Strava Premium, Worth It?

Bobbinogs

So, I have come somewhat belatedly to the world of GPS tracking and, having uploaded my last few rides onto Strava (and joined the BR Strava club ), am left wondering if the upgrade to Premium is worth it? OK, so one gets a suffer score, but I can kind of work out how much I suffered on a ride and the stats won't always match how much I feel I have suffered (on the other hand, I didn't need to check any stats to tell me I found Frocester Hill in Gloucestershire a little tough yesterday morning).

So, anyone with any opinions? I generally like the idea of paying something back into websites and all that but are there any other features that make the deal worth it for those folks who have actually signed up to it?

yeachan153

Personally I think the price is too steep for the added functions

t.m.h.n.e.t

I can't actually remember what the functions were so probably not.

ShutUpLegs

In the early days couldn't you only upload 5 rides a month unless you were a premium member? Some people like the feature where you can look at leaderboards by age or weight but I cannot see it being worth it.

TakeTurns

I don't think so. It's cheap, but I don't see it as beneficial. Suffer score, sounds wack. Search filters...only to feed your ego I believe and the detailed power/heart zone analysis is really unnecessary imo as they give you a decent amount of detail anyway.

Mikey23

i have it but not sure its worth it. it is rather cool to know that i might be zillionth but am top of my age cat in most of my local rides ...

Bobbinogs

Mikey23 wrote:

i have it but not sure its worth it. it is rather cool to know that i might be zillionth but am top of my age cat in most of my local rides ...

Yeah, I kind of figured that would also help me put performances into perspective but I guess what I really want is a "remove all the folks who can actually cycle faster than you" segment feature.

Can't see how one needs more heart rate detail either Taketurns. What did surprise me looking at my data is how flat I managed to keep my heart rate, with the odd dip/peak, which probably shows I have managed to work out my sustainable heart rate and work to it, having learned to do so by feel (my old Polar heart rate monitor only worked for 1 hour so was limited to turbo usage whereas I have now purchased one of them there Bryton 20's).

SHADOWMATE

I think its worth it but compared to not paying theres not much in it. I paid for premium to put money into it as it was a brilliant thing, but yeah theres not a lot in it to be honest. The leaderboard filtering makes me look a lot better as there aren't many 16 1/2 stone 37 year olds. I think in the future as it grows there will be more stuff for premium.

Paul 8v

I know what you mean about wanting to put something back in to it, it's a great training tool for me but I can'tsee many benefits from the added functions unfortunately.

kettrinboy

Ive had "premium" for a year now but wont be renewing my sub, the enhanced HR analysis is ok but still inferior to SportTracks which i also use, and i,m not bothered about the age category filters for segments,so for me not really enough extra stuff for the price.

Bustacapp

I want to simply see where I stand in my weight catergory for a couple of segments. I'm 39 y/o and weigh 110kg.

I'm not prepared to pay $60 a year for that though.

moscowflyer

It does confuse me why they don't give much for the premium, they could make so much more from it if they gave some more features. Just being able to directly compare all my segments with a friend on one screen for example, I've been crying out for this for ages and would happily pay for something like that. As it is, mine has lapsed and I won't take out another one unless they actually make it worth paying extra for, although sometimes I do feel I should be paying for it just because of the amount of use I get from it.

wheezee

It's possible they'll drop the "free" service in the future, or reduce the features you can access. I've used various online applications over the years that entice you with their free of charge "lite" version, and then ask you to pay once you become properly hooked.

gsvbagpuss

As I understand it, Strava was the other way around - they used to limit their free account much more than they do now

I paid this year, just to give them some funds. It's a great idea and I get a lot of pleasure from checking my progress on segments. I don't think I'll keep paying but having tried to start a site along a similar lines myself, I want to give them some funds to show my appreciation.

wheezee

That's good to hear. I'd struggle to justify the cost, but I'd hate to lose it, now.

essjaydee

With the premium service, can you download other peoples routes, as .gpx files :?:

I notice you can do this on your own uploads, but not on other peoples.

I would pay for a years subs, if i could download routes others have uploaded.

monkeycowboy

essjaydee wrote:

With the premium service, can you download other peoples routes, as .gpx files :?:

I notice you can do this on your own uploads, but not on other peoples.

I would pay for a years subs, if i could download routes others have uploaded.

Some tools here to do just that!

strava-tools.raceshape.com

essjaydee

MonkeyCowboy wrote:

essjaydee wrote:

With the premium service, can you download other peoples routes, as .gpx files :?:

I notice you can do this on your own uploads, but not on other peoples.

I would pay for a years subs, if i could download routes others have uploaded.

Some tools here to do just that!

strava-tools.raceshape.com

Many thanks 8)

Herbsman

Email them and tell them what you want them to change. If you don't ask, you don't get.

ruarigrant

It's true - raceshape does perform a lot of premium's features free of charge. However the raceshape founder has recently become a strava employee, so we may see some changes, and it could mean the eventual end for raceshape...who knows..
Here is a summary of what to expect from strava premium http://www.andbethere.com/2013/02/so-is-strava-premium-worth-it.html ...I'd say it's pretty much worth it since they brought in a whole load of new features, especially for power-meter people.

Careca

When rating you by weight does it take your height into consideration?

skinnydog1973

i have just started cycling and use strava ive only done 3 rides so i just joined for a month to see what it was like it was only cost £3.94 not sure if i will keep it though

simon_masterson

I don't think the free version is worth it.

philbar72

did it for a month on the iphone. its a resounding no from me.

Mikey23

Signed up for a year, great app and worth contributing to

Bobbinogs

Mikey23 wrote:

Signed up for a year, great app and worth contributing to

I feel this way about Strava too (as in great app and worth my support), just still not convinced about the Premium bit. I would hope that by using Strava anyway I am contributing because I figure their business case could not be built around Premium, more a case of that adding cherries on top to their profitiability from advertising??

ruarigrant

I guess that unless you are quite into the stats side of cycling anyway, then maybe Strava isn't for you...having said that, I wasn't that keen but soon became addicted! I'm in two minds whether premium is worth it if you don't have a power tap - but if you do then you're clearly into the stats etc anyway, so you should get it.
Can't really comment on iphone app - haven't used it, though a friend swears by the android one. Also yuou can now buy an iphone adapter which will let you receive signals from garmin HR monitors and speed/cadence sensors...pretty useful if you don't have a Garmin.

Mikey23

It's constantly being refined and updated and I presume that costs money and salaries have to be paid. It got me out nearly every flipping day in jan doing the base mile challenge. Riding hasn't quite got the cameraderie that running used to for me and I'm unlikely to race in anything other than sportive mode so it keeps me focussed and motivated and gives me a sense of belonging and keeping in touch with others. Without that, I think I would have given up very quickly. Some advanced features are relevant to me and some aren't but on balance I think it's worth supporting and paying for

charlie_potatoes

Simon Masterson wrote:

I don't think the free version is worth it.

That's a shame Simon. You would be able to show us all your 25mph average

ruarigrant

For sure - it's probably worth supporting them if not for the actual features alone.

lotus49

Simon Masterson wrote:

I don't think the free version is worth it.

I used Strava on my third outing. I was horribly unfit (I still am, just less so) but it was thoroughly heartening to know that I was far from being the slowest cyclist in Yorkshire.

The only way I'm likely to get a KOM is to find somewhere that doesn't have a segment and be first up it but it is a great way of comparing your own progress with a range of others. Cycling is so popular around here that almost all the segments have got 500-1000 rider records so it is a worthwhile comparison.

I know you were joking but I think the free version is excellent value for money (spoken like a true Yorkshireman).