Wahoo ELEMNT Ace (on Specialized E-Bikes)

[Aushiker]

Capacitive touchscreens don't work well in the rain. It's a limit of the technology and not Wahoo's fault. Resistive touchscreens don't work as well and you would be a lot more frustrated using one. They are not as sensitive because they work on pressure and they don't support multitouch for things like pinch to zoom.

https://amulettechnologies.com/resistive-vs-capacitive-making-the-intelligent-choice/

What sort of screen technology does Garmin use? As I stated previously, the Garmin screens are not perfect in the rain, but at least my Garmin Edge 1030 did work.

 

[DaveMatthews]

What sort of screen technology does Garmin use? As I stated previously, the Garmin screens are not perfect in the rain, but at least my Garmin Edge 1030 did work.

LCD on the 1050, not sure about the 1030

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I prefer that the touchscreen does not work in the rain to being activated by raindrops as it happens on a smartphone.

 

[Aushiker]

I prefer that the touchscreen does not work in the rain to being activated by raindrops as it happens on a smartphone.

I have never experienced that with my Garmin units or with my phones, currently a Nothing (3a) Pro (previously Google Pixel and Samsung models), which are generally mounted on my handlebars via a Peak Design Out Front Bike Mount V2, and similarly when I was riding a motorcycle. The screen is normally in locked mode anyway, so they may help.

I do appreciate that others' experiences with phones may be different. Not heard of it with modern GPS units, but of course, that does not mean it does not happen.

That aside, bicycles are ridden outside and in the rain. A GPS designed for bicycles should be able to cope with this, in my view. The Ace, for example, is IPX7 rated, which seems appropriate given its use.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

A GPS designed for bicycles should be able to cope with this, in my view.

It is. The big buttons provide 100% capability, which is especially important during harsh winters here. Garmin users here often install a handlebar remote because they cannot do the touchscreen in thick gloves.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Andrew,
I had a chance to use my Wahoo ACE in the rain yesterday. No issues! I could successfully use the touchscreen during the ride! No idea what could have gone awry with yours...

 

[LandoftheGiants]

What sort of screen technology does Garmin use? As I stated previously, the Garmin screens are not perfect in the rain, but at least my Garmin Edge 1030 did work.

I have a large Garmin RV775 on my ADV bike, it's not waterproof but it's the best there is with a BIG screen and Hema Rasta map package. When it looks like rain I slip a plastic sandwich bag over it and that keeps it dry but also allows me to use the functions. Ya gotta think outside the box. Outside the box.

 

[Aushiker]

I have a large Garmin RV775 on my ADV bike, it's not waterproof but it's the best there is with a BIG screen and Hema Rasta map package. When it looks like rain I slip a plastic sandwich bag over it and that keeps it dry but also allows me to use the functions. Ya gotta think outside the box. Outside the box.

If I were thinking 'outside the box' by using an automotive GPS not designed for use outside the vehicle, I would also be taking steps to protect it from water, but I would not do this in the first place. Each to their own, however.

Personally, I prefer to think inside the box and use a device designed for use on my bicycle and rated accordingly, IPX7.

For what it is worth, in my motorcycle riding days, I also thought inside the box, and used a Garmin Zumo XT2 (or maybe a Zumo - I cannot recall the specific model), which was also rated IPX7.

Thanks, however, for your suggestion, but I will pass.

 

[Aushiker]

Andrew,
I had a chance to use my Wahoo ACE in the rain yesterday. No issues! I could successfully use the touchscreen during the ride! No idea what could have gone awry with yours...

Good to know.

 

[LandoftheGiants]

Personally, I prefer to think inside the box and use a device designed for use on my bicycle and rated accordingly, IPX7.

And struggle using it in the rain, like the posts above suggest?
I wasn't suggesting anyone needs to ditch their IPX7 to move outside the box, my point was covering the screen in a plastic bag will prevent the issue, that was the takeaway. I prefer the Big Garmin on the Adventure bike because of it's maps and because I can read it clearly without pulling up. On my pushbikes and ebike I wouldn't bother with a GPS. It's not like many of us ever go far from home is it? But then that isn't the reason most people fit them either, is it.

 

[Aushiker]

It's not like many of us ever go far from home is it?

I do not factor in what others do, and I do not assume what I do is what others do. I hope that where I make a contribution to a discussion where context matters, I provide that context. For example, this thread is about the use of a Wahoo Elemnt Ace GPS unit; hence, I think it is reasonable to expect the discussion to focus on its use.

For your benefit, I do long-distance riding (well, generally sub-1,000 km bikepacking/touring rides nowadays), and I do that as often as I can. I also like to explore and to create routes that take me where I have not been before, both in the metro and outside of the metro area. I use the mapping feature in particular for those rides, as well as other ride data features that the GPS uses. I would not assume that everyone does or should do that, but for the purposes of this thread, use of the Wahoo Ace is relevant.

As to the Wahoo Ace, as @Stefan Mikes noted, his unit works fine in the rain, which is helpful to know and is relevant to my earlier post. Knowing this means I need to look more closely at whether I did something, such as inadvertently locking the screen on that ride, or whether I have a bigger issue to take up with Wahoo.


Riese and Muller SuperCharger 2 by Andrew Priest, on Flickr

 

[Stefan Mikes]

A person from Global Cycling Network once said: 'GPS navigation has changed the adventure cycling for good. Now, you can literally ride for hundreds of kilometres without even stopping to consult the map. You just follow a predetermined course'.

Similarly to Andrew here, I often ride in the areas that are unfamiliar to me, or where it is easy to lose one's way.

• I do organise small group rides. Route planning and GPS navigation allow completing the trip without bad surprises en route
• If all participants of a group ride use a GPS computer and the same route, there's no issue if someone gets dropped or, on contrary, prefers to ride far forward of the group. We'll always find one another on the route
• I sometimes ride gravel rallies or races. It is mandatory each participant follows the predetermined course, or the person would be disqualified. You cannot do it without a GPS computer
• In case of the need to make a detour, the GPS computer will find an alternative course (Re-route). Wahoo computers are perfect for this task.

That was the rainy ride I mentioned to Andrew. Three of us had GPS computers (two Wahoos and one Garmin) but the man in red had none. The poor devil always had to ride in the second position, and we did everything not to drop him!

The bluish line is the predetermined course while the red is the actual trip. As the group leader, I had to take three detours. On the detour #3, I watched the map intently, and enjoyed seeing how we converge with the originally planned course!