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The Elemnt Bolt was first launched on the market in 2017. Now Wahoo is launching the second generation of the GPS computer. The New Bolt has a colour display whose design is strongly reminiscent of the top model Elemnt Roam reminds us. 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.
Small but powerful: what can the new Wahoo Elemnt Bolt do?
When the Elemnt Bolt was presented by US manufacturer Wahoo in 2017, the main focus was on a compact design and simple operation. Slightly more generously equipped than the entry-level Elemnt model and at the same time cheaper than the top Roam device - the Bolt was already a good compromise back then. With the product relaunch the Bolt now 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.
Thanks to the smooth-running buttons, operation should be easy at all times, even while driving and wearing gloves: 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 to zoom in the map view.
Wahoo Elemnt Bolt - technical data
- 2.2-inch colour display made from scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass
- Waterproof (IPX7)
- Weight: 68 grammes
- 15 hours battery life
- Navigation: Rerouting function, turn-by-turn directions via LED bar, route calculation
- Training: Strava Live segments, FTP tests, training sessions
- Smart functions: Text and call notifications, live tracking, companion app
- Price: 279.99 euros >> e.g. at Rosebikes or Sport-Schuster
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 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 area.
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 downer: 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 created 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.
In terms of storage space, the new Bolt with 16 GB even makes a leap past the previous top dog Roam. The stated battery life of 15 hours is curiously two hours less than the previous model - but should still be enough for an extensive two-day MTB tour.
The numerous improvements are reflected in the price: instead of 240 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 riders who want an easy-to-use GPS computer with a simple menu structure, the Bolt should still be a very good choice.
