The Wahoo Elemnt Roam and Elemnt Bolt cycling computers offer much of the same functionality in different-sized packages. While the Wahoo Elemnt Roam can be classified as mid-sized, the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt is more compact.
Although, on the surface, the functionality offered by the Elemnt Roam and Elemnt Bolt is similar, look deeper and there are subtle differences.
We’ll highlight those differences here; you can read more detailed impressions of both Wahoo cycling computers in our in-depth reviews of the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt and Wahoo Elemnt Roam.
- Editor's note: this article was updated on 12 June 2025 to feature the latest version 3 of Wahoo's Elemnt Roam and Elemnt Bolt bike computers.
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Wahoo Elemnt Bolt vs Elemnt Roam: history
Both the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt and Wahoo Elemnt Roam have had major updates since their initial launches, in 2017 and 2019 respectively.
The current Wahoo Elemnt Bolt V3 and Elemnt Roam V3 were introduced in April 2025, with updates including longer battery lives, larger screens with more colours and the latter gaining a touchscreen for the first time.
Wahoo Elemnt Bolt vs Elemnt Roam: key specs compared
A lot is the same about the Elemnt Bolt and Roam, but below are the key differences between the two Wahoo Elemnt bike computers.
We’ll assume you’re not too fussed about the Roam being able to lock into SBAS and NavIC, as well as GPS, GLONASS, BEIDOU, Galileo and QZSS. You’re not going to get lost for lack of a satellite constellation – unless you ride into a cave or a deep lake.
| Elemnt Bolt | Elemnt Roam | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 83mm x 47mm x 24mm | 96mm x 53mm x 24mm |
| Weight | 84g | 109g |
| Screen size | 2.3" | 2.8" |
| Memory | 32GB | 64GB |
| Battery life | 20 hours | Up to 25 hours |
| GPS | Dual-band | Dual-band |
| Barometric altimeter, accelometer, gyroscope, compass | Y | Y |
| Speaker | N | Y |
| Price UK | £299.99 | £399.99 |
| Price US | $329.99 | $449.99 |
| Price Euro | €329.99 | €449.99 |
Wahoo Elemnt Bolt vs Elemnt Roam: display
The Wahoo Elemnt Roam has a 2.8-inch anti-glare screen, while the Elemnt Bolt’s screen is 2.3 inches measured diagonally. The Elemnt Roam has a touchscreen.
Both devices have slimmer bezels than the V2 models, with the screen taking up a greater portion of the face of the display.
Gone are the LEDs around the display that were previously programmed on the V2 to add visual cues for data, such as heart rate, without having to look at the screen. They were also used to indicate turn directions when navigating.
On version 3 of both the Bolt and Roam, Wahoo has increased the screen display to 16 million colours, dramatically more vivid than the limited 64 on the previous model.
The map screen uses colours more to help highlight features, including woods and major roads. Wahoo continues to use a rather dull colour palette on its OS despite the screen's advanced ability.
Wahoo Elemnt Bolt vs Elemnt Roam: size and weight
The Wahoo Elemnt Roam has a mid-sized case, comparable in size to the Garmin Edge 540/840. Its dimensions are 96x53x24mm and it weighs 109g. The Elemnt Bolt is smaller at 83x47x24mm, weighing 84g.
Both units are supplied with a neatly integrated plastic out-front mount, which Wahoo claims is more streamlined than the standard quarter-turn mount. There’s also a stem-top mount in the box. Wahoo’s mounts are not compatible with Garmin’s.
Wahoo Elemnt Bolt vs Elemnt Roam: connectivity
While the previous generation of computers differed in GPS connectivity, both now use dual-band GPS, GLONASS, BEIDOU, Galileo, and QZSS satellite data.
Dual-band GPS is claimed to increase position accuracy, particularly under tree cover or between tall buildings.
Both units also have a barometric altimeter, ambient light sensor, compass, gyroscope and accelerometer built in to provide more accurate elevation and rate of climb data, and act as dead reckoning to supplement the GPS fix.
Both the Roam and Bolt connect to other devices using BLE or ANT+, both work with the Wahoo Elemnt app on Android and iPhones, and both have built-in dual-band WiFi for downloads over the internet.
Both will show vehicle proximity when used with a rear-view radar and can display electronic groupset data from Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo.
Wahoo Elemnt Bolt vs Elemnt Roam: features
As you’d expect, the Wahoo Elemnt Roam and Elemnt Bolt share many of the same features. That starts with close connectivity to the Wahoo Elemnt companion app, which can be used for the initial setup.
The app then provides functionality to add and configure data pages and choose alert sounds. You can also manage linked sensors and WiFi network access, maps and other functionality. Changes made in the app are reflected immediately in the cycling computer when it’s connected.
Both the Element Roam and Bolt have Wahoo's Summit feature, showing you the gradient profiles for hills even without a route being pre-loaded, and also supporting Strava Live segments.
Navigation can be managed on the device, with features such as Back on Track, Route to Start and Retrace Route able to get you where you want to go.
Alongside this, you can share a location or route from Apple or Google Maps to the device for easy navigation.
A separation between the devices is the voice turn-by-turn navigation on the Roam, with the Bolt not featuring a speaker.
On the training side of things, both computers enable you to set up custom workout profiles for Road, Gravel, Mountain or Indoor, which keep preferred data fields, sensors and alerts saved for each discipline.
You can also download training plans via an updated API from more than 100 providers, so you shouldn't be left looking for structured workouts.
Wahoo has increased connectivity for both the Elemnt computers, so you can now control a GoPro, lights with ANT+ connectivity and music while riding.
If you’re carrying your phone when riding, both computers can provide live tracking, group rides, public route sharing (for quick transfer of routes between users) and crash alerts. They will also show alerts for phone messages, incoming calls and emails.
You can use both computers to control smart trainers too, if you want to use them for indoor training.
It’s worth noting that while the Wahoo Elemnt Roam’s 64GB of memory means you can keep a multiple continent’s worth of maps on-device, the 32GB memory of the Elemnt Bolt may mean you need to manage maps more actively, deleting some to make way for new ones if you travel somewhere new to ride.
The Roam and Bolt come pre-loaded with maps, although you can download world mapping from Wahoo.
Wahoo Elemnt Bolt vs Elemnt Roam: battery life
The Elemnt Roam’s larger size is supported by a longer battery life than the Elemnt Bolt. While Wahoo says the Roam will run for up to 26 hours on a full charge, the Bolt has a 20-hour claimed battery life.
That’s towards the lower end of competing products’ runtimes, with Garmin quoting 26 hours or more for the Edge 540 and 840. The latest update to the Hammerhead Karoo has seen that unit’s battery life extended significantly too, and it’s now claimed to be more than 15 hours, in contrast to the previous-generation Karoo 2’s eight hours or so.
Both Wahoo computers have USB-C charging.
Wahoo Elemnt Bolt vs Elemnt Roam: operating conditions
Both Wahoo computers are IPX7 waterproof-rated, meaning they can be immersed in water up to one-metre deep for up to 30 minutes without water ingress.
The computers both have operating temperatures of -20°C to 50°C.
Wahoo Elemnt Bolt vs Roam: price
The Wahoo Elemnt Bolt V2 is currently priced at £299.99 / $329.99 / €329.99. You’ll pay £100, $120 or €120 more for the Elemnt Roam V2, which is priced at £399.99 / $449.99 / €449.99.
Wahoo Elemnt Bolt vs Elemnt Roam: which should you choose?
In terms of functionality, there’s little to choose between the Bolt and Roam, but for the majority of riders, we’d suggest the Roam is a better choice, if the price differential doesn’t sway your decision.
Its larger display is easier to read and its buttons are larger. It has more memory, so you don’t need to worry so much about managing maps if you travel abroad to ride and you can store more ride data on-device.
If you’re into racing, on the other hand, the Bolt may work better for you. It’s more compact, lighter and potentially more aero. You can also compensate for the smaller screen by choosing to display fewer data fields.
Both the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt and Roam are great choices, if you’re looking for a quality GPS cycling computer that’s easy to use and provides a state-of-the-art data interface and seamless coupling to your smartphone.
