Help with Wahoo purchase
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Trussville, AL
Posts: 191
Bikes: 2018 Trek Domane SL5
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 81 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
Help with Wahoo purchase
Good Day Bike Friends,
I am looking at getting a Wahoo bike computer, specifically the Bolt. Here is what I am wanting it to do:
1. Good measurement of distance. I am right now just using the Strava app on my iPhone. It is reasonable compared to a mapping program like Ride With GPS when I map out a ride on the computer. Usually the difference is within a third of mile which I think is pretty good for a free app.
2. I am looking for something that has good live tracking in case my wife needs to see where I am at. Right now she uses the Find My Friends app, which is okay. But I want something better and that could be used with the Strava Beacon function.
3. I want something that doesn't drop rides. I have lost whole rides because Strava on my phone loses connectivity or the app just poops out or whatever.
For me getting reliable distances covered and not dropping whole sections of rides is the most important... with the live tracking second. If the head unit would display when I am starting a Strava segment that would be great.
I am "training" to ride some 100Ks this year, but I only care if I covered a segment faster in terms of time... or if I covered a route faster in terms of time. I really don't look at average speed. I don't go at segments every time either, just sometimes I put a little bit of effort in.
So with all that written. I only need the head unit right? I don't use a power meter or a HRM . I understand that there are "sensors" but those don't actually impact how far you went right? I mean the Wahoo is a GPS so it is connected to the satellites right?
And before anyone replies, yes I have looked at DC Rainmaker's website and GP Lama's YouTube, probably the two gurus of bike computers. But frankly they give so much information in their very in-depth reviews I am a bit overwhelmed.
I am looking at getting a Wahoo bike computer, specifically the Bolt. Here is what I am wanting it to do:
1. Good measurement of distance. I am right now just using the Strava app on my iPhone. It is reasonable compared to a mapping program like Ride With GPS when I map out a ride on the computer. Usually the difference is within a third of mile which I think is pretty good for a free app.
2. I am looking for something that has good live tracking in case my wife needs to see where I am at. Right now she uses the Find My Friends app, which is okay. But I want something better and that could be used with the Strava Beacon function.
3. I want something that doesn't drop rides. I have lost whole rides because Strava on my phone loses connectivity or the app just poops out or whatever.
For me getting reliable distances covered and not dropping whole sections of rides is the most important... with the live tracking second. If the head unit would display when I am starting a Strava segment that would be great.
I am "training" to ride some 100Ks this year, but I only care if I covered a segment faster in terms of time... or if I covered a route faster in terms of time. I really don't look at average speed. I don't go at segments every time either, just sometimes I put a little bit of effort in.
So with all that written. I only need the head unit right? I don't use a power meter or a HRM . I understand that there are "sensors" but those don't actually impact how far you went right? I mean the Wahoo is a GPS so it is connected to the satellites right?
And before anyone replies, yes I have looked at DC Rainmaker's website and GP Lama's YouTube, probably the two gurus of bike computers. But frankly they give so much information in their very in-depth reviews I am a bit overwhelmed.
Last edited by voyager1; 03-24-19 at 08:25 PM.
#2
Senior Member
I don't use the Bolt but use the Elemnt. My results from the Elemnt:
1) The Elemnt tracks the distance very well.
2) Live tracking works good. My wife gets an email with a link to the ride which shows a map with my location.
3) I have 20,300 miles on my Elemnt. In that time I can only remember 2 times the gps did not record a portion of those rides.
You only need the head unit and I use a speed sensor and cadence sensor.
1) The Elemnt tracks the distance very well.
2) Live tracking works good. My wife gets an email with a link to the ride which shows a map with my location.
3) I have 20,300 miles on my Elemnt. In that time I can only remember 2 times the gps did not record a portion of those rides.
You only need the head unit and I use a speed sensor and cadence sensor.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,646 Times
in
6,054 Posts
That's right. A power meter and heart monitor are cool fitness gadgets, but completely unrelated to your goal. They would just put extra data into your recording. Like of you had a thermometer, that might give a little more contract and background to your rides, and it might give you badass points. But it won't have any effect on how many miles you rode. That's how it is with all the sensors available except the speed one, which changes how your computer measures distance from GPS to wheel rotations.
#4
Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: North Vancouver, BC
Posts: 42
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I have the bolt and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it. To answer your questions/points of interest directly:
1. If distance is the most important thing for you I’d recommend getting the speed sensor that goes on your rear hub as the package deal, which should only be a modest increase in price. While the head unit alone will do the trick, from my understanding of how GPS units work the head unit will measure your path, but occasionally check with the speed sensor to address any gps drift that may occur over time and therefore maintain the highest accuracy, especially in areas of poor gps coverage such as tunnels or forested areas. I might be very wrong on this though, and would happily be corrected.
2. Strava beacon doesn’t work with wahoo, however the wahoo app does provide a link which can be shared, so anyone you send it to can view your current location and track. You can choose to make it a permanent link so it never changes, or have it expire within a certain timeframe. It works very well.
3. I’ve never had the bolt drop a ride, however once (very soon after a firmware update) I did have the unit restart during a ride. I waited by the side of the road for it to restart, and it was able to recover and resume my ride without loss of data.
Hope this helps
1. If distance is the most important thing for you I’d recommend getting the speed sensor that goes on your rear hub as the package deal, which should only be a modest increase in price. While the head unit alone will do the trick, from my understanding of how GPS units work the head unit will measure your path, but occasionally check with the speed sensor to address any gps drift that may occur over time and therefore maintain the highest accuracy, especially in areas of poor gps coverage such as tunnels or forested areas. I might be very wrong on this though, and would happily be corrected.
2. Strava beacon doesn’t work with wahoo, however the wahoo app does provide a link which can be shared, so anyone you send it to can view your current location and track. You can choose to make it a permanent link so it never changes, or have it expire within a certain timeframe. It works very well.
3. I’ve never had the bolt drop a ride, however once (very soon after a firmware update) I did have the unit restart during a ride. I waited by the side of the road for it to restart, and it was able to recover and resume my ride without loss of data.
Hope this helps
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,885
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3242 Post(s)
Liked 2,086 Times
in
1,181 Posts
I have the bolt and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it. To answer your questions/points of interest directly:
1. If distance is the most important thing for you I’d recommend getting the speed sensor that goes on your rear hub as the package deal, which should only be a modest increase in price. While the head unit alone will do the trick, from my understanding of how GPS units work the head unit will measure your path, but occasionally check with the speed sensor to address any gps drift that may occur over time and therefore maintain the highest accuracy, especially in areas of poor gps coverage such as tunnels or forested areas. I might be very wrong on this though, and would happily be corrected.
1. If distance is the most important thing for you I’d recommend getting the speed sensor that goes on your rear hub as the package deal, which should only be a modest increase in price. While the head unit alone will do the trick, from my understanding of how GPS units work the head unit will measure your path, but occasionally check with the speed sensor to address any gps drift that may occur over time and therefore maintain the highest accuracy, especially in areas of poor gps coverage such as tunnels or forested areas. I might be very wrong on this though, and would happily be corrected.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 2,537
Bikes: yes
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1281 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
329 Posts
As far as live Strava segments, it will do that, as well, but you have to pay for one of the Strava Summit packages for that functionality: https://www.strava.com/summit/join
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 5,585
Bikes: 2017 Colnago C-RS, 2012 Colnago Ace, 2010 Giant Cypress hybrid
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 408 Post(s)
Liked 122 Times
in
85 Posts
I will agree with everything that's been said except for the Live Tracking. The Bolt is a GPS receiving device and does not transmit any location data. That function is done by the companion app on your phone using data streaming through your cellular service. Unless you have some portable battery chargers with you (for your phone) and have an unlimited data plan, using the Bolt's Live Tracking on very long rides may not be a good idea. You may want to consider a cycling app on your phone that sends an email at a designated distance or time interval for tracking and the Bolt for everything else.
__________________
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 2,537
Bikes: yes
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1281 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
329 Posts
Depends on the phone battery I guess. I used the Wahoo live tracking for 15+ hours during a gravel race last year and my phone was fine. What kills the battery on your phone is the screen being on more than anything else.
#9
Senior Member
I have a bolt, I'd recommend a cadence sensor. Does everything you mentioned. Wahoo support is really good. At about a year old mine started charging inconsistently. Wahoo sent me a new one.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,885
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3242 Post(s)
Liked 2,086 Times
in
1,181 Posts
I will agree with everything that's been said except for the Live Tracking. The Bolt is a GPS receiving device and does not transmit any location data. That function is done by the companion app on your phone using data streaming through your cellular service. Unless you have some portable battery chargers with you (for your phone) and have an unlimited data plan, using the Bolt's Live Tracking on very long rides may not be a good idea. You may want to consider a cycling app on your phone that sends an email at a designated distance or time interval for tracking and the Bolt for everything else.
Obviously for this to work, the phone needs cell data functional, so will use battery to keep that link active. I’ve never noticed that it drains my iPhone noticeably, but maybe on a long multi-hour day.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 5,585
Bikes: 2017 Colnago C-RS, 2012 Colnago Ace, 2010 Giant Cypress hybrid
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 408 Post(s)
Liked 122 Times
in
85 Posts
AFAIK, the Wahoo Live Track feature works the same as Garmin in that the smartphone app pulls the location data from the device via a BlueTooth connection, with the app then updating the Wahoo/Garmin website(s). From there the track is viewable to whomever you linked. On a Garmin and with Live Track functioning, an e-mail with a Track link is sent to whomevers e-mail you provided.
Obviously for this to work, the phone needs cell data functional, so will use battery to keep that link active. I’ve never noticed that it drains my iPhone noticeably, but maybe on a long multi-hour day.
Before I got my Bolt, I was using my iPhone SE running Cyclemeter as my cycling app. The phone was connected to a Wahoo RFLKT to display my ride data without having to keep the phone’s screen turned on. I also had a Wahoo BlueSC and a Wahoo TICKR connected to the phone. I optimize my phone for battery life turning off notifications for all but a few apps and have only the cycling app running while riding. Each year, I do a cross state ride and used that setup to notify my wife of my location. As I mentioned, I have the app send an email every 20 miles. Using that combination, I was able to ride an entire day (usually 8 hours) without charging my phone along the way.
I purchased my Bolt after my RFLKT finally bit the bullet and started experimenting with the Live Track feature. Same phone, but the BlueSC was replaced by Wahoo RPM speed and cadence sensors. I normally ride 40-60 miles a day so I set up Live Track and did one of my normal 40 mile rides. I did the ride at the approximate speed as the cross state ride and that took about two and a half hours of ride time. At the end of my ride, my iPhone battery had a total of 24% battery life remaining. The next day, I did a 60 mile ride and my phone battery died before I was done. I repeated the 40 mile ride using the Bolt strictly as my computer and Cyclemeter as my tracking option. The companion app was not connected to the Bolt. At the end of that ride, I had 78% battery life remaining. That year, I used the combination of the Bolt and Cyclemeter on my cross state ride. The ride is broken up in two and a half days with the first day being 60 miles and 80 miles for the remaining two days. At the end of my 80 mile days, I had 44% and 46%, respectively, battery life remaining.
Yes, I document silly stuff like this just for S&Gs. And while other users may have received different results, I can only go by my personal experience. With that said, my experience tells me not to use the Live Track feature on very long rides unless you have spare battery chargers that can be recharged at the end of each day and an unlimited data plan for your phone. I do believe that the OP’s 100K rides falls into this category.
__________________
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
HCFR Cycling Team
Ride Safe ... Ride Hard ... Ride Daily
2017 Colnago C-RS
2012 Colnago Ace
2010 Giant Cypress
#13
Senior Member
I have the Bolt and I use it without the speed sensor on my commuter bike and with the speed sensor on my road bike. The tracking comes out the same when I do the same rides. While it isn't a big deal to swap the speed sensor from one wheel to the other when I'm in a rush out the door going to work I don't bother. The only real difference is that without the sensor the speed reading is a little lagged.
I've never used the live track feature. Why do I want anybody to know where I am?
I've never used the live track feature. Why do I want anybody to know where I am?
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,885
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3242 Post(s)
Liked 2,086 Times
in
1,181 Posts
I have the Bolt and I use it without the speed sensor on my commuter bike and with the speed sensor on my road bike. The tracking comes out the same when I do the same rides. While it isn't a big deal to swap the speed sensor from one wheel to the other when I'm in a rush out the door going to work I don't bother. The only real difference is that without the sensor the speed reading is a little lagged.
I've never used the live track feature. Why do I want anybody to know where I am?
I've never used the live track feature. Why do I want anybody to know where I am?
#15
Senior Member
How is it for following a pre-loaded route?
If I load a route I want to stay on, not recalculate if I miss a turn and send me on some new route.
Using a garmin edge touring, but it's become unreliable and the battery life isn't enough.
Thx
If I load a route I want to stay on, not recalculate if I miss a turn and send me on some new route.
Using a garmin edge touring, but it's become unreliable and the battery life isn't enough.
Thx
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: South shore, L.I., NY
Posts: 6,885
Bikes: Flyxii FR322, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3242 Post(s)
Liked 2,086 Times
in
1,181 Posts
the Elemnt/Bolt series are terrific at using a route created on RideWithGPS, then displaying turn-by-turn directions. I personally think the TBT screen as well as maps are superior on Garmin devices, but Wahoos are fine as well.
As note, pretty much no cycling GPS device is good at re-routing you if you get off course.
#17
Senior Member
Thx for the response. The Touring was discounted a few years ago and really wasn't bad until lately.
What I want is to NOT be rerouted when I go off course. I want to backtrack and go back to the course. If it won't take me back that's ok as long as it doesn't start redrawing the course on me..
What I want is to NOT be rerouted when I go off course. I want to backtrack and go back to the course. If it won't take me back that's ok as long as it doesn't start redrawing the course on me..
#18
junior
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Fresno, Calif.
Posts: 282
Bikes: 2020 Surly ECR / 2018 Norco Search XR steel gravel bike with GRX / 1983 Bianchi Campione D'Italia / Gary Fisher Wingra / Motobecane Nomade mixte (daughter's)
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 72 Post(s)
Liked 12 Times
in
11 Posts
I bought a Bolt late last year. I'm pretty happy with it. I can send a Live Tracking link via email or text (i usually use text message) to a buddy so if my little blue dot stays in the same location for hours on end, he's to notify someone. plus to rub in the fact that he flaked once again on another fun adventure ride. lol
I use Strava (mainly for the social aspect and looking at numbers later), and i had the premium plan gifted to me, but i prefer Ride With GPS for it's free route building feature. I will not re-up once the subscription expires. And I get turn by turn notifications on my Bolt from the preloaded RWGPS route.
I bought the speed and cadence sensors mainly because i read the speed sensor helps the accuracy of the head unit, though it seemed to work fine without it too.
eric/fresno, ca.
I use Strava (mainly for the social aspect and looking at numbers later), and i had the premium plan gifted to me, but i prefer Ride With GPS for it's free route building feature. I will not re-up once the subscription expires. And I get turn by turn notifications on my Bolt from the preloaded RWGPS route.
I bought the speed and cadence sensors mainly because i read the speed sensor helps the accuracy of the head unit, though it seemed to work fine without it too.
eric/fresno, ca.
#19
Senior Member
Thx for the response. The Touring was discounted a few years ago and really wasn't bad until lately.
What I want is to NOT be rerouted when I go off course. I want to backtrack and go back to the course. If it won't take me back that's ok as long as it doesn't start redrawing the course on me..
What I want is to NOT be rerouted when I go off course. I want to backtrack and go back to the course. If it won't take me back that's ok as long as it doesn't start redrawing the course on me..
The biggest weakness of the Wahoos, IMHO, is you can't scroll the map around to figure out how best to join back up with the route. You can zoom out a bit, but it's very limited and it stops rendering smaller roads as the coverage area increases. You have to get your phone out, figure out the best route, then hope you remember all the turns. Or you can use the companion app to reprogram the route, but I've been wary of making changes to the routing on the fly as I've managed to wedge my ELEMNT a couple of times when messing with the routing. So after getting burned pretty badly once and nearly getting stuck without navigation in an unfamiliar area, I only use it in emergencies (e.g. you need to abort and find a short route back home).
#20
Senior Member
Good Day Bike Friends,
I am looking at getting a Wahoo bike computer, specifically the Bolt. Here is what I am wanting it to do:
1. Good measurement of distance. I am right now just using the Strava app on my iPhone. It is reasonable compared to a mapping program like Ride With GPS when I map out a ride on the computer. Usually the difference is within a third of mile which I think is pretty good for a free app.
2. I am looking for something that has good live tracking in case my wife needs to see where I am at. Right now she uses the Find My Friends app, which is okay. But I want something better and that could be used with the Strava Beacon function.
3. I want something that doesn't drop rides. I have lost whole rides because Strava on my phone loses connectivity or the app just poops out or whatever.
For me getting reliable distances covered and not dropping whole sections of rides is the most important... with the live tracking second. If the head unit would display when I am starting a Strava segment that would be great.
I am "training" to ride some 100Ks this year, but I only care if I covered a segment faster in terms of time... or if I covered a route faster in terms of time. I really don't look at average speed. I don't go at segments every time either, just sometimes I put a little bit of effort in.
So with all that written. I only need the head unit right? I don't use a power meter or a HRM . I understand that there are "sensors" but those don't actually impact how far you went right? I mean the Wahoo is a GPS so it is connected to the satellites right?
And before anyone replies, yes I have looked at DC Rainmaker's website and GP Lama's YouTube, probably the two gurus of bike computers. But frankly they give so much information in their very in-depth reviews I am a bit overwhelmed.
I am looking at getting a Wahoo bike computer, specifically the Bolt. Here is what I am wanting it to do:
1. Good measurement of distance. I am right now just using the Strava app on my iPhone. It is reasonable compared to a mapping program like Ride With GPS when I map out a ride on the computer. Usually the difference is within a third of mile which I think is pretty good for a free app.
2. I am looking for something that has good live tracking in case my wife needs to see where I am at. Right now she uses the Find My Friends app, which is okay. But I want something better and that could be used with the Strava Beacon function.
3. I want something that doesn't drop rides. I have lost whole rides because Strava on my phone loses connectivity or the app just poops out or whatever.
For me getting reliable distances covered and not dropping whole sections of rides is the most important... with the live tracking second. If the head unit would display when I am starting a Strava segment that would be great.
I am "training" to ride some 100Ks this year, but I only care if I covered a segment faster in terms of time... or if I covered a route faster in terms of time. I really don't look at average speed. I don't go at segments every time either, just sometimes I put a little bit of effort in.
So with all that written. I only need the head unit right? I don't use a power meter or a HRM . I understand that there are "sensors" but those don't actually impact how far you went right? I mean the Wahoo is a GPS so it is connected to the satellites right?
And before anyone replies, yes I have looked at DC Rainmaker's website and GP Lama's YouTube, probably the two gurus of bike computers. But frankly they give so much information in their very in-depth reviews I am a bit overwhelmed.
The problem, as I see it, with the bike computer tracking capability is that it depends on your phone anyhow. That means you add another level of things to go wrong because if you have a problem with the computer to phone connection, then you lose the tracking. Since it's a bluetooth connection, it's going to have all the idiosyncrasies of that plus if you move too far away from the bike, you'll also lose the connection. So if your wife wants to know where you are, then do it though the phone and keep the phone on your person. For what it's worth, Find My Friends works very well and also has a minimal to zero impact on battery life on the phone.
RoadID app is available on both Apple App store and Google Play.
FWIW, if you are concerned with accuracy in distance on the head unit, then you should get a speed sensor. Here's a good article that explains it.
https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear...s-lies-to-you/
Otherwise, you can upload to Strava and tell it to correct the distance.
J.
#21
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Trussville, AL
Posts: 191
Bikes: 2018 Trek Domane SL5
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 81 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
Hey everyone,
Thanks for all the information, I picked up the Wahoo last week (got the Bolt).
I am looking at the mounts. Is there any real advantages of using out front over the stem? I am on a road bike.
I picked up a head cold last week as well and almost over it as I write this... very excited to try the Wahoo out.
Thanks for all the information, I picked up the Wahoo last week (got the Bolt).
I am looking at the mounts. Is there any real advantages of using out front over the stem? I am on a road bike.
I picked up a head cold last week as well and almost over it as I write this... very excited to try the Wahoo out.
Last edited by voyager1; 05-14-19 at 08:54 PM.
#23
Senior Member
The out front mount also frees up some handlebar space for other accessories (lights, etc.) The main downside is it will interfere with handlebar bags, but handlebar bags interfere with a lot of things anyway.
#25
Senior Member
I put the out front on my road bike and the bar top on my commuter bike and I take the computer on every ride whichever bike I'm on. As silly as it sounds, even to me sometimes, I also always wear my HR monitor on my commutes.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JoeBelowAverage
Road Cycling
28
02-09-18 04:52 AM
nemeseri
Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets
9
02-07-15 02:53 PM