Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL – new multisport watch with automatic time recording for triathletes
ELEMNT RIVAL is the first sport GPS device to innovate the way race data follows an athlete through the stages of a multi-sport event. This proprietary Touchless Transition technology, developed for RIVAL, allows users to seamlessly transition from swim to ride to run without touching their watch. As a part of the Wahoo ecosystem, RIVAL’s Multisport Handover mode allows it to interact with ELEMNT GPS cycling computers to transition race data from the watch to a handlebar-mounted computer during the bike leg of a multi-sport activity such as a triathlon, ensuring that race data is always easy to see, easy to follow, and captured correctly so athletes can focus on their race.
RIVAL incorporates several class-leading features including a ceramic bezel and
an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the backlight. Other must-have
features include a battery that lasts 14 days in watch mode or 24 hours in GPS mode, a barometric altimeter, an optical heart rate sensor, and live tracking. Wahoo’s first entry into the watch category uses the same easy-to-set up, easy-to-use platform and mobile app as Wahoo’s ELEMNT GPS cycling computers.
RIVAL tracks all standard run, bike, and swim metrics and can also track advanced running dynamics when paired with the Wahoo TICKRx heart rate monitor. Following workouts, data is available in the Wahoo companion app and can be automatically uploaded to third-party platforms like TrainingPeaks and Strava. RIVAL also connects with ANT+ and Bluetooth sensors and can control Wahoo KICKR smart trainers.
The Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL looks like a promising start into the world of sports watches. For triathletes, the automatic transition between the disciplines may already be sufficient to purchase the watch for € 379. We are also curious to learn how the watch connects to our Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM and whether it can be set up just as smoothly via the Companion app. Our first test will show it.
More information at: wahoofitness.com
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Words: Rudolf Fischer Photos: Wahoo
About the Author
Rudolf Fischer
In his previous life Rudolf was a dab hand at promoting innovation, putting his brain behind big-ticket patent assessments that easily ran into six-or-seven-plus figures. These days, the self-confessed data nerd’s role as editor at DOWNTOWN and E-MOUNTAINBIKE is no less exciting. Given his specialism in connectivity, Rudolf’s often placed on the front line of future mobility conversations, but he’s also big into testing new bikes–both on the daily as a committed commuter and intensively for our group tests. The business economist graduate is as versatile as a Swiss penknife, and that’s no hyperbole. Away from two wheels, his background in parkour means he’s a master of front, side and backflips, plus he speaks German, English, French, Russian and a touch of Esperanto. Japanese remains woefully unmastered, despite his best home-learning attempts. Good to know: Rudolf’s sharp tongue has made him a figure of fear in the office, where he’s got a reputation for flexing a dry wittiness à la Ricky Gervais... interestingly, he's usually the one laughing hardest.
