Wahoo KICKR -indoor Smart Bike- V2

I've had this about 3 weeks now, so only a few hundred kms experience, but so far so brilliant. Setup was pretty straightforward (I was using Retul fit measurements) including groupset config. The app/instructions are good.It's very solid kit, very quiet, and takes up slightly less space than my previous Kickr/Climb setup. It's really quiet in operation (flywheel and tilting) - virtually silent - and responsiveness to ERG changes or SIM mode grade changes etc are quick and realistic, as are gear changes (nice simulation of the shift).Only minor downsides so far: the steering buttons inside the hoods are easy to activate unintentionally (I may well disable them); the bartape used is really thin and was actually uncomfortable on a 1.5hr ride yesterday (easily ... MoreI've had this about 3 weeks now, so only a few hundred kms experience, but so far so brilliant. Setup was pretty straightforward (I was using Retul fit measurements) including groupset config. The app/instructions are good.It's very solid kit, very quiet, and takes up slightly less space than my previous Kickr/Climb setup. It's really quiet in operation (flywheel and tilting) - virtually silent - and responsiveness to ERG changes or SIM mode grade changes etc are quick and realistic, as are gear changes (nice simulation of the shift).Only minor downsides so far: the steering buttons inside the hoods are easy to activate unintentionally (I may well disable them); the bartape used is really thin and was actually uncomfortable on a 1.5hr ride yesterday (easily solved, but it's a bit mean on a £3500 machine); and £3500 is a lot of money... but it is a great piece of kit and I'm loving it so far.

A superior experience than using your bike but feels like a beta product

Please don't get me wrong, this is a superior experience than using your bike and a Kickr trainer. However for this price this bike should be perfect.But there are several design flaws which let this down. The seat and bars slipping are easily fixed by using carbon paste, but it's other issues such as the bars rocking side to side no matter how tight. Even with a sweat guard sweat drops into a tray behind the bottom bracket just waiting for rust to start, the bike isn't designed well to allow easy cleaning. The display screen is situated under the bars so when using a towel or sweat guard you can't see it. The shifters are prone to sweat damage as the rubber covers only come down a few mm from the top, these really need to be made longer as often pop off, this ... MorePlease don't get me wrong, this is a superior experience than using your bike and a Kickr trainer. However for this price this bike should be perfect.But there are several design flaws which let this down. The seat and bars slipping are easily fixed by using carbon paste, but it's other issues such as the bars rocking side to side no matter how tight. Even with a sweat guard sweat drops into a tray behind the bottom bracket just waiting for rust to start, the bike isn't designed well to allow easy cleaning. The display screen is situated under the bars so when using a towel or sweat guard you can't see it. The shifters are prone to sweat damage as the rubber covers only come down a few mm from the top, these really need to be made longer as often pop off, this would also prevent sweat entering the shifters. The bars/tape and seat are awful, but I guess these are temporary items so you can have them matching your bike, but the way the shifters are designed make it incredible difficult to change.I don't regret buying the bike, it's a solid ride under effort and the convenience of having a dedicated bike is great, it's quieter than a standard trainer, but I feel like this is a beta product, with many simple issues which should have been picked up and resolved at design stage.My bike came with the wrong size seat post, Wahoo support were great and I had a replacement within a week. I've had other issues with Wahoo products and I have never been let down by their support.As a must plan on also buying a sweat guard, new seat and bar tape.

Best indoor training bike on the market

Wahoo have really nailed the spec on this one. Its not perfect. It took me a while to get my fit right on the bike - and there was alot of measuring my sworks setup against the wahoo but im pretty happy with the results.The noise levels are very low. Its not silent but i workout at 5am to 7am every morning and nobody in my family wakes up - im in the garage under the bedrooms and even with the fan on its silent in the house. The fan is noiser than the wahoo and even its pretty quiet. In fact, one of my cleats was coming loose and causing a small clicking noise which was more noticeable than the noise the wahoo makes!There is a slight rock on the bike when you get out the saddle which ive been told by wahoo is perfectly normal. Its not a problem when you are ... MoreWahoo have really nailed the spec on this one. Its not perfect. It took me a while to get my fit right on the bike - and there was alot of measuring my sworks setup against the wahoo but im pretty happy with the results.The noise levels are very low. Its not silent but i workout at 5am to 7am every morning and nobody in my family wakes up - im in the garage under the bedrooms and even with the fan on its silent in the house. The fan is noiser than the wahoo and even its pretty quiet. In fact, one of my cleats was coming loose and causing a small clicking noise which was more noticeable than the noise the wahoo makes!There is a slight rock on the bike when you get out the saddle which ive been told by wahoo is perfectly normal. Its not a problem when you are seated or hitting a sprint but if you get out the saddle just to move a little you can feel a slight movement. At first i thought it was a loose bolt but its just the tolerance that the motor needs that causes up/down motion.I would recommend getting a cover as well, you can get them on amazon pretty cheap - but as my wahoo is in the garage with the rowing machine i like to try and keep everything in prime condition.Ive been using a Tacx Neo for years so this was a new experience for me - but i just thought i would give it a week or two and see if it worked for me which it does.This is one of the best training investments ive ever made. I dont need to worry about changing chains, or anything else related to the ususal bike mechanics.The gearing options are great and the wahoo app is very intuitive.Go read the DC Rainmaker review for more info but i love this thing. Best fun you can have with bib shorts on....or off...if you like that sort of thing (joke)Enjoy and ride on.

Certified Reconditioned is a Joke!

I will NEVER get “certified reconditioned” anything from Wahoo ever again. I’ve been through 2 reconditioned bikes because the first one I received had problems. Mainly a loud, persistent, ear-piercing ringing noise especially pronounced at 75 rpm. I had to wear earplugs or use noise-canceling headphones to use the bike. I contacted Wahoo Support, and they said this high-pitched ringing sound is an “inherent” noise of the motor and is “normal for the KICKR Bike,” but that they would be happy to provide a “courtesy” replacement. They also told me to be aware the replacement will have the same motor sound I’ve been experiencing. Well, I decided to take that chance and asked for the courtesy replacement. The second bike arrived without a problem, but the bike was ... MoreI will NEVER get “certified reconditioned” anything from Wahoo ever again. I’ve been through 2 reconditioned bikes because the first one I received had problems. Mainly a loud, persistent, ear-piercing ringing noise especially pronounced at 75 rpm. I had to wear earplugs or use noise-canceling headphones to use the bike. I contacted Wahoo Support, and they said this high-pitched ringing sound is an “inherent” noise of the motor and is “normal for the KICKR Bike,” but that they would be happy to provide a “courtesy” replacement. They also told me to be aware the replacement will have the same motor sound I’ve been experiencing. Well, I decided to take that chance and asked for the courtesy replacement. The second bike arrived without a problem, but the bike was FILTHY and looked more like a used item than a reconditioned one (see photos). It appeared that NO effort was made to recondition this second bike, and I contacted Wahoo Support right away. Now I’m waiting and waiting and waiting to hear back. In the meantime, I have no training bike and am very unhappy. I am a long-time Wahoo customer, too, because I like the other products. I own a Wahoo bike computer, heart rate monitor, speed and cadence sensors, and have owned 2 Kickr Cores. The issues I’m having with the KICKR Bikes is making me reconsider purchasing any of their products in the future.

Excellent bike!

I am really enjoying this bike. To be clear, this will not be a long term review as I have only ridden a few times. This is geared more toward people looking to make the purchase and perhaps had the same questions as I did. Firstly, I have deducted one star purely on it's price. 10% of makes it more palatable, but it's a big investment compared to others.The reason I decided to take the plunge was that I had really got into the structure of indoor training. Although mostly outdoors in the summer, this will still get some use. Winter months are where it will shine though. Having moved from a Kickr and also a Kickr climb, this is so much easier. As much as I thought setting the bike on and off wouldn't be that much of a hardship, due to my setup, I was having to do ... MoreI am really enjoying this bike. To be clear, this will not be a long term review as I have only ridden a few times. This is geared more toward people looking to make the purchase and perhaps had the same questions as I did. Firstly, I have deducted one star purely on it's price. 10% of makes it more palatable, but it's a big investment compared to others.The reason I decided to take the plunge was that I had really got into the structure of indoor training. Although mostly outdoors in the summer, this will still get some use. Winter months are where it will shine though. Having moved from a Kickr and also a Kickr climb, this is so much easier. As much as I thought setting the bike on and off wouldn't be that much of a hardship, due to my setup, I was having to do it daily. This is so much better in that regard. My only criticism around the design would be, why the legs cant't fold when not in use, much like the Kickr trainer. Would just make the overall footprint a bit smaller. Ultimately though, not the end of the World.Setting up and building is a breeze. It states it is a 2 person job, it really isn't. Took me just over 15 minutes. On the setting up theme... Getting the correct geometry is very simple via the app. I was initially concerned as my bike fit was a Morphologics, and not listed. This isn't an issue. I just selected one of the others and it then ultimately just gets you to put in your bike fit measurements. Worked perfectly.For anyone on the Garmin ecosystem for logging their rides, this works well too. You can select the bike as a power meter through your device and it will log the power and HR. Speed and distance will not show, but this will still show your performance condition, training load and all the other metrics on Garmin Connect.Riding the bike I have, touch wood, not had any issues so far. I use the Wahoo Systm app, previously Sufferfest, and to seems to work very well. The incline is much smoother than the Kickr Climb and rises from the bottom bracket area and not the forks. Seems more realistic.All in all, I am pretty happy with this impressive bike.

Good but some warnings

Think hard about whether to buy this. Overall I’m glad I did but only because I got it at the £2199 price. Full price and I’d be ‘no way’ because there are just too many defects.Assembly is simple, set up and connection to Zwift is also easy. The problems for me came when I started fitting it and then sitting on it.The fit via the app is a very good starting point but it needs refining. It suggested for me (I’m 182cm) a saddle height of over 15 on the seatpost. Ok, but the post only goes up to 14. I contacted Wahoo and after supplying details of my fit to check what I was saying was true they told me I needed a larger seatpost which they then sent out to me a few days later. That to me is bonkers. I’m not a giant: why not just include a larger seatpost as ... MoreThink hard about whether to buy this. Overall I’m glad I did but only because I got it at the £2199 price. Full price and I’d be ‘no way’ because there are just too many defects.Assembly is simple, set up and connection to Zwift is also easy. The problems for me came when I started fitting it and then sitting on it.The fit via the app is a very good starting point but it needs refining. It suggested for me (I’m 182cm) a saddle height of over 15 on the seatpost. Ok, but the post only goes up to 14. I contacted Wahoo and after supplying details of my fit to check what I was saying was true they told me I needed a larger seatpost which they then sent out to me a few days later. That to me is bonkers. I’m not a giant: why not just include a larger seatpost as standard?As it happens that was not the only thing they had to send me over the first week or two: I’ve now been sent three quick release levers and an Allen bolt fixing — all to try and fasten the seatpost and the handlebars. They keep slipping. This is a well documented problem: it’s a design fault and the fittings are shoddy. You spend a lot of time emailing wahoo support (which is very responsive) trying to implement what are clearly hacks and workarounds. Their latest is to suggest buying some carbon grip paste. Wow.One of the reasons I bought this was so we could easily adjust the fit settings for both my wife and I. There is no way she can open the QR clamps given the force you need to open and close them.So why have I kept it? Because once you get past all this, it is (so far) a great great improvement for me on the smart trainer setup I had before (old entry Tiagra set up bike on an Elite Suito). It takes up less space, the feel is way better; weirdly the pedalling feels smoother as well. The tilt function is great and just adds a little variability to alleviate turbo boredom.People moan about the gear LED display but it’s not a huge issue. But the gears themselves take some mental adjustment and I think this is partly a result of Wahoo setting expectations too high by claiming you can set them up to relocate your outdoor bike. While you can choose whatever group set you like, be warned: those gears do not feel like you’re riding outdoors. The shift from top few sprockets on the cassette into the bigger gears is really noticeable. Whereas before for sprints I may well have shifted into the 13 or 12 sprocket straight away and stayed there, on this and for whatever set up I choose I never move into the smaller sprockets on the Kickr. I hit the same power as before but it feels harder work. You just have to adjust. Wahoo has provided some explanation around gravity and perception for this change versus outdoors and I get that: but why market it so much that the gearing is a replica of outdoors if they know it’s not really?Anyway you get used to it.I’m two weeks in and I think 4 stars is about right, perhaps 3.5.

Great So Far...

Just received the KICKR Bike a few days ago. For me it was exceptionally easy to assemble. Sizing adjustments are easy to make as well. Construction seems very solid. The operation is smooth and quiet. I haven't put in a lot of miles yet so all of the functionality has yet to be tested but it's great so far. The bike itself is fantastic. The only issue I've had is with the Smart Fit Wizard in the Wahoo app. It doesn't seem to want to accurately translate the professional fit numbers I type in. I'm of average height (5' 9") and it told me I needed to put the seat height to 18 or get an extension post. At that height I can't even touch the pedals. Other measurements (stack, reach, etc.) were similarly incorrect. I actually had to use a tape measure and make all the ... MoreJust received the KICKR Bike a few days ago. For me it was exceptionally easy to assemble. Sizing adjustments are easy to make as well. Construction seems very solid. The operation is smooth and quiet. I haven't put in a lot of miles yet so all of the functionality has yet to be tested but it's great so far. The bike itself is fantastic. The only issue I've had is with the Smart Fit Wizard in the Wahoo app. It doesn't seem to want to accurately translate the professional fit numbers I type in. I'm of average height (5' 9") and it told me I needed to put the seat height to 18 or get an extension post. At that height I can't even touch the pedals. Other measurements (stack, reach, etc.) were similarly incorrect. I actually had to use a tape measure and make all the adjustments manually, then save them in my profile. Even called Wahoo support.They were unable to solve the problem. Not sure what the issue is with the app but aside from that one thing, I am completely satisfied with the bike. On a side note, the staff at Wahoo Support were incredibly nice and accommodating (top notch).

Great bike for Zwift that takes up less room than a bike + turbo combo

Excellent dedicated indoor bike trainer for Zwift. Takes up less room than a turbo trainer + bike combo, and means you can keep your bike ready for outdoor rides, if you do those.Relatively easy to set up. I had a bike fit but unfortunately not one supported by Wahoo app, so went down the route of taking a picture of my outdoor bike to get approximate settings, which I have now tweaked.Once set up, connects to Zwift very easily and quickly every time. Fairly quiet in usage apart from a high-pitched whistle from the fly wheel, but still quieter than a bike chain on a turbo trainer, and easily ignored when listening to music.I love the grade simulation - actually physically angling the bike up or down as well as the resistance, according to what's happening in ... MoreExcellent dedicated indoor bike trainer for Zwift. Takes up less room than a turbo trainer + bike combo, and means you can keep your bike ready for outdoor rides, if you do those.Relatively easy to set up. I had a bike fit but unfortunately not one supported by Wahoo app, so went down the route of taking a picture of my outdoor bike to get approximate settings, which I have now tweaked.Once set up, connects to Zwift very easily and quickly every time. Fairly quiet in usage apart from a high-pitched whistle from the fly wheel, but still quieter than a bike chain on a turbo trainer, and easily ignored when listening to music.I love the grade simulation - actually physically angling the bike up or down as well as the resistance, according to what's happening in Zwift. A bit annoying that I have to remember to 'unlock' the grade simulation every time I log in to Zwift, however. Wish it wouldn't keep resetting.Only thing I would like on this bike is the road feel that I used to get from my Tacx Neo. I'm surprised at how much I miss the feel of riding over cobbles or gravel in Zwift – I now realise how much of a physical cue that was to me putting in more effort to keep my speed up as well as making Zwift more immersive.

Helps make indoor riding fun

I have been really pleased with the Kickr bike, took the plunge in the sales when v2 was launched. The climb feature is great, feels more natural than the Kickr climb as it is silent and quicker to react.The customisation of gearing to match your choice of manufacturer and bike setup is brilliant. I swapped out the weapon of torture that is the standard saddle for one of my own, and after a lot of tinkering to closely match the fit of my road bike it now feels like jumping on a regular bike.I’ve used this with wahoo SYSTM workouts and for free rides on Zwift. It reacts pretty well to changes in workout power, the brakes do allow you to slow the flywheel in recovery intervals for example.One feature I like is the steering. I didn’t expect to even use this but ... MoreI have been really pleased with the Kickr bike, took the plunge in the sales when v2 was launched. The climb feature is great, feels more natural than the Kickr climb as it is silent and quicker to react.The customisation of gearing to match your choice of manufacturer and bike setup is brilliant. I swapped out the weapon of torture that is the standard saddle for one of my own, and after a lot of tinkering to closely match the fit of my road bike it now feels like jumping on a regular bike.I’ve used this with wahoo SYSTM workouts and for free rides on Zwift. It reacts pretty well to changes in workout power, the brakes do allow you to slow the flywheel in recovery intervals for example.One feature I like is the steering. I didn’t expect to even use this but found it quite fun in Zwift, it helps drafting and prevents Zwift putting you on the outside of a group then telling you to “close the gap”So, I would highly recommend it if you do a serious amount of indoor training. It’s fun and prevents wear and tear / potential damage to your bike.For balance, it isn’t perfect. My initial order had a hardware issue, where elevation changes in a workout caused sudden dropouts in power. No quibble from Wahoo though, a replacement was arranged and delivered within a week or so.Some of the hardware isn’t great either. The supplied saddle is awful, and the bars / bar tape are pretty poor too. I have replaced the paper thin supplied bar tape with some decent gel tape and it has made a huge difference to comfort.So, not worth the full RRP for me, but at a sale price it has been a great investment

The Kickr encourages me to keep training

I bought this a couple of months ago but only starting using it in January as part of a winter training regime. It is easy to set up, although quite heavy to move. I have read reviews that state it is not quiet when in use and there is a high degree of rocking or instability. I have not found this on either front. Connectivity to other devices is easy although I did have to buy a wahoo heart rate monitor as my old one would not connect.The fact the bike can be easily adjusted in so many ways means you can match it to your bike fit. The App helps determine set up measurements if one does not have bike fit measurements.It is as near as I have seen to riding your own bike on the road, without the phaff of using your own bike itself and taking wheels off etc.the ... MoreI bought this a couple of months ago but only starting using it in January as part of a winter training regime. It is easy to set up, although quite heavy to move. I have read reviews that state it is not quiet when in use and there is a high degree of rocking or instability. I have not found this on either front. Connectivity to other devices is easy although I did have to buy a wahoo heart rate monitor as my old one would not connect.The fact the bike can be easily adjusted in so many ways means you can match it to your bike fit. The App helps determine set up measurements if one does not have bike fit measurements.It is as near as I have seen to riding your own bike on the road, without the phaff of using your own bike itself and taking wheels off etc.the bike moving to match gradient on a training App is a nice novel touch and helps train the body in a more realistic body position set up that mirrors road riding.Very pleased with it and am using it 4 times a week - which is amazing for a self confessed indoor training hater!