Strava Gear Tracking: How to Locate, Add, and Manage Your Bikes and Shoes

Where is my gear in Strava?

Your gear, such as bikes and running shoes, is managed within your Strava profile settings, accessible on both the Strava website and the mobile application, allowing you to track usage, mileage, and aid in maintenance and performance planning.

Understanding Strava's Gear Tracking Feature

Strava's "Gear" feature is a powerful tool designed to help athletes monitor the usage and lifespan of their essential equipment. Far beyond a simple inventory list, this functionality provides critical data that can inform training decisions, equipment maintenance, and even injury prevention strategies.

What "Gear" Encompasses

While primarily associated with bikes (road, mountain, gravel, e-bikes) and running shoes, the gear tracking feature can theoretically be used for any equipment you want to monitor usage for, such as cycling shoes, swimming goggles (though less common for mileage tracking), or even specific apparel items if you wish to track their wear. The core intent is to track items that accumulate wear and tear over distance or time.

Why Track Your Gear?

Tracking your gear on Strava offers several significant benefits for serious athletes and enthusiasts:

• Longevity and Maintenance: Knowing the precise mileage on your bike components (e.g., chain, cassette, tires) or running shoes allows you to anticipate when parts need servicing or replacement, extending their lifespan and preventing unexpected failures.
• Performance Optimization: Consistent use of worn-out gear can negatively impact performance. For instance, fatigued running shoes lose their cushioning and support, increasing impact forces. Tracking helps you replace them proactively.
• Injury Prevention: Worn-out running shoes are a common culprit in overuse injuries like shin splints, runner's knee, or plantar fasciitis. By tracking mileage, you can retire shoes before they become detrimental to your biomechanics.
• Cost Management: By understanding the lifespan of your gear, you can better budget for replacements and maintenance.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Integrating gear data with your activity logs provides a holistic view of your training ecosystem, enabling more informed decisions about your equipment choices and training load.

Locating and Managing Your Gear

Accessing your gear settings is straightforward on both the Strava website and mobile application.

Accessing Your Gear on the Strava Website

1. Log In: Go to Strava.com and log in to your account.
2. Hover Over Your Profile Picture: In the top right corner of the navigation bar, hover your mouse over your profile picture.
3. Select "Settings": From the dropdown menu, click on "Settings."
4. Navigate to "My Gear": In the left-hand sidebar, under the "My Account" section, click on "My Gear." This page will display all your currently tracked bikes and shoes.

Accessing Your Gear on the Strava Mobile App

1. Open the App: Launch the Strava app on your smartphone.
2. Go to "You": Tap the "You" icon (your profile icon) in the bottom navigation bar.
3. Tap "Profile": At the top of your profile page, tap "Profile."
4. Tap "Gear": Scroll down your profile page and tap on "Gear." Here you will see a list of your added bikes and shoes.

Adding New Gear to Your Profile

Before you can track an item, you need to add it to your Strava gear list.

Step-by-Step: Adding Gear (Website)

1. Navigate to My Gear: Follow the steps above to reach the "My Gear" page in your settings.
2. Add a Bike or Shoe: On the "My Gear" page, you will see buttons to "+ Add a Bike" or "+ Add a Shoe." Click the appropriate one.
3. Enter Details:
   • Name: Give your gear a recognizable name (e.g., "Road Bike - Trek Emonda," "Running Shoes - Hoka Clifton 9").
   • Type: Select "Bike" or "Shoes."
   • Brand & Model (Optional but Recommended): Fill in the manufacturer and specific model for better organization.
   • Start Date: The date you began using the gear.
   • Distance (Optional): If you've used the gear before adding it to Strava, you can enter an initial distance.
   • Retire When (Optional): For shoes, you can set a mileage alert (e.g., 500 miles). For bikes, this is less common but can be set for components.
4. Save Gear: Click "Save Gear" to add the item to your list.

Step-by-Step: Adding Gear (Mobile App)

1. Navigate to Gear: Follow the steps above to reach the "Gear" section on your profile.
2. Tap "+": Tap the "+" icon (usually in the top right corner or bottom right, depending on your OS) to add new gear.
3. Select Gear Type: Choose "Bike" or "Shoes."
4. Enter Details: Similar to the website, fill in the Name, Brand, Model, Start Date, Initial Distance, and Retire When (for shoes).
5. Save: Tap "Save" to finalize.

Assigning Gear to Your Activities

Once your gear is added, you need to associate it with your recorded activities for Strava to track its usage.

Automatic Assignment

Strava can automatically assign gear based on your default settings:

• Default Gear: You can set a default bike for cycling activities or a default pair of shoes for running activities. This gear will be automatically assigned to all new activities of that type.
  • To Set Default (Website): On the "My Gear" page, find the gear item and click "Make Default."
  • To Set Default (Mobile App): On the "Gear" page, tap on the gear item, then toggle "Default for [Sport Type]" to ON.

Manual Assignment (Post-Activity Editing)

If you use different gear for different activities (e.g., road bike for one ride, mountain bike for another), or if you forget to set a default, you can manually assign or change gear after an activity has been uploaded.

1. Access the Activity: Go to the specific activity page on the Strava website or mobile app.
2. Edit Activity:
   • Website: Click the "Wrench" icon (Edit Activity) on the left side of the activity details page.
   • Mobile App: Tap the three dots (...) icon in the top right corner, then select "Edit Activity."
3. Select Gear: In the edit screen, you will see a "Bike" or "Shoes" dropdown menu. Select the correct piece of gear for that activity.
4. Save Changes: Click "Save" or "Update Activity" to apply the change. The mileage from that activity will then be added to the selected gear.

Monitoring Your Gear Usage

The true value of Strava's gear feature lies in its ability to track cumulative usage and alert you to potential retirement.

Viewing Cumulative Mileage/Usage

• Website: On the "My Gear" page (Settings > My Gear), each item will display its current total mileage.
• Mobile App: On the "Gear" section of your profile, each item will show its accumulated distance.

Setting Retirement Alerts

When adding or editing gear, especially shoes, you can specify a "Retire When" distance.

• How it Works: Once the gear's cumulative mileage approaches or exceeds this set distance, Strava will display a warning next to the gear item on its detail page and sometimes on activity uploads, prompting you to consider replacing it.
• Retiring Gear: When a piece of gear is fully retired, you can mark it as such on its detail page. This removes it from your active list but retains its historical mileage data.

Optimizing Your Training Through Gear Management

Integrating Strava's gear tracking into your routine is more than just a digital inventory; it's a strategic component of intelligent training.

Injury Prevention

For runners, the "Retire When" feature for shoes is paramount. Running in shoes past their recommended lifespan (typically 300-500 miles, depending on the shoe and runner) significantly increases the risk of impact-related injuries. By adhering to these alerts, you proactively mitigate biomechanical stress.

Performance Insight

Understanding the condition of your equipment directly impacts your performance. A well-maintained bike with components replaced at optimal intervals ensures smooth operation and efficient power transfer. Similarly, fresh running shoes provide optimal cushioning and energy return, directly contributing to comfort and speed.

Maintenance Scheduling

For cyclists, tracking bike mileage is invaluable for adhering to maintenance schedules. Knowing when your chain has accumulated 1,000 miles or your tires 3,000 miles allows you to schedule tune-ups, chain replacements, or tire changes before wear becomes excessive, preventing more costly repairs down the line and ensuring your bike is always ready for peak performance.

By diligently utilizing Strava's gear tracking feature, you transform a simple log into a powerful tool for athletic longevity, performance enhancement, and proactive health management.