I’ve been using Garmin bike computers for almost as long as I’ve been cycling, typically opting for smaller units like the Edge series. These have served me well for quick navigation and performance tracking during races. But since getting into bikepacking a few years ago, I’ve been looking for a computer that offers better navigation, longer battery life, and that is more user-friendly on the trail.

A few weeks before its official announcement, I had the opportunity to beta test the new Wahoo Elemnt Roam 3. This was my first time using a bike computer designed primarily with navigation in mind, and I was excited to see how the larger screen and enhanced mapping features would perform in real-world conditions.

About Wahoo

Wahoo was founded in 2009 and is known for its range of bike trainers, cycling computers and its training app. The company’s vision is to create an integrated ecosystem to help athletes get more out of their training. Wahoo’s main computers are the Elemnt Bolt, which is compact and designed with aerodynamics in mind, and the Element Roam, which is the larger unit purpose-built with exploration in mind.

First Impressions

Right out of the box, the Wahoo Elemnt Roam 3 made a solid first impression. It came with everything needed to get rolling: the computer itself, an out-front mount (31.8 mm), a USB-C charging cable, a stem mount with zip ties, and even a 7.5" tether for added security. No extra purchases, no guessing, just open, install, and ride.

The setup was impressively straightforward. Using the Wahoo App, I had the device paired to my phone in minutes. From there, settings, preferences, and ride profiles were managed through the app’s clean and intuitive interface. No endless menu-diving on the unit itself. Just open the app, tap “Settings,” and tweak away.

I especially appreciated how easy it was to create and customize workout profiles. The Roam 3 comes with preloaded options for indoor and outdoor cycling, and adding new profiles is as simple as tapping a clearly marked button at the top of the menu. Organizing workout pages is equally effortless, you can drag and drop data fields to prioritize what’s most important at a glance.

The setup of the computer being done solely through the app is both a blessing and a curse. If you want to change something on the computer, it must be done through the app, which is easy to do but may be problematic on the trail when you may want to conserve phone battery.

For those who love chasing goals (or just KOMs), enabling Strava Live Segments and Summit Segments is as easy as flipping a switch. Within minutes, I had the Roam 3 tailored to my riding style, ready to hit the road, trail, or trainer.

Design and Construction

The Roam 3 feels purpose-built for adventure. It features a crisp, high-resolution 7 cm touchscreen that’s bright and easy to read in a range of lighting conditions. Whether I was riding in full sun or under a dense forest canopy, visibility was never an issue.

One of the first things I noticed (and appreciated) was the built-in speaker system. It provides clear, audible turn-by-turn cues and even produces a bicycle bell sound by tapping the screen twice. Handy when rolling up on hikers or other riders on shared trails.

The unit weighs in at 112 grams with the safety lanyard attached, which feels balanced and unobtrusive on the bars. It's rugged, too. I’ve dropped it a couple of times already, and it shows no signs of scratching or damage. The computer feels tough enough for the realities of bikepacking or trail riding.

Battery life is good, but does not compare to devices such as the Garmin Edge solar or the Coros Duro. Wahoo claims up to 25 hours, and while I haven’t fully drained the unit yet, I’ve logged around 10 hours of riding with the backlight on auto, active navigation, and Summit Segments running without dipping into the low battery warning zone. My last ride was just over 3 hours and used around 8% battery.

The buttons deserve a quick shoutout, too. They have a satisfying texture and are generously sized, making them easy to use even while wearing full-finger gloves. Page navigation via the buttons is fast and reliable, and the touchscreen is just as responsive. Even while riding gravel, it was easy to swipe, tap, and zoom without frustration.

In the field

Getting the Roam 3 up and running was refreshingly quick and painless. Mounting it on my bike was simple, and the device booted up in seconds. Within minutes, I had it paired with my phone, synced with the Wahoo App, and fully configured to my preferences. Selecting a route was just as easy. Once I authorized Ride with GPS in the app, all my pinned routes were available right on the device after syncing, no fussing with files or cables.

Out on the trail, the first thing that stood out was just how readable the data fields are. Wahoo uses a clever priority-based system: you can select up to 11 data fields and organize them by importance. Then, as you ride, you can use the up/down buttons to adjust how many fields are visible, zooming in on a few key metrics or pulling back for a full overview. It’s a small touch, but it makes a big difference in minimizing the number of screens used when you may want to see different sets of data at different times.

The dedicated elevation page is also a win. It shows the upcoming elevation profile in detail, giving you a visual of what's ahead, especially helpful when planning your effort on long climbs.

To test the navigation, I intentionally went off-route. The Roam 3 rerouted impressively fast, within seconds, and to my surprise, it even recognized an ATV trail and guided me back using a shorter, more efficient path than my Garmin, which not only took longer to recalculate but added unnecessary distance before correcting course.

Another feature I quickly grew to appreciate was the built-in speakers. Turn notifications give an audible cue about 250 meters before a turn, and again right at the turn itself. This meant I could keep my eyes on the trail or scenery rather than constantly glancing at the map. The built-in bell is a fun and functional touch, too; a quick double-tap on the screen sends out a loud "ding" that’s easily heard up the trail.

Route management is a breeze. With just a few taps, you can end your current route without ending your ride and load up a new destination either from your saved locations or by manually selecting a point on the map. You can even choose routing preferences: paved only, unpaved only, or a mix of both. This flexibility is appreciated when exploring backroads or trail systems.

The Roam 3 also integrates seamlessly with the Wahoo workout ecosystem. Scheduled workouts from the app are pushed to the device, and outdoor equivalents are smartly adapted. Power targets convert to target zones (instead of exact values) to account for real-world fluctuations without ERG mode. That said, I did run into a glitch with heart rate targets; a planned Zone 2 ride was interpreted as Zone 4, so there may be some refinement needed in that area.

On the indoor side, the Roam 3 can control a smart trainer, and I was impressed with how accurately it simulated real-world routes. The resistance changes to reflect gradients, giving a very realistic feel. This could be a game-changer when training for races, you can preview climbs, gauge distances between key segments, and develop smarter pacing strategies.

Final Thoughts

After several rides, both on the road and deep in the backcountry, I can confidently say that the Wahoo Elemnt Roam 3 has earned a permanent spot on my handlebars. Between the intuitive setup, rock-solid navigation, excellent screen visibility, and thoughtful ride features, it checks every box I’ve been looking for in a bikepacking computer.

The quick rerouting, smart route management, and audible turn-by-turn cues let me spend more time enjoying the ride and less time fussing with the device. And with its rugged build, long battery life, and seamless integration with Ride with GPS and Wahoo workouts, it’s clear this computer was built with real riders and real adventures in mind.

I love this computer. It’s going to be my go-to for bikepacking trips from here on out.