A new Wahoo bike computer, called the Elemnt Ace, has leaked on Reddit.
According to images shared by Reddit user anotherwahooligan (who claims to have purchased three units on eBay), the Wahoo Elment Ace looks to be a new high-end model.
The leaked images reveal a large, 3.8in touchscreen – a first for a Wahoo bike computer – and detail a number of sensors, including a gyroscope, accelerometer and ‘wind’ sensor, alongside an altimeter.
We suspect these sensors could enable the Elemnt Ace to calculate a rider’s aerodynamic drag, most likely in conjunction with data from a power meter (such as Wahoo’s own Powrlink Zero power meter pedals) and tyre rolling resistance data inputted by the rider.
If so, this would make the Wahoo Elemnt Ace the first mainstream bike computer to feature integrated aero measurement capabilities.
The leaked images only show the product packaging and a digital render of the computer itself. Nevertheless, the box reveals plenty about the expected specifications, so let’s dig into those.
Wahoo’s “most powerful bike computer”
According to the specs listed on the rear of the box, the Elemnt Ace will be Wahoo’s “most powerful bike computer”.
Compared to Wahoo’s other bike computers, the Elment Roam V2 and Element Bolt V2, the Elemnt Ace looks set to receive a major upgrade to its display.
As well as being substantially larger, the screen will be a 'next gen TFT' (a kind of LCD display) capable of displaying 16 million colours and supporting touch operation.
In contrast, the Elemnt Roam V2 – previously Wahoo’s most expensive bike computer – featured a 2.7in screen capable of displaying only 64 colours.
Despite this, the box says the Elemnt Ace will feature '30+ hours of battery life', alongside 64GB of internal memory and dual-band GPS.
As is becoming de rigueur for electronic bike peripherals, the Elemnt Ace also looks set to get USB-C charging.
The first bike computer with a built-in aero sensor?
If the Elemnt Ace can measure wind speed and altitude with enough precision, this data could be combined with speed, power and rolling resistance data from external sources to calculate a rider’s aerodynamic drag (or at least an approximation of it that allows for comparative testing of equipment or riding positions).
Of course, it remains to be seen whether Wahoo’s integrated sensors can compete with dedicated aero measurement devices from third-party brands in terms of accuracy and repeatability in varying wind conditions.
Previously, riders wanting to use drag-measuring peripherals such as the Notio Konect, Aerosensor Aerodynamic Cycling System or Body Rocket system, have had to rely on Garmin bike computers and Garmin's Connect IQ app ecosystem.
This allows third-party brands to create their own apps for Garmin’s range of compatible bike computers, whereas Wahoo’s bike computers have always been more of a closed ecosystem.
While the Elemnt Ace may have some measurement capabilities of its own built in, could the software designed for this purpose also open up compatibility with third-party peripherals for capturing more data?
An Edge 1050 competitor?
Given the addition of a new, larger screen and extensive new features, the Wahoo Elemnt Ace looks set to compete with Garmin’s recently launched flagship bike computer, the Edge 1050.
As such, the box says the Elemnt Ace features a 'premium aluminium mount' and an 'audio speaker', which can perhaps act as a digital bike bell like on the Edge 1050.
At the time of writing, we don’t know when the Wahoo Elemnt Ace will launch or how much it will cost, although an official launch may not be too far off if product packaging and specs are leaking.
As always, we’ll bring you more information as soon as it’s available.
