Strava and Garmin Introduce Strava Live Segments

SAN FRANCISCO (July 1, 2015) — Strava, the leading global community of cyclists and runners, has teamed with Garmin to elevate the real-time experience on the Garmin Edge 520, the first GPS bike computer to feature Strava Live Segments. Athletes can now gauge their performance on Strava segments on their device and know what it takes, in the moment, to beat their personal record or challenge the millions of other Strava athletes.

Debuted in 2009, Strava segments have become the foremost user-generated proving grounds for cycling and running competition. Strava athletes have created segments all over the world – from Alpe d’Huez to local trails – where any cyclist or runner can compete against their past performances, or those of Strava’s global community.

“When we started Strava, it was clear that every group ride and every route had town line sprints and popular climbs,” says Davis Kitchel, an engineer and avid cyclist who helped found Strava with his invention of segments. “Segments made intuitive sense to athletes. Cyclists and runners were already competing with each other on these sections of road and trail, and we just gave them a better way to do it.”

With the strategic relationship between Strava and Garmin, athletes will now be able to experience Strava’s innovative segment experience in real time on the Garmin Edge 520. Features include:

• See instantaneous data: Live segment performance data displays on the device with continuous ahead and behind indicators.

• Improve your performance: Visualize your current performance against your personal records and the top times for the King/Queen of the Mountain (KOM/QOM).

• A coach at your fingertips: A smooth integration provides a countdown to the start of a segment and immediate results when an athlete completes the segment.

"Our job is to motivate athletes, and we’ve learned that making it easy to compare and compete is a powerful tool for motivation,” says Aaron Forth, Strava’s chief product officer. “This integration will be a game-changer for many athletes and marks the beginning of an exciting new way to experience Strava during a ride."

Strava Live Segments will debut on the new Garmin Edge 520, which is now available for pre-order on the Strava Shop. The Strava Live Segments experience will also be available on the Garmin Edge 1000, 810, and 510 devices, pending a firmware update in Q3.

Strava Live Segments are only available to Premium athletes. The ultimate Strava experience, Premium helps runners and cyclists get the most out of their sport and connects them with those who want the same. Before, during and after activity, Premium maximizes performance and elevates the Strava experience with personalized coaching, advanced analysis and now Live Segments on the Garmin Edge 520. Premium is available to all Strava athletes for $6/month or $59/year.

About Strava

Strava unlocks potential through the power and purpose of sport. Designed by athletes, for athletes, Strava’s mobile apps and website connect millions of runners and cyclists every day. www.strava.com