on social can lead down plenty of bad avenues: have a look at e. g. Strava: even though I subscribe to Strava Premium I am still spammed with ads. I am sure that they are scraping my equipment profile and selling that to the highest bidder (in aggregate, of course). Their support team’s response to long-standing bug and feature requests is, well, not good (I’m choosing to be polite here).
TR’s team is quite the opposite: very engaged with the community. Focussed on a core mission And while they don’t grant each and every of our wishes yesterday, their responses are usually not marketing boiler plate. Its product is centered around the individual, not groups. As long as they can find a healthy niche market, I think they are fine, and if they love what they do (rather than aiming to retire young in the Bahamas), I don’t see any reason why they should go the VC route.
But I noticed that TR is already headed down another path: they have become involved with pro teams. Given the scientific mindset of the company and the target audience, I think this is actually quite clever.
Well, we know where at least some of the $120m is going since they have Geraint Thomas in their Tour de France ads…
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… but strangely, though “Fun is fast” or was that “Fast is fun” (I forget) G does not smile to the camera at the end. He just glances across as if distracted by something someone said.
(DARN - System removed my use of @stevemz’s quote because I used the whole of his short post to get teh full meaning That is annoying!)
I think Jan F. is hiding in there too, so more $$$ spread around.
Already sick of that ad. 
(and that’s with fast-forwarding)
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And Lucy Charles Barclay
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Peleton Ad for me… had enough of that already…
Bottom line is - you can’t guess investor’s objectives. Some are motivated by the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, some by what they build and how they stay true to their original vision, some by the prospect of the big M&A deal allowing them to realize the vision, some by the fear that the big M&A deal will prevent them from realizing the vision - all paths are possible. Only those who hold the shares can decide.