Will my previously recorded rides in Mission Control or Ride transfer over to the new Specialized App?

Yes, you can view these rides within the Rides tab.

Why do I see two rides recorded for the same ride?

If you connected your Garmin or Wahoo account and recorded a ride with a Garmin or Wahoo AND with the Specialized app, two instances of that ride will appear in the Specialized app. If you would like to avoid duplicates, then we advise to record on only one platform. However, in the case of a Turbo E-Bike ride, if you choose to record your ride with Garmin or Wahoo only, you will not have Turbo bike data in your post-ride stats and analysis.

Why are illegal trails visible on my map?

The app uses a public map created from Open Street Map (OSM) resources. As the origin of the map data is open source, we cannot control and verify the content of the map. Please note that OSM gives you the possibility to update/correct the maps yourself in case of incorrect content.

Why does the altitude sometimes differ between the Specialized app and other recorded devices / apps?

The app relies on the GPS module in the phone and on the GPS signal accuracy. Phone sensors are not very accurate, so we use the raw values received from phones. Most dedicated GPS devices feature a barometric altimeter for higher accuracy, but only some smartphones have a barometric altimeter. We are constantly improving our algorithms related to elevation.

What does inaccurate ride data look like?

  • An inaccurate map of where you rode
  • More or less distance reported than you actually traveled
  • Inaccurate elevation data
  • Higher or lower speed values 
  • Extreme spikes or dips in elevation graphs

Why is my ride recording inaccurate?

The following are possible reasons for inaccurate ride recordings and potential solutions you can try to resolve it.

1. Your phone is optimizing the Specialized app for battery saving (Android-only)
In an effort to save phone battery, many Android phone manufacturers implement battery saving settings that interfere with app functionality, even when those apps are behaving properly. These settings are enabled by default, which can cause the phone to “kill” or “pause” applications, even if they’re running in the foreground. Apps used for activity tracking, like the Specialized app, need to be able to run unrestricted and without optimization in order to capture consistent, accurate ride activity data.

You may experience the following behavior if battery optimization is enabled:
- Poor GPS accuracy for a ride recording, which leads to an incorrect map of where you rode and false report of your ride distance or elevation.

- The app closes or “pauses” unexpectedly during your ride, prematurely halting your ride recording

Particularly problematic manufacturers include:
- Samsung

- Xiaomi/Redmi

- Huawei

- OnePlus

- OPPO

To alleviate these issues, disable all battery saving or optimizing settings on your device. Visit the Don't Kill My App website for step-by-step instructions for how to disable battery optimization settings for the Specialized app for your particular phone https://dontkillmyapp.com.

2. Your phone is missing a barometer (Android-only)
Some Android phones do not have a barometer – the sensor used to measure atmospheric pressure, which is used to determine altitude. Without a barometer, elevation and altitude readings can be inaccurate.

3. The GPS chip in your phone is weak
Let’s face it, not all phones were created equal. Some phones are great for ride recording while others, even from the same manufacturer, are not. One of the greatest differences in a phone's ability to record a ride accurately will be the quality of its GPS receiver.

If your phone’s GPS receiver can communicate with only a limited number of satellite networks, its ability to triangulate your location will be stunted by the restricted number of satellites (and frequencies) your phone has access to.

4. Bad GPS Connection
Having a poor GPS connection can lead to missing or errant GPS points. Without the proper GPS points, straight lines may be drawn between points on your route, which results in inaccurate distance reported for your ride.

To reduce bad GPS data, get a strong GPS lock. Before you begin recording, start your ride in an area with a clear view of the sky, unobstructed by buildings and tree cover. Wait for up to a minute to start riding.