Wahoo introduces colour with new Elemnt Roam GPS

Colour-screen, improved navigation features, 17-hour battery life and more for Wahoo's new flagship GPS

Graham Cottingham

Published: May 2, 2019 at 12:00 pm

Wahoo has just released the Wahoo Elemnt Roam, which replaces the original Elemnt as its new flagship GPS computer.

The Roam comes with improved readability, a colour screen and better navigation features. Wahoo aims to attract a broad range of cyclists with the computer, which boasts a wide range of features that the company hopes will appeal to all cyclists whether training indoors or bikepacking off-road.

Wahoo Elemnt Roam key features

  • Colour screen with scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass
  • Workout data with up to 11 on-screem custom data fields
  • Quick-look LED indicators for navigation, notifications and targets for speed, power, heart rate, Strava segments and more
  • Improved climbing data
  • Free global maps pre-loaded
  • Turn-by-turn navigation with new smart re-routing features
  • Live tracking
  • Ambient light sensor auto-adjusts screen brightness
  • Three menu buttons on face, power/menu button on the right side and two arrow side buttons
  • Settings can be configured through Wahoo smartphone app
  • Upload rides and sync routes, Strava segments and training plans automatically

Wahoo Elemnt Roam ergonomics

Wahoo Elemnt Roam GPS on aero mount on front of bike handlebars
The overall shape of the Roam is very similar to the original Elemnt - Graham Cottingham

The Elemnt Roam follows the styling of its smaller sibling, the Bolt, and keeps the same simple button and navigation layout of the previous models — three face buttons control much of the functionality and a power/menu button on the right side, along with two buttons on the left, are used to fine-tune the data on display.

The Roam continues with Wahoo's use of two programmable LED strips around the screen to give updates and alerts at a glance. Wahoo also assures us the new Roam will be compatible with existing Wahoo mounts.

The current Wahoo app — used for setup and managing the Wahoo range — has also received a refresh ready for the launch of the Roam.

Wahoo colour display

The Wahoo Elemnt Roam with colour screen on white background
The new Element Roam uses colour sparingly to improve readability - Wahoo

The upgrade to a colour screen is Wahoo’s headline feature for the Roam and it's the first Wahoo to feature a colour display.

The Roam introduces colour sparingly to enhance performance metrics or terrain features to make data easier to read. Notifications are highlighted and mapping features, routing and training data all feature colour coding.

The scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass screen sits above the bezel to improve readability
The scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass screen sits above the bezel to improve readability - Graham Cottingham

The screen is made from scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass and the LCD is mounted underneath to give the Roam a flush appearance and enhance readability.

An ambient light sensor also means the screen can auto-adjust to the light conditions and automatically turn on the backlight.

Wahoo Elemnt Roam navigation features

Wahoo has introduced a number of powerful and useful navigation features to the Elemnt Roam. These are accessible directly from the GPS unit.

You can now navigate to saved locations or a point on the map, get help finding the fastest way home and automatically get rerouted back on course.

The maps can also be panned and zoomed, allowing you to look around for details on the map.

Wahoo is aiming these new features at riders who enjoy exploring new roads or trails. To cater for all riders, the company has also brought in-mapping integration from Singletracks and MTB Projects to bolster the Elemnt Roam’s off-road routing abilities.

Below are the updated navigation tools users will have at their disposal;

  • Route to start: find the optimal route back to where your ride started
  • Back on track: get re-routed back to your active route
  • Retrace your route: retrace your route back to the beginning
  • Take me to: create a route to a saved or selected location
  • Get me started: create turn-by-turn directions to the start of your ride
  • Saved locations: create a route to your preferred locations

These features can be tailored, allowing you to choose the type of terrain you wish to be routed along.

This could be an appealing feature for the new wave of gravel riders and bikepackers who are currently not well represented or catered for in the GPS market.

Wahoo Elemnt Roam first ride impressions

Three main buttons on the face of the GPS are used to control most features
Three main buttons on the face of the GPS are used to control most features - Graham Cottingham

I used the Elemnt Roam on a brief ride and was impressed — setup was quick and intuitive, and using the app to pair with the Roam, customising data fields, pairing sensors and accessing routes saved on partner services (in this case, Strava) was straightforward.

While riding, the display was crisp and the data easy to read without glare or dullness. The ambient light sensor definitely helps here. Data and mapping were still zoomable and notifications were clear but unobtrusive.

I had an opportunity to test out the 'Back on track' feature, and when I strayed from the planned route, the Elemnt Roam was quick to offer an alternative route to help get me, well, back on track, colouring the existing route and the re-routing option.

The maps are also usefully enhanced with colour to show busier roads and key terrain features. As the colour is only used on key features I found it improved the readability without being dazzling or confusing.

Obviously, these are early impressions, so look out for a full review in the near future.

Wahoo Elemnt Roam specs

  • App partners: Strava, Ride With GPS, Training Peaks, MTB Projects, Best BikeSplit, Komoots, Todays Plan, Singletracks.
  • Devices: WiFi, Bluetooth, ANT+ and ANT+ FE-C
  • Supported satellites: GPS, Glonass, Beidou Galileo and QZSS
  • Sensors: Barometric Altimeter, Accelerometer, Thermometer
  • Notifications: Phone call, SMS messages and emails
  • Compatibility: iOS and Android
  • Display type: Sunlight-visible, Transflective Memory-in-pixel (MIP)
  • Screen size: 68.58mm
  • Battery life: 17 hours (claimed)
  • Weight: 93.5g (claimed)
  • Roam size: 58.4mm x 89mm x 17.8 mm
  • Accessories: Comes with an out front mount, a stem mount and a Quickstart guide. An additional aero mount is available separately. Wahoo hopes to release the Elemnt Roam as a bundle with its Tickr heart rate monitor, however, at the time of writing, Wahoo has not confirmed a date for when this bundle will be available.

Wahoo Elemnt Roam price

  • The Wahoo Elemnt Roam will be priced at £299.99 / $379.99 USD / €349.99, with further international pricing to be confirmed.
This website is owned and published by Our Media Ltd. www.ourmedia.co.uk
© Our Media 2023