Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT vs ROAM vs ACE Cycle Computers

Customisation and set up for all devices is from Wahoo’s companion ELEMNT app, as is compatibility with both ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart sensors (including FE-C trainers, like Elite and Tacx). Through the app you can sync routes, training plans, navigation, and turn-by-turn directions. All are compatible with Wahoo's KICKR smart trainers, and you can control the KICKR from your device and adjust resistance or incline, switch to Erg Mode and relive a route — these are all the same. All the computers pair with third-party apps including Strava, Ride with GPS, TrainerRoad and more.

Unlike its major rival, Garmin, Wahoo has two units that are controlled by buttons and no touchscreen, while the ELEMNT ACE has buttons and a touchscreen. A non-touchscreen device may seem outdated but in the winter it is not often you want to take your gloves off to use your bike computer. All the ELEMNT computers have three nice big buttons on the front for easy pressing.

This where the ACE, BOLT and ROAM can truly be separated. A feature that makes Wahoo one of the most popular bike computers are the LED indicators found on the Element ROAM and BOLT. Unlike Garmin devices, these two computers have coloured LED indicators that flash to help you when you are riding. The BOLT has a row of indicators along the top that can flash white, green, red, orange, and yellow. The ROAM has a row along the top and side, also flashing all sorts of colours. The LEDs light up when you're riding a training session, and visually guide you if you want to hit certain metrics like power, heart rate, speed, RPM or to signal the start and end of an interval. If you've paired the unit with Strava, the LEDs will flash to let you know you've entered a segment.

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The difference with the ROAM is the additional side indicators that count you down to turns, intervals, or show a visual representation of speed or power.

The BOLT and ROAM's LEDs show you the direction of the turn by moving from right to left. The ELEMNT ACE does not have LED indicators. Instead you can add them to the screen and there is a speaker to give you voice commands and spoken notifications when a turn is coming up.

On all the devices you can stop and retrace the route, zoom in and out, go back to the start, go to a saved location or go back on course, and download global maps for free. If you want to go to a new location you will first need to find it on the app using a postcode or place name and then share it to your ELEMNT device.

If you are using the ELEMNT BOLT and ROAM you will also have audible bleeps to notify you if you’re reaching a set power or a turn is coming up. The ELEMNT BOLT has 16GB of storage space, which is plenty for most riders who are creating routes for holidays, sportive events or trying new roads. The ROAM can store 32GB of data and the ACE 64GB of data. The ROAM is designed for people who may be cycling further and tackling bicycle trips or tours.

Dual-frequency or "Dual-Band" systems use multiple frequency bands and allow for more consistent tracklogs and improved positioning when using the device in challenging environments. This technology means you track more than one radio signal from each satellite on different frequencies. This reduces errors caused by 'environmental interference' such as buildings, trees, and mountains. Dual-Band GPS is part of the hardware in the ELEMNT ROAM and ACE but is not included in the BOLT.

Bike Radar tested the Element Ace against the Garmin 1050 and concluded "It has the best screen, the best mapping, the best battery life for most people, and is the cheaper of the two units."
Elemnt Ace is much larger, with a clever smart phone like set of screens, touchscreen and buttons. 

Cyclist Magazine gave the Element Roam its Recommended Badge, giving its verdict as "Same mid-sized format, Convex buttons are easier to use and stay cleaner, Larger 32GB internal storage, Intuitive phone app interface, but no touchscreen, Rather bland colour palette, middling battery life compared to Garmin."

Cycling Weekly gives the Elemnt Bolt 4/5 stars highlighting the navigation is the feature that isn't as good as other models, "Although the navigation in our experience isn’t yet perfect, the Bolt nails everything else. The features and functionality justify the price while it keeps the Wahoo user-friendliness and intuitiveness that made the old Bolt so good."

The differences between the Bolt and Roam are subtle. Both offer free worldwide map downloads, and the Elemnt’s signature quick zoom function, which lets a rider increase or decrease the number of data fields on the screen on the fly. When the number of fields decreases, the size of the remaining fields get larger. This feature is particularly helpful if your near-distance vision isn't great. 

If you ride the same training routes or regions and prefer to focus on your performance stats, the Bolt should be your go-to device, it is a perfect training and racing partner. On the other hand, the Roam can help you discover new terrain and go further, and with large screen, additional LEDS's it is ideal for mountain bikers, gravel riders, and explorers.

The Elemnt Roam and Elemnt Bolt are both available as a bundle as well as the unit on its own. The bundle includes a Wahoo Tickr Heart Rate Monitor, Wahoo Speed Sensor and Wahoo Cadence Sensor. The sensors send data wirelessly via Bluetooth and have tool-free fitting, making them easy to set up.

Purchasing the bundle will provide a saving of 16% versus purchasing the sensors individually.

Do you need sensors?

Wahoo ELEMNT units use multiple types of satellite to track and record your position so you know how far, fast and where you’ve ridden. If you plan to use your Wahoo exclusively for riding outside, you’ll have real time speed and distance data without needing a sensor.

If you ride indoors on a set of rollers or non-smart turbo trainer, a speed sensor is required for recording your speed and distance. Riding through remote, mountainous areas or under dense tree cover will affect satellite accuracy and a speed sensor will continue to provide distance and speed data if your signal becomes weak.

A cadence sensor is beneficial if you are following a training plan, which requires you to pedal at different cadences, or if you are new to cycling and getting used to pedalling at 80–100 RPM, the sensor will send the information to the head unit when you ride indoors or out. However, if your bike is fitted with power-enabled pedals or a power meter chainset, this will automatically measure your cadence and pair with the Wahoo device.

Wahoo ELEMNT units can pair with any Bluetooth or ANT+ sensors. If you already own a heart rate monitor or speed/cadence sensors, you can use these to track your data.

You may see units for sale with V1 or V2 in their title or specification. BOLT v1 and ROAM v1 have a lower RRP than their newer, facelifted counterparts, known as BOLT v2 and ROAM v2. We'll explain the differences so you can decide which model is best for you.

ROAM

Wahoo released the ELEMNT ROAM v2 in 2022, increasing the vibrancy of the colour screen. The changes between ROAM v1 and v2 are fairly subtle. The biggest change is that the 8-colour screen has been enhanced to 64-colour, giving you more clarity and easier to view navigation. Wahoo added an accelerometer, compass, and dual band GPS, improving the tracking and navigation accuracy in dense woodland or urban areas. For riders who just want to ride their favourite routes and explore locally, the ELEMNT ROAM v1 has the same memory, navigation and connectivity features you’ll need to explore but at a lower price to the more powerful ROAM v2.

BOLT

The ELEMENT BOLT is a different story. V1 landed in 2017 and was completely overhauled in 2021.
The changes made give the device more functionality. Firstly Wahoo ditched the black and white screen, adding 64-colour and navigation. The vibrant, colour screen helps to better see different climb gradients, alert you to training zones or intervals, and make viewing your data and mapping whilst moving much easier.

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The screen is flush rather than being recessed in the case, as well as being constructed from scratch resistant gorilla glass. It now features a USB-C port and the storage capacity increased from 4GB to 16GB, too. BOLT v2 has more connectivity. You can now receive WhatsApp alerts, and climb data via Wahoo Summit feature, live Strava segment and live tracking.

Wahoo added the ability to track your core body temperature when using a heart rate monitor. If you are considering a Wahoo GPS bike computer for performance riding, racing and training, the differences between the BOLT v1 and v2 are so vast that in our opinion the BOLT v2 is the best way to get the most out of your riding and access to Wahoo’s top features.