Strava, Komoot, Ride with GPS, Garmin Connect, Trailforks and GPS computers from Garmin, Wahoo, Hammerhead and Coros: gear up with cycling tech.
Cycling is an age-old sport, but technology has completely transformed the way we ride, train and explore. Today, your phone and GPS computer can tell you exactly where to go, at what speed, with what power, and let you share your exploits with a global community. Whether you simply want to track your rides, plan a big bike-touring adventure or beat your record on a climb, there's a tool for you. In this chapter, we demystify the apps, GPS computers and sensors that populate the modern cyclist's ecosystem. You don't need to be a geek to find your way around: we'll get to the essentials, explain what each tool is for and, above all, help you choose what YOU really need based on your kind of riding. Because the worst mistake would be to spend a fortune on technology you'll never use.
The must-have apps
Even before investing in a dedicated computer, your smartphone can do a great deal. Here are the apps that dominate the cycling world, each with its own personality.
Strava — the social network of cycling
Strava is THE social reference. You record your rides, you see your friends' rides, and above all you measure yourself on segments: stretches of road or trail where all users are ranked. Becoming "KOM" (King of the Mountain) on your local climb is a powerful motivator. Ideal for those who love friendly competition and sharing. Strava offers a very functional free version and a paid version that adds in-depth analysis, live segment rankings and planning tools. In Québec, just about everyone is on it: it's become the common language for comparing performances and giving "kudos" (the cheers) to your friends' rides.
Komoot — adventure planning
Komoot shines for route planning, especially in gravel and bike touring. Its engine suggests routes based on surface type, and its community guides are full of ideas. Perfect for discovering new areas. Komoot works by purchasing regions (or full access once and for all), a model that appeals to those who hate recurring subscriptions. Its strength is suggesting a loop route from your starting point, factoring in the distance and the kind of road you want — ideal when you land in a new region and don't know where to go.
Ride with GPS — cartographic precision
Ride with GPS is the favourite tool of clubs and ride organizers. Detailed route creation, turn-by-turn voice instructions (cue sheets), and excellent file management. A must for anyone who wants reliable routes.
Garmin Connect — the data ecosystem
If you own a Garmin device, Connect is the hub that centralizes all your data: training, sleep, recovery, performance stats. Very comprehensive for long-term tracking. It's also the mandatory gateway for transferring your routes to your Garmin device and for analyzing your rides afterward, with detailed graphs of your power, heart rate and elevation.
Trailforks — the mountain biking bible
For trail lovers, Trailforks is indispensable. Detailed maps of trail networks, difficulty levels, trail status (open/closed) and rider reviews. In Québec, the mountain biking networks are very well documented on it. Check out our guide to mountain biking in Québec to find out where to lay down your tires.
Other apps deserve a mention. Apple Maps and Google Maps now offer decent bike routing for urban travel, without the richness of the specialized apps. Zwift plays in another category entirely: it's an indoor training simulator on a smart trainer, perfect for the long Québec winters when you want to stay fit indoors while riding through virtual worlds with other cyclists from around the globe. And don't forget the precise weather-forecast apps, which become a cycling tool in their own right when it's time to pick the right moment to head out.
| App | Main strength | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Strava | Social, segments, challenges | Cyclists motivated by competition and sharing |
| Komoot | Multi-surface route suggestions | Gravel, bike touring, exploration |
| Ride with GPS | Precise route creation, navigation | Clubs, organizers, group rides |
| Garmin Connect | Data and performance tracking | Owners of Garmin devices |
| Trailforks | Up-to-date mountain bike trail maps | Mountain biking |
Dedicated GPS computers
A phone is fine, but a dedicated GPS computer offers far better battery life, a screen readable in sunlight, robust waterproofing and navigation without draining your phone's battery. Here are the major players.
- Garmin (Edge series): the industry standard. From affordable models (Edge 130) to navigation beasts (Edge 840, 1040). Excellent mapping, a complete ecosystem, proven reliability. Who's it for? Just about everyone, from beginner to pro.
- Wahoo (Elemnt): known for ease of use. Setup is done entirely through the phone app, and the interface is clean. Who's it for? Those who want a hassle-free device that just works, period.
- Hammerhead (Karoo): a computer running on Android with a gorgeous high-resolution touchscreen and superb mapping. Who's it for? Tech enthusiasts who want the nicest screen and cutting-edge features.
- Coros: known mostly for its watches, Coros offers remarkable battery life and good value for money. Who's it for? Those who prioritize battery endurance on long distances.
How to choose your computer
Before splurging on the most expensive model, ask yourself the right questions. Do you really need full mapping, or is a display of your data (speed, distance, HR) enough? If you mostly ride routes you know, an entry-level model without maps will do the job and costs a fraction of the price. If you're constantly exploring new territory or doing bike touring, map-based navigation is worth its weight in gold. Also consider the screen size (a bigger screen is more readable but heavier and pricier) and battery life, particularly important for long rides where you won't be able to recharge. Finally, check compatibility with the sensors you own or plan to buy.
GPX export and navigation
The GPX format (GPS Exchange Format) is the lingua franca of the bike route. It's a file that contains the exact track of a route and that you can transfer between apps and devices. The principle is simple:
- You create or find a route in an app.
- You export it as a GPX file.
- You load it onto your GPS computer, which then guides you turn by turn.
That's precisely what our route planner lets you do: create a custom route tailored to Québec and export it as GPX to follow on your Garmin, your Wahoo or your phone. No more stopping at every intersection to check your map — you just follow the line. It's a game changer for exploring new regions stress-free, whether for a ride around home or to scout out the most beautiful bike paths in the province.
Turn-by-turn navigation deserves some attention, because it's one of the features that most changes your experience. Instead of having to memorize your route or stop constantly, your device warns you in advance of each turn with a visual and audible alert. You can ride through a completely unknown region with the same confidence as on your usual roads, your mind free to enjoy the scenery. For bike touring, where the days are long and the territories new, this peace of mind is priceless.
The sensors: cadence, power, heart rate
To go further in analyzing your rides, sensors connect to your computer or phone via ANT+ or Bluetooth. These small accessories turn raw data into useful information for training intelligently rather than by feel.
- Cadence sensor: measures the number of crank revolutions per minute (RPM). Useful for learning to "spin" efficiently rather than grinding big gears.
- Heart rate strap: indicates the real intensity of your effort. It's the gateway to zone-based training. A chest strap is more accurate than a wrist sensor.
- Power meter: the Holy Grail of training. It measures in watts the energy you produce, independent of wind, gradient or fatigue. It's the ultimate tool for structuring your training. You'll find them in pedals, cranks or hubs.
These sensors communicate with your computer via two wireless protocols: ANT+ (cycling's historic standard, which lets you connect an unlimited number of devices) and Bluetooth (more universal, used by phones). Most modern sensors broadcast both, which guarantees you broad compatibility. The advantage of a sensor over an app's estimate is precision: a real cadence sensor knows exactly how many times you pedal, where a GPS-based estimate remains approximate.
If you want to understand how to use this data to improve, our guide on advanced tips (power, FTP, endurance) goes into the details of structured training.
Where to start?
You don't need to buy everything at once. Here's a logical progression:
- Beginner: install Strava or Komoot on your phone. It's free and more than enough to track your rides.
- Regular cyclist: invest in an entry-level GPS computer and a heart rate strap to better manage your efforts and navigate.
- Performance cyclist: add a power meter and an analysis app to structure your zone-based training.
One last piece of advice: don't get so absorbed in the numbers that you forget why you ride. Technology is a fantastic tool for improving, exploring and motivating yourself, but it should never make you lose the simple pleasure of pedalling. Some of the best rides are the ones where you leave the computer at home and just enjoy the scenery. Use tech as a servant, not a master.
→ Build a route and export it as GPX
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need a GPS computer if I already have my phone?
Not at first. An app like Strava or Komoot on your phone does the essentials: recording your rides and navigating. A dedicated computer becomes worthwhile when you ride for a long time (better battery life), when you want a screen readable in sunlight without risking your phone, or when you navigate frequently on new routes.
What's the difference between Strava and Komoot?
Strava is above all a social network focused on performance tracking and competitive segments. Komoot is a route-planning tool that excels at discovering new routes, especially in gravel and bike touring. Many cyclists use both: Komoot to plan, Strava to record and share.
How do I transfer a route to my GPS computer?
You export the route as a GPX file from your planning app, like our planner, then load it onto your computer via the companion app (Garmin Connect, Wahoo, etc.) or by USB cable. Once loaded, the device guides you turn by turn all along the route.
Are power meters only for the pros?
No, but it's an investment to make at the right time. If you're a beginner or ride for fun, a heart rate strap is more than enough. The power meter becomes useful when you want to seriously structure your zone-based training and measure your progress precisely, independent of outside conditions.
Photo: Erik Mclean via Pexels