Wahoo has been a popular brand when it comes to cycling computers and related matters for years. With the Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt V2, the company has a relatively new bicycle computer, which we have extensively tested. We compare the Bolt V2 with the Wahoo ELEMNT Roam, a widely sold predecessor. We did our laps with both bike computers. The results can be found in this review.
Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt V2
MSRP€ 279,- without sensors, € 339,- with sensor bundle
Dimensions 77.47 x 47.2 x 21.3mm
Weight 69 grams
Link usb-c, bluetooth, ANT+, wifi
Website eu.wahoofitness.com
8 Score 80 
- Pros
- Handy
- usb c
- 64 color screen
- Negatives
- Less space for data fields
- Short battery life
- No touchscreen
Buy the Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt V2 at Bol.com
Buy the Wahoo ELEMNT Roam at Bol.com
What is immediately noticeable is that the Bolt V2 is a lot more handy than the Roam. At 69 grams, it is about a quarter lighter than the Roam, which is also a lot bigger. Less air resistance and a lower weight, although it must be said that the large screen of the Roam is also nice, if you are not so concerned about the aerodynamics. The Bolt V2’s screen is only 2.2 inches, smaller than the Garmin cycling computers we tested. Due to its small size, the Bolt V2 is slightly thicker than the Roam.
What Wahoo has been doing well for many years is creating pages. Via the app on your smartphone you can easily set which information you want to conjure up on the screen of the bicycle computer. For example, you can build specific pages for the mountains and on the flat, but a simple training ride in which you don’t want to flood yourself with data is also an option. Pages can be turned on and off, and they are immediately displayed on the Wahoo after creating them.
Screen and sensors
Another clear difference is in the screen. The ELEMNT Roam already has a color screen, at the time a significant improvement over the first ELEMNT. Where the Roam has to make do with 8 colors – fine in principle for a normal bike ride – the screen of the Bolt V2 can distinguish no less than 64 colors, so you get a little more detail in your map.
The Bolt V2 has to make do with a slightly lower resolution, but that is no problem at all because of the smaller screen. That smaller screen does mean that you can show fewer data fields on a screen: 9 with the Bolt V2, compared to 11 with the Roam. The screen of the Bolt V2 is not made of glass, but of plastic. It’s a shame that both Wahoos don’t have a touchscreen yet, something that many other cycling computers do support.
Both Wahoos can be connected to a number of sensors. First of all, there is the Tickr, an improved version of the heart rate monitor from the earlier Wahoo that is worn around the chest. It is difficult to compare, but the sensor seems to work fine, and can easily be linked to the bicycle computers. Furthermore, a speedometer (on the front wheel axle) and a cadence meter (on the pedal) is available.
Pairing is done via the app, and is done in no time. We did not encounter any sensor problems during the test period. The Wahoos do not have fall detection, although a separate sensor is available for purchase. The sensor package costs about 60 euros when purchasing one of the bicycle computers. A separate purchase of the package is a lot more expensive.
Wahoo ELEMNT Roam
MSRP€262.49 without sensors, €322.49 with sensor bundle
Dimensions 89 x 54.4 x 17.8mm
Weight 93.5 grams
Link micro usb, bluetooth, ANT+, wifi
Website eu.wahoofitness.com
7 Score 70 
- Pros
- Big screen
- Good link with app and Komoot
- Nice, relatively cheap sensor package
- Negatives
- Still quite pricey for its age
- no usb-c
- bit slow
Battery and routes
The Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt V2 has a battery life of about 15 hours, depending of course on the use of sensors and background lighting. The Roam does slightly better at 17 hours, but both last a lot longer than Wahoo’s first-generation cycling computers.
A nice addition to the Bolt V2 is the support for USB-C, so that the battery charges a lot faster. That battery is also protected by an IPX7 rating, which means that you can cycle with it in the pouring rain – even an unexpected fall into a pool of water will not cause any problems.
You can easily create routes for the Wahoo via, for example, Komoot, which you can easily conjure up on the screen of your bicycle computer with an app link. You can also create the route on the device itself, but that is not very convenient.
In addition, you can load GPX files in no time if you want to cycle an existing route. Both Wahoos support recalculating routes if you have taken a different turn. Unlike most bike computers in the test, there is no surprise function with the Wahoos. How much you mind that, of course, depends on your personal preferences. Wahoo connects with all relevant satellites, so wherever you are, your routes should always work.
Conclusion
Both the Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt V2 and the Wahoo ELEMNT Roam are excellent cycling computers. The biggest difference is in the size of the computer itself, and therefore also of the screen: the Bolt V2 is a lot smaller. This makes it lighter, but you also sacrifice some space for data fields. The USB-C support is a relief, even nowadays not even a one-two-three with cycling computers, and ensures that the slightly reduced battery life is not a problem.
Both devices have enough sensors to make your bike ride a success, and can display every conceivable form of data on the screen. In terms of price, the two are not very different from each other, so if you like a small screen, the Bolt V2 is definitely worth it. If you prefer a lot of information and a larger screen, the Roam is still fine.
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