I recently purchased the Wahoo Elemnt Roam V3 bike computer. After previously using the Bolt V1, I switched to the Garmin 1040 three years ago, as it offered more features at the time compared to Wahoo’s Elemnt line.
Now, after three years (and some disappointment with the Garmin), I’ve decided to return to Wahoo with the new Roam V3 — mainly because of its simplicity and the fact that you can finally add six data fields to the map screen.
After my first ride (3 hours in very sunny conditions), I’m generally satisfied with the device. However, there are a few issues that I believe could be resolved via software updates:
Wahoo Roam V3 Issues & Suggestions
Bell doesn’t work on the map screen
The bell works fine on all other data screens, but not when the map is displayed. Since I ride almost exclusively using the map screen, I can’t use the bell — which is inconvenient.
Map screen: data field layout
With 6 data fields enabled, the numbers are too small and hard to read. The labels (text) are relatively large, while the actual values (numbers) should be bigger — especially when wearing cycling sunglasses, which slightly darken visibility.
11-field screen layout
Similar issue: the text labels are disproportionately large compared to the numbers. For better readability, especially with sunglasses on, the numbers should be made larger and the labels smaller.
Shimano Di2 shifter buttons
It’s unfortunate that these buttons aren’t user-programmable. For example, allowing a double-click to switch to the map screen, or setting the right button to scroll forward and the left to go back through data screens. Right now, you have to loop through all screens to get back to a previous one — which feels unnecessarily limited.
Display visibility in bright sunlight
The screen becomes difficult to read in direct sunlight unless viewed from an angle. Is there any type of screen filter or matte screen protector available that could reduce glare and improve sunlight readability?
Overall, I really appreciate the improved usability of the Roam V3, but I hope Wahoo considers addressing these usability points in future updates.
The bell works if you tap on the “pause” text (just above the middle hardware button) on the map screen. Not ideal, but better than navigating off the map screen.
I will add my opinion after two rides. Each on a different Roam 3 unit (the first one had a dead pixel and was replaced under warranty).
Readability in sunlight is good thanks to the matte screen, but problems arise in dim light (e.g., when the sun is behind me and I cast a shadow on the screen). However, that’s hardware, so I don’t expect any improvement,
I see a lot of room for improvement in presenting the terrain slope on the segment and 2 km ahead (graph). The current scale of these graphs is a constant 50 m, but on 2 km segments in typical riding, such elevations are quite rare. If there is, for example, a 10 m elevation in the next 2000 m, the graph becomes completely unreadable and you can hardly infer anything from it. The scale should either be reduced or made dynamic, so that every time it accurately shows what to expect in terms of elevations.
The second issue is the accuracy of elevation indication itself. The delay in indication is very large, but the indication itself is very inaccurate. I have an Edge 1040 and a Karoo 3, and there the readings for small inclines (for example, 0.3-0.5%) are shown accurately and are included in the total elevation gain and drop recorded during the ride. The Roam 3 remains silent and shows 0.0 with small changes in inclination. Consequently, after the same ride, for example, on the Karoo 3 and Roam 3, the elevation shown on the Karoo is even about 40% higher than what the Roam shows. When uploading the ride to Strava and making an elevation correction, the elevation figure from the ride on the Roam 3 is corrected almost 1-1 to match what the Karoo shows (meaning it has good representation of the incline). This situation occurred with two separate Roam 3 units I used. I believe that for a device at such a price, where the accuracy of elevation representation should be crucial, this is unacceptable.
Thank you for your reply. I concur the remarks about the elevation profile (visualisation)+ readings with very small increments. (I had to do a “Strava altitude correction” to get the correct altitude of my ride.).
My first message, I also send to wahoo (opened a ticket) and they let me know that they will look into the di2 buttons during the next revision of their software. I would recommend that you also create a ticket with them so they can have a look into your valid remarks and maybe will improve this also during the next software update
I hope that they will make the fond of the numbers in the data fields bigger and the text much smaller, like with the widget on the Garmin 1040. The large text (fe heart rate) disappears once you start moving and only Bpm stays, so that the numbers are more pronounced..
You are right, that would be a good change. It would be nice if you could also set the time for notifications to appear. Right now, for example, a notification defined in the app (about drinking, eating/average data from the lap) appears on my screen and doesn’t go away until I click the middle button. It would be nice if you could set the display time (e.g., 5/10 seconds) so that you don’t unnecessarily take your hands off the wheel. Or maybe there is such an option and I just don’t see it?
That is a very good point that I forgot to mention to wahoo. I don’t like it either that you manually need to remove each message (unlike with Garmin).
Did you already gave this input to wahoo? Otherwise I will add. It to my list
