Test Wahoo Elemnt Roam V2 GPS/Meter

The Elemnt Roam is Wahoo's highest-end GPS/counter in the catalog for several years now with its super easy-to-use interface and very simple to manipulate buttons. This latest version launched end of 2022 and updated in recent weeks benefits from some improvements such as a screen with more colors, a more powerful dual-band GPS chip, a USB-C charging socket and some interesting new functions. It is a very credible alternative to Garmin meters.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©3bikes.fr / ©Wahoo

The philosophy behind Wahoo computers/GPS is based on a certain form of ease of use., and we can say that the Elemnt Roam succeeds rather well in its mission despite its many features. Unlike its competitor Garmin, Wahoo has not given in to the sirens of the touch screen and keeps buttons (six in total) on the left and right sides and on the front face. It is necessary to reconborn only when used in difficult conditions (rain, cold, splashes, mud, etc.), it is much simpler than having to tap on a screen, especially since on this latest version the keys on the front face are now convex and not concave as before. Access to the various functions is also very easy to integrate.

the meter is connected to a smartphone application which is also very intuitive and efficient. It is through this application that you can customize the different pages of the meter to choose the elements that you want to see displayed. It is also through this application that you download the summaries of the outings, which are instantly found on Strava or on any other platform previously chosen. The communication between the meter and the application is very fast and has never failed for me, which is not always the case with Garmin Connect.

A direct consequence of this non-touch screen: the size of the Elemnt Roam, slightly higher than the Garmin Edge 840, for a screen of roughly equivalent size (2,7" vs. 2,6"). The Wahoo's weight is also higher, verified at 99 g versus 81 for the Garmin. On the other hand, Wahoo claims that the Elemnt Roam has an aerodynamic design, and that its shape saves a few thousandths of a watt compared to other meters. Given its forward profile and its perfect integration with its support, we're willing to take their word for it. Note that the stem support is attached with Rilsan clamps, which is not practical if you use several bikes.

=> SEE AS ​​WELL : Buy the Wahoo Elemnt Roam V2 on sale for €349,99

In the Wahoo range, there are only two meters/GPS.Element Bolt, sold at €279, and therefore the Elemnt Roam, sold at €399. The difference between the two models is mainly in size (the Bolt is smaller) and in storage capacities for on-board mapping. And just like the second generation of the Elemnt Bolt that we already had tested, the new Elemnt Roam benefits from several interesting updates:

• Dual-band GPS for better performance in harsh environments
• a 64-color screen (compared to 16 previously), with high contrast for visibility that is always at a very good level
• a USB-C charging port (for very fast charging)
• convex buttons
• the functions Summit Freeride et Summit Segments similar to ClimbPro from Garmin, which indicate at the foot of a climb its duration, the percentagetage and slope variations, as well as predictable time, whether for a Strava segment, on a programmed route, or even on a free route when the counter reconthe proximity of a coast is born
• 32GB storage capacity, to use maps from all over the world
• Wahoo SYSTM Structured Workout Sync
• Supersapiens technology support for those monitoring their blood sugar

The Essentials of the Elemnt Roam V2

The Elemnt Roam V2 retains The main features of the first version, Namely ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart connectivity for many types of sensors, even those from competing brands, such as power sensor pedals Garmin Rally, a radar Garmin Varies and a heart rate sensor Polar H10 for me. The meter can also connect with Sram, Campagnolo and Shimano electronic transmissions, with the possibility of changing the pages of the meter by pressing the hidden buttons on the handles of the Japanese brand.

Here again, I appreciated how easy the meter was reconthe different sensors to be connected. It's simple and quick, and this can be easily checked with the new function Ready to Ride launched in one of the latest system updates. This is a new menu at the start of the meter that offers quick and intuitive access to all the functions frequently needed before a ride, such as sensor connection status, route loading and battery status.

The user interface remains the same as the first version, with the same simplicity as ever.. Through the application, it is possible to set the number of screens desired, with up to eleven data on each of them. This setting is instantly sent to the meter via Bluetooth. Each screen on the meter has a zoom function by pressing one of the buttons on the right side, which allows the most important data to be displayed progressively, in order of preference when they have been previously classified. I mainly used this function with the mapping, because it allows you to enlarge or widen the map easily and quickly, which is not as easy when riding with the touch screen of a Garmin 830 or 840.

The Elemnt Roam also has two rows of flashing LEDs, on the left side and the top side. They serve as indications accompanied by an audible signal in guidance mode when following a GPS track, or to relay information from the rear radar. But they can also be customized via the application to indicate an intensity level in power or heart rate for example. Practical for those who follow a GPS track but want to continue to locate their level of effort! Note also that on any page of the meter, it is possible to assign a colored background to the heart rate or power, depending on your intensity zones. I really like this function, which allows me to quickly see which heart rate zone I am in (blue, green, yellow, orange or red) at a glance.

To return to the buttons, the one on the left side allows you to turn the meter on and off with a long press, or to go back in a menu with a short press. The three buttons on the front panel allow you to start an activity, pause or end it, start an intermediate time or change pages. It's always very clear and it's almost impossible to make a mistake.. Unlike Garmin, however, you can only scroll through the pages in one direction. I usually ride with six different pages (general, elevation, map, power, segments, intermediate lap). So I have to press the button six times in a row to get back to the main page.

As for the structured training offered by the Elemnt Roam, TrainderRoad, TrainingPeaks and Today's Plan are fully integrated into the meter. It is possible to consult a training plan, follow it and automatically send the data to the different applications. On a Wahoo Kickr trainer, the resistance is automatically changed to match the target power for each interval. These are features I don't have testées and that I don't usually use.

The announced autonomy remains at 17 hours, as on the previous version. Which seems quite realistic to me given my usage. The new USB-C socket has several advantagestages: very fast charging (possible even during a journey for fans of long distances, for example, without wasting too much time) and the universality of this type of socket, which is found on more and more devices. This means that you only need to carry one charging cable.

Among other important features, note the presence of a screen covered with Gorilla Glass for strength and to limit scratches. I can confirm the very good aesthetic condition of the meter after six weeks of use, often under very difficult conditions.

Less supplied than Garmin?

The Wahoo Elemnt Roam is less expensive than the roughly equivalent-sized Garmin Edge 840. But besides the touchscreen and (partial) solar charging of the top-of-the-range version of the Garmin, the latter also offers a few more functions, some of which may be considered more or less essential by consumers. geeks cycling. For example, the Garmin offers an estimate of Vo2 max after each ride (provided you ride with a power sensor), an estimate of recovery time, energy level and even water needs. All these functions are not offered by the Wahoo. As for the mapping, I noticed a small difference in precision on Gravel rides, with more paths indicated on the Garmin map than on the Wahoo. On the other hand, I did not see any significant difference for use on the route.

Following a route with the Elemnt Roam

This latest version of the Elemnt Roam benefits from a hardware upgrade with the appearance of a dual-band GPS, for more performance. I did notice, however, that the meter could take a long time to acquire a GPS signal at the start of an outing. I live in the city, and I sometimes have to wait almost three minutes for my track to be taken into account. In another region, by the sea and with a clear horizon, the acquisition only takes about thirty seconds, but it's still longer than with a Garmin 840. The fact remains that once the signal is acquired, it doesn't move. And when zooming in on the activity maps, the track is pretty clean. Finally, in six weeks I haven't had to deal with the slightest bug, whether during an activity or on the way back, or even when connecting with the Wahoo app. I find the system ultimately more reliable than the one offered by Garmin.

To follow a route, it is very easy to integrate a route from a platform like Strava. You just have to create a route, save it, and it is automatically synchronized with the Wahoo application and sent to the meter in the following seconds. It is also of course possible to create a route from a file, from a previous route, to return to the starting point or to place a location on the map. But in the latter case, you have to go through the smartphone, because it is not possible to enter an address directly on the meter for example. 

The guidance mode is clear and quite efficient on the route. The screen colors make it easy to see while riding, whatever the weather. And if you make a mistake route or we choose a detour, the meter recalculates a new route to put us back on the right path. Changes in direction are indicated on the map with a succession of small chevrons, and the distance to the next intersection is constantly displayed. In short, on the route, I don't see any difference in performance in guidance mode with the Garmin 840. Things get a bit trickier when venturing off route, with less accurate mapping than the Garmin. It also seems to me that in some very wooded conditions, the Elemnt is a tiny bit slower. And since there are fewer paths displayed, navigation is not as efficient as it should be. In these conditions, the Element Roam seems closer to a Garmin 830, with which I have already experienced this kind of hesitation on certain Gravel courses.

Where the Wahoo is well above the Garmin, however, is in calculating elevation.. Even today, none of the Garmin computers can handle rainy outings. At some point, the computer stops calculating the positive elevation gain, and when you upload the outing to Garmin Connect, Strava or any other platform, the terrain variations disappear from the profile. None of this with the Wahoo, which can be very slightly optimistic in bad conditions, but only by a few percent.

The Summit Freeride feature is on par with the competition. It brings a real plus to the use of the meter, especially in unfamiliar terrain. And it is not necessary to have downloaded a GPS track to benefit from it, since the device indicates the proximity of a coast regardless of where you are. As with Hammerhead or Garmin, we can always discuss the judicious side of the choice of certain climbs or their starting point and their summit, but overall the function works well by providing interesting indications to know where to put the wheels.

Friendliness and simplicity on the agenda

In the end, I really liked this latest generation Wahoo Elemnt Roam computer/GPS, even if it is not perfect.. The brand has smoothed out some of the flaws of the first version and added new features. I like the simplicity of the interface and the convenience of the buttons in the middle of winter compared to a touchscreen. I like the beauty of its screen, the shades of colors and its readability. And I love its high-performance connectivity, whether with third-party devices or the Wahoo app, which is also simple, practical and effective.

Of course, there are some missing functions that will seem essential to some users.. But Wahoo has deliberately chosen to go to the essentials. However, I didn't even want everything tester, and in particular training programs, which demonstrates that there is no point in being too greedy. The only area where Wahoo will still need to improve is in the responsiveness of the GPS when acquiring the signal., and in some harsh environments, where the Elemnt Roam feels a bit too slow to me. However, we can hope for some improvements with future system updates.

=> SEE AS ​​WELL : Buy the Wahoo Elemnt Roam V2 on sale for €349,99

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