Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt V2 – Smaller Size, Feature Packed

We recently posted a product line article about the Wahoo ELEMNT cycling computers and multisport watch, and now we want to go into more detail on the units themselves and tell you what we think about them.

The original BOLT was the first computer with an aerodynamic focus. The shape of the computer blends directly into the mount, giving it a sleek shape with a smooth bottom, compared to Garmin computers or even the original ELEMNT. Since then, a similar design was also used on the ROAM, the BOLT’s big brother.

Specs

Let’s get some of the specs out of the way before talking about the units themselves.

The BOLT V2 is 3.05″ x 1.86″ x 0.84″ and features a 64-color, 2.2″ screen with 320 x 240-pixel resolution. There is a row of LED’s above the screen that can be customized to show you information or alerts during your ride. There are six outer buttons, three below the screen, a power/settings button on the left, and two buttons on the lower right to zoom in and out. At the bottom, there is a cover for the USB-C port used for charging.

Inside, the BOLT is a single-band GPS unit that works with GPS, GLONASS, BEIDOU Galileo, and QZSS satellites. The built-in altimeter helps to provide accuracy when climbing, and the rechargeable battery lasts up to 15 hours. It connects to ANT+, Bluetooth Low Energy, and ANT+ FE-C, along with connecting to Wi-Fi. It also has an IPX7 rating making it waterproof up to 5 feet.

To be honest, most of those features are similar to what you will find on other popular computers on the market these days. But the BOLT is so much more than just the sum of its parts.

Getting Connected

Let’s talk about what it is like to use the BOLT V2.

Starting with pairing, this is something that Wahoo has done a great job with. Once you have downloaded the Wahoo app, click to add a new device and use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code that shows up on the screen when you turn the device on. A few clicks on your phone to pair it and you are up and running. From there, you can use the app to customize all of the settings, screens, add sensors, and so on. After that, it’s time to add the mount to your bars and head out on your ride.

This should be the goal of any brand out there looking to bring a connected device to the market. Quick and easy pairing, an app that lets you customize the unit, and reliability that everything stays connected.

On The Road

The BOLT V2 is what I have come to expect from Wahoo products. They just work. When you start it up, it loads up and connects quickly to satellites when outside. Once sensors are activated, they connect too. It also connects effortlessly to your phone, allowing you to get alerts for calls, texts, and emails, and providing a signal for Live Tracking, which allows people to track your ride in real-time from the app sends out automatically. Simple, and it works.

Tracking my rides and being able to see all of my metrics while riding and afterward is definitely important to me, but routing is one of the major reasons I use a GPS computer. Wahoo makes this very easy. I primarily build my routes on Strava, and when connected to your Wahoo account, the app will automatically sync routes and segments (only segments that have a net increase in altitude) to your Wahoo app, and eventually to your BOLT when everything links and syncs. When you are ready to start your ride, find the route on your phone’s Wahoo app, select it, and the route will load onto your device. If you aren’t at the starting point, the BOLT will route you to it and if you take a wrong turn, it will automatically route you back on course. You also have the option to create a new route just by entering where you want to go with their Take Me To feature.

CLIMB!

A few newer features added since the BOLT was launched are Summit Segments and Summit Freeride. Summit Segments let you know when you have a climb coming up and provides data before and during the climb so you know what is ahead. On the BOLT, you’ll see a color-coded gradient map for the entire climb along with the CLIMB! alert at the start. This originally only worked on loaded and active routes, but the Summit Freeride feature adds these alerts to any ride you do. While it might not seem like much, it is a very welcome addition when out on very hilly rides, helping understand how tough the next climb will be.

Indoor Training

A feature I didn’t use much is the ability to control smart trainers through the BOLT and also run structured workouts. Wahoo links up with Today’s Plan, TrainerRoad and TrainingPeaks to help you design structured workouts that you can perform through the BOLT. Due to a busy group fitness teaching schedule and racing on Zwift, I tend to let Zwift handle my workouts and keep the BOLT dedicated to my outdoor rides. If I wanted to use it though, the BOLT connects with ANT+ FE-C equipped trainers to help control resistance in ERG mode.

The Negatives

So the only negative I have to say, is what would also make it a positive for other people, the size of the screen. As I’m getting older, my eyes are not what they used to be, and I prefer a bigger screen. The zoom buttons on the side of the unit allow me to make the data larger at the expense of seeing less information. For some though, the smaller size is exactly what they are looking for. Maybe you are mounting the BOLT between your aerobars, or you just don’t want to ride with a large computer hanging off your bars. Just like saddles, everyone has their preference, and I prefer a larger screen.

Conclusion

The Bolt is everything that I’ve come to expect from Wahoo. I said it before, and I think I actually say it pretty often when it comes to talking about the ELEMNT line, they all just work, which is the most important part of anything with your bike. The less time you are spending faffing about trying to get something to work, the more time you are actually out riding your bike. Wahoo has helped make that a reality. Now if I can just get the other electronics to do the same.

At $279.99, the BOLT slots in at about $20 cheaper than the Garmin 530. Between the two devices, they offer many of the same features, just in a slightly smaller size for the BOLT. Given my history with Garmin (software issues, mounting tabs breaking), I would pick the BOLT for the training partner I can depend on. And with the addition of the RIVAL watch, I now have the ability to ride completely in the Wahoo ecosystem, with some added benefits that we’ll talk about in the watch review.

www.wahoofitness.com

Scott Kingsley

Heckling Editor, Image Taker, Crash Test Dummy, and Beard Master at Bikeworldnews.com

~Veggie Powered Athlete~

Location – Lancaster, PA

Current Testing Rigs – 2024 Van Dessel Arch65, 2019 Van Dessel Full Tilt Boogie, 2018 Van Dessel Motivus Maximus LTD, 2016 Van Dessel Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, 2015 Bianchi Sempre Pro, 1978 Trek TX900

Dream Bike – I’ll tell you when they make it

Discipline – Cyclocross, gravel, road and duathlons (ride/run)

Favorite Rides – Quiet country roads of Amish Country, some of the best roads around.

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