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A couple of month after the official embargo was lifted (and early opinions revealed), Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3 and ROAM 3 are lastly obtainable. I in contrast them with the ELEMNT Ace that I purchased a couple of months in the past. I spent over $1380 on these bike computer systems (sure, I’m not sponsored by Wahoo, and this comparability is absolutely impartial). You’ll find out about their variations, professionals, and cons, and I can even evaluate them with the earlier generations and different options.
KEY TAKEAWAY
The principle variations between the ELEMNT BOLT 3, ROAM 3, and ACE are in show measurement, battery life, and value. My favourite of those three is the ROAM 3 as a result of it encompasses a touchscreen show (in contrast to the BOLT 3), wonderful battery life (simply reaching 25 hours), and a built-in speaker. The BOLT 3 misplaced its allure in comparison with the BOLT 2. ACE shouldn’t exist; it’s an enormous mistake, for my part, as a result of it’s too huge and buggy. Learn on for extra in-depth info or purchase the ELEMNT ROAM 3 right here.
Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3 vs. ROAM 3 vs. ACE: The Fundamentals
Here’s a abstract of the principle variations and technical specs between the Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3, ROAM 3, and ACE.
FeatureWahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM 3Wahoo ELEMNT ACE
Display screen measurement and resolutionPPI2.3″ (480×720px)376 PPI2.8″ (480×720px)309 PPI3.8″ (480×720px)228 PPI
TouchscreenNoYesYes
ButtonsEasy to pressEasy to pressEasy to press
Show colors16 mil.16 mil.16 mil.
Claimed battery lifeReal battery life¹20 hrs26.7 hrs25 hrs28 hrs30 hrs16 hrs
ChargingUSB-CUSB-CUSB-C
Dimensions83.5×47.2×24 mm3.3×1.9×0.9 in85×58×20 mm3.4×2.3×0.8 in90×59×21 mm3.5×2.3×0.8 in
Weight84g109g208g
Storage32GB64GB64GB
Begin-up time∼33s∼36s∼35s
Mounts within the boxOut entrance aero mountStem mountOut entrance aero mountStem mountOut entrance aero mountStem mount
Sensible navigation (rerouting)YesYesYes
Multi-band GNSSNoNoYes
ConnectivityANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-FiANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-FiANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Crash/incident detectionNoNoNo
SpeakerNoYesYes
BellNoYesYes
Wind sensorNoNoYes
Strava Stay SegmentsYesYesYes
Extra infoWahoo ELEMNT BOLT v3 ReviewWahoo ELEMNT ROAM v3 ReviewWahoo ELEMNT ACE Evaluate
BuyCheck PriceCheck PriceCheck Worth
This desk compares the principle options of ELEMNT BOLT 3 vs. ROAM 3 vs. ACE.¹Based on my unscientific testing – a number of rides with a number of related sensors (HR, energy meter, radar). Auto brightness on.
Let me now clarify them in depth.
BOLT 3 vs. ROAM 3 vs. ACE: Options Comparability and Variations
Under, I evaluate an important options and variations amongst these three bike computer systems.
Bodily Dimensions & Weight
Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3, ROAM 3, and ACE primarily differ in dimensions. BOLT is essentially the most compact, ACE is the most important, and ROAM 3 sits within the center. Nevertheless, ROAM is nearer in measurement to the BOLT than the ACE. ACE is just too huge; actually, it’s one of many largest (if not the most important) bike computer systems. It’s even bigger than the Garmin Edge 1040 or Edge 1050. It’s so huge that it doesn’t match some bike laptop mounts! And I’m not even speaking about its weight, which exceeds 200 grams. For comparability, BOLT 3 solely weighs 85g.
Show
The BOLT 3 has a 2.3″ show, which is 0.1 inches bigger than the BOLT 2. ROAM’s show is 2.8″ (0.1″ bigger than the ROAM 2), and the ACE show has an unbelievable 3.8 inches. See the next chart for comparability with different well-liked bike computer systems.
So, when does a bigger show make sense? Primarily, if you happen to want bigger fonts for higher readability. I’ve a couple of mates who already wrestle with their eyesight, so that they admire bigger head items as a result of they’ll show the identical quantity of fields however with giant fonts. Should you usually use maps, a bigger display exhibits you extra info, which may be useful as properly. ACE is clearly focused at a slim group of individuals; it is going to doubtless by no means be among the many high 5 hottest bike computer systems. I can assure you that.
What units BOLT 3 other than ROAM 3 and ACE is the truth that it doesn’t have a touchscreen. It’s nonetheless caught with solely button controls. It is a disgrace, regardless of the person interface nonetheless being fairly easy (rather more easy than Garmin’s). I might admire having the choice to mix touchscreen and buttons, as I do on Hammerhead Karoo 3. I’ll touch upon the shows’ responsiveness and controllability within the Management & Consumer Friendliness part.
At the very least the variety of colours is unified throughout the ELEMNT lineup. These bike computer systems can show as much as 16 million colours, they usually all have the identical decision of 480×720px1. Because of this the pixels per inch (PPI) differ. BOLT 3 can show 376.23 PPI, ROAM 3 309 PPI, and ACE 227 PPI. Regardless of these variations, they nonetheless present a decision that’s excessive sufficient for good readability and sharpness. See the next close-up images.
In concept, the brightness of all these shows must be the identical, however in actuality, ACE seems to be barely dimmer than BOLT and ROAM 3. See the next gallery for examples in numerous eventualities.
The brightness is decrease than that of the Hammerhead Karoo 3 or the Garmin Edge 1050. These two are among the many brightest bike computer systems I’ve examined. I’ve included another image beneath that exhibits the brand new ELEMENTs in contrast with competing head items.
The general readability of the ELEMNT 3 line will not be unhealthy, however could possibly be higher. It’s worse in comparison with the first and 2nd era BOLT and ROAM, particularly in direct daylight or when wanting from angles. Once more, it’s fairly tough to seize it on digicam, however beneath are some illustrative images.
Lastly, BOLT 3 can show as much as 9 information fields, whereas ROAM 3 and ACE can show as much as 11. It’s disappointing that ACE received’t assist you to present extra, however I perceive this from the readability perspective; particular person fields would in all probability be too small. The first advantage of the ACE is that its show measurement permits for big fonts, making them simple to learn, even for these with poor eyesight.
I’ll touch upon the shows’ responsiveness and controllability within the Management & Consumer Friendliness part.
Winner: It’s a draw (it relies on what display measurement you favor)
Battery Life
Battery life is one other space the place these three head items differ. In concept, ACE ought to attain the longest battery life, however the actuality is completely different. In my ELEMNT BOLT 3 testing, it lasted 26.7 hours, surpassing the claimed battery life by 6.7 hours. The ROAM 3 lasted 28 hours, surpassing the claimed battery life by 3 hours. Nevertheless, ACE reached solely 16 hours as an alternative of the claimed 30 hours. How is that this attainable? I don’t know. All computer systems had the brightness set to auto, and I had comparable sensors related to them. By the way in which, the chart beneath exhibits the battery lifetime of among the high bike computer systems.
As you possibly can see from the chart, BOLT and ROAM 3 are within the Garmin Edge x40 space, which exceeds 20 hours. Relying on how a lot time you spend in your bike, this must be sufficient to recharge them each 2 weeks. ACE disillusioned me with its battery life.
Winner: ROAM 3
Management & Consumer Friendliness
This era of ELEMNT bike computer systems has a redesigned person interface. It’s a bit extra complete than the earlier one, permitting us to pair sensors straight from the pinnacle unit. I admire that Wahoo unified the expertise throughout the fashions, however this UI is much less intuitive than the earlier one. It’s extra annoying to browse it with BOLT’s buttons than with ROAM’s and ACE’s touchscreen.
I imply, you in all probability received’t want to make use of the touchscreen in 90% of the circumstances, because the three backside buttons assist you to management essentially the most frequent instructions. Nevertheless, BOLT is unusable when looking maps as a result of it lacks this performance.
What annoys me can be the truth that ROAM and ACE received’t assist you to modify information fields on the go, and you need to take your cellphone out of your pocket. Wahoo ELEMNTs merely don’t have the identical performance as Garmin Edge bike computer systems (faucet and maintain an information discipline to open the info fields menu). It is a disgrace as a result of it’s the quickest technique to change an information discipline.
By way of the controlability of ROAM and ACE shows with the touchscreen, I need to say that ROAM feels quicker and extra responsive than ACE. I don’t know if my ACE is flawed, nevertheless it feels slower, and I skilled extra points with it (extra about them beneath). Nevertheless, they each wrestle when moist. You may watch the next movies the place I reveal the controlability when moist.
Tapping the specified discipline whereas sporting full-finger gloves is usually tough. I like to recommend shopping for tight, touchscreen-compatible gloves for simpler management.
In contrast to on Karoo 3 or Magene C606, when altering information fields, you received’t get dwell previews or extra distinctive information web page layouts. Wahoo retains it easy, providing solely an ordinary grid with the choice to show chosen metrics in a coloured background, relying on the zone you might be in.
It’s additionally price noting that many settings are accomplished through the Wahoo app as an alternative of the pinnacle unit itself. These embody choices akin to pairing Wi-Fi, altering information fields and information pages, adjusting zones, and extra.
One other distinction is that BOLT 3 doesn’t have a built-in speaker, so it doesn’t have an digital bell or audible navigation directions. You can also’t management the amount of the beeps.
Total, I get pleasure from utilizing ROAM 3 essentially the most. It feels essentially the most responsive and permits me to regulate it with he buttons and touchscreen.
Winner: ROAM 3
Maps & Navigation
BOLT 3 gives fewer navigation options than ROAM 3 and ACE. The primary huge distinction is which you could’t browse maps straight on BOLT; you possibly can solely load routes or navigate again to the beginning/residence. The second is that BOLT can’t “Take You To” (a particular level on a map), and the third is that it might’t offer you audible directions as a result of it doesn’t have a speaker.
I examined the navigation of those bike computer systems primarily on paved roads, and I’ve two complaints. The primary is expounded to the readability of the map. The maps look good, however they aren’t too contrasty, so that they could be laborious to observe in some mild eventualities. The top items additionally typically didn’t choose essentially the most applicable routes after I wished to navigate again to the beginning. For instance, ROAM 3 tried to take me through facet roads as an alternative of the principle street, which might have been shorter. Fortunately, route recalculation was fast.
The audible directions on ROAM 3 and ACE are useful, particularly in quick, slim descents or city areas, as they assist you to hold your eyes on the street.
Winner: ROAM 3 and ACE
GPS Accuracy
All these head items help the multi-band GNSS. Under, you possibly can see a couple of screenshots from my exams from a forest phase the place I take a look at all bike computer systems. As you possibly can see from the next screenshots, the accuracy is principally the identical.
Winner: It’s a draw
Constructed-in Speaker and Digital Bell
The digital bell might be some of the underrated options of the ROAM 3 and ACE. Garmin was the primary to introduce it with their E1050, however others shortly adopted. And the reality is, Wahoo’s implementation is on level. As a substitute of going to the menu to click on a selected icon, you double-tap wherever on the display. That’s sensible!
I discover it to be decently loud on the highest settings, however it might be tougher to listen to in sturdy winds. Sadly, you possibly can’t management its noisiness with the amount settings. I can also’t neglect to say which you could pair it with Shimano Di2 or SRAM AXS buttons. Rattling, I want shifters had as many buttons as gaming mice, haha.
Whole rating: BOLT 3 (0) | ROAM 3 (3) | ACE (1) | It’s a draw (2)
My Verdict
The selection between BOLT 3, ROAM 3, and ACE is surprisingly easy. I like to recommend shopping for ROAM as a result of it has a touchscreen and speaker, in contrast to BOLT, whereas being extra compact and having an extended battery life than ACE.
Should you resolve to purchase one in every of these bike computer systems, please use the hyperlinks beneath. It’s the easiest way to help this website. Thanks very a lot upfront!
