Wahoo Fitness KICKR Review

The Wahoo Fitness KICKR is an incredible direct-drive smart bike trainer, scoring top in nearly every testing area. This trainer is for serious athletes who want high control and accuracy while training from home.

Connectivity and Power Accuracy

The latest version of the Wahoo Kickr brings a major connectivity update: Wi-Fi. This is great for users who experience dropouts in-app connections through Bluetooth or ANT+. We found it easy to use, and it made automatic firmware updates even simpler. The Wahoo fitness application is one of the more user-friendly proprietary applications included with the trainers we tested. We had no problems connecting to the mobile application on IOS or Android devices. Connectivity with both TrainerRoad and Zwift is seamless, and it received top marks in this category.

The Kickr's power accuracy is excellent. We recorded readings within one percent of our Favero Assioma DUO power meter pedals during our testing, even during longer efforts. Tire drive trainers showed more variability in power readings and more drift from baseline accuracy during long sessions on the trainer. If power accuracy is important, you cannot go wrong with the Kickr.

Road Feel

The Kickr offers a high-end road feel. During a test simulating stopping from cruising speed, the Kickr took 57 seconds to decelerate from 200 watts. This makes sense with a heavier, traditional flywheel (16 lbs). The Kickr provides a smooth and engaging virtual ride experience, and the latest version has improved the ERG mode.

The Kickr doesn't have the most life-like resistance changes in SIM and ERG modes. The difference is much more pronounced in SIM mode when transitioning onto a steep slope, but even in ERG mode, the Kickr can't quite match the smooth transitional feel of a few other premium models. This is likely a result of the traditional flywheel it uses rather than a virtual one, as some of its competitors utilize. That isn't to say it's bad. There is a noticeable difference between the Kickr and all the tire drive trainers we tested, as it is much smoother. The ERG Easy Ramp feature makes returning to the middle of a workout much less difficult by slowly ramping back up to the desired power setting.

Sharp increases in rider power output tend to send smart trainers into catch-up mode as they try to increase resistance to balance the incoming load. The Kickr does a good job mitigating the “slam on the brakes” feel but isn't perfect.

Design

The Kickr looks heavy and durable because, well, it is. Aesthetically, it's pleasing to look at, although a fully encased machine might be better at protecting the electronic components and resistance unit. It does have the ability to lower the height of the cassette to better match the height of various wheel sizes, which provides a level ride regardless of wheel size.

The Kickr does not come with a front-wheel block. It does come with an 11-speed cassette pre-installed. Pre-installed cassettes are great– if you have a compatible drive train. If not, removing and replacing the pre-installed cassette adds another (simple) step to the setup. If you don't have the tools on hand to do this, you'll need to order them or take it to your local bike shop.

The Kickr is compatible with 130mm and 135mm quick-release rear hub bikes, and it will also work with 142mm through axle frames. Adaptable for both 12 x 142 and 12 x 148 axles with the included adapters.

Setup

The Kickr is one of the highest-scoring smart trainers we tested for setup. It's easy to set-up and maintain. As a result, it earns top marks in this category.

The Kickr requires minimal setup before you can start riding. Setup through the Wahoo app is fast and simple after the trainer is plugged in. If you don't have an 11-speed drivetrain, you'll need to swap that out as well. The legs easily fold out by pulling up on the blue lock pins and snapping into the open position. All that is required to get onto riding is placing your bike on the trainer, which is essentially the same process as putting a wheel on your bike. Depending on your axle setup, you may need to use an adapter before mounting the bike. The steps are simple and well-explained.

Once the initial setup is complete, there is not much ongoing maintenance. The Kickr has an auto-calibration feature, meaning there is no need for monthly calibration. If you have calibration concerns, coasting for a few seconds during your ride will allow the Kickr to auto-calibrate.

Portability

The Kickr is one of the heavier trainers we tested. It also folds into a reasonably compact package that's easy to store or transport in a car. Because of its well-placed handle, it is easy to carry. Our testers found it easier to carry than other heavy trainers and slightly less obtrusive shape when folded. The main downside to the Kickr is its lack of resistance when not connected to power. You can spin on it, but the resistance tops in the 120-watt range.

Should You Buy the Kickr?

Depending on your goals, the Kickr could be a good option. It performed well in most tests, and users liked the road feel and portability. This is one of our favorite trainers, and we'd happily recommend it to a friend. At the same time, the price is significant, especially if you don't need a top-of-the-line trainer. It is also somewhat heavy compared to the competition, which could be a problem if you hope to travel with it or need to move it frequently. However, despite these minor hiccups, we think it is a trainer sure to please.

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