The Wahoo Element Bolt in the test on my cockpit. tracking Navigation and route planning have been part of my everyday life since I've been able to call the Elemnt Bolt my own. the Strava Live Segments complete the experience with the Elemnt Bolt and take you to your next level, at least it worked for me.
Nachdem SpeedX went bankrupt towards the end of last year and it was foreseeable that the servers would also be shut down soon and the synchronization with Strava would thus be a thing of the past, I began to replan my cockpit. Since everything was hard-wired on my SpeedX Leopard Pro, I had to stem, handlebar and GPS bike computer To deceive. You can find information about this in my SpeedX Leopard Pro review ...
Wahoo Element Bolt Bundle
If you are about to buy a new bike computer, you are initially spoiled for choice and yet you end up with the usual suspects. You read reviews on the web and on Facebook, mostly you get suggested the upper class model from Garmin. The Garmin Edge 1000 or the new model den Garmin Edge 1030. But again and again and more and more often, you get it Wahoo Element or Wahoo Element Bolt recommended. Of the element and the Element Bolt have the same range of functions, but on displays of different sizes. When I bought a new GPS bike computer, I chose the Elemnt Bolt because it is smaller. With the supplied aero mount, the Bolt can be mounted super aerodynamically in front of the handlebars and stem.
I know that aerodynamics don't really matter that much for us ambitious hobby riders, but small animals also make a mess. If you want to mount panniers on the handlebars, a bracket is also included which can be attached to the stem. So Wahoo has thought of everything!
Carrier for oxygen bottles
As already described, Wahoo delivers in the Element Bolt Bundle two brackets so that you can attach your new bike computer to your bike as you wish. On my aero road bike, my SpeedX Leopard Pro, I of course mounted the aero mount. Overall, my cockpit looks extremely aero and of high quality, I think. When I'm coming bikepacking If I buy a racing bike, I will mount my Elemnt Bolt on the stem so that I have space for panniers on the handlebars. I've tested both mounts and both keep the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt perfectly in the rider's field of view, making the Bolt a perfect bike navigator too!
The brackets of the Elemnt Bolt keep what they promise: they keep! No slipping, no squeaking and no rattling.
Sensors
Since I had to rebuild my Leopard Pro in winter due to SpeedX's bankruptcy, I also dismantled all SpeedX sensors and removed all cables within the frame. For me, that meant I needed new sensors. My requirement was that I would definitely have the sensors that I had before after my conversion. In which Element Bolt Bundle I was offered the required sensors plus a heart rate belt at a price well below that of the Garmin devices. Based on the experiences of training colleagues and various tests I had read, I was therefore me this Wahoo set to order.
One thing should be said in advance, all sensors can be easily paired with the Elemnt Bolt via the app.
pulse belt
Up to this point I had actually always trained without a pulse belt. It's the typical behavior: You don't miss what you don't have! Since I've had the heart rate monitor and used it on every training ride, I've been paying attention to my heart rate, at least to some extent. During intensive training rides, I don't pay so much attention to my heart rate, which is always shown to me on the Wahoo Elemnt display, but during regenerative rides where I always try between 115 bpm and 120 bpm (bpm = beats per minute = heart rate). I am increasingly trying to incorporate these regenerative journeys into my everyday life. The body regenerates faster and I still collect valuable kilometers in my legs.
The pulse belt has a light elastic band and can be tied comfortably and not disturbingly around the chest. Before that I was rather skeptical, I don't even wear a wristwatch because it bothers me, after a few rides you notice it chest strap not more. We recommend!
Speed Sensor
The Speed Sensor is with the help of a rubber on one of the wheel scars attached, the wheel circumference can be easily entered via the Wahoo app. Of course, the GPS tracks the Wahoo Elemnt's speed itself GPS tracking, but the speed sensor data is more accurate and is used to calculate the speed.
cadence sensor
The cadence sensor measures to German die cadence so the cadence. The preferred cadence of a racing cyclist is very individual. But if you buy a cadence sensor, you will quickly find that you have a preferred cadence range even without a cadence sensor. It is interesting to know what cadence you should pedal on the mountain. I always do it in such a way that I can cope quite well with riding the same cadence on the mountain as possible as on the flat, maybe a little lower. But if you concentrate on it, you prevent yourself from exhausting your strength on the mountain.
Buy Wahoo Elmnt Bolt
I speak mine buy recommendation for Wahoo Element Bolt definitely out! No, I'm not getting paid to do this. The Elemnt Bolt has become my faithful companion on training sessions, trips, tours and competitions and I don't want to be without it anymore.
Buy used item
If you want to buy a used Wahoo Elemnt Bolt, you usually look down the drain. You won't find a single one on the relevant classifieds sites during the season. The situation will likely change again when the season is over or Wahoo on new model of his element brings out.
Order the Element Budle from Amazon
The easiest way is of course, as always, to order from Amazon if you don't have a Wahoo dealer nearby, there are more and more cycling shops that sell the Wahoo Elemnt, but you have to search a little. As always, Amazon is spoiled for choice. Of course you can Element Bolt also individually buy, but I definitely recommend the bundle.
You can buy the Wahoo Element Bolt Bundle here.
Wahoo Element Bolt Test
Now we come to the really important part: the test.
As you could already read, I am the proud owner of an Elemnt Bolt and I have had it on my cockpit since the beginning of the 2018 season. So this test reflects my personal opinion and no sales blah blah, have fun reading.
Tracking with the Element Bolt
For me, tracking is the core function of every bike computer. Whether only on the smartphone or on a bike computer, as an ambitious racing cyclist you want to have your data with you afterwards Strava for Analysis can upload. The whole thing works perfectly and can be done via the Wahoo app be configured
Battery life
One reason to buy the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt is that Battery life. The manufacturer specifies a battery life of 15 hours on. I have never reached the limit of my Wahoo Elemnt Bolt's battery. With the MSR300 I used the Elemnt as a tracker and as a navigation device and after 9 hours 30 net and 10 hours 20 gross I still had a little over 30% of the battery left. So I wasn't tempted to get my power bank out and have to charge the bolt.
The battery life of the Elemnt Bolt is of course favored by the monochrome display, which is not a disadvantage for me. You can read the monochrome display very well even in direct sunlight.
Navigate
Navigation with my Elemnt Bolt is first class. The Bolt offers a map view on which the route is represented by small arrows. Before you have to turn, a window will appear showing the turning direction and the distance to the turn. Everything is easy to read on the display and always in view. At this point you have to praise Wahoo, because all the information on the small display is very clearly visible, TOP!
The only tiny downside is that the Elemnt Bolt can't be re-routed. If you make a wrong turn, you have to see for yourself how to get back on the right track. But if you are back on the right track, you can follow the planned route again. So all good, just mentioning it here.
Komoot with the Wahoo Element
... and may Komoot be with you!
Komoot is such a powerful tool when it comes to Route planning goes. I've tested Google Maps and Strava for planning over the past few years, but only really good is Komoot. I don't want to write about Komoot here either, most of you know it. If you don't know it, plan a route with it!
You can put all your in Komoot planned tours sync with the Wahoo Elemnt. The routes are automatically downloaded in the home WLAN and can also be selected directly on the element. However, the route selection via the Wahoo app is more convenient. It is particularly practical if you want to drive a new route on the way. I always use the Komoot app on my iPhone and then load it onto my Bolt and the route guidance can start. So you always remain flexible even when you are on the road with your racing bike. Assuming you have an internet connection on your smartphone, of course.
The Wahoo Elemnt Bolt and Komoot are a very powerful combination.
Strava with the Wahoo Element Bolt
Like most Road cyclists, I also use Strava. As with Komoot, you can pair the Wahoo app with Srava and the Wahoo app will immediately upload your tracked data to Strava after synchronization. That's all magic. The data has always been fine with me and I didn't have a single one shot up Synch, so everything works wonderfully smooth and as desired here too.
Strava Live Segments on the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt
Now it's going to be really nice. If you have a Starva Premium Account, you have the opportunity to favor your favorite segment at Srava. The segments are then synced to the Wahoo Element and every time you drive into one of those segments your Wahoo will remind you, but that's not all. If you set it up like this, the element switches to another screen and shows you whether you are ahead or behind your PR.
This feature is incredibly motivating and after three rides, after which I was totally exhausted, I turned off the automatic screen switching again. On a trip on my house round on the dike I had say and write 14 PRs made it just because my bolt spurred me on. If I really want to step on the gas again and ride segment intervals, I naturally activate the function again. For me it was a MEGA boost!
Wahoo Element app
The App by Wahoo I have now mentioned it several times and it actually forms the Wahoo ELEMNT Companion App the heart of Wahoo Element series. Once you have installed all the sensors on the bike and activated them by moving the bike slightly, all you have to do is moisten the heart rate belt slightly on the sensors and you can connect all sensors to the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt via the Wahoo Elemnt Companion App. A matter of seconds.
In addition, the Companion App offers the possibility to configure the individual pages, i.e. different views, individually. For example, you can choose which data (speed, bpm, cadence, average speed,...) you want to see on your first screen on the Elemnt Bolt. Really very comfortable!
evaluations
The core of everyone Sports tracking app is the analysis of a completed Activity. Analyzing the data is fun when you're still really exhausted from the activity, at least that's how I always feel. Of course you are already very well served with Strava, but I think that the Wahoo Elemnt Companion App still has a lot to offer. Above all, the app offers some help with the evaluation. It shows the heart rate ranges in which you have trained in detail and also names them explicitly. So whether you just did cardio training or were active in the fat burning area and some more.
Conclusion
The Wahoo Elemnt Bolt is a thoroughly successful product for ambitious racing cyclists. The tracking and navigation are wonderfully implemented and readable for the driver at all times. The connection to Komoot upgrades the Elemnt considerably, without this connection the great routes would be missing. The companion app gives you full control over your element. The Strava Live Segments gracefully round off the complete package and I don't know how I survived without my beloved Wahoo Elemnt Bolt for so long. The long battery life is the icing on the cake and I no longer have to take my power bank with me as often. You can't go wrong with the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt!
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