In what could be described as an update that’s both top down and bottom up, Wahoo has launched new versions of both its flagship and entry-level indoor trainers, the KICKR Bike Pro smart bike and the KICKR Core 2 smart trainer. Redesigned for ultimate realism, says Wahoo, the KICKR Bike Pro gets new shifters, premium touchpoints (from Fizik), and ultra-responsive control while the KICKR Core 2, which gets its first update in seven years, now comes with WiFi connectivity, a sensor bridge and new design that makes assembly easier. Users can choose between an 11-speed cassette or the Zwift Cog, included in the price of £499/€549/$549. That’s a price increase of £40 compared with the outgoing version, while the KICKR Bike Pro at £3,499/€3,999/$3,999 goes up by £400.
Wahoo KICKR Bike Pro
The updates to Wahoo’s flagship indoor training product aren’t major. It’s fair to say they’re refinements that are designed to make the experience of what was already an excellent trainer even better. We’ve looked at these in more depth in our separate review of the KICKR Bike Pro. Here’s what’s new:
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More intuitive shifter controls and new handlebar. The KICKR Bike Pro debuts redesigned, more ergonomic shifters that Wahoo says “put total control at your fingertips… inspired by modern virtual cycling trends, the new interface offers a natural, responsive feel and easy access to in-app features on Wahoo SYSTM, Zwift, Rouvy, TrainingPeaks Virtual, MyWhoosh and more, without ever leaving the bars.” Integrated into the hoods, the controls match the industry standard of Zwift Play controllers and new Zwift Click controllers, launched last week. It’s not just the shifters but also the bar itself that has been reworked. Wahoo says it’s specifically designed for indoor riding and for multiple hand positions in and out of the saddle.
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New premium touchpoints: Wahoo has partnered with Fizik for the touchpoints, which it claims introduce notable improvements to rider comfort and feel. A Fizik Aliante R5 saddle comes as standard, and the bar is wrapped with Fizik Solocush bar tape.
The KICKR Bike Pro keeps the same five-point adjustment system (stack, reach, setback, saddle height and frame height) so that it can be set up to mirror the geometry of the user’s outdoor bike and can be used by more than one rider in a household. It also has the same maximum resistance of 2,500 watts, which is more than enough even if you’re an Olympic track sprinter. Gradient simulation (20% max/-15% min) remains; it has +/- 1% power accuracy and virtual shifting can be customised to match that of your outdoor bike’s drivetrain. The pedal holes for different crank lengths are carried over too – there are positions for 165, 167.5, 170, 172.5, or 175mm cranks.
Wahoo KICKR Core 2
The original KICKR Core was launched in 2018 and was designed to bring smart trainer technology to the masses. At that time smart trainers were starting to take over from the wheel-on type and represented a considerable step up not only in performance and power accuracy but also in price. The KICKR Core was arguably the model that made smart trainers accessible.
Seven years on and tech has moved up quite a bit, so the KICKR Core 2 gets a more comprehensive makeover than the KICKR Bike, which was last updated in 2022.
With best-in-class ride feel, integrated cadence, virtual shifting and the perfect balance of performance and value, KICKR Core 2 is the smart choice for riders who want a reliable, immersive training experience at a competitive price, says Wahoo. It was developed to be compatible with Wahoo SYSTM, Zwift, Rouvy, TrainingPeaks Virtual, MyWhoosh and more. On the subject of Zwift, it's worth noting that the Core 2 will come with the Zwift Ride smart bike if you're going with the ready-to-ride option rather than buying the smart bike frame separately. The price of the complete setup reduces by £100 and €100 in the UK and EU, bringing the cost down to £1,099.99 and €1,199,99 respectively. In the US, the cost of shipping has been reduced from $110 to $75.
As with the KICKR Bike Pro, the overall spec is similar – the same maximum resistance of 1,800 watts, accuracy of +/-2%, the same maximum and minimum simulated grades (!6% and -10%). The product weight itself is lower, however (13.6kg compared with 18kg). Here's what's new:
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New shifting options – the KICKR Core 2 comes with Zwift Cog and Click or 11-speed cassette inclusive in price.
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New WiFi connectivity supplies a better connected and significantly more advanced ride experience (the old version supported ANT+, ANT+ FE-C and up to three Bluetooth connections), which increases the unit’s ability to connect across phones, tablets and other devices plus faster data transfer speed than Bluetooth and ANT+.
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New leg design for easier assembly – a flatter leg contour is designed to enable a faster, more stable setup with built-in installation guidance in the form of colour-coded chevron artwork (so that you don’t put the wrong foot on the wrong leg).
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New KICKR Race Mode for “near instantaneous” power response.
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New KICKR sensor bridge streams data from heart rate monitors directly through the trainer to apps, effectively turning the Core 2 into a central sensor gateway that Wahoo says reduces setup friction.
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Multi-colour LEDs provide clearer status for connectivity, ride readiness, and diagnostics.
We have a KICKR Core 2 in for review – we’ll bring you our verdict over the next weeks.
And finally, a quote from Wahoo CEO Gareth Joyce: “We’re incredibly proud to unveil the latest evolution of our indoor training ecosystem with the new KICKR BIKE Pro and KICKR Core 2. Each product reflects our relentless commitment to innovation, pushing performance and precision to new heights. We’re excited to be collaborating with partners like Fizik and Zwift, whose world-class products further enhance the ride experience for our customers and athletes. At Wahoo, our mission is to build the better athlete in all of us, with this new lineup being another step forward in delivering on that commitment”.
Visit Wahoo's website for all the details.
