Well, damn. My six week old Wahoo Elemnt Bolt cycling computer has failed on me. After having trouble with my old but otherwise very reliable Garmin, I decided to try out something new with the Wahoo device. Six weeks of recording rides without issue then one morning I go to hit start and….
At first I was super happy with the Wahoo Bolt – it’s MUCH easier to set up and use than the Garmin Edge. Being able to change settings and data fields using the mobile app is how it should be done. Garmin take note! Easy to read screen, ability to zoom in and out on data fields, notifications using the row of LEDs across the top, even came with an “aero” shaped out-front mount! All good stuff.
But now that my first unit has died so quickly I don’t know if I will get another one or go back to Garmin. I’ve asked for a full refund under warranty.
Note that I couldn’t find a single other case of this happening with my Google searching so it’s not a common issue. Seems this is rare. In fact almost all reports on the internet are from very happy customers! #FirstWorldProblems
Tempo Cyclist - Tasmania 
😲
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This just happened to me yesterday. It’s my first bike computer and have had it for two weeks. Pressed start ride and the screen went blank. Taking it back to the shop today. Might have to switch to garmin 520? Is any good?
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I use the Edge 520 Plus and love it. In fact, all of my friends have the 520 too… yep, they’re pretty good.
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Edge 520 is a good unit. I only went for the one above (820) as it has slightly better mapping and a touch screen. Some people prefer buttons.
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I’ve been considering this exact same thing, switching to a Wahoo. I LOATHE Garmin and their inconsistencies. Now, I’m in a quandary.
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To be fair, I haven’t heard of a single other case like this. Only happy owners! It was much better than my 510, but once bitten and all that. I’ll probably buy another Garmin.
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Happened to me, too. Really liked the Bolt. Then, yesterday, I pressed the center button to pause my ride and …. zap… white screen. Saw another case just like this on the web…. so not just you. I chose Wahoo after being a Garmin fan for 10 years. Like you, I think I’ll go back to Garmin. (BTW, Wahoo’s CS is closed on the weekend. Not good.)
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Damn. That sucks. I really liked my Bolt, but just couldn’t bring myself to buy another one after that! Got a full refund on mine. Gone back to old faithful Garmin again.
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You are not alone. My bolt failed in exactly the same way after less then 6 months of use.
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Ahhh bugger. I returned mine for a full refund and after much deliberation bought a Garmin 820 instead. Bolt was great to use while it worked though.
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This has happened to me TWICE! the first time after about 2 weeks of riding , the second on the warranty replacement one after 1 ride! I’m going to go back to Garmin 520.
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It’s a shame. A good product otherwise. I did like the BOLT, but I much prefer Garmin and am happy with my new 820.
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Which Garmin did you have before the Bolt and have the inconsistencies decreased since getting the 820? I have the Edge 520 and it regularly does weird things through the GPS – I went up and down Box Hill twice yesterday on the same road yet the GPS map looks like Mr Messy from the Mr Men!
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Edge 510. Was faultless for years. Until it wasn’t. I still have it and it works, but I don’t trust it.
The 820 has been great. GPS traces are fine. Do you have your Garmin on GPS + GLONASS setting on?
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This post seems to be getting a lot more hits this week – maybe there’s been another bad batch of Bolts out there? As much as the Wahoo was incredibly user friendly (Garmin take note of the arrange screens using the phone app function) I am glad to be back in the Garmin Edge camp.
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I have had had two bolts do this. One after around six months, the second a warranty replacement lasted just over a month, Back to Garmin for me!
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I had the same problem last night, tried to reset it then on the ay to work this morning while trying to get it to work the screen cracked, the other problem I have though is I bought it secondhand on eBay. this is after having several Garmins all with problems, might just got back to the iPhone in the pocket set up, gutted.
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Oh that’s a bummer! It’s hard to believe they can’t make a reliable GPS computer these days. That said, my 820 has been faultless since I got it once the Bolt was returned.
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The same thing happened to me yesterday morning. Started riding, pressed start and…..bam. Bricked.
What the?
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Still under warranty? It’s a shame as otherwise they’re an incredibly well designed and user friendly device. Maybe in a few years when my current Garmin dies I’ll try Wahoo again…
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Yes. I have started the warranty process….haven’t heard anything yet. Definitely stick with the Garmin as long as you can!
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Yes, same happened after 11 months, screen opened then just went blank, at start of ride, they are sending a replacement, but I ordered a spare while I wait! And low and behold the new one did exactly the same after 4 rides!! Lees see if the replacement for this one works! Still have not received the replacement for the original, it has been shipped
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Wow, thought they had sorted out this issue as I haven’t heard it happening for a while. Hopefully you get it sorted. I’ve got many friends who love their Wahoo units.
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Just got my third Wahoo Bolt, I go out most days , so I will keep you posted, the replacement for the first one has been shipped , so I will put it on my husband’s bike , so wish me luck! It is a shame , I have been very pleased up to now with this gadget .
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I have an element bolt for about 6 months and it has worked flawless . My wife has had 4 of them none of which lasted more than a month 3 of them only lasted about a week . Wahoo’s customer service has been excellent about sending replacement units.
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Thanks for publicising this Tempocyclist. The same thing happened to me a couple of weeks ago after 2y 7m (7m outside warranty). So far, the retailer is refusing to have anything to do with it and suggest I approach Wahoo, which I am not happy about. This seems to be a recurring issue with the Bolt, which is unfortunate as it’s a great little unit when it works.
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Oh man that’s a bummer! I hope they get it sorted for you. The BOLT is a fantastic unit and by all accounts the newer ones are all trouble-free. Good luck with your dealings with Wahoo!
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Still happening. Purchased mine 7 days ago and today on second ride pressed the middle button and boom – screen broken. Not happy that this seems to be a known problem.
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Ah man that’s no good. Thanks for the update! Wahoo customer service has a good reputation, so hopefully they sort it for you quickly!
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I had the same issues-,5 times in total with 2 devices- the company eventually sent me a n upgraded roam which has been fine. Keep sending the thing back , it is guaranteed for 2 years. It is very frustrating all the same.
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Yeah this seems to be a BOLT-only issue. The ROAM is a solid unit (if a little large for my liking).
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It’s happened twice to me now, each time after 4-6 weeks of use. Awaiting a 3rd unit under warranty, but not feeling very confident that it will be any good.
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I just bought this had it delivered today and this happened when setting seeking replacement in gutted it was my first bike computer cane highly recommended!
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Dude, me same. I’m scared to get a third unit. I have ptsd man
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I bought my wahoo element bolt from amazon. $251. After a few rides I put it on my bike, pushed start ride and the screen went blank……. returned it , got a refund, bought another one, AND THE IDENTICAL THING HAPPENED, lol. I used the second one for about a week basically three rides, plugged in and charged it for an hour, unplugged it put it on my bike and push start Ride …..and it went blank I am returning it . no more bike computers for me I’m just going to use Strava /my phone . Btw, the reboot didn’t work. there’s a guy on YouTube who posted a video that had the identical experience as me. this is definitely a campaign issue
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I have had mine 4 months, but today blank white screen , hot to touch , with a little tree looking thing at the bottom, No buttons worked except off ( eventually). Turned back on and still just white screen of death. Looks like back to the shop for me too. Spiunds like their QA program is ship, and then keep sending replacements till one works!
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The units that are three years old or older don’t do that. I had two new ones; blank screens both after 4-6 rides. I got one from the Wahoo company and I bought the other one off of Amazon, returned them both got refunds (amazon was of course much quicker) ….. I went on eBay and bought one a few years old and it works perfectly.
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Still issues. Moved from an old Garmin 810 to the new bolt. I really liked the interface on the Bolt for the 5 rides I got out of it. Turned it off with 75% charge and it never woke up. I hope my issue is a one-off by now. Hopefully I will get good customer service…still not working on the weekend. I’ll try it again. Daughter has the previous generation Bolt and son has the Roam. Neither have had issues with theirs.
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Ah damn, hope they get it sorted for you! I’ve heard of far fewer issues with these newer units and Wahoo support is usually top notch. Still sucks when it happens to you through!
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