Wahoo ELEMNT Ace (on Specialized E-Bikes)

[Stefan Mikes]

As I said under another thread, the new Wahoo ELEMNT Roam v3 turned out to be a lemon for me, and I returned it to the seller. However, I wanted to understand what the flagship (e-)bike GPS computer of Wahoo Fitness could be like. My decision was 'If it is a lemon, too, I won't just keep it'.

Mounting on different e-bikes
The first nice surprise was the ACE installed on my existing Redshift ShockStop Computer Mount (Wahoo) on my Vado SL. ELEMNT ACE is a huge device, and it is expected to not fit many existing mounts. However, Redshift Sports made its mount the way it is totally horizontal, and its top perfectly aligns with the suspension stem top. As the ACE is slightly raised above its base, the device fits the ShockShop stem ideally!

With the other e-bike, a Vado 6.0, I had to use the out-front mount provided by Wahoo in the kit. The mount is made of aluminium for strength, a sign engineers at Wahoo do sometimes think

The first use
Frustrating a little bit.

1. The first device start-up stuck at "ELEMNT ACE" screen. A restart was necessary
2. You need to install the Wahoo App (not the ELEMNT Companion App but Wahoo App) and register yourself on Wahoo Fitness then log in to the app.
3. When the ACE starts properly, there will be a QR code on its screen, facilitating pairing the device with the app. You need to login to your home WiFi, too.
4. The app and the device work together on software updates. Two automatic device restarts are expected...
5. ...On the first restart, ACE stops at the QR code. Go to point (2) and repeat
6. Eventually, the device is ready to work or to be configured further.

Necessary to mention I had owned a Wahoo Roam v3 before. The Wahoo cloud found my preferences and set up these things for me (among others):

• Workout, Summit and Navigation data pages
• Authorization for Komoot, Strava and RideWithGPS.

Device Configuration
Sensor detection
This is one of the weirdest things on the latest Wahoo computers. You must do the sensor detection from the device (which is opposed to the earlier Wahoo policy 'Do everything in the app'). Anyway, Wahoo quickly detects your compatible e-bike (e.g. any Specialized Turbo e-bike) and automatically combines Power, Cadence/Speed and E-Bike sensors into a single sensor called E-Bike.

Flaw: Unlike older versions of Wahoo, you cannot rename your e-bike! So eventually I ended up with two E-Bike sensors (one for Vado and the other for Vado SL).
Note: Unlike Garmin that allows Auto Wheel Circumference, Wahoo has always required giving the fixed Wheel Circumference (in metres or inches, depending on where you live).

Device Updates
Again, this must be done from the device (not from App)

Profiles and Data Pages
The new thing about the latest Wahoo ELEMNT computers is they allow creating multiple Profiles (such as E-Bike or Road Cycling or MTB or Gravel Cycling), the name of the profile being defined by you. The app only asks whether E-Bike data fields should be added to your Profile. The rest is easy: you use the App to select and organize data fields as you want (ACE allows up to 11 data fields in Workout, it is 7 fields max for Roam and Bolt v3).

Improvement: You can create as many data screens as you want and give each Page your own name.

Authorization for external Sports Social Networks
You can authorize Strava, Komoot, RideWithGPS or plethora of other services in the Wahoo App but not under Devices but under Your Profile -> Authorized Apps. More on that later.

The Things I Like About Wahoo ACE
Let it be clear to anyone: It is only the sheer size of the ACE screen to make small font readable even with 11 data fields on. Yes you can reduce the number of fields and make the font larger by pressing right hand side buttons (+/-) but it does not work in the Navigation data screen. For this reason, the size of ACE makes the device acceptable to my poor sight.

• The Wahoo ELEMNT computers are the only that can read the LEV (E-Bike) Battery Level for both the Main and Range Extender battery. Now, Wahoo ACE presents the level in the 100 1/100 2 format for the dual battery. It is an improvement from the early release of v3 devices.
• The map is colourful and full of details (that can be controlled by Layers as you ride). The presentation of the route is a way better than it is in Garmin, also showing Climbs.
• The Wahoo re-routing is better and totally comprehensive compared to Garmin
• The GPS receivers have been greatly improved. Now, getting a GPS fix takes just 10 seconds. Getting a fix is clearly communicated to the user
• Voice navigation now available! (Ride off the course and the lady repeatedly says 'Route. Route. Route.'
• Air speed sensor (only available in the ACE). It is a Pitot tube that converts air dynamic pressure into air speed. Assume you are riding at 20 km/h but the Air Speed is 12 km/h. It means you effectively get an 8 km/h tailwind. Ride at 20 km/h and read the Air Speed 30 km/h: you are getting a 10 km/h headwind. The strength and direction of air is colour coded from Heavy Air Boost to Heavy Air Drag. I love the feature!
• You can Unlock the Map and slide it with your finger to explore the area as you are riding.
• The Thermometer seems to be accurate now!
• The Time of Day and Ambient Temperature can now be found in the status bar, freeing two more data fields
• And yes, you get a Bike Bell. Just tap the screen twice

The Things I Am Indifferent About

• Roam and Ace are touchscreen capable. Even if the touchscreen works when it is covered by a protective film, it does not work with my full gloves. I don't care. The six standard ergonomic Wahoo buttons do whatever I need on any weather. It is even possible to lock the Touchscreen, which I feel might be practical during heavy precipitation.
• Some people cry because they lost the rows of LEDs (present in older devices). Why worry? The LEDs are now emulated on the big screen

The Things I Do Hate
The Wahoo app is a calamity.

Wahoo Fitness has tried to make its own Garmin Connect and failed miserably. The older ELEMNT Companion App for v1 and v2 devices works perfectly, being very easy to use. It is because Companion is device-centric. Wahoo App is Wahoo-centric, and that's the whole issue. Hardly anything works as expected...

• Synchronising the device with the App for the recorded ride takes ages. I am not sure what I could do to synchronise my ride faster...
• Manual synchronising the Activity with services such as Strava is a way less intuitive than it was in the Companion App
• Synchronisation does not use the Default Bike of Strava. One more thing to do later
• Wahoo App is not intuitive. Finding anything is very difficult.

Still, while I could not live with a Wahoo ELEMNT Roam v 3, I think I can co-exist with the ACE. It is notably faster than my v2 Roam! The GPS fix is a way faster, too.

I still keep my Roam v2, just in case And am not removing the protective film from the ACE. Perhaps I will return it anyway?

After leaving home. The device is still warm (17 C).

At the grocery store (2 miles away). You can see the LED emulation at the screen top.

The thermometer giving a proper temperature readout (9 C). The Air Speed data field indicates Neutral wind conditions. Note: The Pitot tube has to be oriented forward!

 

[PedalUma]

I for one am not going to look at a screen while on a ride or am about to post data of my ride. I enjoy the intrinsic sensory experience, feeling the wind, listening to birds, it all being in the moment. That is more valuable and sacrosanct. It is has nothing to do with the dorkness or bragging. Doing 15.3 isn't worth bragging about anyway. Its a shame. Packing the cottage cheese, tripe, and day old cold mashed potatoes in lycra to to 15.3 mph and walking like a pregnant penguin when you get to a destination is an em-bare-ass-ment.

 

[DaveMatthews]

This is almost as funny as the Clik valve thread! Almost...

 

[Gionnirocket]

I

This is almost as funny as the Clik valve thread! Almost...

I heard those Click Valves are pretty amazing....
Maybe they can integrate the tire pressure reading. Then the experts can give themselves another aneurysm when someone fakes their numbers or if it's off by a psi.

 

[stompandgo]

Thanks for the review, Stefan.

 

[Extreme1]

Thanks Stefan, I always appreciate your work

 

[Stefan Mikes]

This is almost as funny as the Clik valve thread! Almost...

I'd like to see Berm Peak dismantling a GPS bike computer during his review (using a hammer) but am afraid he is too cheap to buy one

 

[DaveMatthews]

I'd like to see Berm Peak dismantling a GPS bike computer during his review (using a hammer) but am afraid he is too cheap to buy one

C'mon man... lighten up a little...

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I'd like to see Berm Peak dismantling a GPS bike computer during his review (using a hammer) but am afraid he is too cheap to buy one

And what on Earth does that prove?? You're clearly a smart guy, Stefan, but sometimes your bizarre emotional reactions to things really get the better of you.

 

[RRCV]

And what on Earth does that prove?? You're clearly a smart guy, Stefan, but sometimes your bizarre emotional reactions to things really get the better of you.

Lost in translation!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

A few pictures of Wahoo ELEMNT Ace

Ready To Ride screen. It shows the connected sensors (none at the moment), and basically serves selecting a Route before the ride start.

The list of Routes (automatically synchronised with Komoot here) is very similar to one found in Garmin.

The ACE allows displaying up to 11 data fields in the Workout data page. An attempt to display that many fields in Roam v3 results in a unreadable page. The big size of Ace makes it possibly to clearly see all the data (it is as easy to see them on Roam v2. All Wahoo ELEMNT computers allow displaying the E-Bike Battery Level for dual batteries. No other brand can do it. See also Time of Day and Temperature data in the status bar: it frees as many as two data fields in the Workout data page.

Pressing the "+" button will reduce the number of visible data fields but will also increase the font size. See the Air Speed (Wind Dynamics) data field. The air speed field is colour coded from Heavy Air Boost through Neutral Air to Heavy Air Drag. It is very easy to calculate the effective wind speed (tailwind or headwind) or even assess the boost achieved by drafting behind another rider.

The map is now colourful and full of details such as street names or POI. The details can be controlled by Map Layers. You can unlock the screen to see more area around. Black arrows indicate the proper Course, green ones are for Climbs, and pale blue ones are for the re-routed course. Voice navigation increases the situational awareness. There even is a Bike Bell: double tap the screen or single tap any label above the buttons.

The Summit data page. After you have clicked Start, the elevation profile will appear. It is either based on the Route or the map information on the course currently ridden.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

A few pictures of Wahoo ELEMNT Ace

View attachment 200740
Ready To Ride screen. It shows the connected sensors (none at the moment), and basically serves selecting a Route before the ride start.

View attachment 200741
The list of Routes (automatically synchronised with Komoot here) is very similar to one found in Garmin.

View attachment 200742
The ACE allows displaying up to 11 data fields in the Workout data page. An attempt to display that many fields in Roam v3 results in a unreadable page. The big size of Ace makes it possibly to clearly see all the data (it is as easy to see them on Roam v2. All Wahoo ELEMNT computers allow displaying the E-Bike Battery Level for dual batteries. No other brand can do it. See also Time of Day and Temperature data in the status bar: it frees as many as two data fields in the Workout data page.

View attachment 200743
Pressing the "+" button will reduce the number of visible data fields but will also increase the font size. See the Air Speed (Wind Dynamics) data field. The air speed field is colour coded from Heavy Air Boost through Neutral Air to Heavy Air Drag. It is very easy to calculate the effective wind speed (tailwind or headwind) or even assess the boost achieved by drafting behind another rider.

View attachment 200744
The map is now colourful and full of details such as street names or POI. The details can be controlled by Map Layers. You can unlock the screen to see more area around. Black arrows indicate the proper Course, green ones are for Climbs, and pale blue ones are for the re-routed course. Voice navigation increases the situational awareness. There even is a Bike Bell: double tap the screen or single tap any label above the buttons.

View attachment 200745
The Summit data page. After you have clicked Start, the elevation profile will appear. It is either based on the Route or the map information on the course currently ridden.

Strong work! When you get a chance, may we see the ACE on your bike to get a better feel for the size?

 

[Gionnirocket]

Looks like more resources wasted on making scrap metal

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Size Comparison

Wahoo ACE on a Vado 6.0

Wahoo Roam v2 on a Vado 6.0

Wahoo ACE on a Vado SL 1 (Redshift ShockStop Computer Mount for Wahoo).

Wahoo Roam v2 on a Vado SL 1.

How odd it is the smaller and older device has a better readable and more contrasty screen, innit.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Size Comparison

View attachment 200755
Wahoo ACE on a Vado 6.0

View attachment 200756
Wahoo Roam v2 on a Vado 6.0

View attachment 200757
Wahoo ACE on a Vado SL 1 (Redshift ShockStop Computer Mount for Wahoo).

View attachment 200758
Wahoo Roam v2 on a Vado SL 1.

How odd it is the smaller and older device has a better readable and more contrasty screen, innit.

Thanks! As you know, I'm using the Specialized app on my large Samsung Note20 on my bar in lieu of a computer. Started to show you a photo of it in place to make you feel better about the ACE's size.

Then I realized that the phone can't be taking photos of the bar and on the bar at the same time. Duh.

 

[PedalUma]

My customer Patrice is training for her Spring '26 coast-to-coast bikepacking trip. This photo is one she took of a friend. She is doing 20 miles analog on a Surly three days per week and 50 analog one day per week. Then she goes to hill country the following week and rides 50-60 miles on her electric Prospero three days per week. And alternates each week. She is 71 and on days she does not ride she does weight training. She is like Wonder Woman. And is intrinsically motivated and does not need to prove herself to anyone. That is the contrast. She is the real deal.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Then I realized that the phone can't be taking photos of the bar and on the bar at the same time. Duh.

Same here. I wanted to compare the size of Samsung U24 to the Ace and then realised the Roam could not take photos

Here, a medium size smartphone along Roam, Autumn 2022.