Garmin vs. Strava: Ride with GPS asked for Comment and…
Strava’s monumental bust-up with its greatest ally and partner, Garmin, has left most industry commentators shaking their heads in disbelief. The story boils down to Strava not wanting to put the Garmin logo on some workout data.
Let’s look at this spat from a different perspective. The nearest rival to Strava is Ride with GPS. They have segments, heatmaps, and great integrations with Garmin and all the other key sports devices. Oh, and they have route creation and route sharing tools that, if anything, I would argue are slightly easier and more convenient to use than the similar ones offered by Strava.
Surely now is the time for them to jump on top of the tallest building and shout loudly to any cyclist who cares to listen? “Come to us, we’re great…and we like Garmin”
That’s what I thought, and so I asked RwGPS for comment. RwGPS very specifically and clearly stated they had no comment on “Strava, segments, or heatmaps.” Fair enough. I was hoping for a story, but it’s probably wise to keep your head below the battlements when ordnance is flying around.
RwGPS did offer this snippet of a general quote as some solace to my efforts:
Our community enjoys seamless integration with Garmin devices, allowing riders to wirelessly send routes to their Garmin units and automatically sync recorded rides back to their Ride with GPS account. Our mobile app also supports pairing with Garmin Varia radar units for real-time traffic awareness, providing on-screen visual alerts and audible chimes to enhance safety while navigating or recording rides. We value these integrations with Garmin and do not anticipate any changes to it. [Prentice, CMO RwGPS]
Take Out
2025 has been a blockbuster year for sports tech. In addition to tech stories, there has been legal intrigue from Apple vs. Massimo, Suunto vs. Garmin, and even Peloton transitioning its CEO.
But the Strava vs. Garmin story is the daddy of them all. Two of the most prominent companies in sports tech are at loggerheads. Where the dust settles, no one knows.
Someone could get sacked in a day or so, and everything could return to normal, or Garmin could turn off the workouts pipe to Strava. Bam. Strava is finished, and Ride with GPS could be there to pick up the pieces.
Top Tip: get your RwGPS account set up now, and get your data syncing…just in case 😉
More: Ride with GPS main site (not affiliated)
Last Updated on 28 May 2026 by the5krunner
My favourite kit and nutrition
- Maurten — the race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mix engineered to be easy on the stomach.
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — the small adapter that keeps your charging cable tidy at the stem. Essential for race day.
- Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session.
- Ravemen FR300 — front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters.
- Garmin Varia RTL515 — radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Garmin watch.
- Stryd — the footpod that brings running power to your Garmin. The single most useful running upgrade I have made.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — the power meter pedals most serious cyclists end up choosing. Accurate, easy to move between bikes.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
