The options for indoor cycling training have never been more plentiful, and for anyone who wants to maintain or improve their cycling fitness in the off-season, Wahoo’s impressively large suite of cycling training products offers pretty much everything you need to become a better cyclist.
We recently reported the news that Wahoo announced some pretty deep price reductions across their line of KICKR cycling trainers – which reminded us just how much training gear the brand makes.
The Wahoo Kickr smart trainer reset the bar for indoor training.
Setting the Bar
As a company that’s been building smart trainers since they were invented (the KICKR was introduced in 2012 and here’s the original PEZ review), Wahoo’s product offerings have expanded to include a large range of trainers (both smart and dumb), accessories to collect and track rider date, set up and refine your indoor training space for maximum efficiency and results, and a range of bike computers and sensors to track and capture all the data you could want to measure your growth as a cyclist.
Consider this list of Wahoo training tools:
- Trainers
- Smart Bikes
- Training Accessories
- Bike Computers
- Pedals
- Sensors
- Watches
- Zwift Partnership
- Wahoo X Training Apps
Contained in that list is literally something for every cyclist looking to improve their fitness with indoor – and outdoor riding.
One way to sort this large array of training devices is for riders at different levels – let’s call them beginners, intermediate, and experts.
Getting Started With Indoor Cycling
Many people perceive Wahoo as the market leader in cycling training, and for good reason. Their original KICKR trainer pretty much set the bar for smart trainers, and was delivered in a slickly designed package along with software that was (at last) easy to use, and designed with the rider in mind.
In the decade that’s followed, they’ve continued to lead the cycling training category by adding new products, improving along the way, and developing what they call the Wahoo “eco-system” that connects the indoor and outdoor ride experience, all designed to make you a better cyclist.
We’ve used and reviewed much of (I’d say most of) this training gear and thought it would be cool to hilight some of our favorite pieces, and how they could help cyclists at any level become better riders. Let’s get started…
Wahoo KICKR wheel-off/direct drive smart trainer
Getting Started With Indoor Cycling
Let’s say you’ve been cycling for a few years, and are ready to up your game by adding a goal of a gran fondo, or week of riding in Europe for next year. You’ve been on some group rides, enough to see that you need to add some structure to your training, and with winter coming, the prospects of riding outdoors are getting as short as the days.
If you don’t already, you’ll want to start by adding a computer to your bike, to help track mileage, meters climbed, time etc. Next, you’re ready to add an indoor trainer so you can keep some cycling fitness going through the winter.
The gear you’ll want to consider could include the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt cycling computer.
Read the full PEZ Review here.
Here’s Chuck’s Elemnt Bolt screen set up.
The amount of data you can track by bike computer these days is immense, and while a lot of riders don’t need a bunch of numbers to quantify how much fun we’re having, I’ve found that a certain amount of data is a good thing and actually enhances my ride.
My top display on my Elemnt Bolt is speed – I just always like knowing how fast I’m going (even if it’s been a few years since I was at my fastest – I still like seeing that number). I like that the Elemnt screens are easily programmable via the Elemnt phone app, so I can choose what I see – so I also set up a personal screen with speed, distance, ride time, temperature, and elevation gained. Wahoo’s computers are also pairable with most other training apps like Strava, so the data my Elemnt captures loads into those apps too.
The other key piece of gear you’ll need is a trainer. Wahoo offers 5 different stand alone trainers to choose from ranging from the entry level KICKR SNAP ($299.99) up to the Kickr Move at $1599 US.
The entry level Kickr Snap offers easy mounting – without the need to remove the rear wheel, and it’s a smart trainer, meaning it works with most of the popular training apps (Zwift, Rouvy, BKool, etc) and allows all the benefits of training with power that we’ve come to love.
It’s a lot like the “turbo” trainers of old except it has brains to connect to training programs and virtual riding.
Besides being less expensive than a wheel-off/direct drive smart trainer, a wheel-on smart trainer is pretty easy and straightforward to use – simply clamp the back of the bike into the trainer and adjust the resistance roller so it contacts the rear tire. If there’s a drawback to any wheel-on trainer, it’s that you’re going to put added wear on your rear tire with regular indoor riding.
For Intermediates
For what I’ll dub “Intermediate” riders, indoor training is now a lot more than just putting your bike on a smart trainer and pedaling. The more you put in the more you’ll get out, and a more dedicated indoor cycling environment can help you get a lot more ourt of your training.
Intermediate level riders will be thinking about taking your training to the next step – like upgrading to a more sophisticated trainer, digging deeper into training apps, and possibly adding another device or two to keep track of all your progress.
The Kickr Core will get you started in the ‘direct drive’ world, but if this isn’t your first trainer, why not just go for the next model up – ?
Direct-drive/wheel-off smart trainers are more accurate, have faster response to changes in watts, offer greater maximum power for riding resistance, can simulate steeper gradients, and put less wear on your bike because the rear wheel interfacing with the trainer is removed from the equation. They’re also more expensive.
Wahoo offers 4 distinct direct drive smart trainers:
- KICKR CORE – $499.99
- KICKER CORE Zwift One – $499.99 (instead of a cassette, the Zwift One uses a single Zwift Cog with virtual shifting that replicates gearing electronically, and comes with a 1-year membership to Zwift)
- KICKR – $1,299.99 (on Sale for $999)
- KICKR MOVE – $1,599.99 (on Sale for $1299)
- (NOTE: Pricing in this article is full retail in USD)
With a direct-drive smart trainer, your chain connects directly to a cassette attached to the other side of the (1) flywheel which provides road feel and (2) the resistance unit adjusts the power load while riding
The PEZ-Crew has spent considerable time with Wahoo’s trainers and you can find our detailed KICKR trainer reviews here:
- Chuck’s review of the latest incarnation (v6) of the venerable KICKR
- Alastair’s review of the KICKR MOVE – Wahoo’s top line direct drive trainer a small amount of movement – fore & aft, and side to side – to simulate a more realistic ride feel.
The top-of-the-line Wahoo KICKR MOVE has fore/aft movement (as well as some side-to-side movement) to provide more road feel and comfort
Now that you’re directly connected to your trainer – the true intermediate rider will be wanting to add a few more layers to the indoor training setup.
For your computer, you’ll want to consider the Elemnt Roam V2 GPS bike computer, we reviewed it here. It features a bigger screen, full color display, and integrates with your phone, GoPro, and the Wahoo X training platform so you can run workouts on your bike. It also has a solid mapping feature to plan, track, and lead rides.
For Hard-Cores: Smart Bikes & More
For anyone lucky / serious / hard core enough to have a dedicated space to create the ultimate indoor training space – usually a garage, basement, or some other version of a “Pain Cave” – then a smart bike is the ultimate training tool.
Read Chuck’s full review of the Kickr Bike Shift here.
One of the most common barriers to trying or maintaining a consistent indoor training program, is the inconvenience of setting your bike onto the trainer. Although it’s not really a hard task it can be annoying enough to kill a training session.
Here’s where a dedicated training bike comes in especially handy the Wahoo Kickr Bike and Kickr Bike Shift look and function like the dedicated spin cycles you’ve seen at any indoor cycling gym.
You set it up once and it’s ready to train anytime you want. Frame sizing is not an issue because the multi-adjustable top tube length, crank arm length, saddle position, handlebar height and stem length make it easy for multiple riders to share.
Another benefit of a smart bike is that you won’t be putting additional wear and tear on your outdoor riding bike.
The creme de la creme of Wahoo’s trainer bike line-up are one of two Wahoo smart bikes:
- KICKR BIKE – $3,999.99
- KICKR BIKE SHIFT – $2,999.99 (my review here)
The major difference between the two is that the KICKR BIKE tilts up and down to simulate physical grade changes in addition to resistance, while the KICKR BIKE SHIFT (pictured below) does not. Otherwise both are fully customizable for fit (including crank arm length), shifting, and gearing to mimic your real bike. And both have ERG Easy Ramp (also on the newest KICKR v6 and KICKR MOVE) that gradually ramps up the power level (about 10 seconds) if you stop pedaling rather than forcing you to put out all those watts at once (like a deadlift only pedaling).
Full Monty smart bike
But what self-respecting hard core cyclist would stop at the smart bike? By now it’s time go all in, and Wahoo’s line of accessories could feel like sitting down at the high rollers table…
Simulating Gradient
While we’re talking about shifting angles to simulate climbs and descents, Wahoo also offers a less expensive option to tilt your bike up and down for a more immersive virtual riding experience: the KICKR CLIMB that can be paired with their KICKR trainers. The KICKR CLIMB (my overview here) is a relatively unique product.
Level
Full-tilt +20% boogie
Super tuck -10%
Keep Your Cool
Obviously, indoor riding means riding at whatever temperature it is inside your house. That’s why a garage or cool basement is often a good location for riding. But regardless of the room temperature you’re training in, there’s gonna be sweat.
Wahoo smartly introduced this trainer-specific Kickr Headwind Fan a couple of years back and it’s one piece of gear that really makes those indoor training sessions a lot more bearable. And if your imagination allows it – the actual breeze in your face adds a certain amount of realism to the session.
KICKR HEADWIND fan
Even if you have the option of a cooler location for indoor riding, you’ll still need a fan both for cooling and to help evaporate sweat. The two main considerations for any fan:
- How much air it can move
- How quiet it is
If you don’t already have a fan and feel like splurging, the KICKR HEADWIND is a smart fan purpose-built for indoor cycling. When paired to the Wahoo app on your phone, you can control the fan speed remotely via Bluetooth, and link it to either heart rate or riding speed.
The HEADWIND isn’t intended to be a “quiet” fan, but it isn’t any noisier than most other indoor floor fans. Left: The fan at its lowest speed setting. Right: The fan at its highest speed setting. (NOTE: These measurements were taken sitting on the bike so the noise level you would hear while riding).
What About Rollers?
While many riders consider rollers as truly ‘old school’, modern technology has brought the free-flowing realism of roller trainers into the 21st century with the addition of variable resistance. The Wahoo KICKR ROLLR eliminates another roller issue for some riders, the whole “balance on your own” thing, by adding an upright brace to secure the front of the bike. And not having to remove a wheel makes this a pretty easy trainer to mount a bike to and start training.
Ready to roll(er)!
Read our full KICKR ROLLR review here – $599.99. One other difference here, is that to accurately model power and resistance, you have to pair an on-bike power meter to the KICKR ROLLR. In our case, Chuck paired the Wahoo POWRLINK ZERO power meter pedals, but any ANT+ power meter will work.
The POWRLINK Zero pedals add on-bike power measurement to a suite of cycling training tools that sets the bar of the smart trainer/ bike computer / data capture and usage sphere for serious cyclists.
Accessorizing Your Smart Trainer
It’s always a good idea to put a slip-resistant mat under your trainer/bike for indoor riding — such as Wahoo’s KICKR Floormat ($79.99). In addition to keeping you in place, it will also help protect your floor/carpet from sweat. And if you’re riding room is on an upper floor in your house (or you live in an apartment), it well help reduce noise below.
Heart Rate Monitor
Remember when heart rate monitors were state of the art for gauging your riding effort? Heart rate has since been replaced by watts, but knowing what your heart is doing is better for your health – and still a key training tool.
Chest strap heart rate monitors are the most accurate because they use electrical detection and measure your heart rate directly. In that category, Wahoo offers TRACKR heart rate monitor ($89.99) — read Alastair’s review here. If you prefer to not wear a chest strap, there’s the Wahoo TICKR FIT arm band optical heart rate monitor ($79.99) that measures your pulse.
For full-on data junkies, you’ll want to look at the Wahoo Rival Elemnt Watch…
As Chuck observed in his review:
Essentially, the ELEMNT RIVAL can be the equivalent of a cycling computer on your wrist. With built-in GPS, it can record speed and distance on any bike ride without a bike computer or having to use Strava on your phone. Want to record that bike share ride? On a vacation and rented some bikes for rides with your family? Taking a friend’s bike out for a test ride? No problem.
How accurate is the RIVAL as a heart rate monitor? Chuck tested his like this:
I can say that when riding The Sufferfest or Zwift using my TICKR heart rate monitor connected to the app, the heart rate readout on my RIVAL is usually within a few beats per minute of the TICKR’s numbers (but I’ve seen occasional deviations as much as 10 beats per minute). So not perfectly spot on, but pretty close.
Just when you think you have it all… a lot of riders will find it handy to have a dedicated table to set up a laptop, or small tv monitor – and the Wahoo KICKR Desk is purpose built for you. It’s got built in wheels to roll easily into place, adjusts for height, and can double as a stand up desk – what else do you need?
Riding the Wahoo SYSTM
Like most riders serious about maintaining fitness in the off-season, we use a variety of training apps for own personal plans – including the three Wahoo SYSTM training apps.
- The Wahoo has an app to control their trainers,
- Elemnt app to control their computers
- Wahoo SYSTM X – Workouts, training plans, and more
Wahoo X is Wahoo’s membership program ($14.99 per month or $149 annually) for Wahoo SYSTM that offers a complete training solution for cyclists. Wahoo SYSTM provides a comprehensive collection of structured workouts and training plans, tailored towards your fitness objectives. Some of the riding on SYSTM that we like:
- A 1 hour 45 minute base miles ride watching the iconic movie A Sunday in Hell
- Pretty much any ride on location in Europe with Michael Cotty
- Blender (Mini Version) that’s almost an hour of sustained high efforts plus micro-intervals
PEZ-Man Leslie Reissner reviewed both the SYSTM app and the riding “on location” features with SYSTM.
For anyone really serious about their training, Wahoo SYSTM uses Four-Dimensional Power® (4DP®) incorporating four key performance metrics:
- Neuromuscular Power (NM) represents a combination of your raw sprint power and muscular coordination
- Anaerobic Capacity (AC) represents your ability to deliver short, high-intensity efforts as well as your ability to recover from hard effort
- Maximal Aerobic Power (MAP) id your upper ceiling for aerobic power production, a key predictor of endurance performance
- Functional Threshold Power (FTP) is what most people are more familiar with — traditionally calculated as 95% of your peak 20-minute power
Wahoo SYSTM has two fitness assessments you can subject yourself to to get your numbers: Full Frontal and Half Monty.
Chuck Sez: I can tell you from personal experience that I started as a skeptic but have been convinced — in large part thanks to having Wahoo at my disposal and learning to be a slave to watts. At a minimum, I’ve been able to maintain my end of season fitness and start spring riding with a healthy base rather than having to build a base starting in the spring. When I’ve been motivated enough to put in the required effort, e.g., regularly incorporating a max effort ride like Wahoo SYSTM X’s Blender (Mini Version) into my riding routine, I’ve actually increased my riding fitness over the winter.
Chuck Sez: The micro-intervals aka “pain shakes” at the end of Wahoo’s SYSTM Blender (Mini Version) almost always result in an increase in my FTP (dotted red line).
Create a Total Cycling Environment
By now, you’ve probably figured out that indoor cycling is more than just putting your bike on a trainer and pedaling away.
To get the most out of his indoor riding, Chuck’s created a total riding environment using much of the Wahoo ecosystem. Can you say #wahooligan? All the parts and details matter to make indoor riding more fun and productive. The proof is that Wahoo really has created an ecosystem connecting indoor and outdoor cycling, which offers almost everything you need to maintain or improve your cycling fitness.
Chuck’s old apartment living room / pain cave
But it’s more than all the equipment, it’s also the setting for your indoor riding. Yes, you have to make do with whatever available space you have — but the more comfortable you can make your surroundings, the more enjoyable it will be pedaling to nowhere.
Chuck’s current set up in the Carolina room at his new house.
Make Yourself a Better Rider
The benefits of using a cycling trainer have long been documented and now instilled as part of any serious cyclists’ training regime. Personally I notice how much my spin improves after a series of sessions on the indoor trainer – the improvement in my technique and fluidity are definitely noticeable on the road. I’ve used it throughout the winter months for years to both stay dry from November through Feb/March, but also to hone my pedalling technique with efficient workouts and fixed place spinning I could never replicate on a real road.
At 3500 words – this has been a pretty long look at some of the Wahoo training gear, but the fact that we still haven’t talked about everything they offer is testament to how deep their line of cycling training products really is.
For beginners looking for their first computer and indoor trainer, to the hardcores who choose a dedicated smart bike, power pedals, fan, sensors and more – Wahoo has placed themselves in a class as the only brand to offer a complete suite of indoor and outdoor training gear to equip you to be a better cyclist.
And as we lean fully into indoor training season, Wahoo announced some pretty deep price reductions across their line of KICKR cycling trainers, so now’s a good time to consider investing in your self for a better riding season next year.
And if you buy anything from Wahoo using the links in this article, PEZ will receive a small commission, which will go towards keeping this site running.
Thanks for reading and thank for your support –
– Richard
Note: If you have other experiences with gear or something to add, drop us a line. We don’t claim to know everything (we just imply it at times). Give us a pat on the back if you like the reviews or a slap in the head if you feel the need!
PezCycling News and the author ask that you contact the manufacturers before using any products you see here. Only the manufacturer can provide accurate and complete information on proper/safe use, handling, maintenance, and or installation of products as well as any conditional information or product limitations.
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