The One Reason I Switched from Wahoo Back to Garmin

0:00 - Intro
0:14 - Disclaimers
0:52 - Context
2:41 - What I Liked About Wahoo
3:54 - What Didn't I Like About Wahoo
5:35 - The One Reason

In this video, I explain the key reason why I ditched Wahoo as well as some things I liked and didn't like about the Element Bolt V2. Garmin worked better for me, but depending upon what you're looking for, perhaps Wahoo is a better choice.

The Garmin devices I currently use regularly (these are affiliate links for which I may earn a small commission which goes back into producing the channel):

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[cxbkpmf]

Garmin Connect... 100% FREE !!!! No ads. No upsells. No subscription. No badgering. None of the modern annoyances. Thank you Garmin!

[_Crew]

I like how you snuck in your VO2 max at 6:39 as a subtle flex.

[TimFitzwater]

Confirms my Wahoo choice 😅. I only care about maps when it’s a loaded route and I just want to record my rides without the phone…
Makes total sense why you would prefer the Garman though for your style or riding.

[samijones]

This is my vote for Wahoo in 2024. I recently updated to the Elemnt Roam v2 from the original Elemnt and am really happy with it. I finally wore out my original Elemnt after 7 years and asked around about whether I should switch. Some users of the "other brand" complained about reliability or that they were a bit complicated (however, as a programmer I didn't let this issue guide me) . Here is my experience so far with the Element Roam v2: It allows me to have different screens, eg for MTB, Velodrome, Lap work and Path riding. The addition of colours makes it easier to see what power and heart rate bands I am riding in. And it is still super easy to program. I am happy I stuck with Wahoo. Whatever you choose, have a great ride!

[dperreno]

I do agree that the profiles would be a great enhancement for Wahoo. Although I don't do different disciplines, I do ride different bikes, with different equipment (some have power meters, some don't, one has electronic shifting, etc.). Garmin connect sounds like Apple's ecosystem. Once you are in it, you don't want to leave. I get it. I don't need it. Love my Wahoo Roam.

[aztlan]

I simply was not happy with the gps reception of my Bolt2. Literally no strava segments ever finished when there are trees at the side of the street and no gps-settings.
It got outperformed by my old 520 in that department, which was just weird.
And since I am back on Garmin I started to appreciate those training analyzing features.

[cathalkenneally]

I was tempted by the Elemnt Ace but I’m a Garmin user and have upgraded from Explore to 530 to 1030 plus and now I own a 1040. I don’t like the price tag for the 1050 considering the battery life. A lot of Wahoo users are unhappy with the new Elemnt Ace and are either going back to Garmin or sticking with their current units.

[mlee]

I have the Garmin 840, the thing with Garmin I don’t need all the functions. I’m moving back to wahoo element roam v2 because it has a better user interface. Garmins interface is not intuitive. I also don’t need Garmin connect but I get it, some people do like the ecosystem. I use Strava for all the training info alongside trainer road. But I have to pay subscription fees but everyone is different, nice video.

[_Crew]

I’m glad I never bothered leaving Garmin. Having no customizable profile by ride type would drive me nuts. I use the same head unit across four different bikes: MTN, fat, gravel, and road.

Plus integration with Trailforks is great when visiting unfamiliar MTB trail systems. Last time I was in Pisgah I was picking a recommend routes on Trailforks, star it as a favorite, and it would automatically be saved to my Garmin as a MTB course. Down there cell service is non existent so it was my only means of navigation.

[blakefx]

It’s interesting that I left Garmin because of difficulties with Garmin connect but they seem to have fixed most of them now. My wahoo bolt v1 is now approaching 5 years old and is nearly ready for retirement, so it’s time to make another decision…….

[Andy-odmw]

Thanks for the warning. I've had one Garmin Edge 500 and several Forerunners. Some of the Forerunners have not lasted very long. I was contemplating a Wahoo Roam or Bolt - but not now. I'm too invested in my Garmin Connect data.

[ThePrez]

My choice: Garmin Forerunner/Epix/Fenix on the wrist for all the stats (Garmin Re-Routing still sucks big time, even on a 1040) and Wahoo for Navigation.

[normcook]

I've read several articles and watched videos comparing Wahoo and Garmin, but no one has mentioned The One Reason. I use the Polar flow app to monitor a chest strap and appreciate that extra data too.

Thanks for video.

[cathalkenneally]

My only regret was not getting the Edge 1040 solar version because of the massive memory. Twice the size as the non solar version, same as the Edge 1050.

[TheMerckxProject]

I went from a Garmin Instinct watch (and Connect), which I felt was a little overkill for my needs to an Elemnt Rival watch when the Instinct's battery life began to become a problem. The Wahoo was definitely pared down by comparison and I didn't feel like I was giving up too much in terms of tracking data. Although as you note, there were some customizations missing for when I shared rides to places like Strava. But then Wahoo pushed an app update in May that essentially bricked the watch's GPS as a standalone option (Cust Serv told me I should keep my phone paired and active). So I went back to a new Instinct, it's expanded features, and don't see myself considering a Wahoo watch the next time unless they finally develop a more robust watch themselves.

[AlexeiPavlov]

90% of people dont know about 90% of the features of these computers

[sebherrod]

Have you found the Garmin headunits and watches over record power data? I've found when you stop pedaling and freewheel, the power would spike up before dropping down to zero. This then adds watts to your average power, displaying more than you actually have done. Particularly unhelpful on an XC ride where theres a lot of stop start pedaling. The wierd thing is when you upload the data afterwards, Strava and training peaks actually display the correct power, so it records correctly on the device, but doesn't display correctly when out on a ride!

[michprent]

If you allready have a garmin watch, then why dont you use both garmin watch, and wahoo computer?

[akgood]

Where Garmin falls short for me is map management. The Explore 2 doesn't have enough storage space for all the maps I need so I have to fire up the BUGGY Garmin Express desktop app when I travel. This one issue is a major enough pain that I'm looking at the Karoo 3 which apparently allows map management through the smartphone app?

[rubenvankempen]

Personally I prefer the Wahoo ❤, because I think it's much more user-friendly.
Oh and you can upload your rides (gpx) into connect if you want.