Wahoo Fitness has announced the launch of the Kickr Climb indoor trainer grade simulator which alters your bike’s position to mimic outdoor terrain when you’re using a new Kickr smart trainer.
When paired with the new Kickr and Kickr Snap smart trainers, the Kickr Climb responds to workout and virtual course data in real-time, raising your bike’s fork to match ascents up to 20%, or lowering it to match descents of -10%.
“These real grade changes create a more immersive virtual riding experience while also engaging climbing muscles and improving pedalling technique to enable the rider to become a more efficient and powerful climber,” according to Wahoo.
Check out our Wahoo Elemnt Bolt GPS cycling computer review here.
You can set the Kickr Climb to respond to grade changes from external sources like Zwift, TrainerRoad, or from pre-loaded routes on Wahoo’s Elemnt and Elemnt Bolt GPS computers. You can also lock it so that it only responds to manual commands you give via the remote unit mounted to the handlebar.
The Kickr Climb will work with a a wide range of different hubs including quick-release, 12×100, 15×100, and 15×110 thru-axle.
The Kickr Climb will be available this autumn for £449.99.
We’ll be using the Kickr Climb at Eurobike so keep your eyes on road.cc for our first impressions.
11 thoughts on “Wahoo’s new Kickr Climb simulates hills for indoor training”
Could be interesting
I have a Pro-Form TdF exercise bike and that too is able to ‘mimic’ climbing AND descents.
I see that this can do +20% to -10%.
I always found the descending bit a bit weird.
But… the biggest failure of the system is the clunkyness of it. It isn’t smooth and the speed/rate at which it changes is constant so it tends to start, stop, pause a bit, start again, stop and so on.
The other problem is the sound – you can hear the motor and it spoils it.
I’m not sure if the Wahoo will be better at that but if it is then it will be good. The resistance goes up with the change in angle and you really do get the feeling of clmbing.
Hmmm…
Hmmm…
Makes it ‘more’ realistic, I suppose, but for training…? I guess your seated, Chris Froome spinning climbing style could benefit, but there’s still zero lateral movement, so you’re going to have to get some proper climbing or go nuts on the pilates to get the kind of conditioning needed to be out of your saddle and twiddling around a hairpin. Maybe a tiny step as an improvement, but still a substitute for being outside and riding on actual roads, and one that I’m OK with not jumping all over.
Another thing that grates just slightly, is that I’ve got a Kickr v1, and it does feel a bit like they’re penalising early adopters with innovations that are only compatible with their latest versions. That’s kind of a Garmin move.
Still, I’m looking forward to following their lifestyle guidance and finding an abandoned factory to squat in. The kids’ll be cold in winter but imagine the gear I’ll be able to afford!
davel wrote:
Or maybe just get yourself one of these!
I love the idea of this (even
I love the idea of this (even if its a bit out of my price range as an accessory for the turbo). Climbing on a turbo never really feels like climbing, as without the pitch it doesn’t feel like quite the same muscle engagement.
I really struggle with turbos that lock the bike in place vertically (it’s caused injuries in the past) but absolutely love the Kurt Kinetic Rock and Roll (which allows the bike to sway laterally). If something like this could be combined with the RnR, along with the turntable wheel mount (the the front wheel can turn) then it would be perfect for me.
isn’t there another turbo
isn’t there another turbo that mimics cobbles? Coming soon, one that does both?
Where are the VR goggles to
Where are the VR goggles to go with it? Suppose a variable speed smart fan wouldn’t go amiss to help give the impression of movement.
“Our new accessory lifts the
“Our new accessory lifts the front of the bike, thus allowing you to jump the shark”
Matt_S wrote:
It only goes to 15% ond 30kmh
It only goes to 15% ond 30kmh though zanf, I like to coast 35 up a 15% and then attack as it gets steeper…
What is it with the prices of
What is it with the prices of these home trainers? That’s a £500 add-on to a £500 to £1000 home indoor trainer.. to add to the £10 zwift subscription.. I just feel like a fat kid leaning against an ice cream shop window with no money.. maybe I could start a chairity for vertically challenged, fat, 40yr olds based in the midlands, who’s first name starts with a P, who don’t like getting wet or cold all winter but don’t have the disposable income to play with zwift.
@ROADCC can we have an article comparing various spin bikes for training on please?
A comparison test of makes models verses a ‘mid priced turbo or direct drive trainer pleeeeease?
It’s been tried. It’s
It’s been tried. It’s apparently very nauseating
VR goggles that is. Quote didn’t work