The One Reason I Switched from Wahoo Back to Garmin

Published 2023-09-21
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):

Garmin Forerunner 255: amzn.to/3RvtgA5
Garmin Edge 540: amzn.to/3t94lYQ

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All Comments (21)
  • @user-cx2bk6pm2f
    Garmin Connect... 100% FREE !!!! No ads. No upsells. No subscription. No badgering. None of the modern annoyances. Thank you Garmin!
  • @330_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.
  • @Asthbendriel
    I have a Polar Grit X Pro 2 watch + a Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM v2, and it's a good combo I have been running for a couple of years now. You get the ease of use of Wahoo + the health platform from Polar, and both are much cheaper than some of the Garmin lineup. My only downside is to start and end the activity on the watch two, but it's something I can live with. I think these two should merge at some point to plant a better competition to Garmin, to be honest.
  • @normcook9335
    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.
  • @Andy-od7mw
    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.
  • @ThePrez75
    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.
  • @AlexeiPavlov
    90% of people dont know about 90% of the features of these computers
  • @330_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.
  • @JDirom
    Interestingly enough, I may be switch as well. I was curious to see your reason, mine is not the same, but I do think that the way data is organized is a good one.
  • @mlee6136
    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.
  • @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…….
  • @5t4n5
    Totally agree, the Garmin ecosystem is outstanding, IMHO. I have no idea what it would take to get me away from Garmin.
  • @noisufnoc
    I appreciate your take. Im a Wahoo ROAM V1 user and havent used any Garmin products short of my Varia radar. Ive been getting around the lack of profiles with multiple pages on my Wahoo, but the Strava feature would be convenient. I am intrigued by all the data analytics, however I've got devices from different ecosystems so I'd have to go all in.
  • @74aztlan
    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.
  • @mohongzhi
    In deed, you don't have to do this. I've been switch from this to that and finally i realize i just need a Garmin Fenix to record everything and I can have another bike computer whateven brand it is. I can just let my Garmin Fenix do everything, and combined with another device to do a double recording, that's more easy to manage. Just sell my old 1030 plus and get another BSC300 head unit, that's so fun to use another brand of head unit, and it won't ruin my complete training time line on my garmin connect. The watch can just stay in my backpack or in my pocket while dual recording. It's just still to small of mine Fenix 7X on a bike mount. And it's actually better than use both Garmin head unit and a garmin watch. It's actually more than one Garmin units, it is not very sync together especially you reliy on head unit mostly for riding and read data on watch. It's always something not really same.
  • @korsveien
    Can Garmin Connect import data from Apple Watch Ultra? I don’t have a Garmin watch.
  • I still need to get on the bike computer/power meter bandwagon. Since I have used a Garmin Instinct for about 4yrs now will probably just stay in Garmin ecosystem.
  • @michprent
    If you allready have a garmin watch, then why dont you use both garmin watch,and wahoo computer?