Well, I get home from work today, and guess what is waiting for me on the porch? The Wahoo Kickr that I ordered in November! A cycling trainer just in time for Spring. Woot?
Timing aside, I am stoked to get it. The thing is gorgeous. It is really heavy and seems very well put together. The cool thing is no little buttons or lights or controls of any kind. Just a little jack under the frame for the power cord. No other wires, cords or sensors of any kind.
I plugged it in and my phone just had it. Bingo. Easy!
Like Dino, I was an early adopter and received mine on Friday. I've done a 2 hour ride yesterday and a 1 hour easy ride today. Initial feedback:
-night-and-day vs. my kinetic trainer. So much better feel. Actually feels like riding outdoors.
-today, I watched some Mt Lemmon climbing video (in honor of the camp I couldn't attend), and set the device to 4.5% grade for the hour's ride. Felt just like riding Lemmon last year.
-overall, very easy to use. Had some issues calibrating (had to use the Wahoo analysis app, but could be because I'm in iOS 5 not 6), but it paired quickly. This morning, had a hard time pairing, just unplugged and plugged back in and it was good to go.
-big fan of erg mode. big fan.
-eagerly waiting for the strava segments app. that's going to be awesome. I really need someone to go out and ride the AmZof loop and make a strava segment for me.
-overall, initial impression is that I frickin' love this thing. Total game change vs. the KK trainer I've had for 6 years. I've ridden many computrainers, and also find them fun, not sure how I'd compare the two yet, since the app ecosystem isn't well developed for the KICKR yet. I probably wouldn't sell a CT just yet, but I'd keep an eye on the market.
I would agree with Mike. I have not ridden it yet for length of time. But, its pretty exciting to play with. I am using iPhone 5 and it has connected and worked like a charm whenever I walk into my pain cave/ office. I am using both the Wahoo Fitness app and the Wahoo Utility. I had some trouble with Trainer Road that was maing me hot under the collar, but it was my fault! TR was not looking for the unit. I thought it might be Bluetooth 4 issue with my Mac, but it was TR. Once I updated the TR software, the thing worked like a charm.
You'll need the Wahoo Fitness app to ride, and the Wahoo utility to calibrate (though there is an option inside the fitness app, I had to use the utility app).
That will let you ride in slope mode (like a regular trainer but with better road feel), erg mode (target watts regardless of gearing), or simulation mode (plug in a percent grade and go for a ride).
other options include kinomap or trainerroad on a mac laptop, or imobileintervals for pre-programmed intervals. I've downloaded iMi, but haven't tried it yet.
If you are gonna use TrainerRoad on a Mac, make sure you have the latest version of TR or you will go insane! Once I updated my TR, it was stupid easy!
Did a three hour ride on the KICKR last night. Worked great. The first ride on Thursday saw a 5-7% difference between the KICKR and Quarq but my guess was a user error calibration issue. It was. Properly calibrated the KICKR last night and the KICKR and Quarq were within 1% of each other.
I have just used Erg mode so far. That'll keep you honest late in a ride. But I don't want to ride 240 watts after 2:30. KICKR says... "Tough Shit!"
Can't wait for the onslaught of apps! The multiplayer virtual racing is going to be a hoot.
Simulation mode is also quite fun. Switching to a tri bike and holding 21+mph on 170 watts is a welcome change, even if it's purely video game made up. I have practically zero flat roads around me, so being able to dial up a flat and ride for a while is a luxury!
P, the only difference between swapping a rear wheel and the KICKR is that I found it a little easier to just slide out the rear skewer and then slide it in once the bike is in place. adds 10s to the procedure. Could just be for my rear-facing dropouts, not sure.
I put 138 miles on it in the first week, and have nothing bad to say about it. It feels more like road riding, I'm able to generate more power with the more road-like inertial load, and it's just plain more fun.
Thinking of getting one as computrainer backup. Do vast majority of training indoors. I just do ergometer mode. Benefits::: no tire and calibration issues. Other big reasons to get one over our computrainers?
Robin, today, there's probably not any other big advantages. The real advantage in the KICKR is betting on the platform, that developers will develop a bunch of cool stuff to do with it (like the Strava integration, multi-rider challenges, etc). Those will all come in time, but aren't necessarily there today.
They say that KICKR calibration is needed infrequently. I would do it after switching bikes or a big temp swing. Otherwise no big deal, not like the spin down on every ride of the CT.
For someone who has neither, I'd say KICKR is a no brainer. For someone who already has a CT, I'd say there isn't yet that "wow, gotta have it" app for the KICKR, so benefit is cheaper, no tire wear, etc.
For you, not quite sure, but I think the KICKR will be an interesting addition.
As a CT and Lemond Revolution owner I'll chime in here.... I can totally understand Robin's interest in the CT.... Really like the Lemond Rev road feel and consistency with direct drive and no back wheel... The only downside for the Rev has been the noise but its been manageable...
Now the Kickr just seems to have the best of both worlds with an open ended future for further improvements.... On top of that its the principle of the thing, I bought my CT with the promise of new software years ago, when it came out it was too late I already had TR. CT is a dinosaur and we know what happened to them. So far I like what I hear about the KICKR.
HELLO TO ALL KICKR USERS!!! I'M ON THE WAIT LIST FOR APRIL AND STILL WONDERING IF IT DELIVERS WHAT THEY PROMISE??? What I haven't been able to figure out (from the videos and literature) is their graphics and how to program sessions?? (or is it just like riding outdoor .... ride looking at your computer and later review the graphics on WKO+ or whichever program????). Thanks for ANY advice/opinions your experience might provide!!
sessions are different depending on what application you're using.
Wahoo Fitness app - no programming, manual adjustment in either ERG mode (self-explanatory), level mode (mimics a regular trainer, gets harder with more speed), or sim mode (simulates outdoor resistance, you pick the hill % grade and/or the wind speed). Personally, I use this most of the time, either in sim mode (for a 'just riding around' feel) or in ERG mode for intervals
TrainerRoad - basically automated erg mode. You can program the workouts in the trainerroad application, and then just have it control your KICKR
Kinomap - lets you get the feel of riding a course, complete with resistance change for changes in elevation, and video. Not a big fan, due to the limited bike ride selection.
iMobileIntervals - another way to program ERG-style intervals.
Juan, I love mine. Like doing intervals in erg mode, and love riding in sim mode, so much more road-like vs my KK trainer and shifting gears for resistance.
What I'm really looking forward to is the Wahoo Strava app, to ride actual course segments. Supposed to be coming in the next six weeks.
What would be awesome is when there's an app like kino map with course video, but with a much better selection of rides, especially big tri courses, like IM's, major Olympic distances, TdF routes, etc. I'd pay a subscription to get access to that, but kinomap isn't it so far. Though i'll probably try it for a month just to do the London Olympic TT course and Alpe d'Huez.
Is there anything like the "best" front wheel support? I assume the KICKR does not come with the front wheel support therefore I'll need to get one so I accept suggestions!!! Tks
I use the Cyclesops front wheel block. It works well cause it has three sides each has a different height. And, yes, no block comes with Kickr. You just get Kickr and a power cord.
On my bike, I don't need a block. Bike is dead level with the front wheel on the ground.
I'm with Mike. The KICKR is a pretty level trainer. It's different in that regard from the typical trainer like the KK Road Machine or Cyclops fluid/mag trainers that raise the rear of the bike several inches to get the tire off the ground.
The only reason I see in using a front block with the KICKR is to keep the front wheel stable because it does "squirm" around a little.
Comments
Timing aside, I am stoked to get it. The thing is gorgeous. It is really heavy and seems very well put together. The cool thing is no little buttons or lights or controls of any kind. Just a little jack under the frame for the power cord. No other wires, cords or sensors of any kind.
I plugged it in and my phone just had it. Bingo. Easy!
No earlier adopter blues yet!
-night-and-day vs. my kinetic trainer. So much better feel. Actually feels like riding outdoors.
-today, I watched some Mt Lemmon climbing video (in honor of the camp I couldn't attend), and set the device to 4.5% grade for the hour's ride. Felt just like riding Lemmon last year.
-overall, very easy to use. Had some issues calibrating (had to use the Wahoo analysis app, but could be because I'm in iOS 5 not 6), but it paired quickly. This morning, had a hard time pairing, just unplugged and plugged back in and it was good to go.
-big fan of erg mode. big fan.
-eagerly waiting for the strava segments app. that's going to be awesome. I really need someone to go out and ride the AmZof loop and make a strava segment for me.
-overall, initial impression is that I frickin' love this thing. Total game change vs. the KK trainer I've had for 6 years. I've ridden many computrainers, and also find them fun, not sure how I'd compare the two yet, since the app ecosystem isn't well developed for the KICKR yet. I probably wouldn't sell a CT just yet, but I'd keep an eye on the market.
So far no issues.... Just a love fest....
My KICKR will be here tomorrow. Yippee!
What do I need? Just the Wahoo Fitness app for starters?
That will let you ride in slope mode (like a regular trainer but with better road feel), erg mode (target watts regardless of gearing), or simulation mode (plug in a percent grade and go for a ride).
other options include kinomap or trainerroad on a mac laptop, or imobileintervals for pre-programmed intervals. I've downloaded iMi, but haven't tried it yet.
Did a three hour ride on the KICKR last night. Worked great. The first ride on Thursday saw a 5-7% difference between the KICKR and Quarq but my guess was a user error calibration issue. It was. Properly calibrated the KICKR last night and the KICKR and Quarq were within 1% of each other.
I have just used Erg mode so far. That'll keep you honest late in a ride. But I don't want to ride 240 watts after 2:30. KICKR says... "Tough Shit!"
Can't wait for the onslaught of apps! The multiplayer virtual racing is going to be a hoot.
P, the only difference between swapping a rear wheel and the KICKR is that I found it a little easier to just slide out the rear skewer and then slide it in once the bike is in place. adds 10s to the procedure. Could just be for my rear-facing dropouts, not sure.
I put 138 miles on it in the first week, and have nothing bad to say about it. It feels more like road riding, I'm able to generate more power with the more road-like inertial load, and it's just plain more fun.
Thanks Mike.
Wife and I are often side my side on Computrainers. May get a Kickr to share (though I will probably hog).
The Kickr calibration thing I believe is an every 1-2 week recommended thing????
Calibration need to be done every time we switch bikes on the Kickr???
For someone who has neither, I'd say KICKR is a no brainer. For someone who already has a CT, I'd say there isn't yet that "wow, gotta have it" app for the KICKR, so benefit is cheaper, no tire wear, etc.
For you, not quite sure, but I think the KICKR will be an interesting addition.
Now the Kickr just seems to have the best of both worlds with an open ended future for further improvements.... On top of that its the principle of the thing, I bought my CT with the promise of new software years ago, when it came out it was too late I already had TR. CT is a dinosaur and we know what happened to them. So far I like what I hear about the KICKR.
What I haven't been able to figure out (from the videos and literature) is their graphics and how to program sessions?? (or is it just like riding outdoor .... ride looking at your computer and later review the graphics on WKO+ or whichever program????).
Thanks for ANY advice/opinions your experience might provide!!
sessions are different depending on what application you're using.
Wahoo Fitness app - no programming, manual adjustment in either ERG mode (self-explanatory), level mode (mimics a regular trainer, gets harder with more speed), or sim mode (simulates outdoor resistance, you pick the hill % grade and/or the wind speed). Personally, I use this most of the time, either in sim mode (for a 'just riding around' feel) or in ERG mode for intervals
TrainerRoad - basically automated erg mode. You can program the workouts in the trainerroad application, and then just have it control your KICKR
Kinomap - lets you get the feel of riding a course, complete with resistance change for changes in elevation, and video. Not a big fan, due to the limited bike ride selection.
iMobileIntervals - another way to program ERG-style intervals.
Does that help?
What I'm really looking forward to is the Wahoo Strava app, to ride actual course segments. Supposed to be coming in the next six weeks.
What would be awesome is when there's an app like kino map with course video, but with a much better selection of rides, especially big tri courses, like IM's, major Olympic distances, TdF routes, etc. I'd pay a subscription to get access to that, but kinomap isn't it so far. Though i'll probably try it for a month just to do the London Olympic TT course and Alpe d'Huez.
I'm with Mike. The KICKR is a pretty level trainer. It's different in that regard from the typical trainer like the KK Road Machine or Cyclops fluid/mag trainers that raise the rear of the bike several inches to get the tire off the ground.
The only reason I see in using a front block with the KICKR is to keep the front wheel stable because it does "squirm" around a little.