Here's the Gist
I am the author of this review, and I recently spent seven days testing the CycleGo indoor cycling app on my bike. It is a straightforward, budget-friendly platform that cuts out complicated setups to focus purely on accessible workout guidance.
- You can use a basic version for free, test a one-week trial, or subscribe for $10 per month or around $60 per year.
- The app works on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, allowing you to jump straight into workouts with zero complicated setup.
- CycleGo is completely standalone, meaning it cannot connect to heart rate monitors or control your smart trainer resistance automatically.
- Data metrics are limited to your target RPM, recommended workout intensity, and overall elapsed ride time.
- Scenery visuals are high quality, offering varied routes like cities, lakes, and mountains alongside multiple music choices.
- There is no online community or racing, but it remains an easy, effective choice for beginner indoor cyclists.
There are plenty of different applications you will find when it comes to training. Some are excellent, others are a little questionable. You can spend days trying them, often need clarification with what you’re looking for, and lose sight of your training and having fun in those workouts.
An application we have heard plenty about recently is CycleGo. It offers something very different compared to Zwift, Rouvy, and other systems such as Peloton. In this article, I will tell you about my experience using CycleGo for a week while training.
- What Is CycleGo?
- CycleGo Review
- Pros And Cons
- My Honest Opinion
I have also created a YouTube video where I summarize my review, and I show the app in action!
What Is CycleGo?
CycleGo is an application you use for indoor cycling. It helps by giving you training programs, something to focus on while improving the experience of being on an indoor bike or a turbo trainer.
When using the application, you have instructions from the screen and also get to watch an avatar running or cycling, taking on big climbs and interesting routes. Compared to other applications, it’s very basic, but that, by all means, is not a bad thing.
Unlike other applications, it comes with some big advantages, such as the free basic version offering a very good experience, which is easy for beginners to understand and not waste time learning how it works.
CycleGo Review
Now for the exciting part, let’s start telling you all about CycleGo. Here’s what you need to know.
Device Compatibility
When using CycleGo, I used my iPhone and iPad, which was perfect for the experience. Originally, it was one of the only places it was available, but recently, they say it can be used on Android, which is excellent.
Cost
CycleGo can be used for free with the basic features. This will give you some basic workouts to choose from and give you a good experience with the application. The paid version is $10 per month, or if you sign up for a year, it’s around $60.
The paid version gives you workout plans and many stand-alone workouts to add to the collection. I definitely feel it’s worth the money, provided you are using it often. There is a free trial for a week, which is excellent on the full version.
Ease Of Use
CycleGo application is one of the easiest applications to use. Not only do you get straight into the action after picking your avatar, but it has some great workouts, and the instruction is very simple to follow.
I recommend this application to any beginner who has just started riding indoors or has a basic turbo trainer. In my opinion, it’s a great platform to get started compared to other applications.
Connectivity
It’s very important to understand that CycleGo cannot connect to devices. It’s a stand-alone application. There’s no auto-adjustable resistance, or you are not able to connect a heart rate monitor.
This makes the application very simple to use but doesn’t offer the unique experience like going on Zwift where you hit a hill and the resistance automatically picks up or you get to see your heart rate on the screen.
Data Metrics
CycleGo offers some very basic data for you to enjoy. It will tell you the RPM you need to be at, the intensity you should be riding with, and your ride time. Unfortunately, that’s it, because it can’t connect to the turbo trainer or exercise bike, it can give much more.
Entertainment
Although most people don’t think too much about graphics, in my opinion, it goes a long way because you’re going to be focusing on them a lot throughout your training. The graphics are pretty good, and I felt they put a lot of time into this.
As far as scenery goes, you get the choice of many different routes to use, which might be mountains, lakes, the city, or even an island you can ride around. You also get lots of different music to choose from to add to the experience.
Community
With CycleGo, there’s not really a community. It’s not an online application like Zwift or Rouvy, so there’s no racing or seeing others on the course. In my opinion, this takes away from the experience as it’s nice to see other riders and chatting in the background.
Special Features
CycleGo doesn’t really have a huge amount of extra features. As mentioned before, it’s very basic and offers great training fundamentals, but nothing really above and beyond that.
Pros And Cons
To keep it simple, here are the pros and cons of CycleGo:
Pros
- Free Version, Cheap To Buy Compared To Other Apps
- Very Easy To Use And Simple For Beginners
- Lovely Graphics And Music Make It Fairly Entertaining
- Great Workouts And Plans To Follow
Cons
- No Connectivity Or Auto Resistance
- Basic Data Metrics
- Lack Of Community Of Riders
My Honest Opinion
CycleGo is a very basic application, but it really works in its favor. For beginners, you can just throw it onto your phone or tablet, and you’re ready to go. The free trial is a nice touch, and the monthly price is less than that of the majority of other applications.
It does lack a sense of community and hopefully in the future they can add some connectivity. I do recommend CycleGo, but it comes with its limitations. For beginners indoor cyclists I could recommend it enough.
Read Also: Apple Fitness+ Cycling Classes Testing & Review
Quick Answers
How much does CycleGo cost?
CycleGo has a free basic version with basic workouts. The full paid version is $10 per month or around $60 for an annual plan, which unlocks workout plans and extra stand-alone sessions. There is also a one-week free trial available for the full version.
Does CycleGo connect to smart trainers or heart rate monitors?
No. CycleGo is a stand-alone app that cannot connect to devices. This means you do not get auto-adjustable resistance when you hit a hill, and you cannot connect or view a heart rate monitor on your screen.
What devices work with CycleGo?
You can use CycleGo on iOS and Android devices. During my week of testing, I used both an iPhone and an iPad, which worked perfectly for the workouts.
What data metrics does CycleGo show during a workout?
The data metrics are very basic because the app cannot connect to your bike or turbo trainer. CycleGo only shows your ride time, the RPM you need to hit, and the workout intensity you should be riding at.
Can you race against other riders on CycleGo?
No, you cannot. CycleGo is not an online multiplayer platform like Zwift or Rouvy, so there is no community, chatting, or racing against other people on the courses.
