The query is whether or not the large Wahoo ELEMNT ACE head unit and its distinctive further options could be honest for in-competition use. Nicely, the UCI, the world biking governing physique, has simply rubber-stamped the ACE as honest sport within the peloton.
The UCI appears to be further beneficiant (and petty) this 12 months. They’ve additionally authorised the NIX Biosensor for in-competition use, and ended their world champ stripes settlement with Ritchey after three a long time.
Will this give Wahoo ELEMNT ACE customers an unfair benefit? Within the ACE’s present state, most likely not. Nevertheless, that is the primary time Wahoo and World Tour groups can get their palms on these numbers from each group member in intense, high-stakes racing.
For these unfamiliar, the all-new ELEMNT ACE is the biggest biking laptop we’ve examined (until you think about a telephone a pc) and Wahoo’s most superior bike laptop to this point. The brand new ELEMNT ACE laptop boasts many updates and Wahoo ecosystem integrations. Nevertheless it’s massive, heavy, and I don’t suppose the professionals want the mapping assist — nevertheless it does have a fairly cool further function: an built-in wind sensor. (You may learn our ideas concerning the tech of Wahoo ELEMNT ACE right here.)
Does the ELEMNT ACE Supply an Unfair Benefit?
The Wahoo ELEMNT ACE has a singular sensor that others (as of proper now) lack, an built-in wind sensor with Wahoo Wind Dynamics. This information doesn’t simply give cyclists a quantity; it may assist them modify their drafting place and optimize aero effectivity. Submit-ride, the group can sit down and quantify the results of wind and wattage in real-time. Test the very restricted instance beneath from a private trip with the Wahoo ELEMNT ACE.
Wahoo believes that over time, its Wind Dynamics system will generate the biggest real-world biking wind dataset, enhancing efficiency evaluation.
What Do Riders See Utilizing Wahoo Wind Dynamics?
Proper now, riders see two key insights:
- AirDrag: How a lot their groundspeed is hindered by headwinds
- AirBoost: How a lot their groundspeed is aided by tailwinds or drafting
Who’s Using the ELEMNT ACE?
The ELEMNT ACE has already been deployed to Wahoo-supported groups for testing and coaching, and with the UCI’s current approval, it’s now set to make an affect in race-day eventualities for:
- UAE Crew Emirates
- LIDL-TREK
- EF Professional Biking
- Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Crew
Plus greater than 25 different UCI-registered groups in 2025.
Professional Groups Weigh In
Professional groups are already seeing the potential of the ELEMNT ACE, with key efficiency heads praising its larger display, prolonged battery life, and next-level information monitoring. Bear in mind, although, these are groups sponsored by Wahoo…
Jeroen Swart, Head of Efficiency at UAE Crew Emirates, says:
“The brand new ELEMNT ACE is a good addition to the present Wahoo ecosystem. The bigger format, the colourful contact display, and the for much longer battery life are all nice options that make this machine a pleasure to make use of daily. Nevertheless, the ACE is just not solely an enormous step up when it comes to software program and {hardware}, however the further metric of wind pace units it aside from different gadgets within the sport. Our riders can use real-time information to optimize their place on the bike or within the bunch to avoid wasting power—offering them with precious insights that translate into efficiency features.”
Peter Schep, Head of Efficiency at EF Professional Biking, provides:
“The brand new ELEMNT ACE brings wind pace information in real-time, which we predict could possibly be a game-changer in drafting dynamics. It’s such an enormous think about how a race performs out, so we’re very excited to be working carefully with Wahoo to get essentially the most out of the ACE’s wind sensor for coaching and applicable races.”
With UCI approval locked in, anticipate to see the ELEMNT ACE entrance and heart within the greatest races of 2025.