New Wahoo Elemnt Bolt 2021 - TOUR Test: Wahoo's new Bolt GPS bike computer

Wahoo brings colour into play: the Bolt bike computerIn the second product generation, the Bolt has a colour display, the design of which is very reminiscent of the top model Roam. There are also a number of other features that make the new Bolt an attractive GPS device, such as the rerouting function, marked Strava segments and load feedback using coloured lights. TOUR was able to test ride the bike computer before the official launch on 25 May and presents the strengths and weaknesses of the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt in detail here.

Small but powerful: what the new Wahoo Elemnt Bolt can do

When the Elemnt Bolt was presented by US manufacturer Wahoo in 2017, the main focus was on handiness and ease of use. More aerodynamic and more comprehensive than the entry-level Elemnt model and at the same time cheaper than the top Roam computer - the Bolt was already a good compromise back then. With the product relaunch, the Bolt can now offer even more functions.

The colour display and navigation are essentially taken from the Roam. This means that if you deviate from a planned route while travelling, you will be guided back to the track in real time using the fastest route. Automatic route calculation to a planned destination is now also part of the navigation menu. This worked well during initial tests, although the choice of roads is not yet optimal in urban areas. Here, the local road cyclist has a few (short) routes ahead of the artificial intelligence.

Thanks to the smooth-running buttons (much lighter than on the Wahoo Elemnt!), operation is easy at all times, even while riding: the three buttons integrated at the bottom of the screen can be used to navigate through the menus, while the right arrow buttons are used for zooming in the map view.

Training with the new Bolt

The reduced but clear colour scheme can have several advantages: Together with the new display, the colours ensure significantly better visibility, especially in sunlight. The greyish screens of the predecessor and the Elemnt had major problems with this. The Wahoo-typical LEDs at the top also have a noticeably stronger signalling effect in colour - whether for turn-by-turn instructions or as an indicator of the current training zone.

In workout mode, the lights can be coupled either with the heart rate or with watt measurement pedals and power meters. This ensures a noticeably better training quality. A small drawback: the selection of pre-installed units is modest and the Bluetooth upload of additional units is only possible using (paid) training software such as Today's Plan, Trainingpeaks or Trainer Road. The manufacturer advises data transfer via cable. Connected to the PC, training programmes written by other programmes, such as the popular Golden Cheetah, can also be easily transferred as erg. files.

But even if you don't complete a training programme, you can still really push yourself and compete with others. The Strava Live Segments function, which displays the respective section in the familiar Strava orange colour, helps with this.

Wahoo Elemnt Bolt 2021: Technical data

In terms of storage space, the new Bolt now has 16 GB, even overtaking the previous top dog, the Roam. Although the specified battery life of 15 hours is two hours less than the previous model, it is still enough for an extensive two-day trip.

The numerous improvements are reflected in the price: instead of 239.99 euros like its predecessor, the new Wahoo Elemnt Bolt 2021 a whopping 279.99 euros - and therefore only 70 euros less than the Roam. For frequent exercisers who want an easy-to-use on-board computer with a simple menu structure, the Bolt is still a very good choice.

How does the Bolt fare in the TOUR test?

Thanks to the subtle use of colour, the Bolt's display is much easier to read in sunlight than the grey display of the cheaper Elemnt. However, the resolution reaches its limits when light and shade change, especially when the maximum number of tabs is displayed.

The rerouting function proves to be both a blessing and a curse in the first extensive test. After deviating from the selected route, for example by making a wrong turn, it determines an alternative route in just a few seconds, which leads back to the original route at the next opportunity. What works well in open terrain can quickly become confusing in smaller towns. On a fast-paced descent in a built-up area, new rerouting suggestions flickered across the screen almost every second.

We were completely convinced by the accurate terrain visualisation in the map tab, which shows even the smallest ponds and creeks. This makes it much easier to find your way around unfamiliar terrain. The colour coding of the wattage and heart rate help with power distribution on long distances. However, you have to get used to Wahoo's generous use of colour - even the power immediately above the threshold is still displayed in rich green. We are now more used to a different colour scheme from conventional training programmes.

Read more details from 23 July in the August issue of TOUR.