Wahoo ELEMNT – significant updates
Wahoo has just jumped in line behind Garmin, seemingly to increase the annoyances brought by the heightening of supposed security necessities. Against those annoyances, several other updates are now live, including some meaningful ones for MAPS.
You can check out the details from the links below. Here is a summary and my thoughts.
What’s New
All Gen 3 devices, including ACE, get the same updates with slight differences in implementation – for example, Bolt 3 lacks a touchscreen and hence needs buttons to use the passcode.
- During Setup, you must confirm a Bluetooth pairing code on the app and the ELEMNT.
- An optional passcode has been added – this is required to restart or reset the device, including if you intentionally lock the ELEMNT for a mid-ride coffee.
- FIT files can no longer be directly accessed on ELEMNT- GPLAMA’s comment on this was ‘hmmm’, mine is ‘WTF!’. This change is not the end of the world for me, as it was when Garmin did a similar thing a while back, as Wahoo still supports Dropbox sync as an excellent way to get your FIT files back to your computer. However, on rare occasions, that does not work, and the only easy way for me is to get the FIT File from the ELEMNT – I use that feature about once a month. I guess I won’t be using it anymore.
- In fact, direct USB access is entirely disabled, but you can partly enable it (see previous point) here in the Wahoo app > Devices > element computer > Settings
- When paired with CORE, skin temperature can now be displayed as a data field in addition to CORE temperature. Why? I don’t know. CORE temp is the one you almost always need.
- Bike lanes are a new optional map layer – a nice addition for many, although of little use to me.
Updated: Map theme has been adjusted to increase contrast, improve colour variance, and remove visual clutter at certain zoom levels
- Maps are now more colourful. Personally, I was happy with how it was. The entire image does look better with the new colours. However, I am far from convinced that the improvements translate to helping me follow a route or take in the CLIMB chevrons.
Sources and Resources
- ELEMNT ACE (2024) Product Information
- ELEMNT BOLT 3 (2025) Product Information
- ELEMNT ROAM 3 (2025) Product Information
- ELEMNT ACE (2024) Firmware Release Notes
- ELEMNT BOLT 3 (2025) Firmware Release Notes
- ELEMNT ROAM 3 (2025) Firmware Release Notes
- Wahoo internet-connected devices’ factory default network interfaces and services
Last Updated on 11 April 2026 by the5krunner
My favourite kit and nutrition
- Maurten — the race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mix engineered to be easy on the stomach.
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — the small adapter that keeps your charging cable tidy at the stem. Essential for race day.
- Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session.
- Ravemen FR300 — front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters.
- Garmin Varia RTL515 — radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Garmin watch.
- Stryd — the footpod that brings running power to your Garmin. The single most useful running upgrade I have made.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — the power meter pedals most serious cyclists end up choosing. Accurate, easy to move between bikes.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
“Wahoo has just jumped in line behind Garmin, seemingly to increase the annoyances brought by the heightening of supposed security necessities. Against those annoyances, several other updates are now live, including some meaningful ones for MAPS.”
This is the sentence gore to end all sentence gore.