The 5 best bike apps: navigation, performance and electrification!

Cycling is experiencing unprecedented growth. In France, the number of cyclists has increased by 52% since 2019, driven by the ecological transition and the explosion of electric bike.
But how can you improve your riding, find your way, train, or simply enjoy your rides? Today, the smartphone has become a real cyclist assistance tool, just like the electric bike kit It is for its mobility.

In this article, we have selected 5 essential apps A must-see, whether you're an urbanite, an adventurer, or a lover of electric mountain bike kit.
And as a bonus, we'll see how some apps integrate perfectly into a process of electric bike conversion or electric bicycle.

Summary

1) Why use cycling apps?

2) Top 5 apps for cyclists

3) Applications & Electric kits: an alliance for mobility

4) Practical tips for connected cyclists

5) Conclusion: Cycling between technology and freedom

1) Why use cycling apps?

Cycling has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, driven by two major trends: digitalization of the cycling experience and therise of the electric bike, thanks in particular to conversion kits. At the crossroads of these two dynamics, the mobile applications occupy an increasingly central place in the lives of cyclists.

In 2023, according to a study by the FUB (French Federation of Bicycle Users), nearly 7 out of 10 cyclists regularly use one or more apps to optimize their journeys, improve their safety, or track their progress. And this number rises even further among those who have chosen toelectrify their bike with a electric bike kit : Being connected and more mobile, these users are naturally inclined to rely on digital tools.

Multiple uses, for all cyclists

Cycling apps are no longer limited to a simple GPS function. They now cover everything. cycling lifecycle :

• Smart route planning, taking into account the type of bike (road, mountain bike, cargo bike, bike equipped with an electric motor kit), the level of difficulty, the type of terrain or the presence of cycle paths.
• Analysis of physical performance : Tracking distance, speed, heart rate, calories burned, elevation gain, effort exerted… useful for those who want to progress, even in assisted mode.
• Maintenance tracking : Some apps allow you to manage repairs, maintenance alerts, or even diagnose a breakdown on a electric assistance kit.
• Community sharing : To be inspired by the routes of other cyclists, to exchange on good practices or to share one's exploits, cycling social networks (like Strava or Relive) play a motivating role.
• Intelligent energy management : for those who have installed a electric bike kit, Some applications allow you tooptimize battery management, to adapt journeys to the available range, or even to personalize the assistance modes.

The electrification of the bicycle, a catalyst for the connected bicycle

Choose toelectrifying your bicycle with a electric conversion kit, It's a bet on autonomy, versatility, but also onboard intelligence. Unlike some commercially available electric bikes, modern kits, like those offered by Virvolt, integrate very well into the connected world: real-time data display, connection to GPS computers or tracking apps, Bluetooth management, etc.

This paves the way for a Smoother, more proactive mobility, more personalized. In the city as well as on hiking trails, these digital tools allow cyclists to take full advantage of their electric mountain bike kit, of their converted urban bicycle, or even of a rehabilitated old bicycle.

2) Top 5 apps for cyclists

Komoot – Plan your routes like a pro

Komoot has established itself as one of the most successful applications for the bike route planning, suitable for both those who enjoy leisurely hikes and those who practice Electric mountain bike. Its intuitive interface, detailed maps and ability to adapt routes to the cyclist's level and equipment make it an indispensable tool.

One of Komoot's major strengths lies in its ability to generate personalized itineraries depending on several parameters: type of bike, user profile, desired level of difficulty, type of terrain, surface, etc.

Whether you drive with a muscle bike or that you have decided to convert your bike to electric thanks to a electric motor kit, Komoot adapts to your needs. You can choose to avoid steep roads to preserve your battery, or conversely, search for routes with elevation changes if your electric bike kit is powerful enough to accompany you in the mountains.

Using Komoot becomes particularly relevant when you are equipped with a electric bike kit. You can adapt your journeys to your battery's range, an essential criterion if you use a electric assistance kit over long distances. Komoot offers a very accurate estimate of the altimetric profile of the route. This allows you to better anticipate energy consumption and avoid unpleasant surprises. Finally, you can synchronize Komoot with compatible GPS devices (Garmin, Wahoo, etc.) to follow your route in real time on the handlebars, without draining your smartphone's battery.

Geovelo – The GPS designed for urban cyclists

Geovelo is a 100% French application, designed specifically for cyclists in urban and suburban areas. Unlike traditional GPS systems, which prioritize roads for cars, Geovelo offers routes optimized for cycling : cycle paths, greenways, quiet streets or traffic calming zones.

It's the perfect tool for anyone who uses their bike daily… and even more so for those who have equipped it with a electric motor kit to facilitate commuting between home and work.

Geovelo doesn't just suggest a route from point A to point B: it uses local data (traffic, road surfaces, roadworks, safety) to suggest the best cycling route, depending on your profile and type of bike.

For cyclists who have chosen to converting their bike to electric thanks to a electric assistance kit, The application allows you tosave energy by favouring flat or smooth routes. This becomes particularly useful in a dense urban environment, where frequent stops and restarts put more strain on the battery.

With a electric bike kit, You already benefit from improved pedaling comfort. By adding Geovelo, you optimize your journeys to the maximum:

• Energy-efficient routes : By avoiding unnecessary slopes, you improve your range electric conversion kit.
• Estimated real-time travel time : adjusted to your average speed, it becomes more reliable with electric assistance.
• Visualization of priority cycling zones : for safer journeys, even at higher speeds.

Strava – Track your performance, even in electric mode

Strava is probably the most popular app among cyclists worldwide. Initially designed for amateur and professional athletes, it allows track, analyze and compare his outings, whether running, classic cycling or… in electric bike.

Contrary to popular belief, electric assistance doesn't make Strava useless. Quite the opposite: whether you use a electric conversion kit or a electric mountain bike kit, Strava supports you in theoptimization of your effort, of your autonomy and even your motivation.

Strava records your data on every ride: distance, speed, elevation gain, cadence, pedaling time, heart rate zones (if connected sensor), calories burned... You can then view your progress over time.

Even with electric assistance, this data remains relevant. For example:

• Follow your physical fitness despite the help of the engine
• Analyze the actual effort required on sections without assistance (areas with speeds over 25 km/h)
• Identify the times when you use your electric assistance kit

More and more electric motor kits include Bluetooth or ANT+ connectivity. This allows for synchronize engine or battery data with Strava, via a GPS computer (Garmin, Wahoo, Bryton) or a gateway application.

The result: you get complete performance tracking, incorporating the specifics of your bicycle conversion kit.

Strava is also a vibrant community of millions of cyclists. You can: join clubs and monthly challenges, follow your friends/colleagues, share your rides, and like and comment on other cyclists' rides.

Bike Repair – Maintaining your own bicycle (even an electric one)

When we talk about connected or smart bikes, we often think of navigation or performance analysis apps. However, a crucial aspect of the cycling experience is often overlooked: bicycle maintenance. That's where Bike Repair comes into play.

This application, very comprehensive despite its simple interface, offers... illustrated step-by-step repair guides, Accessible to beginners as well as experienced cyclists. It covers all the classic components of a bicycle: brakes, derailleurs, wheels, chain, transmission, but also basic adjustments, posture adjustments and general maintenance.

If you have chosen to convert your bike to electric thanks to a electric assistance kit, It is even more important to understand how it works. Indeed, a electric bike kit adds new components (motor, battery, control screen, wiring) that can interact with the original mechanical elements. Even if the electric motor kits like those offered by Virvolt They are designed to be simple to install and reliable, it is useful to know how to intervene if needed.

For example, friction between the motor cable and the rear wheel, unusual vibration due to a poorly secured sensor, or simply the need to realign a disc brake after fitting a electric mountain bike kit : These are all situations that you can learn to manage thanks to Bike Repair.

The app offers more than 70 detailed repairs, with photos and precise descriptions. Each tutorial is categorized by problem type, so you can find a solution quickly. No need to be a mechanic: Bike Repair uses an educational and reassuring tone, suitable for everyone.

This is particularly convenient for those who drive far from home, in electric bicycle. Whether you're heading out on a mountain bike ride or commuting around town, a minor breakdown shouldn't ruin your trip. A good idea? Check Bike Repair, figure out the problem, and get back on the road safely.

Relive – Relive your best outings… in video

Relive offers a unique approach to connected cycling: transforming every ride into 3D animated video, with a route map, points of interest, performance data, and photos taken along the way. Where other apps focus on analysis or navigation, Relive plays the card of the emotional experience and memory.

It's an ideal app for lovers of long walks, sporty hikes, or adventures in Electric mountain bike, who want to keep a living record of their journeys. Once the outing is over, the application automatically generates an immersive video, which can be shared on social networks or kept for oneself.

If you have chosen to convert your bike to electric with a electric motor kit, Relive allows you to highlight your autonomy and extended capabilities. Thanks to the assistance, you explore further, higher, longer, and that's precisely what the application retraces in images.

Every climb, every detour or panorama is materialized on a dynamic 3D map.This is particularly impressive when using a electric mountain bike kit On hilly terrain or in the great outdoors: Relive allows you to visualize the terrain and relive your efforts and sensations.

Relive runs in the background during your activity. It records your GPS track and, if you wish, you can add photos or annotations. At the end of the activity, the app automatically compiles the data to create a summary video of your route, both technical and aesthetically pleasing.

You can also connect Relive to other apps like Strava, Garmin, Or Komoot : Your journeys are then imported automatically, without any additional action required.

Relive is aimed at both passionate cyclists and casual riders. For users of a electric conversion kit, It's an excellent way to visualize the impact of their electrification : Longer distances, more varied routes, discovery of new itineraries. The app helps to enhance the transformation of your cycling experience, both athletically and emotionally.

3) Applications & Electric kits: an alliance for mobility

The rise of mobile applications dedicated to cycling coincides perfectly with the popularization of electric bike kits. This combination revolutionizes soft mobility by offering cyclists a more intuitive, connected, and above all, more comfortable experience.

A synergy that is transforming the practice of cycling

The kits ofbicycle electrification allow converting a classic bicycle into an electric bicycle easily, without changing your bike. By adding a motor, a battery and a control interface, these kits make cycling accessible to a much wider audience: seniors, busy city dwellers, athletes recovering from injury, or simply those who enjoy longer journeys.

However, to fully exploit the benefits of the electric assistance kit, Having the right digital tools is essential. That's where apps like Komoot, Geovelo, and Strava come in. They allow you to plan, optimize, and track your rides, while taking into account the specific characteristics of electric bikes.

Accurate data for better assistance management

Thanks to the sensors integrated into modern electrical kits (speed, cadence, power, battery level) combined with GPS data from apps, cyclists can have a accurate and real-time feedback on their journeys. This facilitates the management of autonomy, the adaptation of the level of assistance, and the planning of routes according to the remaining capacity.

Many electric conversion kits now offer the ability to synchronize data with mobile applications. This interconnectivity promotes a better understanding of the equipment and optimizes bicycle use, whether in urban environments or in the great outdoors.

An improved and personalized user experience

In addition to the technical aspects, the combination of applications and electrical kits enriches the user experience by:

• Customizing assistance modes based on terrain or user profile.
• The ability to view in real time the speed, distance traveled, or even calories burned, even with an assisted bicycle.
• Increased safety thanks to applications that report risk areas or suggest suitable routes.
• Sharing and motivation through integrated social features, which encourage more and more regular riding.

Towards more sustainable and inclusive mobility

The electrification of bicycles, combined with mobile technologies, is also a powerful lever for promoting soft and sustainable mobility. It facilitates commuting, reduces car use, and encourages sports activities adapted to everyone.

Furthermore, these innovations make cycling accessible to a wide range of people, including those who previously hesitated due to physical limitations or hilly terrain. Thus, apps and electric kits actively contribute to the democratization of cycling as a means of daily transportation.

4) Practical tips for connected cyclists

With the proliferation of applications and the rise of electric bike kits, It's essential to adopt some best practices to fully enjoy this connected mobility. Here are some tips to get the most out of your digital tools while preserving the safety and durability of your bike.

Choose the right apps according to your needs

Every cyclist has a different profile: some prioritize navigation, others performance, or even repair and maintenance. For users of electric bike kit, It is advisable to use a mix of complementary applications. For example, Komoot to plan your routes, Strava to track your performance, and Bike Repair for maintenance.

Also, be sure to check the compatibility between your electrical kit and the applications, for example if your electric motor kit It offers Bluetooth connectivity. This will allow you to synchronize your data and obtain complete and personalized tracking.

Effectively manage the battery life of your electric kit

A crucial point for e-bike riders is battery management. Apps can help you anticipate consumption based on terrain, speed, and your assistance level.

Some practical tips:

• Always fully charge the battery before a long outing.
• Reduce assistance on easy sections to save energy.
• Plan your journeys taking into account possible charging points, especially for journeys in urban areas.

Some apps even offer real-time battery level alerts, helping you avoid unpleasant surprises.

Maintain your bicycle and electric kit regularly

Electrification adds sensitive components to your bike. Even if the electric mountain bike kits Modern ones are designed to last, regular maintenance is essential.

Don't hesitate to use apps like Bike Repair to learn how to diagnose and fix minor problems yourself. Regularly check the condition of the cables, motor, and battery.A well-maintained bicycle not only ensures better safety, but also prolongs the life of your kit.

Safety and respect for the rules

Finally, keep in mind that using an e-bike is subject to certain rules, including a speed limit of 25 km/h for electric assistance in France. Some apps allow you to stay within the legal limits thanks to alerts and precise tracking.

Always wear appropriate equipment: helmet, gloves, lights, and reflective clothing. Navigation apps can also help you avoid dangerous areas or find safe routes.

5) Conclusion: Cycling between technology and freedom

Mobile apps and electric bike kits are profoundly transforming cycling. They make mobility more accessible, connected, and enjoyable, while also offering greater range and safety. Thanks to this alliance, converting a classic bicycle into an electric bicycle It becomes simple, and each outing is richer in discoveries.

By combining technology and pleasure, cycling regains its rightful place as a sustainable and free mode of transport, suitable for everyone.

And you? Have you already taken the plunge? Feel free to leave a comment or share this article with other cyclists seeking autonomy and freedom.