Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v3 Review: Dethroned King?

Cyclists Hub is supported by its readers. We could obtain a fee if you happen to purchase merchandise utilizing our hyperlinks.All content material on Cyclists Hub is written by people, not robots. Study Extra

After 4 lengthy years, the BOLT 2 lastly will get a refresh. The BOLT v3 is right here, and on this evaluation, I’ll break down whether or not it’s definitely worth the improve and the way it compares to the competitors. I’ve examined over 20 bike computer systems already, so I’ve a factor or two to share. Bear in mind, I additionally bought it with my very own cash and didn’t obtain it from Wahoo, not like many different publishers.

My ELEMNT BOLT v3 score at a look:Battery Life 5/5 | Ease of Setup 5/5 | Show 3/5 | Ease of Use 4/5 | GPS Accuracy 4/5 | Maps & Navigation 4/5 | Worth 3/5 | OVERALL 4.0/5More about this bike pc scoring.

NOTE: I examined BOLT 3 with firmware W129-301352.

Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v3: Professionals & Cons

These are the primary professionals and cons of the Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v3 that I found throughout use.

Unboxing and Preliminary Setup

The ELEMNT BOLT v3’s preliminary setup is simple. I merely scanned the QR code utilizing the Wahoo app, linked it to WiFi, and it up to date itself to the most recent firmware. The settings of my information pages from earlier Wahoo bike computer systems had been saved. I suppose they pulled them from the Wahoo ELEMNT Ace, which I additionally paired with the Wahoo app, not the older WAHOO ELEMNT app. Garmin head models do the identical, and it’s very handy.

My Expertise with Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v3

Under, I share my expertise with ELEMNT BOLT v3 in crucial areas.

Show

The two.3-inch show is 0.1 inch bigger than the BOLT v2 show. I received used to the Karoo 3 3.2-inch show, so the two.3-inch one feels a bit small now. Nevertheless, if you happen to don’t want many information fields displayed or just like smaller bike computer systems, BOLT 3 ought to fit your needs properly. Under, you’ll be able to see the display screen dimension comparability of the perfect bike computer systems.

The display screen is a bit flashier than earlier ELEMNT bike computer systems, which is sort of a paradox. It appears Wahoo traded colours for worse readability. In some situations, particularly in direct daylight, the show displays extra glare than BOLT 2.

The display screen decision is 480×720px, which implies it’s additionally one of many sharpest shows, much like Hammerhead Karoo 3 or Garmin Edge 1050. See the next close-up image.

The next image reveals a number of widespread bike computer systems and their most brightness. Hammerhead Karoo 3 is the brightest, adopted by Edge 1050 and the remainder. BOLT 3 has barely increased brightness than BOLT 2 and ELEMNT ACE.

BOLT 3 can show as much as 9 information fields, which can be tough to learn attributable to their dimension, particularly when you’ve got poor eyesight. In that case, I like to recommend shopping for a bigger head unit, such because the Edge 10×0 line, and finally the Wahoo ELEMNT Ace.

You may nonetheless simply enlarge the info fields utilizing the facet buttons, so you’ll be able to focus solely on people who matter to you at a given level. Sadly, the info fields are fairly conventional and never too graphical, not like another bike computer systems, such because the Sigma ROX 12.1 EVO.

Fortunately, the background coloration of some information fields (HR and watt zones, gradient, and so forth.) displays the precise zone, relying on the way you arrange your zones. That is really useful. Bear in mind, you received’t get dwell information subject previews like on the Edge 1050 and Karoo 3 when setting them up by way of the Wahoo app.

Battery Life

Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v3 has a claimed battery lifetime of 20 hours. My BOLT achieved a real-world battery life of roughly 26.7 hours. This was a nice shock. I used the medium brightness setting and had a number of sensors linked to it, together with the HR monitor, energy meter, radar, and smartphone.

The next chart reveals the battery lifetime of chosen bike computer systems. The BOLT 3 reaches the values of the Garmin Edge x40 line and considerably surpasses its earlier era.

And naturally, it has a USB-C charging port.

Management & Consumer Friendliness

The earlier generations of ELEMNT computer systems had been recognized for his or her ease of use. Though BOLT and ROAM 2 obtained an replace in 2024, which modified the UI barely and launched the dashboard, they remained comparatively simple to make use of. The BOLT 3 UI is barely totally different from the BOLT 2 UI, however the identical as yow will discover on ACE or ROAM 3. Logically, Wahoo wished to unify it to supply a constant expertise throughout its lineup.

Many settings, together with information pages and fields, are nonetheless set by way of the smartphone app. I like this answer on button-based bike computer systems as a result of shopping menus with buttons is simply too time-consuming. However they aren’t out there on the touchscreen models ROAM 3 and ACE. This doesn’t make a lot sense to me, as it will be sooner to set the fields straight on the unit.

I’ve to present Wahoo credit score for including some choices, although. For instance, now you can pair sensors by way of the top unit, along with the smartphone app. This makes it simpler to pair them on the go.

In my testing, nonetheless, it was not all sunshine. I’ve solely been utilizing BOLT 3 for a couple of weeks, and I’ve skilled a couple of software program points—extra on them within the subsequent part.

Maps & Navigation

The primary time I used BOLT 3, I wished to strive the navigation. Sadly, I used to be unable to add the path to it from the Wahoo app. I used to be solely in a position to do it after pairing once more. I don’t assume this has ever occurred with BOLT 2. Route synchronization has all the time been seamless. After resetting the top unit to manufacturing unit settings, the synchronization began working.

I discover the BOLT v3 maps simple to comply with and fairly correct, at the least on the street. The one downside I’ve is that there isn’t any method to browse them with buttons (or at the least I couldn’t discover the way in which). So, you need to take your cellphone out of your pocket if you wish to discover various routes.

When you add a path to the system, it masses in seconds, permitting you to comply with the course instantly. Following them is straightforward, as you get alerts on turns. One factor lacking in comparison with Garmin is the Highway Hazards. I’ve by no means absolutely leveraged this function, as there aren’t many Garmin x40 homeowners in our space, however I can think about that this function is useful.

Free Summit Function

The Free Summit function is one in all my favourite BOLT options. It’s much like Garmin’s ClimbPro and doesn’t require a deliberate route. It estimates the trail you’ll take and shows the climb information (gradients, distance to the highest, and so forth.), permitting you to tempo your self extra successfully.

You may obtain higher accuracy for deliberate routes, however even the free rides are adequate. The place Summit wins is its customizability, although. You should use the smartphone app to alter the info fields for the Summit web page. That is nice as a result of ClimbPro received’t offer you as a lot flexibility. You may as well change how the Summit behaves.

For instance, it may solely be turned on if you find yourself additionally utilizing navigation. This is sensible; I don’t want the Summit to be turned on in my space, the place I’m accustomed to all of the climbs. You may as well set the climb issue for which it should seem, or whether or not your information pages will routinely change to the Summit web page.

Sadly, I additionally skilled a difficulty right here. Through the first spherical of testing, the Free Summit function didn’t activate, regardless of being enabled within the settings. After resetting the bike pc to its manufacturing unit settings and re-pairing it with the Wahoo app, Free Summit began working correctly.

Try my comparability of Free Summit vs. ClimbPro for extra particulars.

GPS Accuracy

The ELEMNT BOLT v3 helps multi-band GNSS. I in contrast its accuracy with different bike computer systems on my favourite forest phase.

Surprisingly, its accuracy was not on par with different multi-band GNSS head models, such because the Edge 1040 or Edge 1050. It’s not clearly seen the place I began zig-zagging on the steep part of a slim forest street. It is a bit disappointing, though the accuracy enchancment over the earlier era is critical.

Connectivity

The ELEMNT BOLT v3 options Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and ANT+ connectivity, permitting it for use with a variety of sensors. It routinely syncs rides, as is customary on high-end head models. Nevertheless, I encountered a difficulty when testing the accuracy alongside ROAM 3. The actions from ROAM synchronized with out issues, however these from BOLT didn’t. I needed to manually export them after connecting BOLT by way of USB cable and utilizing a file browser.

Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v3 Options

Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v3 Technical Specs

Under, I summarized the Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v3 technical specs.

Conclusion

Consider it or not, other than its nice battery life and improved accuracy (which remains to be not on par with Garmin Edge head models with multi-band GNSS), I don’t see many different areas the place the BOLT 3 outperforms its predecessor, the BOLT 2. Readability in direct daylight appears to be worse, the show has even wider bezels, and the UI is extra difficult. The BOLT 3 additionally lacks an LED strip, and its firmware was not fine-tuned on the time of testing, leading to synchronization points with routes and actions.

Thus, of the present lineup of ELEMNT bike computer systems, the ROAM 3 makes probably the most sense, because it incorporates a touchscreen and improved battery life in comparison with its earlier model. The ACE is a brick and an enormous misstep that shouldn’t exist in any respect, in my view. The BOLT 3 merely doesn’t impress. I really feel that it doesn’t present the identical worth for cash because the BOLT 2 did.

When you nonetheless determine to purchase it, please click on the hyperlink under. It’s the easiest way to assist Cyclists Hub, and it received’t price you any further. Thanks very a lot prematurely.

Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v3 FAQ