Gear Review - Wahoo Kickr core x zwift

Overview:

The Wahoo Kickr Core and Zwift companion apps are two integrated platforms that allow cyclists and triathletes to train indoors in a meaningful and engaging way. The trainer adjusts resistance automatically to match the terrain in Zwift’s virtual worlds, so climbs, descents, and sprints feel surprisingly real. It’s a simple setup that makes winter training, structured workouts, and group rides from home far more engaging than a typical stationary ride.

The Wahoo Kickr also has compatibility with other software platforms such as:

• ROUVY – an extremely realistic environment using real-world video footage. Special because Ironman courses are among the courses to choose (High).

• FulGaz – immersive rides based on high-resolution real-world cycling videos (Upper Mid).

• MyWhoosh – a free virtual cycling world similar to Zwift (Upper Mid).

• TrainerRoad – which focuses on structured training plans and performance improvement (Mid).

• Wahoo SYSTM – Wahoo’s own training platform with guided workouts and plans (Mid).

This review will focus primarily on Zwift as my efforts have primarily been on Zwift.

Honest Review:

My first comment on Zwift and the Kickr core is about simplicity. Its very simple to set up, load-up the game, find engaging workouts, upload workouts, and disassemble. However, one element that it lacks is the ability to move the trainer. It’s extremely heavy (roughly 40 awkward pounds). Otherwise i find a lot of fun from the online workouts, training plans, and the drip shop is super addicting to me.

At first, I found the drip shop to be very confusing and frustrating as all the things I wanted were locked until levels 20-30. Levels dont come easily but rather through time, course completions, and challenges accomplished. The drip shop and leveling up also allows you to fully outfit your own personal bike and avatar. You earn drips by and level ups by completing levels, events, missions, or obtaining codes. If you’re looking at all the unlockable appearance items for your avatar, these are the main categories of clothing and gear you’ll see in the game:

• Jerseys / Kits

• Shorts / Bib Shorts

• Helmets

• Glasses

• Gloves

• Shoes

• Socks

• Caps / Cycling Hats

I think that Zwift is most beneficial for me because of its accessibility and specific training quirks. When I say accessibility, I really mean access to train. Indiana, where I go to school, has unpredictable winters that last pretty much the entire duration of the school year. Additionally, Indiana springtime is extremely rainy, which forces a lot of training indoors. Safety is also critical, especially for cycling. Using Zwift and a Kickr allows me to remove the risk of being hit by a car, caught in a storm, or catching a flat. This is a luxury that I often don’t think about, but is important to think about when deciding if you want one for yourself.

As for training quirks, the elevation changes force you to use your gearing, which provides a more real-world feel that most stationary trainers don’t have. There’s also no coasting, which forces you to spend more time in aero and press consistent power through the pedals for the entirety of the ride. However, I did find that doing a lot of indoor riding without a helmet can affect a race, as aero helmets are heavy and the neck doesn’t get that pressure on a trainer. I didn’t take this into account and had extreme neck and back pain at Ironman Maryland.

Pro’s vs Cons

Pros:

·       Simple and quick set-up

·       Customizable, pre-planned and group workouts/rides are available

·       Integrated power meter

·       Consistent pedaling required

·       One trainer can be used for multiple bikes with the Zwift Hub

·       Custom avatars, wheels, and bikes

·       Safer that outdoors

·       App can be run with basically any screen

·       Easy to work on nutrition and cycling technique.

Cons:

·       Heavy

·       Kickr Core is a fixed trainer that doesn’t have any movement (takes away some real world feel.

·       Must be plugged into wall power

·       Cassettes from factory can be slightly off (mine has a little instability on the chain)

·       Lose the practice of safely descending

·       Must clean bike more often to prevent rust and salt accumulation (especially the front end)

Stars: 4/5

Should YOU get the Wahoo Kickr Core and Zwift software application?

The short answer to this question is maybe. Now I know what you’re thinking, you thought, “I came to this site to know whether I should get this product or not”. I say maybe though because there’s a few things that you need to take into consideration before spending upwards of $600 dollars on a smart trainer.

1.      How far into my Multisport/triathlon journey am I(Dedication Level)?

·       Are you a beginner looking to do your first tri? Maybe wait a little bit to make sure you’re fully dedicated and your trainer doesn’t just collect dust. I didn’t buy mine until the end of my 4th year.

·       More Intermediate? This, in my opinion is the perfect time to try a smart trainer!

·       Advanced+? Definitely, this can be such a huge and simple way to dial in your cycling dynamics and nutrition!

2.      How will I fit it into my schedule?

·       Do you work 9-5, 12-hour shifts, gig work?

·       If training primarily happens in the dark then the Kickr may be perfect for your

·       Got kids? Set your baby monitor next to your Kickr to allow your partner to sleep and you to train while still taking care of your youngins.

3.      Can I afford to spend $600 dollars?

·       One of the main features of this site is how to save money as a college triathlete. These pieces of equipment rarely ever go on sale which is why I recommend some deliberation and thought before sinking $600 into a cycling product.

·       I recommend starting a separate fund with a certain amount of money that goes in monthly. This can help maintain financial stability while still be a successful athlete.

4.      Where can I train on my Kickr?

·       The Kickr can basically go anywhere with a wall outlet and a space of 7ft x 5ft.

·       My Kickr has spent time in my dorm room as well as the fraternity basement where I created an entire makeshift room to train (on my TikTok).

5.      Will it make me a better athlete?

·       Yes, Indoor training forces you to stay in the aero position, consistently press power, and train on short notice.

·       Curated workouts are fantastic on this website, and I have already made huge progress on my FTP and aerobic base.

·       I do think that it excels in aerobic work more than anaerobic work though. I prefer to keep my more anaerobic intervals outdoors.

6.      What are my other options for indoor bike trainers?

·       Other Wahoo Options: Kickr ($1,049), Kickr Move ($1,350), Kickr Core 2 Zwift ($550), Kickr Rollr ($699)

·       Rollers: Cheap but unstable

·       Garmin Tacx NEO 2T Smart Trainer ($899-950)

·       Elite Direto XR‑T Smart Trainer ($599)

·       Saris H3 Smart Indoor Bike Trainer ($350)

·       Van Rysel D100 Smart Trainer ($299)

Wahoo Kickr Accessories:

·       Kickr Climb ($740) – Hardware that simulates climbs. Simply remove front wheel and attach to Kickr Climb skewer.

·       Kickr Headwind ($320) – Hardware that simulates wind based on rider’s power output. I find this product super cool but not completely necessary, a regular fan is ok

·       Wahoo Kickr Bike Mat ($90) – Also not a necessity but catches sweat from falling on your carpet. Any cycling mat will work!

·       Zwift Cog ($80) – A new product from Zwift that removes the need for a cassette and switches shifting to a small device attached to your handlebars. Some like this more than the cassette option for simplicity and ability to switch between bikes.

·       Rocker Plates ($500-800) – Plates created to help the Kicker get more real life gyroscopic movement. Also not necessary but add to rider feel.

·       Tennis Balls/Stability Balls ($23) – By far the cheapest of accessories. Simply attach them to the feet of the kickr to add more movement to your indoor rides

·       Kickr Adjustable Desk ($230) – Any desk or table will work but this one is specific to kickr and offers a wide array of adjustments.

·       Front Wheel Stabilizer ($10) – Simply a wheel holder to prevent the front wheel from turning during intervals. Can increase stability when pushing big power. I highly suggest getting one of these, they’re cheap.

·       Sweat Catcher ($10-100) – Companies create sweat catchers to prevent your bike rusting and corroding due to sweat accumulation. A simple towel can also work for this.

Final Thoughts:

I recommend the Kickr Core smart trainer and Zwift companion app for intermediate and higher-level triathletes due to its simplicity, gains from training, and accessibility. The Kickr is an expensive but still realistic product that is extremely helpful to college and working triathletes reach their athletic and personal goals. I find it best for my 45–90-minute rides when there’s inclement weather outside. The variations of software and hardware also make individual training set-ups customizable, which is important to me. For more information, please visit the Wahoo and Zwift web pages.