Review: Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt GPS Bike Computer

For a few weeks, I have been thinking about using a bike computer to help me improve my fitness training when riding my Specialized FSR S-Works mountain bike at Almaden Quicksilver County Park (and other parks & trails).

Until now, I have been using my iPhone 10 with an Apple Series 3 watch to record my rides using the Strava app on my iPhone. The Strava app recorded my GPS position and heart rate but not instant speed or cadence. Did the knowledge of cadence or speed really help?

I decided to purchase the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt bike computer bundle on Amazon ($330), which included the following sensors:

• Heart Rate Monitor (TICKR)
• Cadence
• Speed

After installing the cadence sensor on one of the pedals and the speed sensor on the rear hub of my mountain bike, I also attached the bike computer hold on the front handlebar. 

Installation difficulties:

• No manuals showing how to install the sensors were included. I searched for YouTube videos to figure out the proper installation procedures.
• The speed sensor was troublesome to install on the rear hub. It took a few minutes of viewing YouTube videos to install.
• The cadence sensor was easy to install on the right crank arm.

The Bolt computer is configured using a Wahoo Bolt app (downloaded from the Apple store). I configured it and also enabled access to Strava. It was ready for use after a couple of firmware updates and reboots.

Today, Friday, May 15, 2020, I could finally test the Bolt bike computer on my usual Almaden Quicksilver bike ride. 

I put on the Heart Rate monitor, turned on the Bolt bike computer, and pushed the "start" button. I also started the Strava app on my Apple watch (as a reference).

When I started paddling, the Bolt reported: "N/A" for my heart rate and cadence. I was disappointed that it had not already found the active sensors. It took about 5 minutes to see reliable numbers on the Bolt display.

The primary usefulness of the Bolt was to see my heart rate, speed, and time on the trail. Cadence was not very useful.

When I completed the ride, I paused the Bolt computer and thought it would immediately upload data to my Strava account. Unfortunately, it does not do so until it's connected to WiFi.

After arriving home, the Bolt eventually synchronized and claimed to upload my data to Strava, but nothing showed up on my Strava account.

Overall, the Bolt is not very useful for my training. The Apple Watch works just as well and without worrying about charging it, syncing it, or wearing a separate heart sensor.

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Keiser M3i Spin Bike

With my City Sports Gym closed (due to the COVID-19 outbreak), I decided I needed a stationary spin bicycle to keep my cardiovascular fitness. Although I try mountain biking as frequently as possible, I don't always have 2 hours.

After much research, I settled on the Keiser M3i bicycle because the Keiser M3 bikes at my City Sports gym, and I was already familiar with this model and brand.

I ordered the following bundle:

• Keiser M3i Indoor Cycle
• Media Tray
• Stretch Pads
• Polar Heart Rate Monitor
• M-Series Assembly and Maintenance Kit
• M-Series Converter (to connect to Zwift, Peloton)
• Dumbell Holder

Except for the M-Series Converter, all the components arrived on May 11, 2020, and I assembled the bike in my garage, with Alex's help, in about two hours.

I installed the bike outdoors, in my backyard, as I did not want to use precious family space in our living room.

The first recording had some problems, but the Polar Heart Rate monitor worked well (and reliably). Since I still don't have my M-Series Converter, I used the Peloton app on my iPad Air 2 to follow a 60-minute Rock'n'Roll rid with Jen Sherman.

Once I receive the M-Series converter, I plan to try Zwift and Sufferfest. I plan to use the M3i spin bicycle to enhance my aerobic health.

Update on 9/1/2020

 

Due to smoke in the Bay Area, I moved the Keiser m3i bike upstairs so I could ride it indoors. Hot or cold, I can ride it anytime now.

I tried Peloton on my iPad, but it wasn't worth $10/month. I get the same results using the Keiser App built-in FTP test with Spotify playing my tunes. I suffer just as much, sweating like a piggie.

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