Best Bike Split
Officially listedAI power pacing planner that predicts race times for cyclists and triathletes.
Best Bike Split
Best Bike Split (BBS) is a race pacing planner for cyclists and triathletes, founded in 2013 by operations research PhD Ryan Cooper and Rich Harpel, acquired by TrainingPeaks in 2014, and bought back by its founders as an independent company in 2022. Its core engine is mathematical physics modeling: simulating aerodynamic drag (CdA), rolling resistance, gravity, and race-day weather to turn power profiles and course files into per-segment optimized variable-power race plans. 150K+ members and 250K+ race plans worldwide, with adoption by WorldTour teams including Lidl-Trek and EF Education-EasyPost.
Core Features
- Race time prediction: a physics engine solves aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance, and gravity forces; official accuracy of about 2–3% with accurate inputs
- Variable-power pacing: computes optimal power targets for every climb, descent, and flat segment (NP/IF/TSS three models) rather than a simple FTP percentage
- AI Assistant: a GPT-3.5/4-based Q&A assistant answering race plan, training, and nutrition questions (premium tiers)
- AI Workout Builder: generates personalized structured training plans from natural-language prompts (premium tiers)
- Course and weather modeling: Course Builder auto-detects bridges, tunnels, and road surfaces; multi-point weather forecasts along the course and fine-tuned Crr
- Device ecosystem: full integration with Garmin/Wahoo ELEMNT/Karoo/TrainingPeaks/Zwift; plans go straight to the head unit for real-time execution
Pricing Free tier (1 race plan + basic analytics); Athlete $19/month or $119/year (about $10/month); Coach $49/month or $299/year; Athlete Plus/Coach Lite tiers at $149/year. AI features are included in all premium tiers, and the free tier needs no credit card.
Who It's For Best for: serious triathletes with power meters (Ironman/70.3), time trialists, road/Gravel riders, plus coaches managing multiple athletes and professional teams. Less suitable: recreational riders without power meters and purely indoor casual users — the feature set is over-provisioned for them.
Strengths and Weaknesses Strengths: physics modeling is the de facto standard in the race-pacing niche, with heavily battle-tested prediction accuracy (TJ Tollakson planned 279W and rode 278W to a record; the 2014 world championship prediction for Wiggins was off by only about 9 seconds), INFORMS Edelman Award recognition, and thorough ecosystem integration. Weaknesses: steep learning curve (you need to understand FTP/CdA/TSS/NP), predictions depend on input quality and drift when weather changes suddenly, $119–$299/year pricing is high, coverage is limited to cycling segments, and there is no native app.
AI Authenticity Note The core engine is mathematical physics modeling and optimization algorithms, not machine learning or large models — moderate-to-low AI content. The confirmed AI features are premium paid modules: AI Assistant (late 2023, GPT-3.5/4) and AI Workout Builder (March 2024). The accurate framing is 'physics modeling first, AI as an add-on.'
Risk Notes Subscriptions auto-renew by default, there are no refunds on termination whether active or passive, the liability cap is low (1 month's fees or $10), and jurisdiction is forced to Austin, Texas; uploaded content is granted a perpetual royalty-free license; the service collects heart rate, FTP, and weight data but is not bound by HIPAA. Predictions are not medical advice — on race day adjust for fueling, traffic, and how your body feels rather than executing the plan mechanically.
Pricing
### 💰 定价模式：免费增值（Freemium） **起步价**：免费（Athlete Basic 免费版，无需信用卡） #### 主要方案 - **免费版（Athlete Basic）**：$0 - 1 个比赛计划、1 个自行车档案、基础分析、文件下载 - **运动员月付（Athlete Monthly）**：$19/月 - 面向单场赛事，全部高级功能（含 AI） - **运动员年付（Athlete Annual）**：$119/年（约 $10/月）- 面向多场比赛，性价比最高 - **教练月付（Coach Monthly）**：$49/月 - 无限运动员管理 - **教练年付（Coach Annual）**：$299/年（约 $25/月）- 最佳教练性价比 - **Coach Lite / Athlete Plus**：$149/年（约 $13/月）- 面向带少量付费学员的运动员/教练 #### 试用/其他信息 高级功能统一包含无限比赛计划、AI Workout Builder、AI Assistant、Course Builder、高级天气与 Garmin/Wahoo/Zwift 同步。付费订阅默认自动续费、终止一律不退款；免费档无需信用卡即可体验。 — Visit website
FAQ
Is Best Bike Split free?
There is a free tier (Athlete Basic) with 1 race plan, 1 bike profile, and basic analytics, no credit card required. All advanced features require a subscription: Athlete $19/month or $119/year, Coach $49/month or $299/year.
What can Best Bike Split do?
Its core is cycling and triathlon race pacing: physics-based modeling predicts finish times and outputs per-segment variable power targets, plus AI Q&A and workout generation. Plans sync to Garmin/Wahoo head units for real-time race-day execution.
What are Best Bike Split's AI features?
AI is a paid premium module: an AI Assistant (built on GPT-3.5/4) answers training, nutrition, and race-plan questions, and the AI Workout Builder generates structured workouts from natural language. Note that the core engine is physics modeling rather than machine learning, so AI content is moderate to low.
How accurate are Best Bike Split's predictions?
Official accuracy is about 2–3% with accurate inputs. A real-world case: pro TJ Tollakson planned at 279W and actually rode 278W to a record result. But accuracy depends on the quality of FTP, CdA, and weather data, and sudden weather changes can cause deviation.
How does Best Bike Split differ from TrainingPeaks?
They are complementary rather than competing: TrainingPeaks focuses on the training calendar and data analysis, while BBS focuses on pre-race prediction and race-day per-segment pacing, and plans sync directly to TrainingPeaks. BBS belonged to TrainingPeaks from 2014 to 2022 before being bought back as independent.
Who should use Best Bike Split?
Best for serious triathletes with power meters, time trialists, and professional coaches; pro teams use it too. It offers limited value to recreational riders without power meters or purely indoor users, and the data-dense interface has a steep learning curve — start with the free tier.
What should I know about Best Bike Split's subscription terms?
Paid subscriptions auto-renew by default and are never refunded whether you cancel actively or passively; liability is capped at 1 month's fees or $10, claims must be filed within 1 year, and jurisdiction is forced to Austin, Texas courts; uploaded content is granted a perpetual royalty-free license.