Which navigation do you use?

Per title, how do you plan your routes? I tried different apps but somehow got best results with RideWithGPS and exporting the route to Komoot, then have my phone in my top tube bag. It's not very convenient, but what else is there besides expensive Garmin.

I do the same as you except I use Trailforks to find routes then export the gpx to Komoot. I use wireless mini ear phones to get instructions and only refer to the phone if things get confused/ I go off route. I am hoping at some stage navigation is released on the Bosch Smart Kiox 300/Flow app.

Local maps a compass and a $200.00 Etrek 22x GPS device. I have no trust in supported/smartphone GPS.

I use a cheap second hand garmin fenix 3 watch strapped to the bars. It's basic but it works and the battery lasts a lot longer than the phone. The watch is also great for recording a route you want to share.

I use the komoot app on the phone for everything, can't justify an extra device when I've got a phone that does the job perfectly well. I use a fidlock case and mount on the top cap of the stem and if im doing a long ride I carry a small battery to recharge the phone.

Rubinstein said:

I use the komoot app on the phone for everything, can't justify an extra device when I've got a phone that does the job perfectly well. I use a fidlock case and mount on the top cap of the stem and if im doing a long ride I carry a small battery to recharge the phone.

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I would be scared to just have my expensive phone on the handlebars (also damaging sensitive camera sensors from vibrations).
Do you also plot your routes via Komoot? I tried like 5 different times, but each time it ended in various dead ends, overgrown bushes or outright dangerously steep single tracks. I have a feel RWGPS gives more info about grade, elevation and overall surface type.
Trailforks really depends on your area and how many people submitted the trails, otherwise it's pretty useless.

Hi, yes I plot all my routes in komoot. Thankfully so far had now issues with it. I’m not massively into stats, but I think there’s probably a lot of stuff in komoot I don’t use, I’m mainly interested in distance and vertical, but it does have all the features you have listed like gradient surface type etc. I started out with Alltrails but found it a bit difficult to use so tried komoot and I find it simpler. The fidlock phone case seems quite robust, which it needs to be as I crash quite often, but I get what you mean about the phone cost.

I use an old iPhone 8 (no cell service activated) with a QuadLock mount, along with All Trails, Trailforks, GPS Tracks, and Strava. I download the trails maps for offline use. 10X better than crappy watches and most bike GPSs with tiny screens.

For planning rides then Komoot which I then run on my Garmin 1030. Found it to be the easiest planning tool (though not always perfect) but if you can grab a gpx file from someone else's route off strava/wikiloks etc then it's easy to upload that into Komoot and edit as required. Have found that to be the best way to get good route results and you're unlikely to be riding anything no one before you has so normally easy to find something. For finding trailheads then a quick scan of Trailforks on my phone.

How are you guys navigating with a cellphone that has supported GPS when there is no cellphone service in some areas? Big problem for me here in Idaho. Garmin basic device works for me. Garmin unit requires no cell phone service.,... Right? Garmin is an unsupported device, am I making sense?

AOE4 said:

How are you guys navigating with a cellphone that has supported GPS when there is no cellphone service in some areas? Big problem for me here in Idaho. Garmin basic device works for me. Garmin unit requires no cell phone service.,... Right? Garmin is an unsupported device, am I making sense?

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I actually don't even have service activated on the iPhone I use. Trailforks supports 100% offline usage and navigation, and is my primary app. I also use GPS Tracks sometimes since it is better for following a downloaded route/track. For recording rides, I use Strava, and it syncs when I connect to Wifi (which can also include using my main phone as a hotspot).
The one downside is that the touchscreen on the iPhone is not very "glove friendly".

RickBullotta said:

I actually don't even have service activated on the iPhone I use. Trailforks supports 100% offline usage and navigation, and is my primary app. I also use GPS Tracks sometimes since it is better for following a downloaded route/track. For recording rides, I use Strava, and it syncs when I connect to Wifi (which can also include using my main phone as a hotspot).
The one downside is that the touchscreen on the iPhone is not very "glove friendly".

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That makes sense. Does trailforks work for any location? For example
So easy to get lost in the Owhyhee area here in Idaho. People been lost for days out there.... Even died out there. No signage... All roads look similar so I use waypoints on my Garmin to get back

RickBullotta said:

I use an old iPhone 8 (no cell service activated) with a QuadLock mount, along with All Trails, Trailforks, GPS Tracks, and Strava. I download the trails maps for offline use. 10X better than crappy watches and most bike GPSs with tiny screens.

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I have thought of using older phone on the handlebars, but how do you attach a powerbank? Anyway all those apps have paid subscriptions, which are quite steep (especially Trailforks, for what the app offers) imo, that's why I use free planning in RWGPS and then free Komoot navigation.

RWGPS?

AOE4 said:

That makes sense. Does trailforks work for any location? For example
So easy to get lost in the Owhyhee area here in Idaho. People been lost for days out there.... Even died out there. No signage... All roads look similar so I use waypoints on my Garmin to get back

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AFAIK, yes. It has a basic basemap in addition to trails, but I've never been out in true backcountry with it. When I'm out in remote areas out of cell coverage I also carry a Garmin InReach Mini. It's the "oh sh*t" button for if things really go wrong.

RickBullotta said:

AFAIK, yes. It has a basic basemap in addition to trails, but I've never been out in true backcountry with it. When I'm out in remote areas out of cell coverage I also carry a Garmin InReach Mini. It's the "oh sh*t" button for if things really go wrong.

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I am going to give it a try and use backup navigation too. I am 64 years old. Map and compass guy but willing to try new things. Thank you

AOE4 said:

RWGPS?

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Ride with gps, pretty solid for mtb. Has different map layers and other goodies. User interface is not the friendliest though.

AOE4 said:

I am going to give it a try and use backup navigation too. I am 64 years old. Map and compass guy but willing to try new things. Thank you

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The only downer, as mentioned above, is that the touch screen is NOT very glove friendly.

RickBullotta said:

The only downer, as mentioned above, is that the touch screen is NOT very glove friendly.

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My (not very hygienic) solution: Just lick your gloved finger. Works pretty well.

I've tried those stick-on phone-friendly pads for gloves, but they fall apart really quickly.

Tim1023 said:

My (not very hygienic) solution: Just lick your gloved finger. Works pretty well.

I've tried those stick-on phone-friendly pads for gloves, but they fall apart really quickly.

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Same! And on hot summer rides, perspiration often does the trick. I'm always on the lookout for a decent "touch screen friendly" riding glove...

Tim1023 said:

My (not very hygienic) solution: Just lick your gloved finger. Works pretty well.

I've tried those stick-on phone-friendly pads for gloves, but they fall apart really quickly.

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And thanks for the reminder - I just ordered a pair of Sealskins that "claim" to be touch screen friendly to experiment with.

Look at a map, physical or digital on a computer, then plan it on the digital map and transfer into whatever app I'm currently trying (OS), download the area map to OS maps on my satnav phone (a huge blackview with only gps turned on) then go ride.
I sometimes carry a map or printout of an area and don't bother with a gps. I also do mtb orienteering so I'm used to finding my way with a map and nothing else.

There are no detailed maps of some of the areas I ride. They are not developed trails. unsupported GPS is necessary for me so as not to get lost. Idaho is great for MTB riding, GPS is reliable since cell phone transmitters lack in coverage

So places like the Owhyhee front in idaho/Oregon can be a challenge for rides. Very remote. What are the chances of a rider being completely lost in Cumbria? Years ago a acquaintance was hunting in the Owhyhees and the knucklehead got lost for two days.entering waypoints on my Garmin is necessary out there. Am I a rarity here on EMBT since I live in Idaho territory? I really appreciate all the advice here thank you

RickBullotta said:

Same! And on hot summer rides, perspiration often does the trick. I'm always on the lookout for a decent "touch screen friendly" riding glove...

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I use SKD Tactical PIG FDT Delta gloves. Faultless touchscreen performance, highly tactile, but no real armour. Worth a look.

LouCyffer said:

I use SKD Tactical PIG FDT Delta gloves. Faultless touchscreen performance, highly tactile, but no real armour. Worth a look.

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Thanks! Just ordered a pair. Always like good tactical gear anyway. ;-)

Plot routes on Outdoor Active (OS Maps). Export GPX to Komoot, which syncs with my Garmin Edge 530.

Hi,
I found BROUTER web tool to easily plan my routes, export it on PC to Basecamp and transfer on my old Garmin Dakota 20.

Eliadn said:

Per title, how do you plan your routes? I tried different apps but somehow got best results with RideWithGPS and exporting the route to Komoot, then have my phone in my top tube bag. It's not very convenient, but what else is there besides expensive Garmin.

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I use Komoot and Garmin and some Sony earbuds, I used to use just Komoot but some of those silly off grid segments just drove me crazy so after getting lost a few times I got the Garmin (for Christmas) and the earbuds so I use the Garmin on a stem cap mount and my phone in my pocket with Komoot in my ears shouting directions and so far I’ve never got lost or taken a wrong turn.

A lot of great experience shared in this 3ad.

I am relying on a Garmin Edge 1030 as device on the bike.
To prepare the routes I used in the past RideWithGPS, pretty good option at a decent price. I could even download directly the route in my Garmin Edge using the dedicated app.
If I don't want to plan by myself I use a local Czech Republic website: www.cykloserver.cz. I take the gpx file after researching something of my interest and then import in Komoot. Komoot routes can be used offline again on my Garmin.

As a next step I am planning to subscribe to Outdoor Active and give it a try there to find already mapped routes.