Wahoo Fitness  ELEMNT BOLT Cycling Computer

I have owned and extensively used Garmin, the RWGPS app on my phone, and the Bolt v1.0. The Garmin was very unreliable and tried to kill me several times. The RWGPS app is a battery killer and unstable. The Bolt v1.0 is very good but has a black and white display and is finicky. The Bolt 2.0 addresses some of the issues of the 1.0 but adds its own. The 64 color display is the main improvement, making the map actually usable. Rivers look like rivers and parks look like parks. The "navigate back to route" feature works well although I would like both "return to where I left the route" and "shortest route back to route" options. GPS lock is much slower than v1.0 (60 seconds vs 10 seconds). The other good feature is the automatic backlight. See the attached photo.

The layout and UI of this computer are quite good. However charging turns out to be hit or miss. In my case a total miss. Using the provided USB-USB-C cable I was unable to charge the unit with any of my charging options (3 different Apple charging blocks, independent USB chargers (2)). The unit was functional and very easy to set up, so the computer was working. A Google search revealed that this was not an isolated problem with the Element Bolt v2. There is even a Reddit forum devoted to just this problem. Given that I bought this at REI return was trivial and I exchanged it for a Garmin 540 which is not as easy to set up and is way more complex than I need, but hey it charges.

The device takes good SRAM AXS gear data and messes it up (proven by SRAM support and admitted to by Wahoo). They claim to be working on a fix but haven't released. Also they said they don't warranty devices that have a software fix coming, yet they haven't released this fix for months! Additionally, my SRM power meter pedals work flawlessly with Garmin and Hammerhead mounted on my tri bars, yet I had to mount the Bolt to the downtube just to get reliable readings from both pedals. Also confirmed by SRM support that there is no broadcast signal issues. I'm let down by the Wahoo product and definitely by Wahoo's useless support.

I had an earlier version of the Bolt, whose battery was failing from age. This unit received good reviews, especially for the screen. Unfortunately the rerouting is simply ridiculous. If you take a turn to early, or miss a turn, the software tries to bring you back to where you left the route, or sometimes the beginning of the route, even if the route is yards away. If the GPS signal is lost, the unit constantly misdirects you while attempting to get you "back to the route". This feature has killed the usefulness of the device. Still has poor GPS lock, slow to pair with sensors, and needs more amperage to charge Sad, reasonable hardware, user friendly set up, awful new software. Wahoo needs to get real user feedback, and not let the programmers rule from the cubicle. thank you for REI's excellent return policy!

I have ridden for years but this is my first real bike computer. I have not yet mastered it, although it is as represented pretty straight forward. It does the basics very well - speed, cadence, time, and as such is great motivation. I have not loaded a route, but will begin doing so as early as tomorrow's ride. The best feature was somewhat unexpected - the connection with my Garmin radar tail light is fantastic. I now know visually and audibly when a car is approaching from the rear and don't have to count on the use of my tiny mirror to tell me the story. I am not lulled to a carefree state, this is still dangerous, but the ability to add this measure of protection has been excellent. I purchased this unit (Bolt v. 2) on the advice of friends. They did not steer me wrong.

Wahoo system fan. I had the Bolt V1 and it worked great for me. When the color options and new featured Bolt came out. I upgraded. I've had this unit for 3 years without any issues. I recently had an issue when charging the usb C port got so hot it melted. Be careful plugging into any high output chargers. Apparently the bolt may not regulate power. I searched online and saw some other folks mention the same thing. Working with support now to see if it can be repaired. I thought I'd put it out there for any other shoppers.

Like many other reviewers state, GPS is poor. While riding at lower speeds, such as while climbing hills, the unit will constantly auto pause and resume over and over, making all kinds of distracting beeps. I recorded a ride with both the bolt and the Strava app on my phone and the bolt missed 2 out of 50 miles. Strava Live segments will start automatically and then disappear before the segment is complete, making the feature useless. I'm hoping wahoo pushes an update, but this product has been out for months already. I am using the latest firmware.

I have been riding for years but usually did so without a map. Over the last few years, started using my phone for navigation. I had/have 2 Cateye computers and a Meijin. All work well... But... The Wahoo Bolt (2.0) is Amazing! It's a whole new level of cycling computer. For $280 I should have gotten it first rather than try other, lesser, and less expensive models. This is definitely the way to go. I've already done 8 rides and every one recorded all data perfectly. Highly highly highly recommend it! Did I mention that I recommend it?

I didn't expect GPS based speed and mileage to be completely accurate, but I really didn't expect it to be completely dysfunctional. I've tried using it about 6 times now and it's pretty much worthless. It takes too long to get a GPS lock and then drops while I'm riding. Speed is wildly inconsistent as is mileage. It auto pauses while I'm moving. If I go through a tunnel it will lose GPS and not reestablish it. I researched the problems online and discovered that evidently I am not the only person who has encountered these problems. It's reported that Wahoo knows they have a firmware problem and have promised an update. Not sure I want to wait for an update or if I will return it. I could add a wheel sensor, but the latest version of the Wahoo wheel sensor is evidently even worse and is completely panned in most reviews.

I recently went from the v1 to the v2 Bolt. The new model doesn't work for mountain biking. It reads 0 mph on climbs until you reach 5 mph. Did a long climb and it just stayed at 0 mph. Tried Wahoo support but they won't acknowledge the issue. After a week run around on the ticket, I'm returning the Bolt and buying a Garmin instead.