WAHOO ELEMNT

Small, simple but with a couple of frustrating complications

To get the most out of Wahoo’s new Elemnt Mini bike computer, you need to download the accompanying app to your smartphone and pair the two devices. The Mini then uses the phone’s GPS to track your route and performance where you go riding.

If, however, you don’t own a smartphone, the 30g, 41 x 59 x 16mm device will work like a conventional bike computer using the 16g wireless speed sensor supplied. This way limits the Mini’s functionality to your current speed, distance and trip time, and associated lap readings, but still makes for a pretty decent, simple-to-use computer. The display is well laid out and set-up takes 3mins to go from unboxing the Mini to having it fully initialised.

Setting up the speed sensor, on the other hand, is flummoxing, due to the unusual way it works. Instead of sitting on your fork, it fits around a wheel hub and works out your speed and distance based on the rate of revolutions. It’s a smart idea and sleeker than the ‘old-fashioned’ method but there’s nothing in the instructions that explains how it works if you’re not familiar with it. Which means working through the Wahoo website’s support section to find out what you’re supposed to do.

The other downside is the Mini’s not rechargeable via USB. It’s powered by a CR2450 button battery that’s hidden behind a cover you can’t take off without the tiniest screwdriver.