New Wahoo Ace Headunit: First Look

[@gcn]

What do you think about the Wahoo Ace? 🔥

[@outtrigger]

it looks good, i may get it if i can get someone to buy my ROAM from me

[@AussieInJapan]

Like the name, looks Ace!

[@ClashByKoi]

🎉🎉🎉 I ordered mine already!!

[@cappaculla]

Ask DC Rainmaker 🤣

[@osp1999]

@@ClashByKoi beta tester number one

[@rcuadro]

People really need to watch the DC Rainmaker review since this video is essentially an add for Wahoo

[@osp1999]

Hundred percent agree, and add for a half baked device DC rainmaker put it through its basis, unfortunately not quite ready for primetime still in Beta at best

[@Thezuule1]

It isn't essentially an ad, it is an ad. The thumbnail says ad in the top right corner.

[@osp1999]

@ GCN has to acknowledge when they are sponsored

[@rcuadro]

@ I missed that on the thumbnail. The video makes no mention of it being an add

[@davidegai7264]

Agree totally. I posted the same remark because O had not seen yours. I think the channel, since it became independent, needs sponsoring money so they are afraid to displease those who finance them, but this has a price in terms of credibility

[@aad493]

DC Rainmaker for an objective review!

[@nathanwent4575]

I was so excited to go buy one of these after watching this. Then I watched the DC Rainmaker review. Now I'm so excited to stick with my Elmnt Bolt. 😅

[@daniellloyd100]

It's put on more muscle than me!

[@gcn]

😊 You are still our favourite GCN bodybuilder 💪😍

[@JonCannings]

We need to put this to the test

[@CycleXplorer]

😂

[@gcntech]

Talk about flexing Dan! 💪

[@JonCannings]

​@@gcntechhe wants to take on the Giant

[@AntekSzydera]

When people said they need a bigger screen, they mean remove bezel from element roam, not increase roam to size of smartphone.

[@BrightLight105]

We’re SO close to just mounting our phones onto our bars when you consider the size, weight, and price of this thing. Now imagine if it was also capable of playing Pokémon Go!

[@JonCannings]

Haha! Is Pokémon still a thing?

[@outtrigger]

i've mounted my phone to my bars before and the screen is too hard to see in the daytime

[@PixelVibe42]

Why stop at mounting our phones? LCD monitors are now 1/3 the price of the Ace, we could mount a 25 inch curved monitor to our bars for a fraction of the price!!

[@outtrigger]

@@JonCannings not really

[@disabler23]

I feel we wanted a bigger display by having smaller bezels, not just doubling the size and weight of everything, would buy if they could turn it into a wind based power meter, that could really disrupt the market, even if it had a 5% margin of error.

[@antonae0]

As a daily user of a Roam, what I would ask most from Wahoo are two things: - Fix the several bugs it has! Many of the features I use most have critical bugs (climbing, playback controls, sync, etc.) - Profiles: seems that finally you'll be able to use the same wahoo device for different bikes. about time! let's hope they port it to Roam.

[@gordonwalker4909]

And then Roam V3 ( = Roam V2 + wind sensor)

[@MrRoyGS]

I am a proud owner of the original ELEMNT Bolt and now the ELEMNT Roam v2. But for those thinking of pulling the trigger on the ACE, do yourself a favor and watch DC rainmaker’s unbiased review. As he mentioned on his review, there is hope with firmware updates it will make it more usable by spring.

[@rustcohle9589]

Looks neat. Next edition I want a rain radar so I can adjust my route while riding to stay dry.

[@JonCannings]

Yes!!!

[@Chris-pt6hh]

I'd love a "you're 60 minutes ride from your starting destination, rain is expected in 80 minutes." feature.

[@petef15]

They really shouldn't have released this until the wind sensor was fully-utilised and the software actually made sense.

[@ondrej_bursa]

This is going to break so many of the original Orbea computer mounts :D

[@HenningGu]

Eh, I'd still get the Bolt. If i really wanted a big screen, I'd use my phone. Bigger and better screen than the Ace.

[@Flashback_Jack]

Roam v2 is the perfect size, honestly.

[@peterhaslam5275]

I only upgraded to the Roam from the Bolt for the bigger screen to aid my old eyes, the colour was a bonus.

[@alpsalish]

Yeah, the bolt is amazing.

[@davidegai7264]

I understand that Wahoo is a sponsor and that you need the money. But your video was an ad, not a review. You fail to mention any of the weaknesses that everybody else portrayed. I am disappointed

[@simonrichardson5259]

Hi David, really sorry to hear you're disapointed. At no point do GCN or I say this is a review, we are very clear that it's an AD though, both on the thumbnailand in the first three seconds of the video.

[@leedorney]

It's not bad really, Wahoo better than the K3, Wahoo better than the 1050, Wahoo have good software - it just works, without the techy detail of Garmin, so, 🤷 imo pretty ok 👍

[@thedownunderverse]

@@leedorneyreally? you ought to consider dcrainmakers’ take

[@troycollett8540]

This is more of a first look type of video

[@camdensimon1935]

The video even says it is a paid ad….. so…. Of course it is not a review.

2:25 OMG is this the future? /s My questions relies on: why are bike-computers like mobile phone from 2005 but costs like one of 2025?

[@gcn]

This is way better than the Nokia N90!

@@gcn I'll give you that! Hope it doesn't create a crater on the floor if dropped :P

[@gcn]

it certainly rivals a 2005 smartphone with battery-life!

[@stefanivanov8587]

Yeah, there is a reason why smartphones don't use them anymore poor color saturation and brightness of about 400 nits max sounds bad. (The viewing angle is not crucial here because it's mostly consistent on the bike. Colours somewhat too but I don't like the acid-washed colors)

I use Wahoo products myself, so my criticism is more about bike computers in general. Why is their hardware so outdated and slow compared to our mobile phones? Sure, the battery life is great, but if you strip away the phone’s camera, SIM card, 5G modem, speakers, and microphone to make it a bike computer, it would suddenly feel like something from 2050 😅 There may be a simple explanation, but from a hardware perspective, it feels like a rip-off (speaking generally about all brands).

[@obidavekenobe]

The size is quite MASSIVE! If bike computers where cell phones, wahoo’s ace would be a phablet!😜

[@connorparadis4804]

Really love my Bolt - but I can relate to wanting to "zoom out" to see upcoming turns on my route. Probably not worth the upgrade for me anytime soon, but it's nice to see Wahoo are listening to their customers. The eco-packaging is a nice touch, as well.

[@gcn]

thanks for the opinion!

[@jakegleeson1554]

You can zoom on the bolt with the two side buttons

[@peterhaslam5275]

Will stick to my Roam 1 for now, any upgrade would be Roam 2 and £200 for coffee and cake. Besides, I ALWAYS have a headwind.

[@gcn]

But no one believes the excuse of going slow because of headwind. With this, you'd have proof

[@peterhaslam5275]

@@gcn Ahh but as an old man of 70 I don't care what other people think😀

[@manchetajr]

Gonna have to wait on dc rainmaker and see what he says. I got a first gen roam that I want to upgrade

[@accampellojr]

The features are really nice, but at that price point there are so many other upgrades that could be done (tyres + handlebar + saddle, or perhaps a mid range wheelset even perhaps)

[@Slowjo1221]

I never thought I’d say this but, there’s just too much tech going into these things nowadays. All I need is the ability to push structured workouts and a useable GPS with the ability to reroute.

[@luisguillermoballesteros1209]

Safety supervisor: Justin Case

[@johnlieto8906]

Thanks Sy, big fan of Wahoo. I hav the Roam for going on two years, excellent so far, really want buttons, touchscreen can be a nuisance especially when wearing gloves, but very cool new device, will see where it goes before spending 600!

[@gcn]

the good thing is that they keep the buttons, thanks for the comment

[@waldkrause6878]

It is basically an improved version of the Sigma Rox 12.1 evo. I like it a lot but will wait until the price drops!

[@Flashback_Jack]

Besides dollars, consider the wattage lost due to this monolith of a thing mounted to your cockpit. LMFAO! Cue the 2001: A Space Odyssey theme music.

[@raginganarchist]

For £600 they should have just put a GSM chip in it and have it run android. The main reason cyclists don't like mounting their phones is that the size has gone up. I can't help but feel there will be a far bigger market for a small, well designed android then a over sized bike computer.

[@bengt_axle]

They should add a recharging dock that is entirely wireless, a charging coil and seal up the charging port with a sturdy plug (and even sticker over it), so as to make it waterproof. The device has integrated wifi, so it is not really necessary to use the port for updates or synchronization. Repairs for a cracked case should be easy to do by the home mechanic. I think this is really a touring or adventure riding device. For racing, you don't need a big colour screen just to see the power and a few stats. A lot of computers use a smartphone for the mapping and route generation functions, and this is what keeps them affordable and power efficient, because they don't have to have large memory, powerful processors and a big battery to run it all. But is this Hammerhead-like approach of adding more powerful and expensive components to the bike computer worth it? For me it is not, because most of the time I'm riding in a known area and don't need mapping, but only cues and perhaps a climb profile. When I need to look at a map, I use my smartphone, with an off-line map and the route loaded up on to it.

[@zaf7819]

Every gadget should charge wirelessly these days

[@graysonrichards204]

If Wahoo licensed the software from Velocomp for their PowerPod power meter, that wind sensor could easily turn the head unit into a power meter as well. The wind/acceleration based calculations have their limits, but what a value add for those who just want to get in the ballpark.

[@jaapscheele9677]

Finally a new Wahoo. Just not sure yet how I like the bigness of the unit. I already struggle with finding space on my handlebars for all the blingbling. A bigger size was not on my wish list as a bikepacker. The battery life: yes! Being able to zoom out easier than the current Roam: yes! But size… no…

[@gcn]

Hey, thanks for the comment. We remember when bike GPS's were launched, they seemed huge compared the Avocet computers of old. Let us know if you get to check out the ACE in person. thanks!

[@joinride_cc]

Budget Manager: Lois Price! Boy, she's good at her job, isn't she?

[@gangstreG123]

0:36 Don't forget Apparel Manager Euripides Ibreakyaface and Valet staff Park Ma-Ka

[@zauliuz]

Looks bigger than elemnt roam ;))) And how he works with garmin varia, device which all roadies should have.

[@KennyBellau]

Sound engineer: Mike Rafone Catering: Sal Manalla Script manager: Page Turner I knew I needed to pause that.

[@gcn]

Glad you approve!

[@gabrielcarriere]

I'm curious as to why they don't have a mount made for 35mm bars.. MTB and Fatbikes often use those..

[@damlandberg]

What I have been waiting for!

[@GilbertTang]

The Oracle certainly has a thing or two to say about this thing.

[@jameslee-pevenhull5087]

Tip for touch sensitive screens. Make a sheild for the whole unit from a clear plastic bottle.

[@ralfaliesch9102]

Mate You forgot the Bell function !!!

[@gcn]

Ahh, our bad!, it’s always worth mentioning! 🤦‍♂

[@fgoehner]

The bell was the only thing that DCRainmaker liked

[@OnkelHucke]

This thing is even more expensive than my whole electronic gravle groupset.

[@JIMMYHIBBS1]

I'm not sure its for me ... I'll stick with my Bolt V2 (and Rival watch also) for now ... but its nice to see they are still investing and developing more tiers, which has got to be good for everyone that currently has a Wahoo products

[@yelsincruz8663]

Whattt GCN was in Atlanta.. Do a review of the rides here in Georgia. Tucker ride or airport ride or even the gravel rides.

[@gcn]

you must have missed us!

[@rossblezard574]

Feedback. Please dont make videos like this. Sponsorship is fine we get it, but this was partly positioned as a review, a "first look" but you had zero critical commentary you keep saying "wahoo says..." but then you didnt say, "in our tests we found...". It was just the most disingenous video from a channel and presenter I really like. You kept mentioning battery life, but didnt test it yourselves, bizarre! If you do a review then do a proper one, its ok if its sponsored but build in a contract clause for independant review. Compare it to competitors, test the vendor claims... otherwise we just hear the wahoo launch promo material. .... still love you GCN x

[@gcn]

Hi Ross. In 12 years of existence, we have never done a review. On the contrary, we have always been explicit that we CAN'T do reviews because we have partners that we work with. What we do do are first looks at products that explain what they are and what they do, which is what this video is. It says 'AD' very clearly in the thumbnail and that is also explained in the first few seconds. Dan

[@rossblezard574]

@gcn OK, fair enough, this one just hit a bit more, I am shopping for a new head unit and got all excited about this video, then looked at some others and was like... eh!? I think the content has been amazing recently. Your journey to fitness, top notch, GTN also had a great video on mental health recently... so I guess what I am saying is, if you can just make those epic life changing videos on a weekly basis with no additional income streams, that would be great, ta. 😉😘.

[@flyingfingersyka]

I guess the next version of this will be able to also make phone calls and take pictures (badly) 🤷. This development is like watching paint dry (on a shed that nobody wants painted). Still using the original Wahoo Element Bolt from 7 years ago and the only thing that I probably want is longer battery life. Spending $600 for software bloat wrapped in an ugly phone body doesn't make sense.

[@alexgonzalezMI]

This device is awesome if you're a non draft legal triathlete. It will allow you maintain the most effective position 10m behind someone. If you race crits or anything draft legal this is sort of a waste.

[@AussieInJapan]

I have a different screen setup for commuting versus when I actually have a workout ride.

[@ChrisSpriggs-rj2ys]

Looks like it has the potential to be a great unit 😊

[@gcn]

We're excited to get them on our handlebars! Ollie is very keen on the wind sensor and making himself bigger or smaller to see the difference!

[@joshriles84]

So that's what we weren't allowed to see in the last wahoo video

[@kierenkd]

Glad they are using TFT rather than OLEG. I wish Garmin would roll back to TFT on forerunner or provide the option Forerunmer 275T

[@adadinthelifeofacyclist]

I think Wahoo should give Elemnt Ace units to some of the teams they sponsor to get feedback

[@simonrichardson5259]

It'll be interesting to see if any teams use it. I think Wahoo have created a head unit for cyclists rather than specifically racers with this one.

[@jasonjenkins1975]

I am a wahoo fanatic, I always upgrade to a new wahoo unit when it arrives, However for the extra price this one is going to cost and what extra benefits I'm going to get from it....i don't think ill upgrade this time, but thanks for the add

[@el_nachos442]

what a BRICK!!!!!

[@MacTech007]

Great review. I have the Wahoo Element Roam v2.0. . Don't think I will go for this new Wahoo Element Ace. Will likely go for the Garmin 1050.

[@bradleytipp2750]

Hey guys, love what you do - but this needs to be shown as sponsored content - After all who paid for the flights to Atlanta? No attempt at a review -- not good.

[@simonrichardson5259]

Hey Bradley, this is clearly shown as sponsored content. There’s a big AD on the thumbnail and a burn in on the first section of video. We’re proud of who we work with and always disclose it.

[@walter_catkid]

Is it 1999 and did Nokia design this?

[@Samar00171]

Why?? This is just a mobile phone made for cycling but much much more expensive. It has lost the elegance and the beauty of small headunits

[@gcn]

Thanks for the comment. The battery life is a lot better than a mobile phone when navigating though 💪

[@Samar00171]

True...but in my case, I learn any new route by heart before going out and I quite like the adventure of finding my destination on my own 🤪🤪

[@iyadkamhiyeh527]

​@@gcnstop bragging about battery life, other real reviewers found out that the battery only lasts about 10 hours in real scenarios

[@rolandmg1]

The reason I changed to Wahoo from Garmin was due to the small size of the Bolt. That thing is like having a phone attached to the handlebars.

[@Yamaha_Bolt]

Don't review products if you're not going to be fully transparent and unbiased. It will damage your credibility. DCRainmaker has a very different review and way more informative. Let Wahoo do the sales pitch.

[@gcn]

hi, thanks for the comment. Just to be clear, we don't do reviews. Our editorial policy can be found here: www.playsportsnetwork.com/editorial-policy 👍

[@simonrichardson5259]

Hi there, this isn't a review, nor does it say it's a review. Plus we're really clear that Wahoo are a partner of GCN's, It's on the thumbnail and in the first three seconds of the video. GCN has always been super transparent on this kind of thing. Cheers, Si

[@MatthewBayard]

Should be able to link up group wind sensors for bunch rides. Then we can find out the sandbaggers.

[@imilic8]

hahah those names at 0:36 😂

[@commandercookie0]

A lot of cool features, many of which most people won’t ever use. I would have been more interested in the bigger screen bigger battery and just a reduced price

[@DesEnoch]

The new features etc look good but the size is too big, if Wahoo reduce it to the size of the Roam then I'll upgrade, until then I'll stick with the Roam! The DC Rainmaker review is worth a watch.

[@10ktube]

I worry about the weight. A lot of the integrated bars and stems have less than adequate out front mounts for even my 840.

[@kubagornowicz]

Unfortunately my wallet kept it's size. But it would be nice to have big screen on the bumpy roads, when numbers rattle on the little Bolt screen like crazy :).

[@vongdong10]

They can piss off with that price. Literally not far from 'good' smartphone prices.

[@SteakandChains]

2:53 totally glitched out, as you swiped it zoomed too. The editors tried to cut it out but i saw it!!!

[@eltribun]

I'm gonna keep my Roam II, actually BECAUSE it has buttons and no touchscreen. nonetheless it looks pretty nice , since you can finally move the map and zoom in/out

[@uasgnu6626]

$100 more to have a bell

[@timford6513]

It has one!

[@ShimmyFitness]

Awesome I love wahoo already using Wahoo roam ❤ But I don't know when they are going to make wahoo watch 😢

[@cappaculla]

They already make a watch

[@gcn]

That would be interesting to see 👀

[@groovyrouvi]

I think the ACE is too big, my ROAM 2 will stay! Mounting the ACE directly on a 50mm mtb stem will hurt my eyes hard. I use my ROAM on 3 bikes and it works just perfect. No need for 'more'.

[@maciejkrasienko8164]

Any word if profiles are coming to V2 and V1 units?

[@tenkei64]

Does the Ace still have issues recording rides longer than 400 km? The Roam used to crash around 320 km and now just slows down significantly and consumes battery life as the kilometres tick up.

[@Atlan801]

its the complete oposite of what i was waiting for XD maybe i just need to wait for the bolt v3. this thing is ridiculous big ^^ my first thought was that it is designed for pensioners on huge ebikes =D but mybe this is a part of the customer they want to reach with that thing ;)

[@flamesdivde]

No replaceable battery is pretty terrible. So much for right to repair.

[@chuckb4375]

Yeah - if you were to buy one today it will likely become expensive electronic waste by 2028. That said, I noticed two things: * The residue/damage at the separated seams appears to be much less for Ace than Roam. * On Ace there are slots between case halves near top of the unit. Are those intended to allow the back to be removed, or ?? At the very least, it would be nice if Wahoo service had the ability to do battery replacements.

[@iamadairjr]

I wonder when a brand like Garmin or Wahoo is gonna be bold enough to release an app that uses all resources already present in our smartphones instead of build devices with overpriced elementary tech. I'd easily pay for a fair subscription but I won't pay $600 for a head unit at all.

[@robinseibel7540]

They'd cut off a lot of their market with such a move, because are a lot of people that don't want to use their as a bike computer and justifiably can't use their phone as a bike computer.

[@iamadairjr]

@robinseibel7540 But I'm not talking about stop manufacturing GPS devices. If they wanted they could offer both options and instead of cut off their market, they'd bring more customers by giving the alternative of taking advantage of a device we all have in our pockets. After all there are some apps out there already doing that, like Jepster and Cadence.

[@robinseibel7540]

@@iamadairjr Why would they do that and take away from sales of their bike computers?

[@Michaellpl]

Sponsored content

[@DavidShorthouse]

has that unit been dropped? timestamp 3:20 seconds looks like the aluminum casing is bent out a bit I have not long bought the roam V2 but will continue to watch :) My nextt purchase will be the pedals but i dont lnow if they will fit my shoes? oh it looks like it was just tge trip... very nicce!!!

[@DubElementMusic]

i dont use any computer at all, and my smartphone also stays at home :)

[@liquidboyinaustralia]

Does it have a built in “bell” like the latest Garmin?

[@alpsalish]

Still like the small one best.

[@jc2685]

Same price as my all carbon, all 105 rim brake Ribble endurance

[@simino46]

bolt for me the best no need tv on my bike 😉

[@jarralryter]

I'd think of getting this if I could link my dexcom continous glucose meter. Apparently you can with garmin.

[@GtwoManila]

The phone has a cracked screen while the wahoo doesn’t have a speck of dust on it. You know which is more important to a cyclist. 😂

[@ryuujinusa]

Seems awesome and $600 isn't crazy. Compared to the Garmin 1040 and 1050 which are $100 more. Poor Brits, gotta pay an extra $100.

[@osp1999]

Except those devices are 100% baked, this unit for $100 less. Doesn’t even function like the 200 or $300 Wahoo devices.

[@leehewitt9559]

Nice 👌

[@croccofanto]

rely cool i rely want it. 7000:- swedish kronor.. it's a lot but for a new launch it's a fair price. Think i will have to wait a bit tho..... shiny new Tingss XD

[@jerneilbautista6367]

Tail ligth with radar beep, rear camera to bikecomputer screen overlaying bike meters, rearcamera screen with map navigator, Radar beeps. Beep 1: evry ⅓ of second when the approaching vehicle is getting closer +20kmph to yours. Beep 2: evry⅔ of second when the approaching vehicle is getting closer below 20kmph to yours, Beep 3: every 1 second (consecutive beeping) when the approaching vehicles is gettjng closer below 10kmph to yours. Ex tour speed is 40 and the vehicle 99meters behind are moving 48kmph or +9kmph to yours. Thats the high end bike computer that are complete. Top of the line and high end in techno. It would be great if innovators would do the same. So then it decrease fatal crash to cyclists. And wish they dont make it so expensive.

[@n22pdf]

Nice and I do like wahoo products but will be sticking with my Bolt V2 :) Pete

[@gcn]

Cheers for the comment, happy riding

[@wirtualnepiaseczno8086]

Well still without polish language 🇵🇱 Wahoo said that they will put Polish language almost a decade ago. And still we don't have Polish, but we want to be in Poland market. You know English and 2600 zł for new Wahoo Ace... Yeah we love You Wahoo...

[@robenever1]

Called it!

[@oliver.abroad]

GCN should stick to what they do best: Epic rides and films. No one needs this advertising nonsense. For example the battery life. GCN: 30hrs !!!!! DC Rainmaker: 10-17 hrs with normal usage - more hours possbile only with a 5sec timeout display. Wow.

[@skipper1966]

Somebody remember the first Hammerhead Karoo?

[@JacobChristiansen1]

the contrast is a bit much on this video. Would be nice if you lifted the darks a bit or lowered the contrast

[@rodriguezahr]

Is it bigger than Garmin’s Edge 1040/1050?

[@bikesavvy3654]

So after consulting thousands of users we give you a bigger screen and longer battery life. What percentage I’m wondering asked for wind speed 😂 and a bell

[@kiatography22]

stop complaining that this is a biased ad and not a proper review - because it IS an Ad! This is properly conveyed in the thumbnail, in the description and in the chapter thumbnail reviews! Don't blame others for your inability to read! LOL!

[@Andy_ATB]

I think I'll stick with my Garmin Edge Explore.......And I don't need a wind sensor to know what the wind is doing.

[@jimsmith9419]

Less expensive than I thought it would be.

[@fredrikwergelandsongstad4095]

I neeeeed this🙏🙏🙏🙏