Good points! I also get frustrated by the fact that there’s less information shown in my profile on my phone compared to a browser on my computer. Who wants to go on a computer all the time?
I dont see strava as a social network at all. Social networks are about interaction, but the core functionality of strava is one way (I post a ride, and people see it, and vice versa). Each post is just a one-way interaction, and I can't see it evolving past this limit.
I think a lot of users WANT it to be a social network. Any "friends" I've made on Strava I've found because I check the "fly-by" and then check their profile to see if they're around the same fitness level. The "local legend" badge is kinda helpful if I always see someone on a segment, but again I'd have to dig to find them. I'm a solo cyclist only because I don't know anyone in my area to cycle with, and I don't have a car to drive to social meetups. Anyway if Strava used the info it already collects from me, to help me connect with others, and learn about services in my area, I'd love that.
I’ve been a user since 2012, and dropped back to free a few months ago (before any talk of increase) because I don’t get value I can’t get elsewhere and nothing has changed with it for a number of years. You’ve absolutely nailed what they need to do, some great ideas there
After using Garmin connect, tried to for some time Strava (free version). OMG, almost every menu selection is under subscription. I cannot even see my own data that Garmin shows me and which it sends to Strava.
I am a premium user and I have been using it almost 12 years. I will not agree to pay another dollar for Strava premium without some tangible improvement. I will try the free version which is probably way different than the premium version. Otherwise, I will just use Garmin Connect and TraningPeaks.
It’s frustrating that when my friend and I ride together the discrepancy between our results has gone from a few tenths of a mile to 1.30 of a mile. Time and elevation don’t match either. One of us has Android, the other iPhone but we use the same service. Meanwhile customer support is useless.
Strava is disconnected from it's users, clearly. Since the beginning I found it annoying that users need to click each activity to reveal the average speed (instead of having it displayed in the activity header, like distance). All of my (amateur) club buddies care about average and not so much about the damn segments. For that reason alone I would never pay for Strava. It's founders must be 'segment heads'. Then they polluted my activity feed with goddamn challenges, ski, all kinds of trainer graphs, etc. Nowadays I don't even open Strava anymore, too annoying. Same with Facebook. Corporate greed has no limits.
You are 100% correct. Strava needs to watch this video. And add a "meet up" feature. I want to post when and where I will start a ride and the Strava users in that area will receive a notification (plus notify those following me).
Ever since I got my Garmin Fenix 5... I've been using Garmin Connect and I love it 🙂. I had multiple Strava-trial-subscriptions over the years, but I never saw any reason to actually pay for it...While I like the toplists... And also seeing my speed while I am riding... Honestly, I don't care that much about the toplist, so the metrics Garmin provides are good enough for me - and as a speedometer while riding - there are free apps that do a great job as well (here I would love if Garmin actually implemented it in the app...)..
The irony is they never would, because if they were willing to, they wouldn't need to. I'm POSITIVE there are people in the company who had all these ideas and much better a long time ago. Something else is broken.
I'm in complete agreement with you on this. I actually quit Strava over a year ago and can honestly say that I don't miss it. As a Garmin user, I get everything I need from Connect - plus I also have health metrics consolidated in the same place there.
Why should I pay for a premium feature like leaderboards if they are full of fraudulent KOMs? Why would I make group challenges that I have to pay for, if I can't even use the platform for proper group communication? I've been using strava for the past 4 years and last weekend was the first time I actually got to meet up with someone from the platform to go on a ride. Also, like most bike apps it is almost useless for mountainbike routes.
You've been on Strava a few more months than me! But I think Strava still offers a compelling product. This pricing issue is a giant dumpster fire but I wonder if it'll really move the needle one way or the other. 🤔 Either way, I don't see Strava changing a ton in the near future. I'd love to be wrong. 🤷♂
It needs groups and private messaging. Opt-in option. When I have a question for a friend I follow, I don't necessarily want it to be seen by others. Group messaging could help people organise rides. It shouldn't be so difficult to build. I don't know.
"maximizing profits despite user needs rather than doing a great job of solving for user needs and then happily taking money along the way." - *>90% of health & fitness startups.*
I agree strava does nothing to me since they rolled out the paid service. Also your right I think very few users would mind if they got adds on any tier. I have never paid and don’t plan on it. I excited to see where your new venture goes and will hit the google link my friend. How’s Ironman training going?
Thank you! So am I. Aiming for a launch in March. I dunno, maybe no one in the world will care, but *I* think it's just fantastic. Training is going fine. Still in winter mode. :)
Aaaaaaand the CEO has resigned. techcrunch.com/2023/02/13/strava-searches-for-new-ceo-with-cofounder-michael-horvath-departing-for-a-second-time/amp/
Good points! I also get frustrated by the fact that there’s less information shown in my profile on my phone compared to a browser on my computer. Who wants to go on a computer all the time?
It's just so weird
I dont see strava as a social network at all. Social networks are about interaction, but the core functionality of strava is one way (I post a ride, and people see it, and vice versa). Each post is just a one-way interaction, and I can't see it evolving past this limit.
I met most of my cycling friends through Strava over the last 8 years. It is a social app in some regards.
I think a lot of users WANT it to be a social network. Any "friends" I've made on Strava I've found because I check the "fly-by" and then check their profile to see if they're around the same fitness level. The "local legend" badge is kinda helpful if I always see someone on a segment, but again I'd have to dig to find them. I'm a solo cyclist only because I don't know anyone in my area to cycle with, and I don't have a car to drive to social meetups. Anyway if Strava used the info it already collects from me, to help me connect with others, and learn about services in my area, I'd love that.
I’ve been a user since 2012, and dropped back to free a few months ago (before any talk of increase) because I don’t get value I can’t get elsewhere and nothing has changed with it for a number of years. You’ve absolutely nailed what they need to do, some great ideas there
Please, someone at Strava, watch this video!
Sadly, I'm sure they thought of all of this years ago, which means there's something else going on. 🫤
After using Garmin connect, tried to for some time Strava (free version). OMG, almost every menu selection is under subscription. I cannot even see my own data that Garmin shows me and which it sends to Strava.
Yeah it's basically paid top to bottom other than training calendar, segment explore, and your feed.
I am a premium user and I have been using it almost 12 years. I will not agree to pay another dollar for Strava premium without some tangible improvement. I will try the free version which is probably way different than the premium version. Otherwise, I will just use Garmin Connect and TraningPeaks.
Awesome Justin. You hit the nail on the head. I don't think NZ's price is going up but if it does I will be tempted to go on the free platform.
First class analysis
It’s frustrating that when my friend and I ride together the discrepancy between our results has gone from a few tenths of a mile to 1.30 of a mile. Time and elevation don’t match either. One of us has Android, the other iPhone but we use the same service. Meanwhile customer support is useless.
Hi Justin, like your story telling style.
Thank you! :)
Strava is disconnected from it's users, clearly. Since the beginning I found it annoying that users need to click each activity to reveal the average speed (instead of having it displayed in the activity header, like distance). All of my (amateur) club buddies care about average and not so much about the damn segments. For that reason alone I would never pay for Strava. It's founders must be 'segment heads'. Then they polluted my activity feed with goddamn challenges, ski, all kinds of trainer graphs, etc. Nowadays I don't even open Strava anymore, too annoying. Same with Facebook. Corporate greed has no limits.
Wise words, well said.
Stopped paying for Strava when they started charging for "premium" services.
How in the world is Strava profitable when only 5% of users are subscription based.
my strava tells me i done 80mph haha on a mountain rd its very iffy
Strava just really, really believes in you. 🤣
You are 100% correct. Strava needs to watch this video. And add a "meet up" feature. I want to post when and where I will start a ride and the Strava users in that area will receive a notification (plus notify those following me).
That's a great idea!
Ever since I got my Garmin Fenix 5... I've been using Garmin Connect and I love it 🙂. I had multiple Strava-trial-subscriptions over the years, but I never saw any reason to actually pay for it...While I like the toplists... And also seeing my speed while I am riding... Honestly, I don't care that much about the toplist, so the metrics Garmin provides are good enough for me - and as a speedometer while riding - there are free apps that do a great job as well (here I would love if Garmin actually implemented it in the app...)..
Strava needs to hire people like you.
The irony is they never would, because if they were willing to, they wouldn't need to. I'm POSITIVE there are people in the company who had all these ideas and much better a long time ago. Something else is broken.
I'm in complete agreement with you on this. I actually quit Strava over a year ago and can honestly say that I don't miss it. As a Garmin user, I get everything I need from Connect - plus I also have health metrics consolidated in the same place there.
Totally!
Why should I pay for a premium feature like leaderboards if they are full of fraudulent KOMs? Why would I make group challenges that I have to pay for, if I can't even use the platform for proper group communication? I've been using strava for the past 4 years and last weekend was the first time I actually got to meet up with someone from the platform to go on a ride. Also, like most bike apps it is almost useless for mountainbike routes.
You've been on Strava a few more months than me! But I think Strava still offers a compelling product. This pricing issue is a giant dumpster fire but I wonder if it'll really move the needle one way or the other. 🤔 Either way, I don't see Strava changing a ton in the near future. I'd love to be wrong. 🤷♂
There are not enough hard core athletes to make Strava successful. They need to make it appealing for people who want to get in shape.
It needs groups and private messaging.
Opt-in option.
When I have a question for a friend I follow, I don't necessarily want it to be seen by others.
Group messaging could help people organise rides.
It shouldn't be so difficult to build. I don't know.
I‘m sticking with my free membership. It’s just not worth it to me. I do miss the leaderboards but meh…
I think you made some very good points.
"maximizing profits despite user needs rather than doing a great job of solving for user needs and then happily taking money along the way." - *>90% of health & fitness startups.*
YUP
Never used Strava.
Justin, you doing ok? Plans for 2023?
Thanks for checking in! Very good, very busy trying to get my business launched. Ironman Coeur d'Alene on June 25! :)
@@JustinDoesTriathlon We’ll be watching!
I’m done with Strava. I can find better products elsewhere.
Well said.
I agree strava does nothing to me since they rolled out the paid service. Also your right I think very few users would mind if they got adds on any tier. I have never paid and don’t plan on it. I excited to see where your new venture goes and will hit the google link my friend. How’s Ironman training going?
Thank you! So am I. Aiming for a launch in March. I dunno, maybe no one in the world will care, but *I* think it's just fantastic. Training is going fine. Still in winter mode. :)
@@JustinDoesTriathlon let you said bet on yourself, I’m willing to bet you have something cool on your hands good luck
Appreciate it!
For data analysis I use runalyze. it's free and works great. Do you know any other free alternative like that? tku