TOP 10 Cycling Apps Of 2020: Free, Paid Training Apps, and Zwift Alternatives

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

ERG On tshirt: cottonbureau.com/products/erg-on-cycling#/5889466/tee-men-standard-tee-indigo-tri-blend-s

[@chrismadden9126]

Love it. Just ordered❤💪🏻💪🏻🚴🏻‍♂️🚴🏻‍♂️

[@chrismadden9126]

Sadly never received it. I'm based in ireland and its still in New jersey. FedEx can't tell me anything so much for that

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

@@chrismadden9126 Hey Chris, just saw your comment. Did you ever receive the shirt?

[@thomascostello176]

This is an incredible video. I'm very new to this - adding cycling to my running/ultra training. I keep referring back to this video over and over as I'm exploring the right service/app. On my first view of this video, it was a lot of info to digest, but it gave me a lot of good clues as to which were a better match for my goals. As I've been working through the list, I feel your rankings are matching my experience and goals. And this has aged well (now nearly 1 year old). You did a really great job on this!! I'll watch for your next "Top 10" just to keep up with the evolution of these apps and any new entrants. Amazing!!

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Appreciate your comment and glad this video has been helpful. Thank you for your support 🙏🏼

[@WatSail]

I've used Zwift and The Sufferfest. I find that time flies by so much faster on The Sufferfest. Great workouts, entertaining comedy and so much real race footage. In Angels, 2nd climb was against Froomey and 3rd was on the Angliru against Nibali and Horner with the red jersey on.

[@Steve-cc8zg]

Bkool is my pick. Zwift for social interaction, but Bkool offers lots of numbers, an actual flat course in the form of a velodrome and I especially like the greater variety of numbers on the actual ride. My favorite is the upcoming gradient change as well as how long the current segment is in regard to distance. That way I already have a good idea of what gear I will get into the moment I get into a different gradient, rather than waiting for the resistance to hit and then select it. One negative is that it can be a bit of a pain in the backside to get this thing to pair in bluetooth, so I end up using ANT+ more often than not.

[@itzwooky9256]

I've just bought one and can't connect at all via Bluetooth. No idea why

[@Steve-cc8zg]

@@itzwooky9256 Do you have ANT+? Honestly, it's always been a crapshoot with the bluetooth. Like you, I have no idea why. So, I bought an ANT+ adapter, because that always connects. I usually just wait to see if bluetooth will connect, and if it doesn't I just switch.

[@itzwooky9256]

@@Steve-cc8zg Yeah I did get the ANT+ but even when using the bkool toolkit app nothing I've tried 5 different devices was convinced it was broke. Doesn't seem to be anything solid online addressing it either. Would just be nice when the laptop isn't available to to hook it up easily to a phone or tablet and have it sat on handlebars. Ah well, now to figure out what expensive monthly app to use with it!

[@Steve-cc8zg]

@@itzwooky9256 OK, one question: What trainer are you using to connect? And I'll add that I'm no techie. If something messes up I just google until I hopefully find a solution. I had to discover the hard way that if I had connected anything else to bluetooth, I had to make sure it wasn't still paired or anything else wouldn't connect. With that being said, BKOOL has always been an issue. Now, when it comes to ANT+, my trainer is the only thing that has ever been connected that way. So, I can't say for sure that you can or can't have more than one device connected that way.

[@itzwooky9256]

@@Steve-cc8zg so I'm using the smart pro, and I should of said 5 devices but not at the same time. Not once has any device even discovered the trainer. Checked the devices Bluetooth 4.0 etc.. all 4.2.

[@paulfsd]

Xert is awesome and so much more than what was mentioned!

[@kenbeech4940]

Sufferfest analyzes your riding during their Full Frontal test ride to develop a 4 dimensional profile (4DP) of your current rider type. You can get free plans to improve your riding. It uses high intensity training and the training plans are great.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Thank you for watching, Ken 🙏🏼

[@JonRoth_MusicSourceProDJ]

And awesome music too!

[@colnago888]

Hi Tariq. Great review. Probably a good idea to add upload/download speed requirements. Not everyone has access to high speed internet. In my case, we will be wintering where internet service is spotty (ie about 5 Mbps).

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

That’s a great suggestion. I will look into it. Thanks for watching 🙏🏼

[@MaryDeanDotCom]

Yes, that was going to be my comment, too. Some of us are stuck in areas where it’s slow DSL or nothing. You did mention the idea of downloading routes ahead of time, which I hadn’t known was possible. I think I would be happy with just a few beautiful routes that I do repeatedly and try to increase my time.

[@ralfhenning-venske6764]

Hi Tariq, I would like to mention the GARMIN Headunit Indoor Trainer-Mode to complete your list (ERG Mode and as you said the most boring feature riding a course). I personally ride appr. 14.000 k each year (outdoor) and just started indoor cycling with the new Wahoo Core. Compared to the price tag for STRAVA - most of the Trainer Apps 2020 you presented are still to expensive. Why don't we ride outdoor in autumn / winter and use indoor cycling only for shorter rides (10-30 k)? Once the monthly subscription costs will be less than USD 5 - this feature is an option. In the meantime I do the best between outdoor (mostly dry day and preferred daylight rides) activities and shorter indoor stints.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

The Garmin head unit and Wahoo ELEMNT are great for indoor riding and controlling your smart trainer.

[@TrainerDay]

Hi Ralf, Alex from TrainerDay here. TrainerDay.com is #9 on Tariq's list and $3.99 / month. If you try it for free, I think you will find it more enjoyable for indoor than using your Garmin. Garmin is great of you don't want to spend any extra $$, but I think all of the apps here provide a more enjoyable indoor experience.

[@luciemarion6433]

Your video was perfect , you give us great input and info on every app . Thank you

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Glad you found it helpful. Thank you for watching 🙏🏼

[@stuartmclean3843]

@@SmartBikeTrainers just did ramp test on trainerday for 1st time, 301w 👍

[@dalefink]

Thanks, Tariq. Just got my Saris H3 and decided to do a few different apps on free trial. I started with Rouvy and so far it's great for me. Really helpful to have your input as I test out a few of these apps. And I may look into that t-shirt too, as I see below you have posted the source!

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

That’s good to hear. And thanks for watching and support 🙏🏼

[@lkw5699]

I had only heard of one of these apps. I like the Rouvy and Xert so far!

[@stevem2939]

No Tacx TDA or Bkool ???

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Bkool almost made it but hopefully next year. TDA is only limited to Tacx trainers, unfortunately.

[@stevem2939]

@@SmartBikeTrainers Yes, but both should have been reviewed as they are among the cheapest !!! Also I've heard the new Kickr Bike works with Tacx TDA, including the climb function.

[@CycOp]

I’ve tried Bkool but find the software is almost like a beta version (i.e. buggy) and did not continue after free trial. Sure, it has indoor velodrome, which is unique. But the main riding program only works on iPad (iPhone version has only workout videos), does not memorize password for you, and requires pairing with smart trainer and other sensors each time you login. Also for some reason, I cannot output the video signals to my monitor via lightning to HDMI cable. Maybe we’ll see an improved version soon as they just recently exited the hardware business and concentrating on software now. But until then, there are much better options out there.

[@stevem2939]

@@CycOp Bkool works perfectly on mine and my training groups Win 10 pc's. We have no problems at all. Video quality varies as it is mainly a massive user base uploading their rides. I prefer using the rides actually made by Bkool which I find using the search/filter option. I especially like the Vuelta videos recorded during various stages. www.strava.com/clubs/TTic

[@stevem2939]

@@SmartBikeTrainers Hi SBT...... Seen this. How to get non Tacx trainers working on Tacx TDA kzbin.info/www/bejne/enTOdWmJaqmlpas

[@hermanschneider2739]

Tariq. Thx great review. I will use xert this winter. Looks great. But since I will try to ride the “smart” workouts I will connect the ant-FEC to Xert. So looking for another program for just cruising around at the same time as I'm doing my work out. So to the question is there a program that I can attach my smartbike to with just ant-power but not FEC? I'm not interested of exporting, importing reg, zwo files do to reasons you mention in the video. Thx.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Most smart apps will do that. So you can run Xert alongside RGT or Zwift if you would like. When pairing your smart trainer, pair it as a power meter only.

[@luciemarion6433]

One question , do you know if I can put swift companion on à I pad . They say I pod touch or Apple Watch but no mention of I pad

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Yes, you should be able to download the Companion app on an iPad and works the same way as it does on an iPhone or Android.

[@powerwindpro]

Nice video it would be nice to do best Garmin IQ apps for estimated power

[@timsinclair3024]

Great set of objective reviews! Might I ask that you revisit RGT though as the Magic Roads review is way out of date and much had already changed in RGT at the time this review was released :-) Thanks for your great work!

[@BobRumohr]

Love the channel! Where can I get the "Erg On" with profile t-shirt that you are wearing in the video?

[@co66]

The same question - wanna this t shirt

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Here you go: cottonbureau.com/products/erg-on-cycling#/5889466/tee-men-standard-tee-indigo-tri-blend-s

[@chriskennedy1076]

Any preference among the real world apps like fulgaz, rgt etc. The vuelta and other grand tour courses sound appealing but I’m not sure there’s enough “entertainment” like in Zwift to keep me interested. Great vid btw. 👍

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Like you said, nothing will come close to the social value you find in Zwift. But Rouvy have some social riding and racing same as RGT.

[@margelambert3050]

Really awesome video even in 2021. I use some of the apps listed here. Also if you want to update your list you could add #360Wellness. The app is awesome not only for #cycling but also for #fitness in general. Keep up the awesome content mate! 🔥

[@leonardosoares2002]

In kickr core really better in erg mode in conparison to the Direto XR? I mean is it more responsive a has faster power changes? Do you think the kickr core getting a new version in the next year or in the near future?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

The Core a better flywheel than the Direto giving it better erg mode control. I’m not aware of a new Core coming this year. We will see what happens next year. Thanks for watching!

[@leonardosoares2002]

@@SmartBikeTrainers Thanks 🙏 Just one more little thing , the Core is a stable trainer or does it rock side to side?

[@gatorpika]

@@leonardosoares2002 No it doesn't rock.

[@viktorosvald]

Can you recommend an app for most authentic climbs like fx Hautacam?

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

I would check out Fulgaz

[@JoseSilva-fq2jz]

Bkool ?

[@zyghom]

I completely agree with this list ;-)

[@zumbaladin]

About to start riding a bike "seriously" indoor as quarantine is around the corner here in Italy. Very precious videos, thanks for sharing your experience, clear and very detailed what's not to like here? 0 thumb down, well deserved.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Thank you for watching 🙏🏼

[@Suedesi]

Can you offer some comments on Training Peaks and Final Surge. I hear their names mentioned all over, but don't know where they fit vs the apps you've mentioned. Gracias.

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

TrainingPeaks and Final Surge are mainly used for training plans, coaching, and data analysis. Some of the apps like Zwift offer auto sync with these platforms to import your workout of the day and also sync your workout back to TP or final surge

[@SupaPoopaScoopa]

Undoubtedly today during covid there will be many people, not serious cyclist, who'd like to know which apps only need a normal trainer & sensor and don't want to fork out for an expensive smart trainer or power meter.

[@testadura]

Zwift allows for an inexpensive cadence monitor for your outdoor bike if you have an old style bike trainer - May cost 100-200 used for a trainer and ?50 for sensor- and then use Zwift - will need apple product i think - Apple TV or use iPhone - there’s another video out there on gnc I think that covers how to do this

[@jagovandermost636]

missing bkool

[@davethinkingsystems]

Really interesting.

[@arroyoiam]

Rouvy Service support doesn't exist!

[@kestrelo1]

Simply not true, all enquiries are dealt with

[@arroyoiam]

@@kestrelo1 what happens when you finish your activity and don’t sync and keep loading but nothing happens, who you contact to fix those issues?

[@livegreatalways]

I just forget about Rouvy and deleted it. Terrible app. And there's no one out there.

[@casey-rouvy2322]

Hi! Sorry to hear that! What’s your username on ROUVY? We’ll make sure you’re taken care of 🙂

[@laurenwolff6871]

​@Jacques Koorts it's really worth having another look at Rouvy! Rouvy has made MAJOR advances and improvements all round. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised! :-)

[@mario.221]

Every freakin kickr or neo is sold out till Januray-Feb im our aera :/

[@SmartBikeTrainers]

Unfortunately, the supply is very thin right now because of COVID-19 and everyone is trying to get one.

[@testadura]

Hoping you got one