Bike Computer (Wahoo Elemnt Roam)
#51
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,431
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3133 Post(s)
Liked 1,700 Times
in
1,027 Posts
I understand that comparison, however, Apple is great in terms of ease-of-use AND design. In my experience the Wahoo only stands out in the ease-of-use department. Which to me makes it really difficult to justify the extra cost of a Roam in comparison to the 530.
I was really surprised by how much more detailed and colourful the Garmin maps are in comparison to the Wahoo. Which makes navigating so much easier. I also had both units in my hand and comparing the actual units to each other, I also found the Garmin to be so much better looking. This is especially the case when it is mounted onto the bike. The Roam feels and looks a lot more bulky while the screen sizes are pretty much the same.
I was really surprised by how much more detailed and colourful the Garmin maps are in comparison to the Wahoo. Which makes navigating so much easier. I also had both units in my hand and comparing the actual units to each other, I also found the Garmin to be so much better looking. This is especially the case when it is mounted onto the bike. The Roam feels and looks a lot more bulky while the screen sizes are pretty much the same.
#52
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
This is a good comparison on both ends: functionality vs perceived ease of setup.
#53
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,431
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3133 Post(s)
Liked 1,700 Times
in
1,027 Posts
RS5 Problem solved: new Bolt with color screen and smart nav (incl. turn-by-turn) just dropped today:
https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices...aunch_Standard
https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices...aunch_Standard
#54
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 2,190
Bikes: Ti, Mn Cr Ni Mo Nb, Al, C
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 942 Post(s)
Liked 526 Times
in
349 Posts
I saw that...I would be kind of upset if I spent all that money upgrading to a Roam with that muted color screen.
#55
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 755
Bikes: 2019 CAAD12, 2015 Specialized Sirrus Comp
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 562 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 64 Times
in
46 Posts
For the Wahoo users who use Live Tracking, how reliable is it? Any problems with the recording terminating in the middle of the ride, or failing to record at all?
#56
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,431
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3133 Post(s)
Liked 1,700 Times
in
1,027 Posts
is live tracking supposed to record where you’ve been? I thought it was just to show your current location?
#57
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 755
Bikes: 2019 CAAD12, 2015 Specialized Sirrus Comp
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 562 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 64 Times
in
46 Posts
It shows were you've been, where you are, and where you're headed (if there's a route). It also provides metrics such as speed, HR, etc. Mine is completely unreliable, and I have spent the past year working with Wahoo tech support who claims my case is isolated. I have replaced the head unit three times, the phone twice, and have checked all settings and parameters.
#58
Newbie
Huh, I haven't noticed any problem pressing the Roam's buttons with gloves on...although admittedly I spent this winter in reasonably temperate climes so it was just glove liners I tried it with, haven't tried it with big bulky insulated sub-freezing winter gloves yet. I guess I can see how those buttons might not work with those type of gloves; does any cyclometer work with those type of gloves?
Y'know what I had noticed? The Wahoo Elemnt Out Front Mount is under $20; a K-Edge equivalent is close to $50!!! I got the Out Front. In fact, I got three of them. No flexing on any of them.
Y'know what I had noticed? The Wahoo Elemnt Out Front Mount is under $20; a K-Edge equivalent is close to $50!!! I got the Out Front. In fact, I got three of them. No flexing on any of them.
#59
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,520
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 354 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20810 Post(s)
Liked 9,456 Times
in
4,672 Posts
It worked fine for me (well, for my wife, that is), but I gave her the perma-link. No experience with the one-time links.
#60
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 755
Bikes: 2019 CAAD12, 2015 Specialized Sirrus Comp
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 562 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 64 Times
in
46 Posts
I've troubleshooted all settings with Wahoo support and have replaced hardware. If it's only happening to me, then there must be another app that's interfering with it.
#61
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,431
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3133 Post(s)
Liked 1,700 Times
in
1,027 Posts
It shows were you've been, where you are, and where you're headed (if there's a route). It also provides metrics such as speed, HR, etc. Mine is completely unreliable, and I have spent the past year working with Wahoo tech support who claims my case is isolated. I have replaced the head unit three times, the phone twice, and have checked all settings and parameters.
#62
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 755
Bikes: 2019 CAAD12, 2015 Specialized Sirrus Comp
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 562 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 64 Times
in
46 Posts
Copy that link over to your browser and bookmark it. Then after each ride, see if it correctly reports the ride. The last ride is always there, but anything previous is lost.
Likes For Robert A:
#63
Blast from the Past
A couple of rides with the Roam (replacing a Bolt) and I'm pretty happy. The biggest positives so far:
- The character sizes for data fields with the bigger screen is a plus for older eyes. This was the main reason I changed.
- As expected it works exactly the same as the Bolt, so no learning curve setting it up or operating it.
#64
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 598
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 389 Post(s)
Liked 255 Times
in
165 Posts
A couple of rides with the Roam (replacing a Bolt) and I'm pretty happy. The biggest positives so far:
- The character sizes for data fields with the bigger screen is a plus for older eyes. This was the main reason I changed.
- As expected it works exactly the same as the Bolt, so no learning curve setting it up or operating it.
#65
Full Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: oklahoma
Posts: 484
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Colnago CX1 EVO
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
I was a many many years and versions Garmin user, I got tired of the touch screen and the difficulty getting my Garmin to download to Strava, through the connect app, so I went to a Bolt about a year ago. It's better for me than Garmin, I like not having the touch screen, it's got a great battery life, I like having my HR zone illuminated at the top of the unit. I don't use nav or live tracking so can't comment on those. There are a few negatives- some things I wish you could control from the unit instead of the app, such as turn on the backlight when it gets later in the evening, give me a warning and an option to go to battery save if I forgot to charge the unit and my battery is about to die. And why does it have to have a different mount than Garmin, with the little blue disk turned 90degrees. But overall I'm happy with it wouldn't go back.
#66
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fredericksburg, Va
Posts: 9,579
Bikes: '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, '94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster, Tern Link D8
Mentioned: 73 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1607 Post(s)
Liked 2,216 Times
in
1,103 Posts
I moved from using my phone to the Roam. On the phone I use Ride with GPS. The connection is still there with the Roam so all my rides are saved and I have the benefits of both. I don't need to take my phone with me but do for emergencies.
I picked the Roam because of my vision. the larger screen works better for me. I have both mounts the K and the stock. I don't have a preference.
The only big issue I have is the storage of maps. As they are enhanced, the files get bigger and I have to delete maps of nearby states. I don't understand the whole map database management Wahoo set up. Living in Northern Virginia, I would like maps of DC, MD installed but have memory storage shortage.
We need pics in this thread!
P1040509 on Flickr
For those of you who are C&V people, you can use the adapter from 26 to 32 to mount your mount on Cinelli 26.4 bars.
I picked the Roam because of my vision. the larger screen works better for me. I have both mounts the K and the stock. I don't have a preference.
The only big issue I have is the storage of maps. As they are enhanced, the files get bigger and I have to delete maps of nearby states. I don't understand the whole map database management Wahoo set up. Living in Northern Virginia, I would like maps of DC, MD installed but have memory storage shortage.
We need pics in this thread!
P1040509 on Flickr
For those of you who are C&V people, you can use the adapter from 26 to 32 to mount your mount on Cinelli 26.4 bars.
__________________
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
#67
your god hates me
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,592
Bikes: 2016 Richard Sachs, 2010 Carl Strong, 2006 Cannondale Synapse
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1251 Post(s)
Liked 1,276 Times
in
706 Posts
In the unlikely event I ever go cycling in Australia I figure I'll be with friends and they can navigate.
#68
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fredericksburg, Va
Posts: 9,579
Bikes: '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, '94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster, Tern Link D8
Mentioned: 73 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1607 Post(s)
Liked 2,216 Times
in
1,103 Posts
@Bob Ross - Deleted everything and added only Virginia and DC. Everything else is gone. It is like the memory won't reset and gets smaller.
__________________
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Likes For SJX426:
#69
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Posts: 14,262
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4246 Post(s)
Liked 1,351 Times
in
937 Posts
Have you already deleted all the Asia and Australasia maps? I did that when I got the unit, and so far now it seems like I never run out of storage.
The Roam has 2 GB of memory (which is kind of thin). The California map is 240MB (it appears). So, there really should be enough room for the three regions he needs.
I wouldn't want to rely on other people's navigation. You could, of course, install the Australia maps temporarily for the trip.
Last edited by njkayaker; 06-02-21 at 10:20 AM.
#70
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Posts: 14,262
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4246 Post(s)
Liked 1,351 Times
in
937 Posts
The California map is 240MB (it appears). There should be enough room for the three regions (VA, MD, DC) you need. Presumably, you deleted all the maps (including those for other continents) you aren't using.
While there's less of a need for it now, for the Garmins, one can install free maps covering a custom region. Where this is still useful is getting more up-to-date maps.
#71
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,952
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Canyon Inflite AL SLX, Ibis Ripley AF, Priority Continuum Onyx, Santana Vision, Kent Dual-Drive Tandem
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 871 Post(s)
Liked 726 Times
in
436 Posts
I like my Bolt a ton more than my Edge 520, it is so much easier to use. I wish I'd gotten the original Elemnt though, sometimes the text for a turn is laughably tiny. I occasionally use my 520 on a different bike just for the heck of it, and it always reminds me of the stark difference in usability.
#72
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fredericksburg, Va
Posts: 9,579
Bikes: '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, '94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster, Tern Link D8
Mentioned: 73 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1607 Post(s)
Liked 2,216 Times
in
1,103 Posts
Update on the map issue. I found that not all the maps had been deleted, consuming vast amounts of storage. Once they were all deleted, I have been able to start loading. Currently, I have most of the east coast states loaded without a problem.
The issue was the amount of time needed to delete all of the US maps. The system is in process of loading the North East maps now.
The issue was the amount of time needed to delete all of the US maps. The system is in process of loading the North East maps now.
__________________
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Likes For SJX426: