Rouvy Review: My Initial Impressions and Experiences

Recently, I started using the training app Rouvy. Previously, I used Zwift, but the more realistic looks and off-road routes of Rouvy appealed to me… After the 14-day free trial, I was quite impressed and decided to further experiment with this software.

Since then, I’ve already racked up a decent number of virtual kilometers and elevation gain. Of course, there’s still much more to discover, but with this review, I’d like to provide you with an insight into my initial impressions and experiences with Rouvy.

My Experiences with Rouvy

Before diving into Rouvy, I had already explored the website and checked out what’s possible. In essence, it’s not very different from other software like Zwift. You can simply ride your loops but also participate in events or follow a vigorous workout.

For me, Rouvy is primarily a way to keep cycling during the winter months and in bad weather and to get some elevation gain in my legs whenever possible. That’s why I tend to ignore workouts and events.

Rouvy Routes

The main reason for trying Rouvy, for me, is indeed the realistic looks. Honestly, I was a bit tired of the cartoonish feel of Zwift. I was curious if more realism would encourage me to get back on the bike trainer more often.

I can now conclude that it does indeed make a difference. It’s also enjoyable that you can ride all available routes whenever you want. The variety of routes is also very vast. So far, I’ve been able to enjoy the beautiful scenery and virtual sunshine in places like South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Greece…

On the website, you can filter routes according to your preferences and then add them to your favorites so you can easily find them later. If you’re like me, a climbing enthusiast, you can virtually ascend almost every famous mountain pass.

You can also find various off-road routes. These are easy to locate by filtering for “gravel”. Here, you can also find several mountain biking routes.

Pros and Cons

While writing this article, I’ve already completed about 20 rides on Rouvy. Below is an overview of what I’ve found to be good and not so good during these rides and while using the software/app.

What did I like?

The feeling and realism

Of course, what’s crucial is the feeling and realism of the software in combination with the bike trainer. And in my opinion, Rouvy does quite well in this aspect.

The climbs and varying gradients feel realistic. I often feel like I’m actually cycling uphill without it feeling unnatural.

In this article, I don’t want to compare it to, for example, Zwift (that’s for another article). But in comparison, I found sudden changes in the gradient in Rouvy, which made it feel more natural and less abrupt.

There are aspects that I didn’t quite enjoy, but you’ll find those listed under the cons below.

Off-road routes, data, and display

I found the wide variety of routes combined with realistic visuals to be a revelation. It enhances the experience for me. Of course, you’re still cycling indoors (and sweating profusely).

As a mountain biking enthusiast, I also appreciate that I can choose from different off-road routes. You also have the freedom to choose routes because they are always available and continuously accessible.

During cycling, you’ll also see a lot of statistics and meters on the main screen. Right in front of you, you’ll see the profile of the route, with colors indicating where the climbs are located.

When other people are also cycling on the route, you’ll see on this graph where they are on the route.

If someone is close by, I sometimes catch myself pedaling a bit harder, both to avoid being overtaken and to overtake a cyclist ahead of me.

On the top left, you’ll see all parameters such as wattage, watts per kilogram, your speed, and the current gradient percentage. This small graph is also dynamic and changes along with the course. This information lets you quickly adjust and anticipate what’s coming, which is very convenient.

Rouvy Companion App

In addition to the software itself, there’s also an app you can download. In the Rouvy Companion app, you can track your data, such as speed, wattage, and distance from your handlebars. For this, I use a phone mount.

Through the app, you can also take cool screenshots that will be uploaded to Strava after your ride.

What I find very useful in the app is the pause button. Sometimes, just like in real life, I need to take a bathroom break in between.

Additionally, I find the overview of the remaining distance and elevation gain very practical. This is also visually displayed, so you can see at a glance what’s still ahead. These details are much easier to read on my smartphone and app compared to the rather small display on my computer screen, which is farther away from me.

It’s quite convenient that all these details are available on one screen. The display below is pretty much the screen that I see 99% of the time on the app when I’m training.

The data regarding speed, wattage, and gradient I track on the computer screen, both at the top left and bottom of the screen. Once you understand the color codes, which are quite straightforward, it’s very easy to follow.

The Experience

As I mentioned earlier, I find the experience, partly thanks to the realistic visuals, very enjoyable. It makes indoor training less boring, and time passes quickly. This is partly due to the fact that there’s plenty to see around you.

It’s sometimes in the subtle details. For example, in Africa, I encountered a jeep whose driver waved hello by raising his hand. This may have been a coincidence during route recording, but it’s a nice touch. On the same route, I also encountered some zebras crossing the road.

Milestones such as your first 100km, 100 meters of elevation gain, or burning 5000 calories appear as pop-ups right in front of you.

I appreciate such details, and they often make me feel like I’m really cycling. Of course, these are just snapshots because it’s still indoor cycling.

Gamification

Similar to other apps, Rouvy incorporates a comprehensive gamification system. You earn XP points while cycling, which helps you progress to higher levels. Additionally, you can use Rouvy coins, which you earn, to “purchase” various bikes, clothing, equipment, and parts.

During your rides, you’ll receive notifications when you reach a new level. If you’ve broken a record, such as your longest distance or highest elevation gain, you’ll also receive a notification at the end of your ride. This is naturally motivating.

I’ve also connected my Garmin Connect to the software. This also allows me to earn XP points for all the outdoor rides I do. This way, you can progress to higher levels more quickly…

Once you’ve completed the nine levels within a level, you move on to the next level. As you can see below, I’ve already progressed from Starter to Rookie…

Although it’s standard for such software, it does provide extra motivation.

What I Found Less Favorable

Here’s an overview of some things I found less favorable based on my own experiences with Rouvy.

Downhill Cycling

I primarily use Rouvy to get some elevation gain in my legs during the winter months. But “what goes up must come down,” unless, of course, you’re simply climbing a mountain pass to the top.

I definitely plan to try climbing famous routes like Alpe d’Huez or Galibier using this software.

But in most cases, the routes I follow also go downhill, and that’s where I find the realism lacking, in my opinion.

These days, I cycle without my avatar in view, which makes it slightly more enjoyable and realistic than watching an avatar take angular turns in a descent.

I mainly use the descents to keep my legs moving and let them recover from the climb. In terms of speed, Rouvy seems limited to a virtual 72km/h, which is quickly reached in a descent. I’ve tried pedaling harder but with no result.

Complex Online Environment

In principle, the software and app are sufficient, but sometimes, it’s also useful to browse the Rouvy website and search for routes.

What I noticed is that you’re sent from one place to another on the website, and you never really stay on one central website. I still find it quite complicated and don’t immediately find everything.

This doesn’t detract much from the experience, but it does make it somewhat more time-consuming at times.

In the software itself, it was also a bit of a search initially, for example, to find the exit button, which is quite well hidden.

Strava Segments & KOMs

Several routes also include Strava segments. Both the start and finish are marked on the road along the way. The software also gives a notification when the segment is approaching. You can see the segment data in the middle of the screen in the image below.

Although this might be enjoyable for some, it doesn’t really interest me. Additionally, I’m simply too slow to come anywhere close to achieving a KOM. The avatar of the KOM always zooms past me at a rapid pace, even uphill.

As you can see at the bottom of the screenshot above, the crown is far out of my reach… This isn’t particularly motivating for me, although it doesn’t really bother me either because I cycle for myself and not for Strava, KOMs, or anything else…

So, it doesn’t add much for me. Fortunately, you can disable this feature in the settings. I’ve done this now.

Linking with a Heart Rate Monitor

If you want to link a heart rate monitor, you have to go through a workaround. So far, I’m still figuring out how to do that exactly. Of course, I can link my bike’s GPS and track the data there, but having another screen (in addition to the smartphone) on the handlebars seems a bit too much. I’ll definitely come back to this…

Rouvy review

The conclusion I can draw so far is that my initial experiences with Rouvy are quite positive. I’ve completed the 14-day trial and have since purchased a monthly subscription. Depending on how the weather evolves, I plan to do several more rides and climbs in Rouvy in the coming days.

I’ll mainly stick to the “Just Ride” mode and do what I enjoy, including getting some elevation gain in my legs.

Soon, I’ll surely be able to provide more details, which you’ll also be able to read here. Below are some practical tips and facts about Rouvy.

Connecting Rouvy with Strava

Linking your Strava account with Rouvy is very easy and happens quickly. Initially, it might take some searching, but once you know where to go, it’s a piece of cake. At the bottom left of the Rouvy app, you’ll see three dots with “more” underneath.

By clicking here, you’ll land on the screen below, where you can adjust various settings, connect sensors, and also link your favorite training apps. The elusive Exit button can also be found here, by the way…

In the bottom row, you’ll see “connected apps.” By clicking on it, you’ll land on the screen below:

Strava is immediately visible at the top; it couldn’t be easier. Below Strava, you’ll see other apps with which you can connect to Rouvy. If you use any of those apps, you can also establish the connection on this screen.

For example, I also have a connection with Garmin Connect since you earn XP points for outdoor activities. As mentioned earlier, this is useful for leveling up (faster).

By pressing “connect,” you’ll reach the final screen to complete the connection:

By pressing “Allow” (“Toestaan” in Dutch), Rouvy will connect with Strava. Of the four blue checkmarks, you must decide which ones to tick. The last one is mainly important. It ensures that activities are automatically uploaded to Strava.

This last step happens very quickly, if not instantly, after ending an activity in Rouvy.

Rouvy Free Trial: Try it for 14 days for free

If you want to try Rouvy yourself, you can do so at no cost by taking advantage of the 14-day trial. That’s what I did myself. This way, you can quickly find out if Rouvy is right for you.

Subscription

If, like me, you’re quite pleased with the software, you can opt for a subscription. The great thing is that it’s simply cancelable on a monthly basis.

If you decide to cancel your subscription, it will end at the end of the current billing period. Your data will be retained, so you can pick up where you left off, for example, in the next autumn or winter season.

Below, you can see the rates for monthly subscriptions. It’s cheaper if you opt for an annual subscription, but then you’re committed for a year, even during the summer period…

What You Need

To make the most of Rouvy, you’ll need a (smart) bike trainer or smart bike, along with the software/app itself. Additionally, I recommend installing the mobile Companion app on your smartphone. In my opinion, this is very practical, and I couldn’t do without it, even just for taking a screenshot on the go, haha…

Rouvy is compatible with direct-drive trainers, classic trainers, and smart bikes from the following brands:

• Elite
• Tacx
• Wahoo
• Stages
• Minoura
• Kinetic
• Zycle
• Technogym
• Saris
• Wattbike

Rouvy itself is compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, iPad, and Apple TV.

What Else Can You Do?

Apart from “Just Ride,” there are other experiences to enjoy in Rouvy. In addition to structured workouts, where you have a choice of all levels and events, you can also participate in challenges. These can quickly earn you extra XP points and Rouvy coins.

Final Thoughts

My initial experiences with Rouvy were largely positive. I’ll definitely continue using it during the winter months. I’ll stop my subscription until next winter as soon as the weather permits.

It’s mainly the realistic visuals and the wide selection of off-road routes and climbs that make it extra enjoyable for me, as I’m not the biggest fan of indoor training, to be honest.

To keep it fun for myself, I choose to use the Just Ride option mainly. I skip workouts and events. I have looked at the workouts, and they’re very varied, with plenty of choices.

So, I certainly haven’t fully explored Rouvy’s potential yet. But for me, the Just Ride option is perfect for getting through the winter months and building up a good fitness level for the start of the MTB season.

Do you have any experience with Rouvy, or are you planning to give it a try? Be sure to let me know what you think and how your experience has been.

FAQ

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