Wahoo has launched the second generation of its flagship GPS bike computer, the Elemnt Roam. The US brand has boosted the Roam’s performance with a suite of new features that it hopes will bring it in line with the best cycling computers (opens in new tab) including dual band GPS, enhanced navigation, integration with Wahoo X training software (opens in new tab), a higher contrast screen, and upgraded memory capacity.
The signs have been there for a while that a new Roam was about to replace the original, which dates back to 2019, perhaps most obviously in the reduction in price of the ‘old’ Roam from £299.99 to £199.99
The new version is priced at £349.99, which seems like a fair increase given the extra power the new unit offers, not to mention roaring inflation…
The Roam’s little brother, the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt (opens in new tab) is already on its second generation – released last year – and was labelled by most reviewers a “mini-Roam”. Now the Roam is arguably a “big Bolt” in terms of its performance, though in its appearance it’s very similar to the outgoing Roam.
At a glance new and old Roam look virtually the same, the only visible difference being in the buttons. The new Roam has convex buttons that bulge outwards rather than concave ones that curve inwards. The criticism of the old ones was that the concave buttons collected water and weren’t very easy to push – which was fair.
Better buttons
(Image credit: Simon Smythe)
The new buttons are easier to operate, there’s an audible and tangible click and you won’t get those three little pools at the bottom of your screen when it’s raining.
The screen is the same size at 2.7in, and it’s still not a touchscreen – Wahoo is sticking with buttons only.
The two buttons on the right side that operate the PerfectZoom feature – where you view more or fewer data screens that you’ve pre-chosen via the app – like the three at the bottom of the screen are also slightly bigger and clickier, as is the power/menu button on the left side.
The casing is slightly different to accommodate those different-shaped buttons, but the overall shape and weight of the new computer is exactly the same – with the new Roam at 99g weighing two more grams than the old one on our scales. Claimed weight is a little less at 93.5g.
Externally the other difference is the move to USB-C for charging – in line with the Bolt v2 and the majority of modern devices.
So what’s going on under the hood?