If you train on a bike, you may need help measuring your progress or tracking the results.
Although a scale and charts are helpful, there is a better solution, and it’s called a fitness tracker.
The Polar M460 vs. Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT Bolt have great features that cyclists appreciate.
Read on to find out which one is the best multisport GPS watch.
Polar M460 vs. Wahoo Elemnt Bolt
Polar Company Background
Polar has manufactured technologies for consumers since 1977; during the 1970s, Polar mainly produced heart rate monitors.
Today, Polar manufactures innovative tech that caters to athletes and trainers.
What is the Polar M460?
The Polar M460 GPS Bike Computer is a vibrant GPS device for a bike. Its hardware runs applications that benefit beginner, novice, and expert cyclists.
Wahoo Company Background
Wahoo was established in Atlanta by Chip Hawkins in 2009. Today, the company makes innovative products that help athletes achieve their goals.
Over the years, the Wahoo brand as grown because every team member has a practical mindset.
Basically, the Wahoo team always believe that there is a better way to solve every problem.
What is the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt?
The Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT Bolt GPS Bike Computer caters for cyclists who ride with a purpose.
It has a patent pending design and sleek hardware that mounts directly on the front of a bike.
During advanced training sessions, this product can provide a high level of convenience since it’s compatible with a variety of cycling sensors.
Head to Head
Battery
You can pace yourself while training with the Polar M460 GPS Bike Computer because its battery supplies power for up to 16 hours.
The battery of the Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT Bolt GPS is slightly less powerful as it can only provide 15 hours of power. Since the M460’s battery is stronger, it wins this category.
Winner – Polar M460
Design
The Polar M460 GPS Bike Computer is a very tough and durable fitness trainer. Carbon fiber is a part of the base design.
It adds an extra layer of toughest and style to the finish.
The Wahoo Elemnt’s design provides convenience in a practical way touches.
Its aerodynamic shape is a highlight as it increases stability when the hardware is mounted on a bike’s handlebars.
Speed matters during cycling routine, so a fitness product must have the ability to adapt. The Wahoo Elemnt is an aerodynamic system, so it has the edge.
Winner – Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT Bolt
Size and Weight
A Polar M460 GPS Bike Computer is 14.0 mm thick and weighs 50 grams, and the Bolt is 2.9 inches by 1.8 inches by 0.87 inches and weighs 60 grams.
If you compare both displays, the Bolt has a larger screen, which is 22 inches.
Although both units have reasonable overall specs, the dimensions of the Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT Bolt are more convenient.
Winner – Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT Bolt
Supported Accessories
The Polar M460 GPS Bike Computer is compatible with a wide range of cycling accessories by Polar.
Some of the accessories will work with the M460’s hardware, and others can enhance it.
Polar’s speed sensors will work along with the Polar M460 GPS Bike Computer. There is a speed sensor set for the M460; it includes a speed sensor and a cadence sensor.
A stand-alone cadence sensor and speed sensor are also available.
If you need an accessory that can enhance the Polar M460, Polar makes bike mounts. The front bike mount lets you attach the Elemt on a handlebar.
Polar also manufactures a compact bike mount that has a locking mechanism.
Elemnt Roam is a software solution that powers each accessory for the Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT Bolt .
It creates metrics for Wahoo’s pedaling monitors, muscle oxygen sensors, and electronic gear shifters.
The pedaling monitors have meters that will measure your leg power and pedaling efficiency, and the muscle oxygen sensors will track your hemoglobin metrics during a lap or workout.
Elemnt Roam interacts with the electronic gear shifters two ways. It will track the gear shifting battery and the gears in the front and the back of your bike.
Electronics gear shifters, pedaling monitors, and muscle oxygen sensors add value to a workout, so the Elemnt Bolt’s accessory lineup has the edge.
Winner – Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT Bolt
Software and Apps
Polar Flow is the main software for the Polar M460 GPS Bike Computer. It can help you prepare a training routine each day or for a full season.
No mater how you set up the software, it will monitor your heart rate, and it will also provide performance data via a suite of training analysis tools.
The data that Polar Flow gathers is easy to share; you could share data with a PT or a coach using Polar’s free coach service.
If you ever need more support, Polar Flow has a large community where many Polar users can share their highlights.
You could also access to other sports communities, such as TrainingPeaks, Endomono, and Nike+ Run Club.
The apps on the Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT Bolt GPS Bike Computer are powered by Elment Roam. It gives you access to Strva, Best Bike Split, Komoot, Ride, and more.
Great resources unlock better training opportunities. Since the Polar M460has a coaching service, a large community on Polar Flow, and connections to other sports communities, the M460’s software suite has more value.
Winner – Polar M460
Standard Equipment
The Polar M460 GPS Bike Computer and the Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT Bolt GPS Bike Computer are bundled with several items.
There are two configurations for the Polar M460.
If you pick the regular Polar M460 bundle, you’ll get the Polar M460 unit, a quick-start guide, and a charging cable.
The bundle that includes the H10 heart rate sensor costs more. It includes everything in the basic bundle plus the heart rate sensor.
If you buy the Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT Bolt, you’ll get the Bolt unit, a stem mount, an integrated out-front mount, and a quick-start guide.
When you take the Wahoo Bolt out of the box, you can easily attach the unit on a bike using a mount.
The Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT Bolt GPS Bike Computer wins because its include two mounts.
Winner – Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT Bolt
Standout Features
Polar M460
The Polar M460 GPS Bike Computer has dozens of features that can enhance various aspects of a cycling routine. Its best standout features include
- An orthostatic test: The orthostatic test monitors your condition and measures the recovery time. In order to use this feature, you’ll need the Polar H10 heart rate sensor.
- Training features: The Polar M460 training app provides feedback. It will highlight the most effective aspects of your training.
- A smart calories app: The smart calories app counts your calories in a tactical way. It makes calculations based on gender, height, age, weight, and heart rate. It can also measure the intensity of your workout on a bike.
- A recovery status mode: The recovery stats prepare you for your next workout on a bike. If you’re not ready for your next ride, the recovery status app will measure how long you should rest.
- A phone notifications app: Phone notifications keep you connected. Whenever there are new developments during a training routine, the updates will display on a connected smartphone.
- A progress-follow-up app: This app will track your progress on a bike. Then it will create reports and graphs that reflect the data.
- Three bicycle settings: The Polar M460 has three settings for different phases of a workout. Each mode helps you jumpstart your training efforts.
- Sports profiles: The sports profiles expand the unit’s tracking capabilities. Each profile has key features that represent a specific sport. However, all profiles have the same setup; they gather data that reflects endurance levels. There is also an advanced training mode that lets a user track custom data, such as speed and distance.
- Map view: Map view is a GPS feature that displays your training route. If training data is available on the unit while this feature is activated, it will be accessible on the map.
- Training analysis tools: The Polar M460 has two analysis tools. One app gives you instant access to reports immediately after a workout, and the second app compiles long-term data.
Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT Bolt
The standout features of the Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT Bolt include:
- A companion app: The companion app benefits new users. It provides step-by-step instructions that cover the process of customizing a user profile. The app also has steps that break down map updates, firmware updates, and performance data.
- An alert system: You can activate alerts on the Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT Bolt. This feature requires a smartphone.
- A zoom: There are two Zoom buttons on the side of the device. The controls change how the data fields appear on the screen.
- LED indicators: The Quicklook LED indicators have multiple uses. They monitor your speed, heart rate, power, and more.
- A KICKR/SNAP Control: KICKR/Snap is a strategic training solution for bike trainers. When activated, it replicates paths via GPS and generates data based on specific elevation grades.
- Wireless downloads and uploads: Bluetooth, ANT, and Wi-Fi give the Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT Bolt solid wireless capabilities.
- Tactile smart buttons: The tactile smart buttons are easy to use. These buttons are mounted on the front of the unit. When activated, they will toggle to and from different apps.
- A navigation tool: The navigation tool is called Take Me To. It creates routes and provides turn-by-turn directions.
M460 Pros & Cons
M460 Pros
- The battery: The battery supplies power for 16 hours.
- The safety light: During emergencies, the M460’s safety light can illuminate the road or a path.
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth makes the process of connecting the Polar M460 to accessories a breeze.
- Recovery solutions: The recovery solutions will keep you on track during a workout. If you review the data often, you’ll never over train.
M460 Cons
- Price: The price tag is somewhat high.
- No heart rate monitor: A heart rate monitor is sold separately.
Elemnt Bolt Pros & Cons
Elemnt Bolt Pros
- Maps: Many maps are loaded on the device out of the box.
- Design: The aerodynamic design eliminates wind resistance during fast-pace training routines.
- Display: All numbers on the screen are large and easy to see.
- Battery: The battery supplies more than enough power for various workouts.
Elemnt Bolt Cons
- LED problems outdoors: Sunlight can make the process of reading the display a challenge.
- Smartphone features: Some of the features will require a smartphone.
The Verdict
Choose the Polar M460 if…
The Polar M460 GPS Bike Computer may be worth buying for your cycling routines if:
- You need a fitness device that has a sleek design with textured buttons.
- You want to count your calories after each ride.
- You need a fitness device that’s connected to a community of cyclists and coaches.
- You need a fitness tracker that has great safety solutions.
Choose the Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT Bolt if…
The Wahoo Fitness ELEMNT Bolt GPS Bike Computer might be a better fitness tracker if:
- You need an aerodynamic tracker for fast-pace cycling routines.
- You need smart software that can give you quick access to metrics.
- You want to immediately mount a fitness tracker on your bike without spending money on an accessory.
- You need a fitness tracker that provides turn-by-turn directions.
Our Choice
Each product has its own advantages, so either option is worth buying if you’re a cyclist.
However, since motivation fuels success, Polar’s community access is a big selling point for the Polar M460 GPS Bike Computer.
If you ever need advice, feedback, or a game plan, a member of the community can help. Buy your preferred fitness device today and refine your fitness journey.
