The Who famously stated: Meet the brand new boss, identical because the outdated boss. That may’t be stated in regards to the new Wahoo KICKR v6. It might look a lot the identical because the earlier KICKR Axis (and has lots of the identical specs/options). However the brand new KICKR has WiFi connectivity for quicker, steady information switch, ERG Simple Ramp to easy the transition again to giant wattage intervals from a cease, and a built-in odometer to trace mileage. Right here’s our full assessment.
By now, everybody in all probability is aware of what a wise coach is. Wahoo is without doubt one of the pioneers available in the market, who in truth kicked off the good coach revolution with the introduction of the unique KICKR in 2012 (you’ll be able to learn PEZ’s unique assessment right here). Quick ahead to now and Wahoo has launched it’s latest (sixth era) model of the KICKR (PEZ readers might keep in mind that I reviewed the earlier fifth era KICKR Axis). That together with the KICKR CLIMB and KICKR HEADWIND arrived at PEZ Babylon on the Potomac simply in time to check out previous to the upcoming indoor using season (not less than for many people within the northern hemisphere).
- Most Energy Output: 2200 Watts
- Most Simulated Grade: 20%
- Minimal Simulated Grade: -10%
- Product Weight: 47 lb / 22 kg
- Drivetrain: Belt Drive
- Resistance Sort: Electromagnetic
- Energy Accuracy: +/-1%
- Connectivity: ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, WiFi, Bluetooth, Direct Join
- Cassette: Consists of 11-speed with 11-28 ratio
- Hub Sorts: 130/135mm QR, 12×142, and 12×148 Through Axle
- Adapters: Consists of 130/135mm QR adapter & hub spacer, 12×142/148 adapter & hub spacer, 1.8mm cassette spacer
- Most Rider Weight: 250 lb / 113 kg
As a substitute of your rear wheel, the pulley (1) drives the 16 pound (7.3 kg) flywheel that gives street really feel that’s housed in (2) together with the resistance unit that adjusts the facility load whereas using
What’s new
When you learn my assessment of the KICKR Axis, you’ll notice that the above specs are just about a carbon copy. So by way of precise efficiency, you’ll be able to count on extra of the identical. That’s not a nasty factor as a result of despite the fact that there’s all the time room for enchancment, the KICKR is a good instance of a “don’t repair what ain’t damaged” product.
Which one is the brand new KICKR and which one is the outdated one?
That stated, Wahoo has added a couple of new issues:
The primary is WiFi connectivity, which has a number of advantages:
- Vital will increase in information switch pace and stability vs Bluetooth and ANT+ (Wahoo claims it delivers your on-screen stats over 65% quicker than earlier than, however I’ve no approach to measure or affirm)
- With out the reliance on numerous {hardware} layers, akin to Bluetooth and ANT+ chips, WiFi additionally solves the problems of drop-outs
- WiFi will increase connectivity throughout a number of units, e.g., telephones, tablets and different digital units
- Automated firmware updates
I’ve to confess that I by no means skilled any points with my non-WiFi KICKR Axis using within the solitude of my basement, however for those who experience in a crowded Bluetooth atmosphere (like an condominium constructing the place I’m now dwelling a “double life” splitting my time between Babylon on the Potomac and our home within the South Carolina low nation), you’re extra prone to discover a distinction with WiFi. In fact, it’s nonetheless attainable to lose your WiFi sign and Wahoo has an answer for that if it’s an issue. You should purchase their KICKR Direct Join accent that lets you join on to your router.
Plug the jack into the KICKR and an ethernet twine out of your router into the port for a hardwired connection
The second new factor is ERG Simple Ramp. Not that any of us would cease whereas using up one thing like Alpe du Zwift, Ventop, Innsbruck KOM, or the dreaded Radio Tower Climb in Zwift, however for those who did after which tried to start out again up once more, you’d be beginning underneath the total resistance energy load on the coach of simulated gravity for the incline. As a substitute of instant-on, ERG Simple Ramp “eases” you again as much as the prescribed energy and offers you time (about 10 seconds) to re-build your cadence reasonably than forcing you to place out all these watts directly (like a deadlift solely pedalling). The same state of affairs is that if you must cease in the course of an interval since you forgot your water bottle or to show your fan on — once more, not that any of us would ever do this. In both case, your knees will thanks.
Lastly, the brand new KICKR v6 has a built-in odometer to trace what number of miles you’ve ridden. This actually isn’t for coaching functions. Moderately, it’s that will help you hold observe of what number of miles you could have in your chain and cassette for upkeep functions, i.e., lube, alternative. Understanding what number of miles are in your KICKR may also turn out to be useful for those who ever resolve to promote.
The lifetime odometer is accessed by way of the Wahoo app
What’s within the field?
Clearly, there’s the KICKR itself, which comes pre-assembled with a Sunrace 11-28T 11-speed cassette already put in and the Axis toes (designed to permit the bike to rock and sway when pedaling in order that the sensation is extra like the true expertise of using a motorcycle) already mounted. There are three dimension Axis toes:
- Small – for skinny runts like me (0-140 lbs / 0-63 kg)
- Medium – for the center a part of the bell curve (141-180 lbs / 63-81 kg)
- Massive – for the “fats bastard” crew (181+ lbs / 64+ kg)
Observe: The Wahoo handbook says that the medium dimension Axis toes come pre-installed however my KICKR had the correct dimension for me small ones already on.
Axis toes give the KICKR some left-right rocking motion
After which there’s all the opposite stuff.
Clockwise from far left: Totally different dimension Axis toes, energy brick and rope, thru-axle adapters, XDR adaptor, skewer and QR wheel spacer, disc brake pad spacer, 10-speed cassette spacer
Organising the KICKR
When you experience an “quaint” bike with a QR skewer rear wheel and 11-speed Shimano/SRAM cassette, the KICKR is nice to exit of the field. Arrange is simple peasy: simply set the wheel dimension, unfold the legs out, stage the toes, and mount your bike.
The KICKR isn’t only for die exhausting roadies
Push down on the blue button to unlock and unfold the legs
Voila!
However for my disc brake Colnago V3, I had a pair further steps. First, I swapped out the 11-28T cassette for an 11-30T since that’s what I experience on the street. Not tough and simply as straightforward as altering a cassette on a wheel.
11-30T for this senior citizen
Second, I needed to swap the QR and 130mm rear axle spacers for the 142mm through axle adapters. Pretty straightforward and simple. I’ll let photos do many of the speaking.
Drive facet through axle adapter
Non-drive facet through axle adapter
Don’t overlook to insert the disc brake pad spacer!
Virtually able to experience!
Connecting your KICKR
You want the Wahoo app in your telephone to attach the KICKR for using. Plug the KICKR in and open the app. I’ll let photos do the speaking.
Connecting the KICKR to the Wahoo Health App
Connecting the KICKR to WiFi community
When you’re arrange consists of only a good coach, you’re mainly able to experience. However since I obtained each the KICKR CLIMB and KICKR HEADWIND, I nonetheless had some “work” to do.
KICKR CLIMB – $699.99
For individuals who need as a lot realism as attainable using indoors on Zwift, RGT, or another suitable app that simulates gradient, the KICKR CLIMB will tilt your bike up or right down to match.
Specs per Wahoo:
- Max Incline: 20%
- Appropriate Trainers: Wahoo Good Trainers (KICKR, KICKR CORE, and KICKR SNAP) 2017 Version and newer
- Metrics: Present Grade
- Dimensions: 25.75″ H x 5.1″ W x 7″ L
- Supported Hubs: QR, 12×100, 15×100, 15×110
- Max Consumer Weight: 250lbs // 114 kg
Along with the CLIMB unit, you get an influence brick with energy twine plus an assortment of adapters to mount both a QR or through axle entrance wheel
In case you have a motorcycle with QR skewers, eradicating the entrance wheel and clamping the fork to the CLIMB is a reasonably easy course of (sort of like a wheel change). However when you have through axles, it takes a couple of steps.
Able to climb!
You possibly can manually increase or decrease the CLIMB with the distant, however for the 2 to work in live performance to react to grade adjustments whereas digital using you have to pair the CLIMB with the KICKR.
Maintain the center mode button (inexperienced circle) till the middle LED (pink arrow) flashes quickly. When the middle LED flashes twice slowly and turns into strong, the CLIMB is paired with the KICKR and can obtain gradient adjustments when utilizing suitable apps.
Stage
Full-tilt +20% boogie
Tremendous tuck -10%
KICKR HEADWIND – $299.99
Yeah … I do know … three giant appears a bit extravagant for a fan. However for those who’re simply beginning out with an indoor using arrange, don’t have already got a fan, and really feel like splurging …
The KICKR HEADWIND is a smartfan purpose-built for indoor biking. The focused air movement sample is designed with a bicycle owner’s physique in thoughts. Tech specs, per Wahoo:
- Motor Spec: 120v 60hz
- Dimensions (leg tucked): 16″L x 12″W x 19″H
- Dimensions (leg prolonged): 18″L x 12″W x 19″H
- Weight: 12 lb
- Max Fan Velocity: 30 mph/48 kph
- Wi-fi Software program Updates: Sure
- Connectivity:
- Bluetooth – Pair to telephone to regulate the fan pace by way of app
- ANT+ – Pair to hurry sensor, coronary heart fee monitor, or good coach to regulate fan pace
There are Bluetooth followers you’ll be able to management whereas using that you could purchase on Amazon (and elsewhere), however what makes the HEADWIND totally different is that fan pace may be linked to both coronary heart fee or using pace.
Use the arrow controls to regulate fan pace manually
Or when paired to the center fee monitor (I do know chest strap displays are extra correct, however I exploit the Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL wrist watch) or KICKR, the HEADWIND will modify fan pace both to coronary heart fee or digital using pace
The HEADWIND isn’t meant to be a “quiet” fan, however it isn’t any noisier than most different indoor ground followers. Left: The fan at its lowest pace setting. Proper: The fan at its highest pace setting. (NOTE: These measurements have been taken sitting on the bike so the noise stage you’d hear whereas using).
Using the Wahoo KICKR Ecosystem
Using the KICKR isn’t any totally different than using another good coach. However when you have a KICKER linked to a CLIMB and/or HEADWIND, it is best to use the Wahoo app to ensure they’re all linked earlier than you begin using. And don’t overlook to unlock the CLIMB for it to have the ability to transfer up and down (both manually or in response to incline adjustments).
Push and launch the button (inexperienced) to toggle between locked (pink) and unlocked (yellow)
Journey-wise, the brand new KICKR v6 isn’t totally different than the earlier KICKR Axis. However that’s a very good factor as a result of it rides the way in which you need an indoor good coach to experience. So on the threat of repeating myself;
The experience itself is what you’d count on on a wise coach. The 16 pound flywheel gives glorious experience really feel. The resistance unit adjustments the load (up or down) to a prescribed energy stage or to simulate gradient – and people adjustments are comparatively easy.
One other factor to recollect is that you just don’t want pace, energy, or cadence sensors as a result of the KICKR itself transmits pace and energy information and calculates cadence. Nonetheless, there’s the choice to make use of your bike’s energy meter for energy measurement/management. That is theoretically extra correct, however my expertise with the KICKR v6 was the identical because the KICKR Axis:
How correct is energy and cadence? I can’t confirm Wahoo’s specs. However I can inform you that I’ve a 4iiii Precision left-side crank arm energy meter that calculates energy output from my left leg and easily doubles it for complete energy output. When using The Sufferfest (a bit of extra later), the cadence on The Sufferfest (calculated from the KICKR) and the cadence on my Roam (transmitted from the 4iiii energy meter) have been largely spot on and any variance was nearly all the time inside 1-2 rpms of one another. The variation in energy (after they weren’t the identical) was extra like 3-5 watts, with an occasional wider fluctuation. Variations in energy output could possibly be attributable to totally different energy averaging measurement (my Roam does 3 second averaging and I don’t know for The Sufferfest). For the kind of using I do, shut sufficient for presidency work. They usually’re each both comparatively correct or comparatively inaccurate to kind of the identical diploma. If nothing else, it tells me that I’ve a comparatively balanced pedal stoke.
Observe: I didn’t test variations in energy measurement utilizing my Wahoo POWRLINK ZERO pedals, that are theoretically extra correct than my 4iiii energy meter. However given how shut the 4iiii energy meter was, I didn’t really feel like I actually wanted to. OK … I admit … I used to be simply too lazy to swap pedals between bikes.
What’s totally different is the ERG Simple Ramp. I purposely stopped on among the steeper (7-8% grade) uphill sections using the RGT‘s Pienza route (Wahoo acquired RGT Biking in April 2022 and the digital using app — similar to Zwift — is now a part of the Wahoo X coaching subscription that additionally contains what was The Sufferfest that Wahoo acquired in July 2019). As a substitute of getting to place out xxx watts instantly, the ERG Simple Ramp allowed me to extra simply and easily spin again as much as energy. This can be a welcomed occasion the place digital actuality doesn’t mimic IRL.
The CLIMB provides a distinct dimension to digital using. The transition from stage to up or down is comparatively easy and pretty instantaneous with the simulation you’re using (in my case, RGT). Along with the elevated resistance of climbing, tilting the bike up creates extra of a sensation of climbing. It’s most noticeable when the gradient adjustments, however as soon as I used to be on a climb and if the gradient was regular and never too steep (~5 %), I didn’t all the time really feel the impact of the bike being tilted up, i.e., not stage. (In distinction, I seen and will really feel nearly any down tilt.) I feel this can be a type of artificialities of using indoors on a video simulation. The bike could also be tilting up however the video display screen (in my case, a 60 inch TV) is stationary. In consequence, it’s not the identical as trying up the climb like I might in the true world. However nearer to and above 10 %, I may positively really feel the bodily distinction between the bike being stage and tilted up.
I’ve to confess that I used to be a bit of bit skeptical in regards to the HEADWIND fan. I imply .. a fan is a fan, proper? However it’s a type of #marginalgains. Positioned on the proper place in entrance of my bike, the HEADWIND directed air movement the place I wanted it. If it was a “handbook solely” fan, I might in all probability experience it on the #3 pace. However it’s “good” and for those who’re going to spend that a lot $$$, why use it it “dumb” mode. For me, syncing the fan to using pace didn’t make a lot sense. The place I wished the fan most was when climbing after I wasn’t going very quick. So syncing it to coronary heart fee meant that the fan kicked in additional the tougher I labored (based mostly on coronary heart fee). If I had one product enchancment suggestion, it could be to sync the fan to energy output solely as a result of I feel it’s a greater correlation than coronary heart fee.
Flamme rouge!
Prepared for winter
As I write this, I’m on the brink of head right down to SC for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The climate down there’s temperate sufficient that I’ll nonetheless be capable to experience open air (and I’ve the KICKR ROLLR down there if I’ve to experience indoors). However after I return to Babylon on the Potomac, it is going to be chilly sufficient that my outside using can be restricted to lower than frigid weekends. So like numerous others within the northern hemisphere, I’ll be on the mercy of a wise coach telling me what number of watts to experience. There’s a sado-masochistic a part of me that’s trying ahead to doing that on the brand new KICKR with the CLIMB and HEADWIND.
My life behind bars
When you’re available in the market for a wise coach, the brand new Wahoo KICKR v6 is the evolution of a product with a confirmed observe document that’s been available on the market from the start — so ought to positively be in your procuring radar. However what makes Wahoo totally different than different firms within the good coach enterprise is the ecosystem they’ve constructed for indoor coaching. In case you have the $$$ to splurge, the KICKER CLIMB makes indoor using a bit of extra attention-grabbing and fascinating. And the KICKER HEADWIND places out greater than sufficient windspeed and positively has the “tech” issue going for it. The one factor I didn’t get within the Wahoo ecosystem was the KICKR DESK as a result of I don’t want it since I’m utilizing a big display screen TV for using within the pixels. However you may need to think about it for those who’re utilizing a laptop computer or pill (NOTE: the KICKR HEADWIND is sized to suit underneath the KICKR DESK). Within the courageous new world of distant teleworking, you possibly can rationalize the associated fee by additionally utilizing it as a get up desk.
Full Monty Wahoo
Observe: As that is written, Wahoo is providing a KICKR Okay.O.M. Bundle the place you may get each the KICKR v6 and the KICKER CLIMB for $1,599.99 (that’s a $300 financial savings!). PEZ Sez: Possibly it’s time to go to Santa at your native shopping center!