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Wahoo Kickr Smart Turbo Trainer 2017

9
£999.99

VERDICT:

9
10
Accurate, solid and highly capable and compatible smart trainer
Weight: 
21,000g

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Now in its third generation, the Wahoo Kickr continues to be one of the best direct-mount smart trainers on the market, providing easy resistance control, superb realism, rock-solid stability, massive 2,000 watt capacity, and easy connectivity to a range of apps from Zwift to TrainerRoad. Yes, it's expensive, but as an investment for serious winter indoor training, it doesn't get much better than this.

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The changes to the latest 2017 Kickr are minor, and for the most part it's identical to the second generation version of the Kickr that was launched last year. The main differences are that it's compatible with the new Climb accessory, which the previous two versions are not, increased disc brake clearance, and new thru-axle adapters for both 142x12mm and 148x12mm axles. Compared with the original Kickr, the new model is quieter, more responsive and more realistic.

Get smart

Wahoo was one of the first companies to get its foot in the direct-mount smart trainer market, and its Kickr has been hugely popular. It's a category that has exploded over the past couple of winters and we're seeing a staggering growth in indoor training enthusiasts, especially with a wide range of apps that make indoor training more appealing than the dull old days of turbo sessions.

wahoo kickr-4.jpg

I tested the original Kickr back in 2015 and was highly impressed by its smooth feel, rock-solid stability, and easy connectivity with a variety of apps and training packages. In fact, I liked it so much that I still have it; it's become a regular fixture in my house for winter (and spring and autumn) training sessions when I want to do a targeted workout. You can really get a good hit of exercise inside an hour which makes it great for time-crunched cyclists and is sometimes preferable to riding in the rain/dark/cold if you want a worthwhile training effect.

The Kickr is a direct-mount trainer. That means you have to remove the rear wheel and fit the bike frame directly to the trainer. Apart from having to remove the wheel, direct-mount trainers offer many pros, including: no worn out tyres, smoother pedalling feel because of the large flywheel, great stability, and no need to calibrate the trainer as often as wheel-on trainers. It's easily adjustable to different wheel sizes, too, so there's nothing to stop you fitting a mountain bike or adventure bike, it doesn't have to be a road bike.

wahoo kickr-5.jpg

Setting up

Out of the box, the Kickr comes set up for a quick release rear axle, and an 11-speed cassette is already fitted. It's a doddle to configure the trainer for a disc road bike with a thru-axle. Simply remove the quick release axle, pull out the end caps and replace with the thru-axle compatible endcaps, and use the bike's axle to fix the disc road bike to the trainer. You even get a disc pad spacer to prevent the pads pushing out if you inadvertently pull the rear brake lever during a ride. I mainly used a disc road bike with a 12mm thru-axle during my testing and had no problems whatsoever.

wahoo kickr.jpg

It's no lightweight trainer. The 21kg weight does mean it's a bit of a brute to move around, but the new handle makes it much easier to manhandle than the original. The foldaway feet mean it takes up little space when it's not needed. I pack mine away after every training session but it's only two minutes' work to fold out the legs, whip the rear wheel out of the bike and get it all set up.

wahoo kickr v3-16.jpg

That weight also means it's rock solid when you're doing big efforts, and it's stable enough for riding out of the saddle. Adjustable feet ensure you can level it on uneven floors.

wahoo kickr v3-14.jpg

Wahoo claims a +/- 2% accuracy for the Kickr. My testing against a set of Powertap P1 pedals, which have a claimed +/- 1.5% accuracy, reveals the power data for each device tracks extremely close to each other with no discrepancy to note, during a wide range of power zones. The Kickr has a maximum power output of 2,000W and it can simulate a 20% gradient, which I think is more than enough for most cyclists this side of Sir Chris Hoy.

It's also said to be quieter than the original, by a claimed 14%. And it is to a certain degree. Testing the new Kickr alongside the original, it makes noticeably less noise; it's not the same high pitched whine as the original. It's still not the quietest trainer by any measure, but it's perfectly possible to maintain a conversation over the new Kickr, and someone in the next room can easily watch television without being disturbed and you won't have your neighbours banging on the wall. Once you've got the fan on, and some music playing, both essentials for my indoor training sessions, the sound the Kickr makes really isn't an issue at all.

wahoo kickr-3.jpg

Wahoo has refined the second and third generation trainers and the result is a noticeably smoother pedalling feel to the original. It's also now more responsive to differing resistance levels. That's especially handy if doing interval sessions and increasing and decreasing the power from extreme highs and lows. I noticed this during Zwift workouts: there's a smoother and easy transition from contrasting power zones, and it feels more realistic.

Control the resistance

The heart of the Kickr is an electromagnetic resistance unit with a built-in power meter, and Bluetooth 4.0 and ANT+ connectivity. There are status lights for the connection protocols so you know when it's on and connected. It needs power, so you're limited to setting up the Kickr near a power source. That can have the potential to limit where you can use the trainer. I, for example, can't use it in the garage because there's no electricity, so instead it takes up residence in my conservatory. You can ride it without power but you obviously can't control the resistance or connect it to your favourite app.

wahoo kickr-9.jpg

While the Kickr transmits power via Bluetooth or ANT+, it does not transmit cadence. For that data, you'll need to use the supplied Wahoo RPM2 pod that is easily attached to the cranks of your bike. That's fine if you're using the same bike all the time, but it's a shame it doesn't take cadence from the trainer itself like other products do.

What makes the Kickr such a good trainer is that it is simple to use – watch our unboxing video to see how quickly you can go from box to training – with a solid and professional build quality. It syncs with a phone, tablet or computer really easily, using either an ANT+ dongle or Bluetooth if your phone or computer has it (most do nowadays), and with the cassette already fitted to the trainer, there's no extra expense required.

As a bonus, Wahoo throws in free trials for Sufferfest, Kinomap, Rouvy and TrainerRoad so you can try out some of the best apps to see which one works for your requirements. There's also a free 60-day Strava Premium membership as well. Wahoo's own Fitness app is a free download and if you just want to control and set the resistance for your training, it's more than adequate.

The best thing about a smart trainer compared to traditional turbo trainers is the integration of a power meter and being able to easily control the resistance level. Training with power (as well as heart rate) is the gold standard; you don't need to be a pro to harness the benefits of power, it's well suited to time-crunched cyclists because it basically avoids wasting time by ensuring each training session is productive. You'll need to know your FTP (functional threshold power) before you start on a training plan, but most apps make that easy to do, or you can simply bang out a 20-minute hard-as-you-can-pedal session to determine what your FTP is. From this number, all your power zones can be worked out and most training apps will figure out training sessions based on what your FTP is.

Being able to set the level of resistance of the Kickr via an app is a great appeal of the smart trainer revolution. Want to ride at 200 watts? Set the resistance to 200 watts and pedal away. The free Wahoo Fitness app makes it really easy to do this via the fantastic ERG mode, which lets you punch in any power you want and the trainer will provide the required resistance, leaving you to concentrate on the pedalling.

Conclusion

Has the latest Kickr done enough to deserve your cash? Well, there's a growing choice of smart trainers on the market now, some cheaper and some more pricey, so it's a buyer's market these days compared to when the Kickr first launched. But despite the growing competition, I feel the Kickr is still one of the best smart trainers currently available.

It's solidly built and really stable, is very accurate and reasonably quiet, works seamlessly with a host of apps (and the free Wahoo app is a great place to start), it's accurate and consistent and feels smoother and more realistic than the original, and the 2,000W output is more than enough for most people. The Kickr does it all extremely well.

> Buyer's Guide: 15 of the best indoor trainers and rollers

There's no doubting it's a big investment – you could buy a bike for the same price etc... but the thousands of kilometres I've ridden on the original, and the 500+km I've clocked up on this new one, and the improvement in my fitness as a result of targeted and focused training sessions with fewer junk miles help to ensure it's a justifiable expense.

If you own a V1 Kickr there are many good reasons to upgrade to this V3. If you have the V2 release it's going to be harder to justify upgrading, unless you really want to get your hands on the new Climb accessory, or want better disc brake road bike compatibility.

If you're buying your first smart trainer, be sure to check out the Kickr before you part with your hard-earned.

Verdict

Accurate, solid and highly capable and compatible smart trainer

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: Wahoo Kickr 2017

Size tested: Out of Box: Standard 11 Speed Spacing

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Wahoo says: "Updated in 2017, the Wahoo KICKR indoor bike trainer is more compatible than ever! The KICKR now fully supports 12x142 and 12x148 thru axle spacing making it even easier to fit all of your bikes onto the KICKR. Simply take the rear wheel off your bike and connect to the Wahoo KICKR for accurate power measurement, controlled resistance, open third-party software options, and the smoothest indoor riding on the market. Pain cave, meet your new best friend.

"KICKR indoor trainer's large flywheel uses new algorithms to improve responsiveness and better replicate the sensation of riding on the road. So, whether free-riding or using online platforms like Zwift and Trainer Road, you will have the same experience you feel on your favorite outdoor rides.

"The new KICKR features 12x142 and 12x148 thru axle compatibility in addition to standard 130/135mm quick release. An update to the main mast also ensures clearance for flat mount and disk brake equipped bikes. The KICKR is ready to take on your gravel, mountain, or road bike to make sure you meet your training needs.

"With over 2,000 watts of resistance and impressive durability, you are guaranteed to get the most out of your indoor training. You will never need to worry about pushing the KICKR's limits, only yours.

"A more reliable and accurate power measurement system (+/- 2%) provides a true workout experience, from free-riding to using online platforms like Zwift and TrainerRoad."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Wahoo lists:

NEW! ENHANCED THRU AXLE COMPATIBILITY

NEW! INCREASED DISC BRAKE CLEARANCE

NEW! COMPATIBLE WITH THE KICKR CLIMB (COMING SOON!)

+/- 2% POWER ACCURACY

20% MAXIMUM GRADE

LED INDICATOR LIGHTS

ANT+, BLUETOOTH SMART, AND ANT+ FE-C CONNECTIVITY

PROFESSIONAL GRADE DURABILITY

CONTROLLED RESISTANCE

REALISTIC RIDE FEEL

MEASURES SPEED, DISTANCE, POWER, AND CADENCE

THIRD PARTY APP COMPATIBILITY

THIRD PARTY POWER METER SUPPORT

INCLUDES FREE 60 DAY STRAVA PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP

INCLUDES FREE 30 DAY TRAINERROAD MEMBERSHIP

INCLUDES FREE 60 DAY SUFFERFEST TRAINING CENTRE MEMBERSHIP

INCLUDES FREE 60 DAY KINOMAP TRAINER MEMBERSHIP

INCLUDES FREE 30 DAY ROUVY PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

There's no denying it's expensive, but I would look at it as an alternative to a dedicated winter bike.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Works perfectly every time.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Just works really well, very simple to use and operate, easy connection to a wide host of apps, solid build quality and works well with disc brake road bikes now.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

If you want a super-silent trainer the Kickr isn't the quietest.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

The smart trainer market has exploded since Wahoo launched the original Kickr in 2015, and the updates to the latest 2017 model are small but worthwhile changes that help to ensure it's still one of the best choices.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 31  Height: 180cm  Weight: 67kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, touring, mountain biking

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

Add new comment

12 comments

Avatar
CXR94Di2 | 6 years ago
0 likes

The Snap is smart, just not direct drive, use your rear wheel onto grippy flywheel

Avatar
Scottish Scrutineer | 6 years ago
0 likes

Waiting on ours being delivered from Wiggle.

BTW can Road.cc look at their shopping links? They point at the KICKR Snap, not the Smart version

Avatar
dreamlx10 | 6 years ago
0 likes

£999 You could buy a bike for that !

Avatar
fukawitribe replied to dreamlx10 | 6 years ago
0 likes
dreamlx10 wrote:

£999 You could buy a bike for that !

..but then you'd have two bikes and no trainer..

Avatar
Htc | 6 years ago
0 likes

Just ordered mine for this winter.

Avatar
BarryBianchi | 6 years ago
1 like

I'm going to get one purely and simply because it's well under a grand.

Avatar
CXR94Di2 replied to BarryBianchi | 6 years ago
0 likes
BarryBianchi wrote:

I'm going to get one purely and simply because it's well under a grand.

Wiggle do it for £829 if you're platinum member

Avatar
rjessop | 6 years ago
0 likes

I have a V1 Kickr too, which isn't compatible with Boost 148 thru-axles whereas this new one is. I know, I know, this is a road cycling website but it'd be nice to do a bit of training on my MTB ahead of big off-road rides. Not sure that one feature along with some incremental upgrades is worth a grand though...

Avatar
CXR94Di2 replied to rjessop | 6 years ago
0 likes
rjessop wrote:

I have a V1 Kickr too, which isn't compatible with Boost 148 thru-axles whereas this new one is. I know, I know, this is a road cycling website but it'd be nice to do a bit of training on my MTB ahead of big off-road rides. Not sure that one feature along with some incremental upgrades is worth a grand though...

I understand that for anyone looking to get a new V3 kickr having never owned one.  I would of thought that preparing for any ride is about getting the miles and intensity under your belt whether it be road bike or mtb.  I went out on my mtb this weekend, first time in months, it was great fun, more so that I was able to beat alot of my co riders because of the months of hard cycling I had done before on my road bike, alot of which was on the Kickr

Avatar
davel | 6 years ago
0 likes

Thirded.

I don't see many reasons to 'upgrade' (I think you mean 'replace', Dave) here, and can see 999.99 reasons not to.

Avatar
CXR94Di2 | 6 years ago
4 likes

I have a V1 Kickr. There is no reason to upgrade to V3. A few weeks ago I did a firmware update and it now uses the same method of power reading as the V3. Since you hardly ever move these heavy weight trainers, the new handle isn't a reason to upgrade. My V1 has been bullet proof in performance and I have put probably more than 5000 miles on it over several winters. In fact I use it all year round.

If you're in the market for the best, most reliable direct drive smart turbo trainer get a new Kickr V3

Avatar
wingmanrob replied to CXR94Di2 | 6 years ago
0 likes
CXR94Di2 wrote:

I have a V1 Kickr. There is no reason to upgrade to V3. A few weeks ago I did a firmware update and it now uses the same method of power reading as the V3. Since you hardly ever move these heavy weight trainers, the new handle isn't a reason to upgrade. My V1 has been bullet proof in performance and I have put probably more than 5000 miles on it over several winters. In fact I use it all year round. If you're in the market for the best, most reliable direct drive smart turbo trainer get a new Kickr V3

Seconded. Quite simply the best cycling product I've ever bought.

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