Wahoo has announced the sixth generation of its flagship smart trainer, Kickr, and the second iteration of the Kickr Bike, the brand’s smart indoor bike.
Despite using form factors that are virtually identical to previous models – the Wahoo Kickr V5 Smart Trainer and the original Wahoo Kickr Bike – Wahoo has added WiFi connectivity to both models, as well as a number of other enhancements.
Additionally, the price of each model has dropped slightly to £1,099.99 / €1,299.99 / $1,299.99 for the new Kickr Smart Trainer and £3,499.99 / €3,999.99 / $3,999.99 for the new Kickr Bike gone up.
Wahoo for WiFi
According to Wahoo, adding a 2.4GHz WiFi connection offers significantly higher data transfer speeds and stability compared to Bluetooth or ANT+ (the two wireless data transfer protocols used by most smart bike devices).
Wahoo even goes so far as to claim that this “helps resolve most drop-out issues and returns your on-screen stats over 65 percent faster than before.”
Given the high-end status of Kickr and Kickr Bike, this feature is likely aimed at serious esports racers for whom a slow connection or data drop could be a competitive disadvantage.
According to Wahoo, this makes the new Kickr the only smart trainer to support WiFi, although the rest of the industry is likely to follow suit.
Wahoo says it also allows both devices to automatically update their firmware when needed when connected to a WiFi network.
In addition to WiFi, the new Kickr Bike gets a Direct Connect port, which allows the bike to be connected directly to a computer or smart device via an Ethernet cable.
As with the previous model, the new Kickr can be connected to the internet via an Ethernet cable using the Kickr Direct Connect dongle (sold separately).
ERG Easy Ramp and Odometer
Another new feature added to both devices is ERG Easy Ramp.
According to Wahoo, this makes it easier to transition back into an interval if you need to stop during an ERG mode workout for some reason (maybe you forgot to turn on your fan, for example).
Rather than requiring you to immediately return to target power, ERG Easy Ramp rebuilds intensity over a 10-second period.
Both the new Kickr and Kickr Bike now have a built-in odometer so you can keep track of exactly how much you’ve ridden each bike.
According to Wahoo, this can be useful for keeping track of chain and cassette wear and — like the odometer in a car — showing a potential buyer in the used market how much use a trainer has been.
The maximum power output of the new Wahoo Kickr Bike has also been increased from 2,200 watts in the previous version to 2,500 watts.
Wahoo says this is part of a series of “under the hood” changes to the Kickr bike that will also make it slightly quieter.
A Decade of Kickr
Those with sharp memories may be familiar with the first generation Wahoo Kickr, which was released around this time 10 years ago.
While the form factor of the original Kickr is very similar to that of the latest version, the software and competitive landscape has changed significantly over the past few years.
Wahoo has recently built an impressive portfolio of software offerings to complement its hardware, like Wahoo SYSTM and Wahoo RGT, but arguably the biggest shock came in the form of Zwift – the massively multiplayer online cycling (and running) game that launched in 2014.
Accelerated by the various lockdowns imposed by many nations in recent years in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, interest and participation in interactive indoor cycling has boomed.
That explosive growth is likely to slow down from there, but Wahoo is still optimistic about further opportunities in this space.
Tyler Harris, Product Manager at Wahoo, says we haven’t reached a plateau with smart trainer technology and there’s more innovation to come.
The addition of WiFi, in particular, opens up new avenues for brands like Wahoo to implement additional functionality, Harris says. However, he would not cite the specifics of what those might be or when we might expect them.
In response to a question about the recent launch of the Zwift Hub (an affordable entry-level direct-drive smart trainer), Harris says Wahoo sees the potential for “growing the pie” as a benefit for everyone in the industry. even if it means a new competitor in the hardware space.
Wahoo Kickr V6 and Kickr Bike V2 availability, specs, and pricing
The sixth generation Wahoo Kickr Smart Trainer is available now, while the second generation Wahoo Kickr Bike will be available in October.
As with previous generation models, the new Kickr comes with a pre-installed Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo compatible 11 speed, 11 to 28 tooth cassette.
Both devices are fully compatible with Wahoo’s range of indoor cycling apps such as the Wahoo SYSTM and Wahoo RGT, as well as third-party apps such as Zwift and Rouvy.
Wahoo Kickr V6
- Price: £1,099.99 / €1,299.99 / $1,299.99
- Maximum Performance: 2,200 watts
- Claimed Performance Accuracy: +/- 1 percent
- Maximum simulated incline: + 20 percent
- flywheel weight: 7.3kg
- Connectivity: WLAN, Bluetooth or ANT+
Wahoo Kickr Bike V2
- Price: £3,499.99 / €3,999.99 / $3,999.99
- Maximum Performance: 2,500 watts
- Claimed Performance Accuracy: +/- 1 percent
- Maximum simulated incline: + 20 percent / – 15 percent
- flywheel weight: 5.9 kg plus improved motor
- Connectivity: WLAN, Bluetooth or ANT+
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