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The new Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3 and ROAM 3 models have been long overdue. After all, the BOLT 2 was launched in 2021, and the ROAM 2 a year later. In that time, however, the market for bike computers shifted, and competitors introduced, for example, new features or longer battery life. Features that were only found on high-end models a few years ago are now almost standard. This left the Wahoo ELEMNT line a bit outdated. So, is the new generation competitive?
Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT 3: What’s New?
The BOLT v2 and v3 differ the most in display size and battery life. The BOLT v3 has a display that is 0.1 inches larger and supports up to 16 million colors. It also has a 5-hour longer claimed battery life. It also supports Multi-band GNSS for greater GPS accuracy. There are also several improvements in navigation and maps. Maps include street names, POIs, Strava and Summit Segments, etc. Unlike the ROAM 3, BOLT 3 is still button-based, and it doesn’t have a speaker. Unfortunately, Wahoo also got rid of the LED strip.
Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM 3: What’s New?
ROAM v3 also has a display that is 0.1 inches larger than that of the previous generation. The number of colors increased from 64 to 16 million. The battery life increase is larger, reaching up to 25 hours. It now has an in-built speaker. The speaker should allow you to receive audible instructions when you turn on the navigation, and of course, you can use it as an electronic bell. I also like that it was made a bit narrower and taller, resulting in a slightly different aspect ratio and smaller bezels (although still pretty wide). As with BOLT v3, the LED strip is no longer available in ROAM v3.
The following table compares the basic features of Wahoo bike computers.
| Bike Computer | Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v3 | Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM v3 | Wahoo ELEMNT Ace | Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v2 | Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM v2 | Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v1 | Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM v1 | Wahoo ELEMNT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claimed Battery Life | 20 hrs | 25 hrs | 30 hrs | 15 hrs | 17 hrs | 15 hrs | 17 hrs | 17 hrs |
| Screen Size | 2.3in | 2.8in | 3.8in | 2.2in | 2.7in | 2.2in | 2.7in | 2.7in |
| Display | 16 mil. | 16 mil. | 16 mil. | 64 colors | 64 colors | 2 colors | 8 colors | 2 colors |
| Touchscreen | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| On-Device Navigation¹ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Multi-band GNSS | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Strava Live Segments | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Connectivity | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Waterproofing | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Weight | 85g | 109g | 208g | 70g | 93g | 62g | 93g | 104g |
| Memory | 32GB | 64GB | 64GB | 16GB | 32GB | 2.78GB | 4GB | 2.78GB |
| More info | n/a | n/a | Wahoo ELEMNT Ace review | Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v2 review | n/a | Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT v1 review | Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM v1 review | n/a |
| Buy | n/a | n/a | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Discontinued | Discontinued | Discontinued |
¹On-Device Navigation means that the device can recalculate the route when you are off-course.
Wahoo Enters the Radar Game with TRACKR
Garmin Varia radars are selling like hotcakes. Not surprisingly, they have inspired many manufacturers to emulate their success. I’ve tested most of the radars available on the market, and unfortunately, many of them aren’t worth it (read more in my overview of the best bike radars). Wahoo is now getting into the game with their radar called TRACKR (I’m surprised they didn’t name it TRCKR).
TRACKR provides vehicle detection up to 150 meters. This is an industry-standard. It includes a brake light feature that brightens during braking to alert traffic and a Quick Alert mode that flashes continuously when a vehicle enters the radar’s detection zone. The device remembers the last-used light mode and features a Battery Extender Mode that dims the light when no vehicles are nearby. All settings can be adjusted in the Wahoo App to comply with local traffic laws (this is important in Germany, for example, as bike lights can’t flash here).
The radar supports ANT+ Smart Light Control, allowing hands-free operation through ELEMNT bike computers. However, it should also be controllable via third-party bike computers.
The radar features a dual LED layout for increased brightness and visibility. Its mounting system includes a quick-connect strap and a quarter-turn mount, fitting most bikes easily. The device is IPX7-rated for water resistance and remains lightweight at 99g, making it compact and durable for various riding conditions.
I hope the radar will work as expected because testing radars that don’t work is frustrating (you can read about my experience with the Magicshine R300).
Pricing
Above, I left out one of the most important pieces of information, which is pricing. The price of these new devices is set as follows:
- ROAM v3 – $449.99
- BOLT v3 – $329.99
- TRACKR – $199.99
Wahoo competes with Garmin not only in terms of hardware but also in terms of price. For example, TRACKR and Varia RTL515 cost the same. I can’t wait to test all the devices. I hope they work as I expect them to, as I have encountered problems such as very short battery life or freezing when testing the Wahoo ELEMNT Ace.
