New GPS computer from Wahoo put to the test: Elemnt Ace gets integrated wind sensor

Following a leak on the internet, Wahoo has now come up with the facts and presents the Elemnt Ace, the most powerful bike computer in the company's relatively young history. The new product replaces the Elemnt Roam V2 as the top model and competes directly with the Garmin Edge 1050 or Hammerhead Karoo 3, which was introduced as part of the new SRAM Red AXS. Both GPS computers also came onto the market this year, but cannot keep up with the Wahoo in one function.

Wahoo Elemnt Ace: The most important facts

• Display: 3.8 inch (720 x 480 millimetres)
• Dimensions: 126 x 71 x 24 millimetres
• Max. battery life: 30 hours
• Weight: 210 grams (weighed weight)
• Special features: Wind sensor, touchscreen, audio navigation, new app
• Price: 599.99 euros >> e.g. available here

The US manufacturer is offering a wind sensor for the first time with the Elemnt Ace. A pressure sensor is integrated into a small opening on the front of the device which, according to the manufacturer, determines the effects of air resistance. In contrast to highly exclusive aero measurement systems such as those from the British start-up Body Rocket, however, the Wahoo cannot determine air resistance values (Cda), but calculates an "effective air speed based on speed and air resistance".

Airboost or Airdrag

Wahoo is introducing a new data field called "Airspeed" to help the rider recognise how tailwind, slipstream or headwind affect speed. To illustrate this, the data field is coloured depending on the wind situation. For example, if the real speed in neutral wind conditions is 30 km/h, the effective speed is also displayed at 30 km/h against a blue background. If you are assisted by a tailwind of 5 km/h, the Elemnt Ace displays the effective speed at 35 km/h against a green background. Overall, the Wahoo distinguishes between three scenarios: Airboost (green), Neutral Air (blue) and Airdrag (orange/red). The various wind situations can be analysed via an app after the ride.

Another new feature of the Elemnt Ace is its touchscreen operation. The new Wahoo is thus orientated towards competitor models from Garmin or Hammerhead, although no other manufacturer offers a larger display. The Americans promise the "user-friendliness of a smartphone", although the Elemnt Ace is huge in relation to our tester's iPhone 12 Mini and weighs in at a hefty 210 grams. By comparison, the high-end models from Garmin (Edge 1050), Hammerhead (Karoo 3) or Sigma (Rox 12.1 Evo) are between 50 and 100 grams lighter.

Navigation like in a car

In future, navigation will no longer be based solely on visual and acoustic turn-by-turn directions, but will be fully-fledged voice control. Synchronisation of the Elemnt Ace should also be more user-friendly. For the first time, the new product will be set up with the cloud-based Wahoo app, which will allow routes to be transferred more quickly from the smartphone to the bike computer, among other things. According to the US brand, this eliminates "the long-standing frustrations associated with loading, searching and transferring routes". With the "old" Roam and Bolt models, synchronisation takes place via the Elemnt app.

Compared to the previous flagship, the Roam V2, the battery life is almost doubled and is specified at 30 hours. This puts the Elemnt Ace ahead of its main competitor, Garmin. If the manufacturer's claim is correct, TOUR will provide a long-term test later. A runtime of 17 hours is specified for the Edge 1050 in GPS mode. It almost goes without saying that a high-end device like the Wahoo can be used to operate the electronic shifting systems from Shimano and SRAM or a GoPro.

At €599.99, the Elemnt Ace is priced above the Sigma Rox 12.1 Evo (€379.99) and Hammerhead Karoo (€499.99). Compared to the Garmin Edge 1050 (€749.99), however, the Wahoo is €150 cheaper.

Wahoo Elemnt Ace: First practical test

Before our maiden voyage, we first had to get used to the new menu navigation and new interface. However, as with the familiar Roam and Bolt models, we quickly found our way around the Ace. Loading our route went quickly and the touchscreen function works perfectly. You can quickly swipe back and forth between the pages. However, "wahooligans" will probably continue to rely on the smooth-running buttons. However, the "Airspeed" can be a little distracting. The new function mesmerised our test driver to such an extent that he barely noticed the gradient percentage or turn-by-turn directions.

In moderate winds - according to the weather forecast, wind speeds of 10 km/h prevailed during the test round - we were almost 80 per cent in "neutral air" according to the data analysis. There was hardly any tailwind (Airboost) or headwind (Airdrag) to be felt. An impression that our tester would also confirm. Due to the lack of a second rider, we have not yet been able to test how the "airspeed" manifests itself in the slipstream. We did get behind a car for a few metres, but the data field continued to light up blue.

Ambitious riders may be bothered by the extremely high weight. Due to its large dimensions, the Wahoo also requires a lot of space in front of the cockpit, so you should make sure you have a long mount. According to the US company, third-party providers will be offering special mounts from next year. Wahoo supplies a robust aluminium mount, but this is only compatible with round 31.8 handlebars.