Test: The Wahoo Elemnt Bolt has revolutionized the bike computer market since 2017 with its innovative and aerodynamic design. With a sophisticated color display concept, significantly more storage space and a new on-device navigation, the tried-and-tested layout is now to be functionally raised to the next level. We have tested for you what the new Elemnt Bolt can do.
A few years ago, the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt turned the cycling world upside down and was able to combine the best connectivity, smart functions and aerodynamic advantages with an approach that was previously available. The latest Elemnt Bolt model also has the properties mentioned, but has been equipped with a completely new and pin-sharp color display and significantly expanded navigation functions. In addition, it continues to rely on its intuitive user interface, which is easy to set up and easy to use.
The new Wahoo Elemnt Bolt - colorful display for more clarity
One of the highlights of the new Wahoo Elemnt Bolt is definitely the high-contrast 64-color display, which combines easy readability with a high level of detail. An updated user interface offers customizable, color-coded fields that make it easy to focus on specific data metrics. The corresponding data field, such as the heart rate or the watt display, is highlighted in color in order to have a better recognition value. This "background color" then changes analogously to the individually stored performance zones in which you are currently training. The new Elemnt Bolt shines from green to blue, yellow to red for the affectionately christened "Fullgäääs mode".
An Ambient Light Sensor, which automatically adjusts the background lighting, ensures optimum legibility. The display is always easy to read, even in unfavorable lighting conditions, twilight and when driving in the dark. Since something can always happen over the many kilometers, the 2,2-inch screen is made of durable, scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass.
The new Wahoo Elemnt Bolt - With smart navigation to your destination
Another long-awaited feature, which is already available from the Wahoo Roam known, is now also used in the new Elemnt Bolt. We are of course talking about the already known Smart Navigation. Not only are spontaneous or pre-planned routes easier to find, but if you deviate from the actual route, you will be redirected directly, you can change your destination or return to the start. Thanks to the Quick View LEDs at the top of the screen, you can see turn-by-turn directions, information about approaching Strava Live segments, and other notifications. The millions of pre-installed kilometers of roads and trails ensure more joy of discovery.
In addition, you can track your rides directly from your computer without having to reach for your smartphone. Paired with the Wahoo Elemnt app, riders can easily customize their data screens, sync routes and analyze data.
“The BOLT has always been known for its sleek design and ease of use. We're excited to be able to add features that many Wahooligans have been asking for, such as: B. the thoughtful use of color on the display and intelligent navigation in a package that looks good on any bike. Like all of our ELEMNT GPS devices, the BOLT integrates with the entire Wahoo ecosystem, whether using multisport handover mode to seamlessly track data in triathlon or to control your KICKR.” – Megan Powers , Wahoo Product Manager
Testing the new Wahoo Elemnt Bolt
Right after the launch of the new Wahoo Elemnt Bolt, we had the opportunity to test the GPS bike computer for two weeks. We not only used it for driving on the road, but also went off-road.
As usual with Wahoo, setting up the new Wahoo Elemnt Bolt via the Elemnt app on the smartphone is pretty quick, easy and, above all, self-explanatory. The enclosed, printed quick start guide is sufficient for the first steps. The coupling with various sensors such as a heart rate monitor or watt crank is also very simple and fast. Once you have put the computer into operation, you only see the pre-installed data fields on the display pages. But these should cover a lot and even suffice for one or the other. If you want to have more information available while driving, especially if you want to control your training precisely, the new Bolt offers more options than you could wish for. You can easily drag these onto the bike computer via the app according to your individual needs and ideas and you're good to go. When it comes to operation, we still find it a bit annoying that you always have to "scroll through" all the pages, since there is no button for the previous page.
On the go, the fine-resolution color display catches our eye and we mean that in a positive way. Because of the good contrasts and the colored data fields or map elements, the display is very easy to read at all times and even in changing lighting conditions, such as in the forest. If you store your individual performance zones, you also get an indicator of how intensively you are driving via the colored data fields.
We have already talked about the improvements in terms of maps and navigation and here too we were pleasantly surprised in the practical test at how well the system works, especially off-road. The navigation directly from the device is another attractive feature that should definitely make sense, especially in unknown places. Maps and routes can be deployed to the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt in seconds. It can take a little longer to synchronize the units with the smartphone and Strava, but this problem will certainly be solved very quickly with the next updates.
The new Wahoo Elemnt Bolt weighs 68 grams and is said to have a battery life of around 15 hours. We were able to ride extensively for about 4 days in a row before we reloaded the bike computer. The waterproof IPX7 housing also withstands the rainiest rides. The new Wahoo bike computer is now available for EUR 279,99.
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