Pair a sensor to an ELEMNT BOLT 3

The following article describes the sensor pairing experience for ELEMNT BOLT 3.  

The ELEMNT BOLT 3 is able to pair to almost any Bluetooth or ANT+ sensor to provide additional data including:

  • Speed sensors
  • Cadence sensors
  • Speed/Cadence sensors
  • Heart rate monitors
  • Power meters
  • Electronic Shifters
  • ANT+ Radar sensors
  • Muscle oxygen sensors
  • KICKR smart trainers and trainer accessories
  • Other ANT+ FE-C compatible trainers

Controlling which sensor provides data

ELEMNT computers automatically prioritize data from the first sensor of a given type that connects from the list of currently paired sensors.  This means that you cannot manually select which sensor your computer is using for any given data type (speed, cadence, power), but ensures that you are never without data because the wrong sensor was selected.

The designed benefit is that once you have paired the various sensors on all of your bikes, you can go for a ride without having to select a bike specific profile and not risk missing data.  The minor downside is that in cases where two sensors for a single data type are active (ex power meter and smart trainer), the sensor that you do not wish to connect to must be temporarily unpaired.

Pairing a sensor on the BOLT 3

Your ELEMNT BOLT 3 computer will pair directly with both Bluetooth and ANT+ sensors.  For dual band sensors, the ELEMNT will select the computer's preferred network automatically. 

To pair a sensor:

  1. Ensure the sensor is awake and near the computer.
  2. From the Ready to Ride page that first appears, select the front right Page button twice to access the My Sensors page.  If you have already started a right, select the left side power button to access the Settings menu, then use the Page button.
  3. Select the middle front Pair button.
  4. Use the right side buttons to select the sensor you wish to pair from the list that appears and select Pair.

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  5. If a new sensor has a data type not already present on your pages (cadence, power, electronic shifting) select Yes to add any associated data fields to your computer's pages, or No to keep your current page layout unchanged. You can always modify the page layouts later.
  6. You will then see a pairing success screen. Select Done.
  7. Once paired, (and still awake), the sensor will appear in the saved sensors list. If connected, the sensor will appear in full color, showing battery level as a fuel gauge (or text percentage on the My Sensors page) and displaying any data the sensor is transmitting at that moment, so you can confirm the viability of the connection.  If a sensor is asleep or not in range, it will show as grayed out or disconnected.
    b3-sensors-speedpairedalert-b320.png b3-sensors-connected-b320.png b3-sensors-selected-b320.png
  8. Sensor details and settings (like crank length or calibration for a power meter), can be accessed by using the right side buttons and middle front button to select the sensor.

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Pairing using the Wahoo app

Because the Wahoo app also offers the ability to pair sensors directly to the app when the app is used as an activity recorder (the Record tab), the ELEMNT ACE and ROAM 3 do not support indirect sensor pairing via the Wahoo app.  Once a sensor is paired to an ELEMNT computer, however, sensor info and available settings may be accessed from the Wahoo app > Devices tab > ELEMNT > sensor name. From this screen, you can also change the name of the sensor.

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Troubleshooting

If you're having trouble pairing your sensor, try these steps to ensure it's working properly.

  • Wake or power on your sensor, checking to ensure any lights are on and working properly.
  • Ensure your sensor is fully unpaired with all previous devices and apps (including the Wahoo app and backgrounded apps).
  • Update your sensor's firmware via the Wahoo Fitness app.
  • Replace your sensor's battery.
  • Try pairing the sensor to a different device (ex. directly to your phone with the Wahoo Fitness app instead of the ELEMNT computer) to determine if the problem is with the sensor or the ELEMNT computer.

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