Wahoo Fitness KICKR Core Smart Trainer, Black

Product Information

You can now pair your new Kickr Core to your trainer platform, your phone, your bike computer and/or your sports watch. It’s easy enough to set up, simply requiring you to attach the legs to the resistance unit with the supplied Allen key. Despite that, we’ve actually included the Kickr Core as our pick from Wahoo’s range – if you want the full smart trainer experience but don’t want to pay top dollar, this is T3’s pick. The cheapest trainer on test, it’s also the lightest and has the lightest flywheel, the claimed accuracy is joint worst at ±3% and the maximum resistance is the lowest at 1,350w. Not only can you set a specific power but there are also options for a level based on grade or simulating specific wind and slope resistance.

KICKR CORE - Wahoo Fitness SA WAHOO - KICKR CORE - Wahoo Fitness SA

For both types of trainer, though, the noise levels tend to increase as your power output and the flywheel speed go up. Always check that your bike is correctly attached to the KICKR, even thru-axles are not guaranteed to fully seat the bike. Wahoo SYSTM takes a comprehensive, science-based approach to training, with a diverse workout library that includes immersive cycling, running and swimming sessions, yoga, bodyweight-based strength training and mental training. With ride testing complete, we then compare the trainer’s power data to an on-bike power meter, to check whether or not the trainer gives accurate readings on a consistent basis.

In testing, we found the trainer to be pleasingly quiet, with excellent ride quality and accurate power numbers to boot. In general, I find wheel-off smart trainers tend to either provide a good road feel or hold tightly to ERG mode, so I started with short, intense, intervals.

Wahoo Kickr Core smart trainer review | Cycling Weekly

At first glance, it looks like a typical wheel-on turbo, but plug the Vortex into the mains and you’ve got a fully-fledged smart trainer, ready to be hooked up to just about any software you like. But if you have to set it up and pack it down before and after every session, then you’ll need to take this into consideration, especially if you can’t fold down the supporting legs of a trainer or it lacks a carry handle.We’ve put the latest smart trainers through their paces to find out what’s really worth spending your money on. If you’re planning on using the Alpe du Zwift for your attempt, then you’re going to fall foul of ‘the rules’, as the maximum gradient there is 14%.

Wahoo KICKR Core Review - Is It Worth it? - Bicycle Guider Wahoo KICKR Core Review - Is It Worth it? - Bicycle Guider

Once you are linked to Zwift or Wahoo SYSTM then that app controls the resistance levels on your bike. It’s let down by the propensity to ‘death-spiral’ when doing interval sessions with large power differentials in erg mode – an issue shared by its big brother, the Direto. It's hard to put a finger on the difference between outside and inside because your brain will always know you are staring at a screen. Direct-drive turbo trainers take the bicycle's rear wheel out of the equation by attaching directly to the drivetrain, hence the name. That inbuilt flex makes the turbo feel a bit of a noodle and really hampered my top-end power output.

It was like pushing through treacle between two and four o’clock on the pedal stroke, but past that it would ease up significantly - almost slipping past - before ramping up again at two o’clock on the other crank arm.

Kickr Core Smart Trainer - road.cc Wahoo Kickr Core Smart Trainer - road.cc

You’ll also need a dedicated space to use it in, as they’re far too big and heavy to put away for storage when not in use.Indoor cycling is getting more and more realistic, and the AXIS feet are a step in the right direction (pun intended). The Flow Smart uses Bluetooth Smart Open and ANT+ FE-C to transmit data, has a magnetic resistance unit and provides cadence, power and speed outputs. But it’s worth pointing out this doesn’t meet the ±2% cut off for the upper echelons of Zwift racing.