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Wahoo ELEMNT GPS Bike Computer

8
£249.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Packed full of features, great menu design, but not quite at Garmin's level
Weight: 
104g

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The Wahoo ELEMNT offers a good alternative to Garmin's dominance but for some key elements. In terms of screen quality, navigation and size, it is still behind, but quickly catching up.

The Wahoo ELEMNT is the US company's long-awaited move into fully functional bike computers, usable as a standalone unit. We have previously looked at the Wahoo RFLKT, which essentially displays what's on your smartphone, but the ELEMNT offers the company's first fully integrated offering, even if it still lacks a vowel. 

> Find your nearest dealer here

The GPS bike computer market is one that has been long dominated by Garmin and with the company releasing its Edge 820 (see my first thoughts on it here), the market is at its most competitive. So how does the ELEMNT compare? 

Data and how it is presented is always the core function of a bike computer, and the ELEMNT excels at this; it seems like this is something Wahoo has really concentrated on. Along the lefthand side of the unit there are a number of LED lights that help to keep you in specific zones – power, cadence, pace etc. It is also quick to see more or less data, simply through pressing up or down on the two buttons on the side.

Wahoo Element GPS Bike Computer - on bars.jpg

In terms of accuracy, I found that it was consistent in terms of speed, cadence, heart rate and metres climbed, although sometimes the gradient took some time to catch up compared with the two other computers I was using at the same time.

Another important feature of the unit is the GPS and routing capabilities. Here the unit is okay, although it is not at the same level as Garmin, with a simple navigation format consisting of a map with a highlighted route and a red LED showing on the unit if you are off this route. Unlike Garmin, the ELEMNT doesn't have turn-by-turn navigation, but you can do this through connection to apps on your phone which communicate with the unit. However, I found that this would drain the battery on my phone, so not an ideal solution.

Wahoo Element GPS Bike Computer - side.jpg

One thing that is a great feature is that after creating a route on Strava, it automatically loads the route to your unit, making it really easy to quickly create a new route to follow. At the tail end of the review period, Wahoo also included Strava live segments, where it is simple to choose which segments you are targeting on Strava, which then show up on the unit and instantly show your results.

The screen is fairly large, offering a decent amount of display space, but it is only black and white, with basic use of pixels. It is still simple to see the maps and data, though, and far better than many others I have used in the past. It isn't touchscreen, unlike offerings from Garmin. It comes with three mounts, one attached through zip ties, one for TT bars and another out-front mount; these all held it in place well and I never felt like it was unstable.

Wahoo Element GPS Bike Computer - mount.jpg

Customising the unit is done through your phone, with the partner app easy to use, and pairing the two is perhaps the easiest I have found, simply using a QR code on the computer. The transfer from computer to phone and apps is simple, and within a minute of finishing a ride everything is uploaded to Strava or whichever app you choose. Connections on the device include Bluetooth and ANT+, and both are really simple.

The unit itself could perhaps be smaller, measuring 57.5 x 90.5 x 21.2mm and weighing 105g, but the screen is only 68.6mm, leaving a sizeable buffer around the edge. This has some use in incorporating the LEDs on the left, although it looks bulky on your handlebar. It is controlled by six buttons, two up/down on the right, three across the bottom and the on/off button on the top left. They are easy to use both with and without gloves and Wahoo has clearly put a lot of thought into their design. These are used to control every element of the unit and the bottom three buttons change use based on what you are doing at that time, with the up/down buttons allowing for more/less information to be shown and the on/off button also accessing the settings menu.

> Read our buyer's guide to the best GPS computers

In terms of pricing, the unit comes in with an RRP of £249.99, which is steep for a computer with a black and white, non-touchscreen screen. The new Garmin 820 is £80 more, but offers turn-by-turn navigation, full colour and a high pixel touchscreen.

Wahoo Element GPS Bike Computer - box open.jpg

Overall, the ELEMNT brings together some really good features, such as the easy to use buttons, strong Strava integration and innovative use of LED lights. It is on the large side and is a big outlay for what it is, but if you want to get a bike computer that isn't a Garmin, you certainly won't be disappointed. It is also worth noting that the unit is improving all the time, and Wahoo is well known for frequent updates, so it is drawing closer, in terms of software, to Garmin's standard.

Verdict

Packed full of features, great menu design, but not quite at Garmin's level

road.cc test report

Make and model: Wahoo ELEMNT GPS Bike Computer

Size tested: 2.7in screen

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Wahoo says: "It is a high-end bike computer that allows for a strong suite of connections combined with a decent navigation option."

I would say it hits this mark and Wahoo has certainly invested a fair amount of effort into making it easy to use, which adds to the experience of using it.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

DUAL-BAND TECHNOLOGY

WIRELESS CONNECTION & UPLOADS

GPS FUNCTIONALITY

FULLY CUSTOMIZABLE SCREEN

THREE MOUNTING OPTIONS

2.7" DIAGONAL SCREEN

USB RECHARGEABLE BATTERY

COMPANION APP SET UP

QUICKLOOK LED INDICATORS

PERFECTVIEW ZOOM BUTTONS

SMART BUTTONS

LIVE TRACKING

TEXT, EMAIL, PHONE ALERTS

STRAVA & RIDE WITH GPS INTEGRATION

KICKR SMART TRAINER CONTROL

ELECTRONIC GEAR SHIFTER COMPATIBILITY

MUSCLE OXYGEN SENSOR COMPATIBILITY

TURN-BY-TURN NAVIGATION WITH RIDE WITH GPS ROUTES

INCLUDES GLOBAL MAPS

STRAVA LIVE SEGMENTS INTEGRATION

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Well made and with rubberised buffers, it is unlikely to break if it were to fall off the bike.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Performs well, offering excellent user experience, well thought out designs, and clear display of data.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

Large buffers may not look especially good, but they are likely to protect it from falls. Wahoo is also especially good at updating its products, so even when it's a year old, it will still likely be up to date.

Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
7/10

Others are lighter, but at 104g it's not going to hugely slow you down.

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

It is expensive, but given that it's one of the best non-Garmin computers on the market, it can be forgiven.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It performed very well. I didn't have any major issues using it, battery life was good and data showed up well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Ease of use and the ability to quickly navigate through different elements was great.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

It is bulky for a bike computer.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

This is a really strong showing from Wahoo, which has included several innovative features – some of which, such as the menus and pairing, are superior to Garmin. However, despite it being a strong contender it is not quite up at that level yet overall, although with a few more updates Wahoo could be a genuine threat soon.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 27  Height: 6 ft  Weight:

I usually ride: Cannondale Supersix Evo 6  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking

George is the host of the road.cc podcast and has been writing for road.cc since 2014. He has reviewed everything from a saddle with a shark fin through to a set of glasses with a HUD and everything in between. 

Although, ironically, spending more time writing and talking about cycling than on the bike nowadays, he still manages to do a couple of decent rides every week on his ever changing number of bikes.

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38 comments

Avatar
hsiaolc replied to Dante256 | 8 years ago
0 likes
Dante256 wrote:

I think that the LEDS, used both for navigation and the general riding make this an AMAZING device.

So far this is the best implementation of Strava Live segments I have seen yet.

The turn by turn navigation could be a little better - you cant navigate to a POI or a location not stored in the device. Nor is there route to home, but that can easily be worked in over time

I've written a rather large (2995 words) review covering just about every aspect of the Wahoo Elemnt, and I really hope that the innovation seen here shakes up the other manufacturers 

if anyone is interested the review is here

http://www.titaniumgeek.com/gear-reviews/wahoo-elemnt-gps-bike-computer-...

Excellent review.  Really makes you want to get one regardless of size and looks. 

Avatar
SilverMerlin | 8 years ago
0 likes

Looks are always going to be subjective. I actually quite like the look of the elemnt, the colour also matches my bike - stealth black, sad I know! But some will obviously not like the way it looks. The weight and size is broadly similar with bike computers I have had, I wouldn't say it was a black brick - but again beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 

Avatar
SilverMerlin | 8 years ago
0 likes

I have had an elemnt for a couple of months now and really like using the device. the approach that it uses is innovative and logical and a bit different from other bike computer I have had. I would highly recommend it. 

Nice to see a generally positive review. I think perhaps it should be the Garmin 520  that the unit is compared to rather than the Garmin 820 as these are in the same price range. It is a more superior product than the 520. Don’t be put off because it is not a Garmin.

I would disagree with the writers comment about screen quality. The screen is excellent and makes for easy reading in bright sunshine. Black and white is actually an advantage. The device also does turn by turn with RideWithGPS. You plot a route on the RWGPS website which then syncs with your device. You do not need to be connected to the RWGPS app/website when following a route out on the bike.  The turn markers are clear and accurate.  You can follow a line on a map with Strava planed routes but there is no turn by turn directions. The device and companion app also seem to be updated on a regular basis with new features added all the time. 

Avatar
hsiaolc replied to SilverMerlin | 8 years ago
0 likes
SilverMerlin wrote:

I have had an elemnt for a couple of months now and really like using the device. the approach that it uses is innovative and logical and a bit different from other bike computer I have had. I would highly recommend it. 

Nice to see a generally positive review. I think perhaps it should be the Garmin 520  that the unit is compared to rather than the Garmin 820 as these are in the same price range. It is a more superior product than the 520. Don’t be put off because it is not a Garmin.

I would disagree with the writers comment about screen quality. The screen is excellent and makes for easy reading in bright sunshine. Black and white is actually an advantage. The device also does turn by turn with RideWithGPS. You plot a route on the RWGPS website which then syncs with your device. You do not need to be connected to the RWGPS app/website when following a route out on the bike.  The turn markers are clear and accurate.  You can follow a line on a map with Strava planed routes but there is no turn by turn directions. The device and companion app also seem to be updated on a regular basis with new features added all the time. 

The size and the look put me off from buying one. 

I specifically went to a store to take a look before buying (been studying it for the past couple months) however, the moment I saw it infront of me it just completely put me off by the size (not the screen but the whole unit).  Its like a big black brick and its not light either. 

Maybe next gen?

Avatar
themartincox | 8 years ago
0 likes

I've been using the elemnt for a few months and really like it, as the review says the turn by turn is needed, and clearly wahoo knew this because it was added to its features back in june!

Now the top level of LEDs flash left or right as you come to a junction. It's good in the day, but brilliant in the dark!

 

 updates are a regular feature with wahoo, it almost makes owning the elemnt fun, because there's a steady stream of new features being added (live Strava segments was added a couple of weeks ago)

Avatar
pl6125 | 8 years ago
1 like

Regarding turn by turn navigation, you can do this now with RideWithGPS routes:

How do I use turn by turn on my ELEMNT (Wahoo Support)

Turn by Turn Navigation Rolls out to Wahoo ELEMNT (DC Rainmaker)

 

Avatar
rjfrussell replied to pl6125 | 8 years ago
0 likes
pl6125 wrote:

Regarding turn by turn navigation, you can do this now with RideWithGPS routes:

How do I use turn by turn on my ELEMNT (Wahoo Support)

Turn by Turn Navigation Rolls out to Wahoo ELEMNT (DC Rainmaker)

 

Do you still have to pay a montly sub to RideWithGPS to be able to do this?

Avatar
SilverMerlin replied to rjfrussell | 8 years ago
0 likes

No you can use free RWGPS to use route planning with the elemnt. You do not need a paid subscription. I am new to RWGPS route planning but have been really suprised how good it is better than Strava and others I have used in the past. 

 

rjfrussell wrote:
pl6125 wrote:

Regarding turn by turn navigation, you can do this now with RideWithGPS routes:

How do I use turn by turn on my ELEMNT (Wahoo Support)

Turn by Turn Navigation Rolls out to Wahoo ELEMNT (DC Rainmaker)

 

Do you still have to pay a montly sub to RideWithGPS to be able to do this?

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