I don't trust my chubby fingers as much as I do the 'Zin' machine used at a Retl fit, so I'd advise new users to use bike fit measurements if they have them available. Firstly, the bikes aren't identical - so that'll explain some difference. Shipping Dimensions: 54 x 14 x 35 (1350 x 340 x 880 mm), Resistance Type: Electromagnetic and enhanced motor, Wireless Software Updates: Yes, via the Wahoo Fitness app, Device Compatibility: iOS, Android, PC (Mac and Windows), User Height Range: 5 feet (152 cm) to 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm), Power Requirements: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz, 2.5A Max, Flywheel Weight: 13 lbs plus enhanced motor, Crank Arm Lengths: 165, 167.5, 170, 172.5, and 175. The left set of measurements are based on Retl fit data, the right has been estimated by the Wahoo app from a bike photo. Being female with fairly wide hips, I've always wondered if I'd be better off adjusting my pedal spindle to go wider - but some might like the familiarity on offer here. This year's list contains 78 items which scored a 9 or 10/10 with our tech team - this gear is the best of the best, and has received the Cycling Weekly stamp of approval. You can adjust the gradient via the buttons on top of the shifter. An ANT+ FE-C connection allows the KICKR BIKE to be controlled from any FE-C enabled device or application. Heres why you can trust us. Cycling Weekly is supported by its audience. Resistance and climbing gradient adjustments in ERG mode were quick and effective. We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices. A Wahoo Kickr turbo trainer would set you back 999.99, and a Climb 499 - leaving you 1500 leftover to buy a dedicated turbo bike. Resetting this fixed the issue. Testing options one and two, I got similar but not identical readings. Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access, Enjoy your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. Our simple and intuitive Wahoo Fitness app offers guided instructions on how to set-up the KICKR BIKE and personalize the fit to mirror the geometry of your outdoor bike using 3 options professional fit, measure my bike, and measure my body. Adjust the fit of the KICKR BIKE with easy access quick-release levers across 5 points stack, reach, setback, saddle height, and frame height. Electromagnetic resistance means that adjustments to the motor happen instantly - as opposed to magnets physically moving towards and away from the flywheel to adjust the braking force. The in-built motor meant that if I got off when hooked up to Zwift - on a flat surface of descent - the pedals would keep turning for a few seconds which was a slightly odd thing to see. I had hoped this would allow me to reach max power numbers comparable to those outside, but alas this was not the case - my max indoor power was no different to that achieved on a standard turbo trainer with my bike fitted. ANT+ and Bluetooth capabilities allow it to connect to both smartphones and GPS devices simultaneously or separately. Choose from either professional bike fit measurements, taking a photo to measure your bike, or enter body measurements so you are able to personalize the fit to mirror the exact geometry of your outdoor bike. First I thought it was the unit being uneven on my rickety floorboards. Clearly, I couldn't even dream of exceeding this, but sprinting out the saddle I had a strong and sturdy base to work against. This refers to how accurate the power meter is to itself - so 250 watts on my Wahoo Kickr Bike test unit should read anywhere between 247 and 252 watts at any given time. However, remember that my test unit might well be an ex-show model. That's rather a lot higher than competitors - the Tacx Neo at 2299.99 and the Wattbike Atom - now 1899.99, (in its new model) up from the 10/10 scoring outgoing model at 1599. Given the 2999.99 price tag, this seems like a pretty glaring omission, I'd be shocked if Wahoo didn't add this in the next generation of the product. I could move the bike around quite easily - despite its 42kg heft - thanks to the wheels at the rear of the bike. The top tube is quite wide. Be the first to know about sales, promotions and much more, Unit 6, Stand 517, West WingAmatole CrescentN4 Gateway Industrial ParkWillow Park ManorPretoria, Be the first to review Wahoo KICKR Bike. She is passionate about supporting grassroots women's racing and founded the women's road race team 1904rt. All rights reserved. Typically I found the P2s gave lower readings during endurance efforts, but both were within range of zones set by my coach. The price hike over the competition is quite substantial, those shelling out this much cash will want perfection. The bike offers easy adjustment, to ensure riders can perfectly mimic their bike set-up, as well as gradient adjustments via the in-built Kickr Climb feature (from -15% to +20%) and a realistic ride feel. However, platforms such as Zwift don't yet support braking, so though the Kickr Bike is 'future ready' (in case this feature becomes part of the Zwift racing tactics) you wouldn't want to use them just yet! The Wahoo Kickr Bike was selected for an Editor's Choice award (opens in new tab) in 2020. The KICKR BIKE can also be customized with your own handlebars, pedals, and saddle. The set up process is made possible via the Wahoo app. The KICKR BIKE simulates grade changes in real-time both with changes in resistence and in physically raising and lowering the bike to match ascents of up to 20% and decents of -15%. Doing this locks the system, so it can't be controlled by apps like Zwift. Tacx also uses an electromagnetic system, and Wattbike adopted the tech in its latest Atom. Seven woman teams a possibility at the 2023 Tour de France Femmes, I feel my legs a bit less when I hear the crowd, riders react to the Tour de France crowds, Tour de France Femmes: unmatchable Van Vleuten wins final stage and the overall title, best exercise bikes and smart indoor bikes, 'trueness' (and thus comparison to other power meters), Exclusive interviews, fitness tips and product reviews, Try a single issue or save on a subscription, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. I found my cadence was quicker than when using my own bike attached to a turbo trainer. The bike can adjust to fit riders between 5ft (152cm) and 6ft4 (192cm), so it won't be suitable for a family unit with people outside of that range. I set mine up to mirror Shimano's system and they worked perfectly. The virtual shifting technology of the KICKR BIKE is programmable so you are able to match the exact gear ratios, including the number of speeds and cassette tooth count, and group set from the leading manufacturers SRAM, Shimano, and Campagnolo. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. The display itself is located on the right side of the top tube and shows you what gear you're in, plus percentage gradient as it adjusts. Replicate your outdoor bike down to the exact gearing configuration by selecting the number of speeds and cassette tooth count. The motor itself is extremely quiet - emitting a similar level of hum to a standard turbo trainer. Previous to joining the Cycling Weekly team, Michelle was Editor at Total Women's Cycling. Using KICKRs legendary flywheel technology, the KICKR BIKE creates unparalleled responsiveness and power accuracy of +/- 1%. Connect the KICKR BIKE to any ELEMNT Bike Computer to relive rides or perform planned workouts. I found some of the adjustment levers quite stiff - particularly the reach. The control unit on the KICKR BIKE contains an lock/unlock button, which allows you to turn on and off the physical tilt control of an app while still allowing the app to control the resistence. The Wahoo Kickr Bike is one of the new breed of indoor bikes which set their sights firmly at the dedicated cyclist market. Its robust steel and aluminum construction will withstand the hardest rides even if your legs dont. The ride feel is incredibly natural. During training sessions, I tend to switch ERG mode off, and changing the resistance via the shifters worked well. Our test model arrived ready-built, being a media sample shipped (we assume) from appearance at a show or from testing with another title. Also, those on the smaller end may not be able to enjoy the full range of the downward tilt. KICKR BIKE continuously offers accurate power and doesnt require a calibration procedure. Adjusting the rear feet (a bit like popping a napkin under a chair leg) made no difference. All three use an electromagnetic resistance system and cater for 2200 watts+. For this bike, Wahoo developed its own shifters, and they're seriously neat. I tested the Kickr with my PowerTap P2 pedals fitted. Pulling the brakes makes it much harder to pedal. You can then set up your preferred braking and shifting preference. Get these vital cycling metrics on your indoor ride on the KICKR BIKE without connecting any extra sensors. Rather unfortunately, there's nowhere to place a phone or tablet. As with all Wahoo smart trainers, KICKR BIKE is compatible with the most popular training apps, such as The Sufferfest, Zwift, TrainerRoad and more. Using the 'bike photo' option, you need to mark the position of the centre of the crankset and handlebars via placing a marker on the screen on your phone. For that reason, the lack of device holder and stickiness in some adjustments (on our second hand test model) do need addressing. There's also the comparison to the traditional option to consider. KICKR BIKE offers unprecedented innovations such as integrated grade changes, customizable gearing, and simulated shifting to create the most powerful, personalized, and realistic indoor training experience. The at home exercise bike with seemingly endless adjustability - at a price. Real-time grade changes will match ascents of up to 20% and descents of -15% while allowing you to maintain speed and truly replicate the sensation of riding outdoors. The Kickr bike does however offer you an experience like no other with its custom shifters and the Climb gradient feature. It won't have had the same life as a customer model which has spent its days in a loving home. There was deviation between the two - comparing a 55 minute session recorded on both, the Wahoo average power is 3.9% higher whilst the max power is 3.5% higher on the P2 data. Michelle is on maternity leave from July 8 2022, until April 2023. Michelle Arthurs-Brennan is a traditional journalist by trade, having begun her career working for a local newspaper, where highlights included interviewing a very irate Freddie Star (and an even more irate theatre owner), as well as 'the one about the stolen chickens'. This didn't really bother me or leave any marks - I've had far worse with protruding cables on standard bikes. Crank length can be anything from 165cm to 175. So I can't talk about the build process. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Early on, I did notice some creaking. Cycling Weekly is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The Wahoo Kickr has a promised power meter accuracy range of +/- 1%. This makes sense in a way - if you jump off your bike at 30kph it keeps moving, too. Your email address will not be published. Whilst initially I thought the Climb feature was a bit of a gimmick, ramping up over 15 per cent my body was forced to work as it would out the saddle on a real climb - so I can see a lot of real world crossover here. The specced bars are 40cm (centre to centre) but the shifters do come off as per a normal pair so you could swap these if required. She joined CW as an 'SEO Analyst', but couldn't keep her nose out of journalism and in the spreadsheets, eventually taking on the role of Tech Editor before her latest appointment as Digital Editor. The Kickr bike utilises a 5.9kg electromagnetic flywheel to provide the realistic ride feel. However, for a family with several adult height riders wanting to hop on, the Kickr Bike option starts to make a lot more sense. Whilst we're on the topic, the Q-factor is 150mm - 10mm narrower than the Wattbike Atom, taking it slightly closer to the feel of an average road bike. Adjusting my saddle height to 13cm in the app, a message warned me that I'd only get to -10% on the gradient adjuster. Wahoo told me this was to avoid automatic adjustments resulting in "the cat's tail getting caught in the mechanism." LED display indicates gear selection and grade percentage, so you can get information with just a quick glance during your ride. This was a simple job, completed with an Allen key. Works with popular training apps, including Zwift, The Sufferfest, and TrainerRoad. The balanced, belt driven motor on KICKR BIKE combines years of engineering knowledge to create a virtually silent riding experience. The saddle height discrepancy is greater than it should be, though. The Kickr Bike offers ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity, and I could always find it within the sensors on my Garmin, on Zwift and when making adjustments in the app on my phone. Required fields are marked *. Enter measurements from a bike fit (Retl, Trek Precision or Guru), Take a photo of a bike that fits well and mark out key points. It provides the most realistic ride feel especially when using virtual riding/training platforms like Zwift, The Sufferfest, and TrainerRoad. If you're using a pedal with a longer axle, such as Garmin Vector 3's, you'll need to use a spacer to stop the pedal spindle rubbing the body of the bike. KICKR BIKE has a unique combination of a 13lb flywheel and enhanced motor that offer unrivaled accuracy, responsiveness, and realism while training indoors. KICKR BIKE supports 165, 167.5, 170, 172.5 and 175mm crank lengths, Customize the KICKR BIKE shifting controls to match shifters from the leading manufacturers SRAM, Shimano, and Campagnolo. After several hours of frustration, I finally noted that the standover height lever wasn't adequately clicked into place. Simply submit a request here and we'll get back to you. During the first easy sessions this wasn't an issue, but I did find when really pounding the pedals my thigh would contact it. Robust aluminum and steel construction ensures the KICKR BIKE will withstand years of heavy abuse. KICKR HEADWIND brings innovative climate control to your indoor training experience. Your email address will not be published. Michelle is a road racer who also enjoys track riding and the occasional time trial, though dabbles in off-road riding too (either on a mountain bike, or a 'gravel bike'). The KICKR BIKE flywheel and enhanced motor is an innovative technology that emulates the power and inertia experienced during outdoor riding. Wahoo has built in a reassuring 'clunk' when you shift between gears, which adds to the natural ride feel. The max resistance on offer is 2200 Watts. When connected to your smartphone, tablet or computer, KICKR BIKE automatically sets your resistance via your favorite app or software. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If you would like to get additional information about any of our products, please contact us here. It is possible to use a different seatpost, which is handy if more than one person is using the bike. This means that changes in resistance are much quicker - which is better when mimicking the hills of Zwift as well as reacting during sprint sessions. To set up fit, you can do one of the following - with the options listed in order of expected accuracy: The app then spits out simple instructions which are easy to follow using the ruler markers on the bike. As studies have shown, 'trueness' (and thus comparison to other power meters) is another topic and power meter brands, models and units within one model class will read slightly differently. A combined electromagnetic flywheel and motor allow for quick braking to create a precise feel while shifting and while riding downhill. Pair to your KICKR BIKE and as your speed or heart rate increases, so will the fan speed. I did however need to remove the legs to carry the Kickr up the stairs. Wahoo has priced its bike at 2999.99. The adjustable shifters are excellent, as is the ride quality. Race Director Marion Rousse confirms the organisers ASO are considering other changes for 2023, including the possibility of a time trial, Huge crowds, excellent organisation, a good route and plenty of press attention, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is a huge step for the womens sport, Tour de France Femmes: unmatchable Annemiek van Vleuten wins final stage and the overall title. Customize the KICKR BIKE with your favorite saddle, bars, and pedals to dial in the perfect setup. No other exercise bike offers the gradient adjustments we have here, and this makes indoor cycling both more fun and more realistic, potentially having a greater transfer out on the road. KICKR BIKE is not only a smart bike its a training machine that blurs the line between virtual and reality. Visit our corporate site. Proven power accuracy that provides our most accurate power measurement of +/- 1% and generates up to 2200W. KICKR BIKE seamlessly integrates with other Wahoo products and easily pairs to your ELEMNT GPS bike computer, smartphone, tablet, or PC. With its Kickr Bike, Wahoo has really broken new ground. Before we dive in, it's worth noting that we have a page dedicated to the best exercise bikes and smart indoor bikes (opens in new tab)for home workouts that will allow you to compare all the top models on offer at the moment. I'm still not sure the descent feature has any physiological benefit, but it's good fun. A digital display clearly communicates both gearing and grade so you always know where you are during every stage of the ride. To unlock it - meaning platforms can adjust gradient automatically - simply press the grey button on the outside of the display box for 3 seconds. For more details on which apps are compatible with the KICKR BIKE, download our in-depth KICKR app comparison chart. KICKR BIKE supports up to three simultaneous Bluetooth connections for a trouble-tree start to your workout. The Wahoo Fitness app will guide you through an easy set-up of the five points of adjustability on the KICKR BIKE.