For the past several years, I have been using the Garmin Edge 520 as my primary bike computer and I’ve known that its major rival in the bike computer category is the Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT.
And now I had the opportunity to give the Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT a try!
The ELEMNT BOLT was created to maximize readability and minimize air resistance.
For competitive riders, the design results in 50% less drag (air resistance), saves riders 1.5 watts and in a 40KM TT, a rider averaging 21 mph would shave approximately 12.6 seconds off their time.
This is really interesting of how both market each other’s devices, as there are those who have used Wahoo trainers and to see the company appealing to professional riders is a plus.
With that being said, DCRainmaker did test the claims on his blog and even compared it to the Garmin Edge 520.
As bike computer, both are similar in the fact that they come with the holder, utilize a micro USB cable and can sync with Strava.
The GPS can record your miles, the time of your ride, how fast you are going and more. It’s actually a lot easier to use the buttons and a lot easier to see with its backlight and big numbers.
But the MAJOR DIFFERENCE is that the Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT wants you to utilize the hardware primarily with the Wahoo iOS or Android phone app.
Everything is configured through the phone app. Syncing your data, map routes through the Wahoo app.
Both are great bike computers, but what it all comes down to is preference. Do you prefer a hands on configuration with the bike computer itself? Do you prefer structured workouts? If so, use the Garmin Edge 520 is for you. If you are heavy on navigation and prefer customization on your phone to configure your bike computer, the Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT is for you.
The Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT is much easier to configure, the buttons are much easier to use. But while it’s cool to configure things on the phone, I actually enjoy the fact that I can configure the Garmin Edge 520 on the device itself and not depend on my phone. I like that there are apps that are developed for Garmin devices by Garmin and others.
But seriously, both are great bike computers. It all comes down to preference. Both are popular companies among cyclists.
Garmin is known for its brand and hardware and dependability. Wahoo is known as the popular company that many hardcore cyclist know through their trainers.
But you can’t go wrong with this device! The Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT is highly recommended!
