Wahoo Elemnt Bolt GPS Cycling Computer: Checkpoint

Back in April, I introduced you to the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt GPS cycling computer we have on test. Since then, I’ve used the Bolt on dozens of rides, including a finish at the inaugural 350-mile long Dirty Kanza XL in June. Since more than 1,000 miles have passed under the wheels of our Bolt-equipped test bikes to-date, I thought it’d be a good time to update you on my experience.

Catch up on the Bolt’s specs and features in our Getting Rolling post.

Good Impressions

The Bolt was designed to be the world’s first aero GPS bicycle computer. While I can’t independently verify Wahoo’s aero claims, I love the look and functionality of the Bolt. Its integration with the out-front mount is top notch, and the screen is clear and easy to read in any light.

Wahoo Fitness also did a great job with the user interface of the Bolt. It’s a computer I can simply turn on, hit ‘start’ and ride out the door. When the ride is finished, the data automatically syncs with my phone, provided it’s connected via Bluetooth. It’s reliable enough that I often don’t bother to look to see if rides have uploaded. I like that a lot.

The app-based setup is seamless. Screens and settings are generally easy to set up and/or customize. I’ve also had good success with the Bolt’s navigation, overall.

Mostly due to the fact that I’ve been riding gravel since before GPS cycling computers existed, cue sheets have always been the gold standard for me. Navigation is a feature I’ve typically shied away from with other computers, primarily due to battery life concerns. That said, in the interest of testing I went sans cue sheets for two recent events, instead relying solely on the Bolt’s navigation to get me to the finish line.

Prior to the first event, I downloaded the GPX file from the race website and easily uploaded it to the Bolt. Good so far… On race day, everything was working great for the first few corners, but then things went a little haywire. I later learned that the event promoter had uploaded last year’s route, so without cue sheets, I basically had to wing it from a navigation standpoint. It wasn’t the Bolt’s fault, but the experience was enlightening.

Fortunately, there were two other Wahoo Elemnt users ahead of me on the course, so I was able to navigate the course by tracking their progress on the Bolt’s navigation screen. Long story short, the Bolt’s ability to track other riders saved the day for me. In this situation, the ability to quickly zoom in or out on the map was a big help in keeping me in the race.

After making sure I had the correct GPX file for the second event, I successfully navigated the course without cue sheets. Everything worked seamlessly and I rode the entire 105 mile course without a single wrong turn. I have to admit, that’s a first for me. But the experience sold me on the virtue of running the Bolt’s navigation during events, even if I’m also using cue sheets.

Battery life has been consistent with Wahoo’s claims (up to 15 hours of use between charges). Also, using navigation on the Bolt doesn’t seem to drain the battery as quickly as it does with other computers I’ve used. At the finish of the 105 mile race referenced above, I had 45 percent battery life at the end of the 6.5 hour long event, and navigation was running the entire time.

The Wahoo iPhone app offers reminders to charge the Bolt after rides, which has proven helpful.

It’s possible to charge the Bolt in use, which is a big deal for longer events, such as the Dirty Kanza XL, or multi-day events like the Tour Divide. Unfortunately, to charge the Bolt with the stock out-front mount, I had to source a USB charging cable with a 90-degree bend in the plug. Since the charge port is at the rear of the computer, there isn’t sufficient room for a standard charging cable to be used. The standard cable can however be used to charge the Bolt if you’re using the included bar/stem mount.

Any Issues?

During long events where we’re riding through the night, I wish I could dim the backlight on the Bolt. A recent update now offers the ability to select how long the backlight stays on for, but there is no ability to adjust screen brightness. Since I’m typically running a small headlamp on my helmet during these events, it’s not a deal breaker. That said, the ability to dim the backlight is a feature I miss from my old Garmin Edge 510.

This is a minor nit, but Wahoo doesn’t allow users to select the start day of the training week in the app. Since I prefer my training week to go Monday through Sunday, Wahoo’s choice of a Sunday through Saturday training calendar is cumbersome. Fortunately, the Bolt’s seamless integration with Strava (which does allow you to choose the start of your training week) makes this a livable, if not ideal situation.

Finally, Wahoo Fitness doesn’t offer a 35mm bar mount for the Bolt at present. Unfortunately, an increasing number of bikes are coming specced with 35mm diameter handlebars, and these users will be forced to use the bar/stem mount. Since the bar/stem mount doesn’t integrate as cleanly as the out-front mount does, that’s a bit of a bummer.

Bottom Line

Overall, my experience with the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt has been excellent. It’s the most reliable and easy to use GPS cycling computer I’ve used to date, and the sleek, compact design looks good on virtually any bike. While I can’t conclusively speak to the long-term durability of the Bolt, it’s been solid so far, and the $250 MSRP is competitive in the marketplace.

I think Wahoo Fitness is onto something good with the Elemnt Bolt cycling computer, and I intend to continue using it through the summer. I’ll report on any additional findings, and summarize my overall experience with the Bolt in my At the Finish review to-come soon.

NOTE: Wahoo Fitness sent the Elemnt Bolt for test and review at no charge. We were not paid nor bribed for this review. We always give our honest perspective and opinion based on our actual experience with the product.