When I was 12 years old, I begged my parents for a bike computer for my birthday. My dad had one at the time, and I was infatuated with the fact that he could see his speed and heart rate while riding. I thought it was a marvel of technology. I’ve always been a bit of a tech nerd, constantly watching tech launch events and craving the latest and greatest gadgets.
On my 13th birthday, I opened an unassuming box with curiosity and was thrilled to find a Cateye bike computer. I was so excited to try it out that I asked my parents if I could take the day off school to test it. The answer was a firm no. So, off to school I went, spending the entire day thinking about riding with my new bike computer and testing its features.
Fast forward to 3rd December 2024: I came back from lunch to find a box on my desk. Inside was the new Wahoo ELEMNT ACE, which I had the pleasure of testing and reviewing. The excitement I felt on my 13th birthday came flooding back. I couldn’t wait to try it out on my cycle home from work.
It’s safe to say that technology has come a long way since I got my first bike computer, but the thrill of getting new tech will never leave me.

A First Look: The Wahoo ELEMNT ACE
The Wahoo ELEMNT ACE is Wahoo’s latest offering in the GPS bike computer market. It boasts several category-firsts, including the largest screen ever seen on a head unit at 3.8 inches. It also features a wind sensor—yes, a wind sensor! Like many others, I was surprised to see this on the spec sheet. As a self-proclaimed aero-nerd, I was thrilled to test this feature and explore how I could use the data to improve my speed and efficiency.
Wahoo has also overhauled the map functionality, which is a welcome change for someone like me who regularly gets lost and ends up spending a few extra hours on the bike every weekend. Or at least, that’s the excuse I give my partner when I say I’ll be two hours and return five hours later. Oops.
Unboxing and First Impressions
The Wahoo ELEMNT ACE feels solid in hand—well-built and durable. The large screen is a striking feature, and surprisingly, I didn’t mind the size at all. Compared to the smaller screens on my ELEMNT ROAM and Garmin Edge 530, the extra size feels refreshing. It’s sturdy and slightly weighty, but that’s understandable given the higher-resolution screen and Wahoo’s claim of a 30-hour battery life. The screen itself is sharp and vibrant—a significant improvement over the 64-colour display on the Bolt and Roam.
Setting up the ACE is a familiar process for anyone who’s used a Wahoo device. Boot it up, scan the QR code in the Wahoo app, connect to Wi-Fi, and let the auto-updates work their magic.
Mounting the ACE to my OutFront mount on my FSA Vision Metron 5D ACR bars and Madone Gen 8‘s RSL bars was seamless. Initially, the larger size felt imposing, but after switching back to the Roam V1 for comparison, I quickly appreciated the benefits of the larger display.

First Ride Impressions and Thoughts
Avoiding reviews beforehand, I wanted an unbiased experience. Overall, I was very impressed. The larger screen made the ride data easy to read, even during fast descents.
As a commuter, I often ride in pitch-black conditions, lit only by my Exposure lights and Bontrager helmet light. I usually forego glasses to improve visibility (not recommended), which leaves my eyes watery, particularly on high-speed descents. Typically, this makes it difficult to check my head unit mid-ride, but with the ACE, the bright and large display made data clearly visible.
I thought I’d miss the LEDs from my Roam, which indicate power zones—a feature I frequently use to maintain steady effort. However, the ACE’s new UI design, which highlights zone data on the screen, proved to be just as effective. The vibrant display ensured I could easily track my zones without relying on the LED lights.

Post-Ride Analysis – Excellent Visual Detail
As someone who values detailed training data, I’ve always found the post-ride analysis on my Roam V1 lacking. Switching from the Garmin Edge 530 to the Roam six months ago meant sacrificing some on-device analysis. However, with the ACE, Wahoo has significantly stepped up.
After pausing my first activity, I was pleasantly surprised by the detailed post-ride analysis. The ACE provides 1-minute, 5-minute, and 20-minute power averages, time in zones, and more—all displayed in clean bar charts. For clarification I am comparing this to my ROAM V1, from looking online i can see that the ROAM V2 did add an upgraded workout analysis, but in my opinion the ACE does take this to another level, largely due to the increase in screen real estate.
The standout feature, though, is the new Wahoo Wind Dynamics, which breaks down how much time you spent in a headwind, tailwind, or neutral air. It’s a clever way to remind myself that I’m not battling a headwind—I’m just unfit!
The Wind Sensor
The wind sensor is the most exciting innovation in the ACE, offering a completely new dimension to cycling data. From a racing perspective, this data is invaluable for optimising energy use and making smarter tactical decisions.
For instance, during a group ride, the ACE showed the difference in draft benefits between riders. In one scenario, I discovered that a friend with a more aerodynamic position and tighter clothing gave off less draft compared to another friend with a looser position and baggier clothing, despite being smaller in size. These subtle but important insights wouldn’t have been possible without the wind sensor’s data.

Who Is the ACE For?
The Wahoo ELEMNT ACE is an excellent device with innovative features and future potential. Its wind sensor provides actionable insights for racers looking to optimise pacing and positioning. Time triallists, in particular, will benefit from its ability to refine pacing strategies based on real-time wind data.
For adventurers, the improved mapping and turn-by-turn voice navigation are game-changers, helping avoid missed turns (something I’m guilty of) and ensuring smoother rides. The impressive 30-hour battery life makes it ideal for ultra-distance riders or anyone tackling 100-mile+ epics.
Conclusion
The Wahoo ELEMNT ACE has thoroughly impressed me. Its combination of new features and refined functionality makes it Wahoo’s best device yet. While the size might take some getting used to, the benefits of the larger display quickly outweigh any initial hesitation.
The wind sensor is a standout addition, offering valuable performance insights and adding a new layer of data-driven optimisation to cycling. I highly recommend this device, both as an upgrade from the Bolt or Roam and as a top-tier choice for anyone looking to elevate their cycling experience.
I personally can’t wait for racing to resume so I can further explore the ACE’s potential in competitive scenarios.
