Wahoo Roam Review

OK I brought one.  Not cheap, especially since I got the bundle, that includes the speed, cadence and heart rate sensors.  This is their flagship model.  Why this computer and not another, cheaper model?

Firstly, a bit of history.  I have had a few cycle computers.  My last one was a Cateye Stealth 50 bundle.  This was a good computer, but it had a few limitations.  I found myself recording runs on my phone because I could upload the record quicker, since I would have to plug the computer into my laptop, load the sync program and then have to do some weird arcane file management to get it to link to Strava, since Cateye have stopped paying for the mapping license from Garmin.  Towards the end I found that I the cadence and hr were not linked.  Anoying.  Another thing that, despite being a GPS device, I could not load gpx files and follow a route that I had previously planned.  This also had a direct issue with attending various cycling events, like Sportives, since I could not download the projected route. So while it was a viable computer, it would not do everything that I wanted it to.  Also, using the phone is good and will allow me to download routes and then follow them via the map (Komoot).  The downside is that if I am a longer ride, the phone will run out of charge.  With my phone this is only after 40 miles.

Cateye Stealth 50

So why not Garmin?  The reviews are a bit mixed and people complained about certain issues and glitches.  But also their computers, for what I wanted from them, were chuffing expensive.  I could also have bought the Wahoo Element Bolt, saving £100, give or take.  It has the same speed, hr and cadence and even turn by turn navigation.  This would be ideal if I was only doing road work.  However, I ride off road as well, which means that I need more than turn by turn instructions.  A map navigation system that can direct me to waypoints is more the thing.  So the Roam it is.

So what do I think of the roam, having used it in anger.  Bloody good.  Firstly it is iinuitie.  The Cateye I had to press and hold a button at the end of the ride and hope it stopped the recording, which it didn't always when I came to upload. The Roam is linked to my phone.  It uploads at the end of the ride automatically.  I have full data while on the ride and a good analysis afterwards.  It will link to programs like the Garmin VIRB video editor and also has easy swipe screen that brings up the map and other analyisis.  Because it is touch screen, you can alter the route on the fly.  It takes gpx and is pretty well easy to use and has a 15 hr battery life.  In short, it is damned handy and a lot cheaper than comparative Garmin systems.  Donald Trump does not like Wahoo.  But the mans an idiot and is probably the best advocate as to why you should buy one.  All I can say is that it does everything that I want and is very easy to use.

So get one, but only if you are going to use all of the functions, otherwise, there are plenty of other computers out there.  But for a gps map system, it is a goodie.

Alex