Wahoo ELEMNT Ace (on Specialized E-Bikes)

[Jeremy McCreary]

Some fun related to the new Wahoo App (that has replaced ELEMNT Companion App for v3 devices)

The App has asked me to fill in a questionnaire; the objective was to create my performance profile. When I answered all the questions the it turned out the idiotic algorithm has overlooked the fact I was riding an e-bike So the calculated FTP was enormous!

Then I repeated the procedure with assuming my FTP was 80 W and only then I got more realistic figures....

View attachment 201185

Slick graphic. No idea what it means.

P.S. The Forum Search stopped indexing new threads and posts again...

Guessing my unfindable synchronous pedaling thread also failed to get indexed.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Slick graphic. No idea what it means.

Nothing really pertaining to you or me The Velominati thing

 

[BEC111]

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.

Been there.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Did Uncle Exchange A Good Axe For A Stick?

"Zamienił stryjek siekierkę na kijek" is a Polish saying about a bad deal; someone has swapped something good for something else, useless. So, did uncle exchange a good axe for a stick?

The smaller Wahoo Roam v2 has the characters big and perfectly readable even in the direct sunshine despite being a way smaller than the ACE. It seems a lots of potential was wasted in the ACE here. Roam 2 has its data screen readable in any lighting conditions without the backlight for the daytime. ACE requires Auto MAX backlighting in direct sunshine.

What makes ACE really better is a large colourful map. You can do a very long ride using GPS navigation and not scale the map even once! Scrolling and zooming the map with the Roam v2 is painful (buttons only). ACE allows touchscreen operations on the map even including manipulation of the map layers. There is a new data screen called Waypoints (similar to but not identical to Garmin). You can use a route with POIs, identify the POIs and navigate to POIs even if these are off-route.

The feature I like the most about ACE is the voice navigation (yes, I do repeat myself, I know). I don't need to watch the screen anymore. Well before any turn, I'm reminded by "Gerda" that something would happen. Overshoot a turn and in just five metres away you are snapped at by that stern uniformed German woman: 'RRROUTE!'

The Indicated Air Speed sensor has turned out to be useless for my Vado 6.0: the computer must be oriented totally horizontally for the correct readouts, which is impossible to do on my big bike. It is, however, doable on my Vado SL. A nice touch is the "Wind" layer that lets you placing a tiny colour coded IAS indicator on the map.

The ACE thermometer is very accurate. The Roam 1 or 2 thermometer indicates 3 C less for the cold season while the Garmin one always indicates 5 C too many

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Did Uncle Exchange A Good Axe For A Stick?

"Zamienił stryjek siekierkę na kijek" is a Polish saying about a bad deal; someone has swapped something good for something else, useless. So, did uncle exchange a good axe for a stick?

View attachment 201498
The smaller Wahoo Roam v2 has the characters big and perfectly readable even in the direct sunshine despite being a way smaller than the ACE. It seems a lots of potential was wasted in the ACE here. Roam 2 has its data screen readable in any lighting conditions without the backlight for the daytime. ACE requires Auto MAX backlighting in direct sunshine.

View attachment 201500
What makes ACE really better is a large colourful map. You can do a very long ride using GPS navigation and not scale the map even once! Scrolling and zooming the map with the Roam v2 is painful (buttons only). ACE allows touchscreen operations on the map even including manipulation of the map layers. There is a new data screen called Waypoints (similar to but not identical to Garmin). You can use a route with POIs, identify the POIs and navigate to POIs even if these are off-route.

The feature I like the most about ACE is the voice navigation (yes, I do repeat myself, I know). I don't need to watch the screen anymore. Well before any turn, I'm reminded by "Gerda" that something would happen. Overshoot a turn and in just five metres away you are snapped at by that stern uniformed German woman: 'RRROUTE!'

The Indicated Air Speed sensor has turned out to be useless for my Vado 6.0: the computer must be oriented totally horizontally for the correct readouts, which is impossible to do on my big bike. It is, however, doable on my Vado SL. A nice touch is the "Wind" layer that lets you placing a tiny colour coded IAS indicator on the map.

The ACE thermometer is very accurate. The Roam 1 or 2 thermometer indicates 3 C less for the cold season while the Garmin one always indicates 5 C too many

So you're happy with the ACE overall?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Points Of Interest!

Make a GPX that includes Points Of Interest. These points can be located long kilometres off route! (For instance, a restaurant you want to visit but which is, say, 4 km off the course). You read the GPX into the ACE (or, perhaps even Roam or Bolt 3?) via Wahoo App.

Your POIs are there! As you can see here, none of them is on the course.

An extra data screen named "Waypoints" lists all the Points Of Interest. You can scroll that list with your finger or with the right hand side buttons.

Select a POI and Wahoo ACE will route you there. (I am sure the option to go back to the course exists, too).

So you're happy with the ACE overall?

Overall I am. I am not the fan of the new display type but given the sheer size of the screen it is acceptable. As another Polish saying tells you: "It is important that the minuses do not overshadow the pluses!"

 

[Aushiker]

A local bicycle chain (99Bikes.com.au) offers the Wahoo Ace with the Wahoo Tackr Radar for AU$789 (approximately US$529). Here, the radar on its own sells for AU$349 (US$234), so this essentially means the Ace is offered at a discount (Wahoo's price is AU$995/US$667) with the radar included for free.

I had planned to get a radar at some point, but had shortlisted the Lezyne Radar React, which adds AU$300/US$201 to the package price. GPLama gave the Wahoo Tackr a favourable review, so I can live with it if I can sort the mounting options

I guess I am trying to convince myself to hang on to my Garmin Edge 1030 (which is frustrating to use due to the mapping not being as easy to follow with my eyes) for at least six months or should I just go stuff it and buy it the package now?

​

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I have not used the big Garmin myself (only a tiny 540). The only thing I can say is the big and clear map on the ACE combined with the excellent navigational aids as well as voice instruction* is worth its money!

You might see this post:

RideWithGPS

@Chargeride , I don’t know about the map(s) that RWGPS has in the UK, but where I ride in central MA (USA) their mapping is pretty good. I lost track of your conversation above with Stefan, but if you have a RWGPS question let me know.

forums.electricbikereview.com

Well, the Wahoo bundle is a good offer!
----------------
*) I've actually stopped looking at the computer for most of my rides as I only need to look at the map when a female voice says something, especially the "ROUTE!" meaning I rode off course
Note: The advertised Indicated Air Speed sensor does not work well for me. I've disabled its readouts.

 

[stompandgo]

The 1030 is still worth something on the used market. I'd get the package. Things usually work better when multiple units are from the same manufacturer.

 

[BlackHand]

I have not used the big Garmin myself (only a tiny 540). The only thing I can say is the big and clear map on the ACE combined with the excellent navigational aids as well as voice instruction* is worth its money!

You might see this post:

RideWithGPS

@Chargeride , I don’t know about the map(s) that RWGPS has in the UK, but where I ride in central MA (USA) their mapping is pretty good. I lost track of your conversation above with Stefan, but if you have a RWGPS question let me know.

forums.electricbikereview.com

Well, the Wahoo bundle is a good offer!
----------------
*) I've actually stopped looking at the computer for most of my rides as I only need to look at the map when a female voice says something, especially the "ROUTE!" meaning I rode off course
Note: The advertised Indicated Air Speed sensor does not work well for me. I've disabled its readouts.

Stefan, does the Wahoo perform its own voice nav using a limited pre-loaded dictionary?

Or does it generate custom spoken cues through the connection to the Wahoo app (using the phone's cpu and battery) like some other bike computers?

Not a fan of voice nav myself so I was surprised on my recent battery test to see that Google speech generation used more battery than either the gps or screen subsystems in RWGPS.

@Aushiker I've been eyeing the Lezyne radar myself as the ability to use screen-less with the associated front light appeals to me, but the Trackr does get good reviews and that bundle looks like a good deal.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Stefan, does the Wahoo perform its own voice nav using a limited pre-loaded dictionary?

Yes it does. The messages are of this kind:

• Right turn ahead
• Turn right
• Sharp turn right
• ROUTE!

The voice navigation is only present on the ACE.

Or does it generate custom spoken cues through the connection to the Wahoo app (using the phone's cpu and battery) like some other bike computers?

No, it is autonomous on the device.

A beautiful feature is the Bike Bell. Click on any command label and the device rings at the level of Specialized Simple Bell, the same loudness level!

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

One for the Wahoo gurus:
Connected my new Wahoo ACE to my Vado SL 1 5.0 with Mastermind as @Stefan Mikes outlined above. Also connected the Wahoo app to the bike and ACE without incident.

Problem is, the ACE and Wahoo app can't see my battery and assist levels and don't record them. Doesn't matter which I connect with the bike first — the ACE or the Specialized app. Everything else, including rider power and heart rate, records normally.

Before Wahoo entered the mix, the Specialized app's ride page would show me this battery and assist summary after finishing a ride:

Post-Wahoo, that part of the ride page is gone. Nor does this lost info show up in either the ACE or the Wahoo app.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Is your ACE updated, Jeremy?
Please try adding the LEV Range field to your Workout screen for a while. Does the Range display? Or, does the LEV Travel Mode display? If not, I have a suspicion the E-Bike sensor has been never connected.

There are three sensors that a Wahoo connects to and combines them into a single apparent sensor called E-BIKE:

• Power
• Speed and Cadence
• E-Bike

It might have happened the e-bike specific actual sensor was never connected

I would try to "forget" your combined Vado SL sensor on the device, restart the Wahoo and add the e-bike again.

I can't remember if I have ever connected any of my Wahoos to a Mastermind e-bike. If nothing helps, Jeremy, I will visit a Specialized LBS sometime in January and will test a random Mastermind e-bike to get the first hand experience.

Merry Christmas to you!

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Is your ACE updated, Jeremy?

Yes.

Please try adding the LEV Range field to your Workout screen for a while. Does the Range display?

Field is present but doesn't show the data.

Or, does the LEV Travel Mode display? If not, I have a suspicion the E-Bike sensor has been never connected.

Have not tried that field, but I have the same suspicion. Will check on next ride.

There are three sensors that a Wahoo connects and combines into a single apparent sensor called E-BIKE:

• Power
• Speed and Cadence
• E-Bike

It might have happened the e-bike specific actual sensor was never connected

The Wahoo sees rider power, speed, and cadence, but not ebike stuff like assist or battery level.

I would try to "forget" your combined Vado SL sensor on the device, restart the Wahoo and add the e-bike again.

Will try that in coming days.

I can't remember if I have ever connected any of my Wahoos to a Mastermind e-bike. If nothing helps, Jeremy, I will visit a Specialized LBS sometime in January and will test a random Mastermind e-bike to get the first hand experience.

Very generous offer.

Merry Christmas to you!

Thanks — and to you!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

but not ebike stuff like assist or battery level.

The Vado SL e-bike sensor has not been certainly connected. Strange things do happen to ANT+. It happened not once and not twice one of the actual sensors was unable to get its ANT+ ID, so I had to recognize the e-bike sensors again! The most nasty behaviour I met was all the sensors had got connected but the e-bike data came alive only after several hours long ride! (That happened to one of my e-bikes with one of my Wahoos in the past).