What GPS Cycle computer for MTB navigation?

[Akiwi]

What app or resource do you use for loading trails to Komoot?

Komoot has the ability to import and convert GPX files.

 

[Master Link]

What app or resource do you use for loading trails to Komoot?

I log into my Komoot account on my PC and simply upload a gpx file of the route I want to follow into my Planned Routes. When I then go into the app on my iPhone it is there and can be loaded and followed. You can have lots of Planned Routes available for selection.

 

[p3eps]

I used a Garmin Edge 810 for a couple of years, and upgraded to the 820. Now there’s the 530!

I often download trails from Trailforks or MTBtrails, and I post them onto my 520... especially for places I’ve never been before.

It tries to give you turn by turn navigation through the trails but often gets confused. It usually fails if you need to go over the same part of the trail again.
You can follow the ‘virtual partner’ (the person who originally recorded the trail), but I find they’re too quick for me. I haven’t bought an EMTB yet - so maybe I’ll be able to keep up when I’m on one!!
It’d be easier to follow if the trail had an arrow on it - as it’s tricky to figure out which direction the person went if there are cross overs.

Overall, I’m happy with it. I use the LiveTrack feature which sends my wife an email, and she can follow my location. Handy for lone riding so at least someone knows where I am!

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

What app or resource do you use for loading trails to Komoot?

I would like to know as well... I tried komoot and set it up for a point to point ride that I do regularly on well known off road trails and it would always plot the way using the roads - yes I had it on MTB etc.. so, didnt work for me

 

[Master Link]

I would like to know as well... I tried komoot and set it up for a point to point ride that I do regularly on well known off road trails and it would always plot the way using the roads - yes I had it on MTB etc.. so, didnt work for me

I get my gpx files from Strava. So if the route was off-road, then Komoot will follow that route. It can be a few metres out on the mapping but, generally, you can see the trail and follow it.

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

I get my gpx files from Strava. So if the route was off-road, then Komoot will follow that route. It can be a few metres out on the mapping but, generally, you can see the trail and follow it.

yea no problem with that... my issue is with planning a route really.
whatever I do komoot just draws a dead straight line from one place to another and ignores all off road tracks and byways etc or uses all road..
does anyone else use it for plotting rides?

 

[Akiwi]

Really important on Komoot is to turn off the option to re-calculate your route "Match Route to known ways". This has screwed me up a few times.
If I have the setting "Mountainbike" it tends to try to take me on all sorts of little steep paths rather than bike tracks or roads, which is often fun, but sometimes annoying when you are doing a long journey, and need to get from point A to B quickly.
However it is still the best MTB trail planning and navigation app I have found.
I learnt on my Transalp, that occasionally when I was on a road, or Bike path, if it said "Turn left onto single trail" to zoom out a bit and see if it was a legitimate trail direction change, or just a Komoot Mtb trail diversion loop.

 

[Donnie797]

in this image, my wife is stood on the edge of a cliff just south of Blencathras sharp edge. Two footsteps forward would have her plummet vertically down to her Death.

View attachment 22564

uhm... why?? I mean, if you turn down your highlights you can clearly see the ground on the left. That’s not a cliff ^^ ?

 

[Mcharza]

I log into my Komoot account on my PC and simply upload a gpx file of the route I want to follow into my Planned Routes. When I then go into the app on my iPhone it is there and can be loaded and followed. You can have lots of Planned Routes available for selection.

And when you are browsing new trails on you computer, you can save those as planned.
When you open your mobile app, you can see those at the planned section. Just mark "make this available off-line".

 

[hogicid]

Hi Mate,

I've used a Garmin Edge 1000 for Nav. You can download TrailForks and download GPX etc. The newer Garmins are smaller and more compact and fit almost on top of the stem. Also, there are Garmin IQ apps which will show you Battery Percentage etc. You can probably get an Edge 1000 for a good price nowadays. I barely use it now, just grab my phone for TrailForks when I want to get to a trail.

All I will say about downloading GPX routes and TrailForks is it's nothing like your Waze or Google Maps. It will get you in the ballpark but you will still be scratching your head a bit with regards to finding a trail head and downloading other people's loops off the internet can sometimes leave you unsure which is the up or down portion of their loop.

The Edge 1000 is too large and vulnerable in a crash IMHO but it's great if you want something just to navigate but for trail riding I would go with one of the newer smaller units. They also measure your jump distance https://rockatship.com/

I have used a GPS for 18 months old now, a Garmin Colorado and really like it. It took me a while to work out how to get the best from it. The trick is to not let it choose the path for you. Instead plan your course yourself and download it to the GPS as a track (not a route). When it chooses the rout for you it tends to pick the most direct way which also means busy roads. When I work out the path before hand and put it in then I just follow it. It tells me exactly where I am and when to turn. I don’t miss turns. One downside is that I am finding that I don’t learn new routs as quickly because I just rely on the GPS.

I find it particularly good for finding my way through strange cities but also useful in the country.