Wahoo’s Latest Indoor Upgrades
A Kickr update, a new Core, and the final pain cave upgrade, the Headwind. Who needs outside?
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
It’s hard to believe Wahoo started with a little dongle – still the most unfortunate name in cycling – that allowed your smartphone to talk to your ANT+ sensors. Now it’s among the industry leaders in indoor training, creating products to provide the ultimate indoor training experience in conjunction with online platforms like Zwift and TrainerRoad. With updates to the Kickr and Kickr Snap smart trainers as well as the introduction of a new direct drive smart trainer called the Core, the Kickr Climb slope simulator and a new fan called the Wahoo Kickr Headwind, Wahoo really wants to distract you from the fact that you are inside, staring at your garage wall.
PELOTON
2018 Kickr
The big news here is noise reduction, and the original Kickr direct drive smart trainer wasn’t loud to begin with. Wahoo calls it ‘virtually silent’ due to reductions in volume and pitch levels. The fly wheel is new too, a larger diameter, for better responsiveness to your efforts as well as increased power output – up to 2200 watts. “Didn’t it just suck that the old Kickr couldn’t keep up with those 2200watt peak power efforts we all do!”, said no one ever. It’s also compatible with Wahoo’s Kickr Climb smart slope simulator ($600) launched last year at Eurobike, thanks to rotating QR and through axle adaptability. You can read about the Kickr Climb here. $1200
2018 Kickr Core
The new Kickr Core takes Wahoo’s Kickr flywheel technology and puts it into a (slightly) more wallet friendly direct drive smart trainer. It provides the good responsiveness and accurate power numbers the Kickr is known for with a compact design. It’s also compatible with the Climb slope simulator. $900
RELATED: Check out Wahoo’s aero Elemnt Bolt GPS Unit.
2018 Kickr Headwind Smart Fan
Toss that crappy box fan on the trash heap, the new Wahoo Kickr Headwind is tailor made for trainer time. It connects to heart rate monitors, smart trainers and speed sensors, adjusting the wind you feel just like on the road. But keep in mind it can only simulate up to 30mph, so when you do those 2200watt efforts on your Kickr, it won’t keep up! The funnel of air has been channeled directly at the cyclist, so no breeze is wasted. It also has four speed manual control if you don’t want the breeze to be so smart. $250
There seems little doubt that Wahoo – with some help from a laptop and a virtual training platform – can claim the throne of the most immersive indoor cycling experience, but it won’t come cheap. A Wahoo Kickr Smart Trainer, Wahoo Kickr Climb and Wahoo Kickr Headwind will cost a stout $2050, that’s assuming you already have the other hardware necessary. Some will call that price tag ludicrous, but maybe just until they get beaten handily at the first race of the season. There is no offseason anymore . . . is that the blessing of the smart trainer or the curse?
For more head to wahoofitness.com