GPS bike computer: Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT V2 vs ROAM

What are the differences between the Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM and the new Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT? In this blog we explain you the differences and compare the two bike computers on every detail. To help you choose the device that suits you best.

Do you want to know which Wahoo cycling computers there are? Then read this blog: Difference between Wahoo bike computers
Want to know the difference between the Wahoo KICKRS? Then read this blog: Wahoo Kickr Snap vs. Kickr Core vs. Kickr Power

Let's start that the BOLT is currently Wahoo fitness's newest bike computer. In the summer of 2021, Wahoo will have a new version of the BOLT on the market. So we are going to compare the latest BOLT (on our website it is called the BOLT V2) to the ROAM.

Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT VS ROAM : What has not changed

We compared the Wahoo Elemnt BOLT and the ROAM to help you decide which device is best for you.

The tuning and configuration of the two GPS bike computers is done with the included ELEMNT application, as well as compatibility with ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart sensors (including FE-C trainers like Elite and Tacx). The application allows synchronization of routes, navigation and turn-by-turn instructions.

Both bike computers are compatible with Wahoo's KICKR Smart Trainers and you can control the KICKR from your ELEMNT ROAM or BOLT. Changing settings such as resistance or incline, switching to ergomode and resuming a route are the same. Using with applications such as Strava, RidewithGPS, TrainerRoad and many others is possible because the Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT and ROAM are compatible.

Unlike its main competitor Garmin, Wahoo has a screen without a touchscreen. We understand why: in the winter, you don't want to take off your gloves to set up the bike computer. Instead, the ELEMNT BOLT and ROAM have three nice big buttons on the front.

ELEMNT BOLT vs. ELEMNT ROAM: Size and battery?

The ELEMNT ROAM has a 2.7-inch 8-color screen, while the ELEMNT BOLT has a 2.2-inch 64-color screen. Because the BOLT is smaller, the bike computer also weighs less - 25.12 grams less, to be exact. The ROAM offers 17 hours of battery life, while the Bolt has 15 hours. The battery life of both devices depends on the use of LED, bluetooth and backlight.

LED indicators on both GPS bike computers.

Unlike Garmin bike computers, all Wahoo ELEMNT GPS bike computers are equipped with flashing LEDs to help you with your workout. The BOLT has a row of LED lights on the top that can flash in white, green, red, orange and yellow. The ROAM has a row on the top and side that also flashes in different colors.

The LEDs light up during a workout and visibly guide you when you want to reach certain metrics: power, heart rate, speed or to indicate the start and end of an interval.

When you have paired the device with Strava, the LED lights will flash to let you know that you have entered a segment.

The difference between the BOLT and ROAM are the additional side indicators that count down in laps or intervals or show a visual representation of speed or power.

The BOLT and ROAM LED lights indicate the direction of rotation by moving from right to left.

Wahoo Bolt vs ROAM : Color screen and "Gorilla screen". 

What was previously a big difference between the BOLT and the ROAM, besides the size, was the screen. Previously, only the ROAM had a color screen, but Wahoo has implemented a color screen with the new version of the BOLT as well. The ROAM has an 8 color screen and the BOLT has a 64 color screen.

One difference is that the glass of the ROAM is a lot stronger due to the so-called Gorilla glass. The Gorilla glass developed by Corning Inc. is glass made from a material called alkaline aluminum silicate. The combination of aluminum, silicon and oxygen creates a material that is not found everywhere in nature. Corning began its development in mid-2005. It is designed to be damage and scratch resistant, light and thin (0.4 mm thick).

Navigating with Wahoo BOLT vs Wahoo ROAM

What was one of the biggest differences between the BOLT and the ROAM was navigating. But that is a thing of the past. Back in the day, the BOLT didn't have turn-by-turn directions and you had to adjust routes via the phone. That's dividing time. The ROAM and the BOLT have the same navigation arts. The bike computer automatically provides an alternate route if there is a roadblock, or automatically guides you to the original route if you are lost. In addition, you can navigate from the device itself - select a new destination, go back, return to the starting point and zoom the map.

In any situation, there is no need to stop and turn on the phone.

Conclusion: which Wahoo bike computer with GPS to choose?

The differences between BOLT and ROAM are minimal. Both offer free download of maps from around the world and the signature fast zoom feature. As the number of fields decreases, the size of the remaining fields increases. This feature is especially useful if your close-up vision is not excellent.

The Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT is slightly smaller than the Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM.  The price of the BOLT is also slightly lower. Connoisseurs say that the Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT is the smaller and slightly cheaper version of the ROAM and that difference is minimal. The ROAM can display more data due to its large screen and features an additional row of LEDs. Furthermore, the Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM is better suited for mountain biking where the Gorilla glass comes in handy!