Garmin - Strava Sync

dinyull

I've just used my new Garmin for the first time this morning and I'm struggling to get the ride uploaded to Strava.

I have sync'd the ride to Garmin Connect on my phone via bluetooth but because it was the first time I've used it the account wasn't liked to Strava. I've since linked with Strava and have read a couple of How To guides which pretty much say it should upload/sync with Strava automatically within a few mins.

What am I doing wrong?

bobmcstuff

Guessing it is just because the accounts weren't linked when you uploaded to Garmin. Try with the next ride and see if it works.

You can export the ride as TCX from Garmin Connect and upload it directly to Strava as a workaround for individual rides that fail for whatever reason (does happen from time to time - sometimes there are server issues etc.), but if it doesn't work for new rides after the accounts have been linked then I'm not sure what to suggest beyond contacting Strava and Garmin support and asking for tips (Strava support are pretty good IME, not needed to try Garmin support).

rpherts

I just connect the garmin to the PC via the cable, and in Strava select Upload Activity -> File, navigate to Documents/Activities (I think, or Garmin/Activities), file will be there (sort by date descending).

Far easier than synching with Garmin Connect and then waiting for it to filter through to Strava. That's my opinion, anyway.

dinyull

I've managed to download the tcx file from Connect and upload manually. Fingers crossed the auto-sync works tonight as there is no way booting up a computer, connecting the unit via USB and faffing on with upload is easier/quicker than the bluetooth option.

bobmcstuff

rpherts wrote:

I just connect the garmin to the PC via the cable, and in Strava select Upload Activity -> File, navigate to Documents/Activities (I think, or Garmin/Activities), file will be there (sort by date descending).

Far easier than synching with Garmin Connect and then waiting for it to filter through to Strava. That's my opinion, anyway.

Auto-sync works flawlessly for me 99%+ of the time - I've 208 activities on Connect and I can think of 2 occasions where I've had to do a manual upload and they were both because Strava sync was down (e.g., after RideLondon this year it seemed to stop working in the UK).

Connecting with cable every time sounds like way more faff compared to literally doing nothing...

mikelister

I've just updated my Edge 520 to Version 7 of the firmware and it failed to sync from my Edge to Connect on my iPhone last Friday. Didn't ride over the weekend but worked ok this morning when I plugged the device into the pc. Perhaps the servers were down and you encountered a similar issue?

bobmcstuff

mikelister wrote:

I've just updated my Edge 520 to Version 7 of the firmware and it failed to sync from my Edge to Connect on my iPhone last Friday. Didn't ride over the weekend but worked ok this morning when I plugged the device into the pc. Perhaps the servers were down and you encountered a similar issue?

There's usually chatter online (here and elsewhere) if the system is down. This page tells you the status on Garmin's side: https://connect.garmin.com/en-US/status

FWIW I rode Friday (and both days at the weekend) and had no issues with auto-sync.

bobmcstuff

Also - welcome to the forum

mikelister

bobmcstuff wrote:

Also - welcome to the forum

Thanks for the welcome and thanks for the link to the Status page, will keep an eye on that. Might just be technology playing silly buggers but will try again after my ride home this evening.

steg666

Strangely, I've returned to the forum looking for an answer to the same problem.

I've also updated my EDGE 520 to version 7:00. I did manage to get Friday's ride to upload but it was a struggle. I went out yesterday and can't get it to upload to strava for love nor money.

Prior to this I'd had a 100% success rate uploading and then auto syncing to strava. I'd initially felt it coincided with the firmware update but really didn't know where to point the blame, strava, garmin connect or my phone. My ride is on garmin connect but it literally will not transfer over to strava. I've tried disconnecting the association between the two and then re-connecting it but still with no success.

ForumNewbie

Dinyull wrote:

I've managed to download the tcx file from Connect and upload manually. Fingers crossed the auto-sync works tonight as there is no way booting up a computer, connecting the unit via USB and faffing on with upload is easier/quicker than the bluetooth option.

As my Garmin 500 doesn't do Bluetooth, I still have to boot up my computer and connect my unit via a USB cable, which is not exactly an arduous task

I then upload from my Garmin 500 to Garmin Express and it does a sync which puts the data on Garmin Connect and Strava.

dinyull

It might not be an arduous task, but it isn't easier or quicker than clicking save on the Garmin and it syncing automatically to Connect and then Strava.

Assuming it works of course!

dinyull

Seems it was down to the Strava account not being initially linked as my commute's last night and this morning have auto-sync'd no problem.

mikelister

steg666 wrote:

Strangely, I've returned to the forum looking for an answer to the same problem.

I've also updated my EDGE 520 to version 7:00. I did manage to get Friday's ride to upload but it was a struggle. I went out yesterday and can't get it to upload to strava for love nor money.

Prior to this I'd had a 100% success rate uploading and then auto syncing to strava. I'd initially felt it coincided with the firmware update but really didn't know where to point the blame, strava, garmin connect or my phone. My ride is on garmin connect but it literally will not transfer over to strava. I've tried disconnecting the association between the two and then re-connecting it but still with no success.

Think it might have been a glitch in the system. I did plug my Garmin into the pc yesterday to check for updates although not sure there were any, however last night's commute and this morning's have both synced without issue.