Many riders use their phone for Strava while riding. Other prefer a small bike computer for keeping track of the basics like speed, distance and time. Wahoo's new Elemnt Mini combines the two, with a small computer that leverages the rider's phone for GPS data, wireless ride uploads and text and call alerts. In many ways the Elemnt Mini is an updated version of Wahoo's original bike computer, the Reflkt, which essentially acted as a handlebar-mounted monitor for a smartphone bike computer app.
Wahoo Elemnt Mini highlights
- $99 / £79
- 31.2g / 1.1oz (claimed)
- 45.7mm diagonal screen size
- 41x58.4x17mm body size
- three data fields customizable via an app
- claimed 300 hours of ride time
- without phone: speed, time and distance shown
- with phone: data above plus text/call alerts, GPS tracking and ride uploads
Two ways to use it
The Elemnt Mini ships with a speed sensor and a stem mount. When used without a phone, the Elemnt Mini pulls data from the speed sensor for speed, time and distance information. If you use Wahoo's cadence or heart-rate sensors, you can get that data, too. Somewhat surprisingly, the Elemnt Mini does not work with non-Wahoo sensors.
Used without a phone, the Elemnt Mini isn't a good deal, as Sigma, Lezyne, CatEye and others offer basic computers with more features for less money.
Used with a phone (iPhone 4s / Android 4.3 or newer), the Elemnt Mini can do a few more things, like show you incoming text and call information, upload rides wirelessly to Strava, and offer GPS Live Tracking so others can see where you are.
As with other Wahoo computers, the Elemnt Mini is configured via a smartphone app.
Elemnt Mini vs Lezyne Mini GPS and Garmin Edge 25
At $99 / £79, the Elemnt Mini is a direct competitor price-wise to the Lezyne Mini GPS, which offers more features, and the more expensive but micro-sized Garmin Edge 25 ($170 / £140).
On paper, the Lezyne Mini clearly has the most features of the bunch, offering turn-by-turn navigation, Strava Segment, battery life indicators for paired peripherals, breadcrumb GPS and power data (with a paired meter) in addition to the basic metrics that the Elemnt Mini and the Edge 25 offer.
Like the Elemnt Mini, the Lezyne Mini GPS also shows incoming calls and texts, and can upload to sites like Strava via the computer's dedicated app.
The Garmin Edge 25 is smaller (40x42mm) and lighter (25g / 0.90z) than the Elemnt Mini, but considerably more expensive. The Edge 25 offers navigation from preloaded courses, plus breadcrumb trails and the ability to compete against your previous best time on a given course.
Garmin also has the Edge 20, which is closer in price to the two Mini computers, but that does not have Bluetooth or ANT , so there is no connecting to your phone or peripheral sensors.
BikeRadar will be testing and reviewing an Elemnt Mini soon.
