Which Bike Computer 2025?

[jrb43]

Sorry, I know this is a recurrent question but not been asked recently.

The battery in my Wahoo Elemnt has deteriorated to a 2.5h life and the screen has developed condensation which is limiting rides somewhat. I'm reasonably into the Wahoo ecosystem and have previously (albeit many years ago now) been burnt by Garmin so I'm not going there again. I've looked at Karoo but nervous how it'll play with my Kickr etc. And a number of (ahem) new mounts.

I don't really need anything more than my Elemnt is giving me but Bolt would probably be too restrictive so I'm thinking Roam V2. Is this a sensible buy now or should I hobble along with a battery pack or something for a bit? Is any update predicted?

Ace looks too much for me and a bit of a development project at present.

Thanks for thoughts.

[Rough101]

I’ve only ever had Garmins, and at that, only two in 15 years.

Mine are low end though, I think the more features they have, the worse they are!

[JEA1K]

Rumours are of a Roam v3 out this year ... so maybe hold out for that. You could possibly get a new battery for the Bolt to put you on (if you're brave enough to strip it down).

I'm on my 3rd Bolt now, had the original Bolt which died after about 4 or 5 years and then a V2 for just over 2 years ... the charging port melted about 1 month out of warranty expiration date but Wahoo honoured the warranty and replaced it with another V2 around Xmas.

Despite this, I still feel that they're the best at what they do and would but another tomorrow if needs be.

[jrb43]

Thanks both. I've got the original Elemnt (or V2 I think) not the Bolt so it looks like battery replacement is challenging. But if Roam V3 really is in the wings, I may well give that a go or find a way to strap a power bank to the stem for a bit.

[addey]

I had the original Elemnt, and like yours the battery life gradually deteriorated over the years. Changed to a Bolt (think it's the original one) and can't say I really noticed that I was missing out on anything. Obviously it's a slightly smaller screen but the functionality is pretty much identical?

[Harpoon]

Even with a replacement 3rd party battery in my Garmin 800, it still didn't have enough juice for an all day ride. I used to stuff a USB power bank in a top tube bag with my snacks and got a short USB cable which had a right angle connector.

Worked well but I think the movement / vibration of the cable eventually started to kill the USB port on the Garmin. It would need several plug/unplug cycles to be recognised by my PC.

I've got an Apidura race top tube bag which has a cable hole at the front - cheaper options available no doubt.

https://www.apidura.com/shop/racing-top-tube-pack/

[Slow Poke]

Wahoo tends to look after their customers. I’d suggest you contact Wahoo with pictures of the condensation and proof of purchase and see what they can do.

[lauda]

Definitely contact Wahoo. They replaced my Elemnt when the battery life deteriorated and I’d had it for at least four years. It was a reconditioned unit rather than a brand new one but it’s still going strong now another four years or so later.

[Gin and Ultrasonic]

I had a couple of Garmins where the battery wasn't really enough for a long ride using GPS navigation and rearview radar, and deteriorated pretty badly over a couple of years.

Switched to a Wahoo Elemnt Bolt around 3 years ago and the difference in battery life is night and day. i can use GPS navigation and radar fora 3 hour ride and still have over 75% battery left. The navigation functionality, and usability in terms of route synching, screen customisation etc. are miles ahead of Garmin too.

I've not really used anything with a bigger screen, so don't know if that might be better, but the Bolt has been great for me, and I use the navigation all the time (mix of road and gravel off-road routes), having moved house a couple of years ago.

[Dbag101]

I’m on an Edge 1040 solar at the moment. It’s quite impressive, and as long as there’s sunlight, won’t run out of power on a big ride.

[Julian Scott]

jrb43 said:

Sorry, I know this is a recurrent question but not been asked recently.

The battery in my Wahoo Elemnt has deteriorated to a 2.5h life and the screen has developed condensation which is limiting rides somewhat. I'm reasonably into the Wahoo ecosystem and have previously (albeit many years ago now) been burnt by Garmin so I'm not going there again. I've looked at Karoo but nervous how it'll play with my Kickr etc. And a number of (ahem) new mounts.

I don't really need anything more than my Elemnt is giving me but Bolt would probably be too restrictive so I'm thinking Roam V2. Is this a sensible buy now or should I hobble along with a battery pack or something for a bit? Is any update predicted?

Ace looks too much for me and a bit of a development project at present.

Thanks for thoughts.

Contact Wahoo. My Roam was starting to lose charge too quickly, I only contacted them to ask if there was a hard reboot that might help, and that if not I was happy just to buy a new one as it had been very, very well used.

They sent me out a brand new one free of charge.

[BlindedByTheLights]

I use hammerhead Karoo and really like it, fellow garmin users have commented on liking it too, the newer Karoo 2 is now out.

[jamm13dodger]

BlindedByTheLights said:

I use hammerhead Karoo and really like it, fellow garmin users have commented on liking it too, the newer Karoo 2 is now out.

I've been thinking of getting one of these too given the integration with SRAM AXS and it turns out the Karoo 3 is actually out now. It means the 2 is pretty cheap second hand.

[BlindedByTheLights]

jamm13dodger said:

BlindedByTheLights said:

I use hammerhead Karoo and really like it, fellow garmin users have commented on liking it too, the newer Karoo 2 is now out.

I've been thinking of getting one of these too given the integration with SRAM AXS and it turns out the Karoo 3 is actually out now. It means the 2 is pretty cheap second hand.

You’re right, it is the Karoo 2 I have, works really well.

[Dannbodge]

Wahoo for me, had garmins and they've never been as reliable.

Never had an issue with my wahoo.
On my Bolt V1 the screen started to go after about 5 years, so emailed wahoo and got 40% off a new V2 Bolt.
Luckily was black friday at the same time, so ended up stacking discount codes and getting a V2 very cheap.