Wahoo Fitness — Local services in Atlanta

If there’s one thing Wahoo do exceptionally well, I’d be lying. There’s loads.

I’ll begin with their products. I’m originally bought a Bolt V1 in 2018. Six years later, it ran like the day I first switched it on. Unfortunately, three accidental machine washes (oops) proved to be fatal for the device.

Based on friend’s anecdotes, several weeks of online research and hours of YouTube videos, I decided to buy a Garmin Edge 840.

There’s no denying Garmin dominates the bike computer market. Their computers offer more data, but at what cost? I’ll explain…

Firstly, their computers are packed with features. I’d argue, overflowing with features, and not in a good way. They’re so feature-packed, in fact, that it’s difficult to set up and even more difficult to use whilst you’re riding; to a point where it’s arguably quite dangerous for those unfamiliar with the operating system. It took several YouTube videos to figure out how to use the device.

There are two features which are most frustrating with Garmin’s Edge 840:

There’s Virtual Partner cannot be switched off. So there’s a confusing blue arrow on the map screen at all times which should set the speed that you’re hoping to achieve. It can be confusing to know when your next turn is if you’re looking at the wrong arrow.

Initially, the border of the screen lights up green or red and shows you a green “play” triangle to indicate recording, and a red square to indicate you’ve stopped recording. After that, there’s no indication that you’re recording. As a result, it’s really easy to not record your activities, especially if you manually stop/start your recording at several stops.

Additionally, syncing routes from your phone (or “courses”) seems to have absolutely no method. Sometimes it’ll sync no problem. Other times, it’ll take several attempts at forcing synchronisation to transfer the routes. It took around an hour for me to synchronise 15 routes to the device before giving up. The following day, I forced synchronisation twice more and they appeared?!

The screen on the Garmin was nice and responsive, although very difficult to see in certain lighting.

Conversely, the Bolt was super-intuitive, incredibly easy to navigate, had a great screen, with all the features you would want and need. It isn’t over-encumbered with needless complications. I’d say faultless. My friends who use Wahoo bike computers say, “it just works”. And I agree.

As a result, I’ve returned the Garmin and I’m looking forward to purchasing a Wahoo Roam V2 when it comes back into stock.

Secondly, they’re a company that truly care about their customers. And it shows. All technologies have problems, that’s natural. But it’s unnatural for a company to offer customer service as good as Wahoo does. It sets them apart from many other companies.

Finally, Wahoo are a brand for the cyclist. They understand what cyclists want and love and they make that come true.

Wahoo, Chip, if you’re reading...

I purchased a Kickr Snap in August 2020 while they had them in stock. Order arrived promptly and worked fine until just before Christmas when it just stopped transmitting information (power, speed, etc.). Contacted customer support via e-mail and was connected with someone named Margo who in the beginning replied immediately. She had me check all the fundamental stuff first (connections, no other apps running, etc.) which I get, start with the simple things first. No success. This back and forth went on for a few days and the response to my e-mails was pretty immediate. Try this, do that, no luck. We then thought that perhaps the sticker inside the flywheel was damaged so she sent me a new one which they were supposed to e-mail me when it shipped but never did. Nevertheless it still showed up within a few days, with the same result, no info being transmitted. Days are now turning into weeks with no trainer. By now the time it is taking her to respond is becoming longer (2-3 days). It is becoming clear that the unit is defective. The delays in the e-mail replies is becoming so frustrating that I finally call customer service and opted to leave a call back number. Was contacted within half an hour and was informed by the person that I spoke with (can’t recall her name but she was utterly charming!) that in these situations they just send a new flywheel. Great, “ can we just go ahead and do that?” “I’ll have to check with Margo”. Ugh. So the e-mail dance continues for another couple of weeks which have by now turned into a month with frustration growing daily and the replies from Margo to my e-mails had gone from immediate to 3-4 days with me having to send a second e-mail before I get a reply. Now she has me doing things like checking tire pressure, measuring rear hub spacing, updating my iPad (which was one the first things she had me try in like day two or three). Please. It now clear the unit is defective and she is out of ideas. Crickets. So I place a second call on a Friday afternoon and again left a call back number and again was contacted within minutes by a person named Jeremy. I explained my frustration to him which he was completely sympathetic to because we are now going on six weeks, and was also told by him that in these situations they either send a replacement flywheel which they can do immediately or they can send a replacement unit which will take another month before they’re back in stock. Great, “how soon can you send the new flywheel?” “I can process it today and have it sent expedited delivery for free” Fantastic! Tuesday afternoon there was a box on my front porch with the new flywheel. I was e-mailed a link to a video that showed how to install the new flywheel which wasn’t terribly complicated, installed it and it has been working flawlessly for a month now. So all’s well that ends well but, why it took six plus weeks and untold hours of aggravation is mind boggling....

I’m writing because I HOPE Wahoo contacts me as I’m still not through my issue and their support folks went completely dark on me.

BLUF I need to make a return. Here’s why

I bought a kicker climb (for my front wheel) incline decline. I am training for Ironman Worlds in Nice. I’m5 weeks out now. After many times it didn’t actually work so I requested a new one -After proving it didn’t work and all the ceap you have to do to prove you’re not a scum bag, they finally approved a new one. -The new one arrived I tried it and it AGAIN didn’t work. I did literally everything I was told (and my husband.and I know what we are doing as we are both Ironman racers). Nothing. zippo. I created ANOTHER case with “George” who responded one time saying “you’re past the return date but send me your info” I do minus the sku because I already put it back in the box. -7 days later, I still have this kicker in the original box just sitting and “George” has YET to respond.my last message was “anyone out there?”

If anyone from Wahoo is reading this, please help! I’m so over this and I just expected so much more. I need to resolve and move on. It’s been quite the...