For the kickR LED’s being on all the time: I have put the power plug in a power block with a switch so it won’t use power while not being used: which in summer can be months.
I can't get that feature to work on mine. Bluetooth shows an active connection. I'm guessing its the Apple TV which is in sleep mode and not technically off. Doesn't break the connection.
This trainer is brilliant in my experience, more than capable of doing 10 second erg intervals, power changes are rapid. My previous Elite trainer took about 7 seconds to change power, a joke. Wahoo kickr is the solution if you don't like buying headaches.
Love my Kickr v5 setup. No issues since buying it in July as a Zwift newbie. My Kickr Climb, however, has an intermittent issue where every once in awhile (like maybe once every 10 or 15 hours of use, a week or two) it will hit a 2% or 3% climb but the Climb will go all the way up to max 20%, hang there for a couple seconds, then go back down to normal.
My wife would "Kickr" if I spent this much money on a bike trainer. I better get outside and ride for real 😆😆😆 She's a sweetie and probably would buy it for me if I asked. Awesome video as always. Wish I were this smooth on my Teams meetings.
Erg mode is off for me, if you switch erg off for a moment and spin it up and let it roll out so it can do the auto calibration. And then start erg again it seems accurate again. Testing against my favero Assioma
Going to try the factory spin down, my now more than one year old kickr 5 reports consistently about 20-22 watts less on average in a Zwift ride, when compared to my Garmin Vector 3s and a borrowed Vector 3.
Hello Shane, I have a Kickr V5 and a power2max ngeco, and my kickr is recording 14 watts low (every ride on Zwift). How can I adjust this? When I start Zwift I can’t do a spindown (with the older Kickr I could, but the mechanic sign directly disappear when I select the kickr v5 and also in the wahoo app there is no more option to do a spindown. Thank you for your help.
@@NeonGrayEdits No I still don’t have a solution. I also did the factory spindown. 5 times tap in the app and you can perform a spindown, but it didn’t work out
Have been using my Kickr Core with my Cervelo Aspero for the last 6 months. Wasn’t aware of the issues with incompatibility / adapters. Should I not have been using it?
Nice revisit review! If you like heavy flywheels.... Hoping you can do a similar revisit with the Saris H3. It is also a popular unit - you found some niggles with it in your initial review, but it has had many firmware releases since then as well as some internal tweaks (e.g. textured flywheel). Wondering how the H3 would survive a second swing in the llama lab! Thank you.
I just purchased a Kickr v5 and got it set up last night, coming from an Elite Direto that I've been training on for 4 years. A couple of things that have been troubling me that are different then the way the Direto functioned, wondering if I can work that out. I'm pairing with Apple 4k TV via Bluetooth and using Zwift. I did a quick test in ERG mode, first thing is that when I accelerate or spin up faster, the power or speed does not change in Zwift. I know ERG holds you to a certain power, but on the Direto it would show those changes (increase speed and power in Zwift) then average back down to the set power within a few seconds. Maybe this is something that can be changed in the APP? I haven't tried to play with the ERG mode smoothing or speed simulation yet. I'm hoping that will make it more like what I was used too. Second, the effort at a given power in ERG mode seams to be way off. I know the Kickr is suppose to be more accurate then the Direto, but this is like 15% - 20% difference. Example; Doing a Vo2 set of 5min x 5 ERG intervals, usually around 310w, I could barely get through the first one, and during the 2nd I had to drop the power to around 270w, and that felt more like what I was used too on the Direto. My last 20min FTP test on that trainer was 264w (2 weeks ago/ 56yrs old 77kg) which is up from 240w a few months ago. Maybe the Direto just sucked when it came to accuracy, and if that's the case I'll have to re-adjust all my workouts to match the lower power numbers that the Kickr is reporting, kind of sucks from a motivation stand point :-( My power numbers have improved outside on the bike too, but the funny thing is I've always been able to hold more power on the trainer then on the bike, a lot of people report the opposite
Enjoy the content. Debating on getting the Kickr KOM bundle or going with the Elite Rizer to compliment my Suito. Any thoughts on the Climb vs the Rizer?
I'm not happy with my kickr core, constant drop outs. The 1st one I purchased died just after a year. FE sports was a great help in getting it replaced unlike my LBS. If and when my Core dies again, I'm hard pressed buying a kickr5 over a neo2 considering you get a 2yr warranty with a Neo vs a 1yr warranty with the kickr..
Excellent video. In your opinion do you still need to perform freehub servicing on the V5? Wahoo doesn't seem to recommend any basic servicing other than to your drivetrain. I'm always keen on maximising power when riding on Fulgaz or Zwift so if it's worth an extra 5-10 watts it's worth doing in my book!Thanks.
@gplama - do you normally use your Wahoo kickr as the power source or prefer to use your power meter? Any tips for getting the best results from ERG mode when using Kickr and your own power meter?
Lots of kickr users having issues with resistance not lining up with zwift, is this latest update likely to address that. Anybody know if there is another solution we could try?
My Kickr 4 did this. Only solution I found was to roll back to the previous firmware & it’s been fine since then. Not bothered to update it since so don’t know if new firmware fixes the issue.
Given these issues are isolated to Zwift (I haven’t heard of any issues with TR, SUF, RGT, etc), I’d say the ball is with Zwift on this one to resolve. I hope they have a good working relationship with Wahoo to sort this out.
Shane, I noticed that you suggested on another thread trying a factory spin down on the v5 as a potential fix to under reporting power at low flywheel speeds. Since the v5 has auto calibration, why would a factory spin down do anything?
Thanks for all your videos. I was wondering if you had a solution for the flywheel going too fast when I'm in high cadence low power. I'm doing some 95-110 cadence runs at 150-250 watts, no matter how smooth my pedal stroke I keep pushing the flywheel too fast and then my drivetrain clunks when it catches up to the speed of the flywheel. Is there a way to smooth out the ERG mode so it's not dropping the resistance too much in these intervals? I haven't had this issue on other trainers.
@@crashkg Most trainers perform best in ERG when using the small(er) ring on the front and mid-cassette up the back. This keeps the flywheel speed within the best working range for it to apply proper resistance.
Off subject Lama, what do you think about a 'power up' for Zwift, but a power up to offer a slight push to another rider, either a teammate or someone maybe struggling up a climb, if you 'give a push' to a teammate you use up more of your own power?, but if you 'give a push' to a non teammate you use less of your own power? Maybe you can 'give a push' at no power loss in a non race but it costs you to use in a race? Maybe you save your 'give a push' power up and push your teams sprinter at the end of the race, I am just thinking it would be nice to be able to 'be a nice guy' and give someone a little push, especially a struggling rider to that rider that little push might mean a lot. I hope this even makes a little sense, maybe a small idea to build on, and I probably should have went to Zwift to suggest this. ps I am well aware of 'ride ons' as a nice gesture but 'give a push' would actually affect the game/rider.
I like the idea. The 'virtual hand of God' power-off. You've raised a really interesting concept here as Zwift considers itself a social platform, so these kind of power-ups will contribute to the interaction between riders/team mates/etc. How they'd go about implementing it.... that'd be tough. They're still having issues with the basics after six years... (referring to the current u-turn issue).
I dont know where or who to ask this question but you seem to be pretty knowledgeable about bike trainers so here goes. Could there be a discrepancy in power output between smart trainers and smart bikes? I have a tacx neo gen 1 and my ftp is 240 but i go to my coaches studio once a week and they use wahoo kickr bikes and honestly it's so buttery smooth i can push out bigger watts. So much so that my coach gave me an ftp of 260! And i do the workouts without too much trouble (hard but doable). The thing is if i had that ftp at home, there is no way i can hold that type of power for longer than 5 minutes. So what gives?
RE: Smoothness/feel/etc... Yep. They'll feel a little different being different machines. RE: Power differences - there shouldn't be any from the machines themselves. If there is..... you'll need to jump through a few hoops to test/compare both units with a trusted power source to see which (or both) are off.
it appears the Wahoo app doesn't let you perform the spin down test anymore anyway. When you select the button, the app tells you V5 auto calibrates while you are riding.
@Shane Miller - GPLama I was used to riding on a Kickr 2018 but as of late I'm spending some time on a Tacx Flux S. I'm a very light, small guy (55kg, 166cm) and I like climbing (who'd have thought :D) and I prefer a very low cadence out-of-saddle riding style (55 to 65rpm). Doing Alp du Zwift sessions on the Flux S feels like riding in the flat. Switching to an easier gear will just have me increase cadence to uncomfortably high levels. Do you have any experience on this? I would like a trainer that gives me a ton of resistance while riding a simulated gradient. Is it possible that only the high-end models such as the full-blown Kickr, ... are capable of providing this "kind of resistance" or am I doing something wrong on the Flux S? I'd really appreciate an answer and I guess there are other people out there curious about differences in feel when riding a simulated climb :)
The Flux should still be able to give a sold amount of resistance in that scenario. Maybe try changing up how you pair to it. Try ANT+ or BLE (switching from what you currently use) and see if that helps.
Greetings Shane, I really like the comparison between the Kicker and the Core trainer. I did want to ask what in your opinion is the best advantage of doing a direct drive trainer (kicker) vs a wheel on trainer (Snap). The Snap requires you do the spindown each time you ride vs every 2 weeks with the Kickr. I was thinking about getting a refurbished Kickr but was leaning towards the Snap. I was just wondering what in your thoughts were on the biggest difference was between the two.
Hi Shane, do you have any experience with the wahoo reconditioned kickr v5? Wahoo have them on sale for $1100 and curious if it would be worth buying. Cheers mate.
How have you found the extra width that the Assioma Duo-Shi power meter introduces? I seem to recall that you weren't too happy with it in your original review.
I don’t like the additional width at all. Changing my bike fit to just measure power is unacceptable. However, the data from this replacement set is good.
So do you think it’s worth upgrading from a 2016 version? (V2 I think) it’s done 22k and I’ve only had to change the belt once and adjust it a couple of times
If you've got the funds, sure. The updated Kickr is quieter than the early models. It has better thru-axle support (if you need it now, or in the future). The auto-calibration is handy too.
Hi Shane, another happy Core customer here. I was reading about Tim Searle's Kickr G1 finally dying the other day and I noted that he had it serviced annually. Other than sending it back to Wahoo, are there non-DIY options that you're aware of? I've seen your servicing video - has much changed (other than the different types of belts)? Worth an update video if things get quiet due to the shipping crisis? ;-)
It depends how 'hands on' you want to get. Standard freehub servicing would be advisable. Bearing servicing is a little more advanced. Belts aren't snapping as much (or at all?) since they switched to the new style a few models back.
Is it because you prefer the flywheel design over magnetic resistance? If I al correct the wahoo bike has also the magnetic resistance, which is what we might expect in future kickrs as well then.
Yep! Well, what it is. How to use it is easy on supported platforms. It just shows up as a sensor/trainer to pair. czcams.com/video/XtIM5675dLo/video.html
@@SimoneChiaretta yeah it's quite poor really that these (£1000/$1355) trainers dont have onboard wifi. Should really also have a web browser based settings page that can be accessed via IP for firmware updates etc.
I have the new Kickr V. If I get spikes during training intervals are those drop outs? This happens quite often. I try to avoid this by having both BLTE & ant + connected but not sure if that is a good way to do this. I'm in my garage & use wireless. Which is directly above me in my living room. Any tips I'd appreciate. Thanks. I don't recall this happening with my Neo 1st gen. I still have this & was thinking of testing it to see if it happens. That unit worked & still works flawlessly.
The XR is easily the best unit Elite has produced to date. On paper the two units are similar. Under the covers they use different technology to apply resistance. Does this matter for most people? I'm not sure. Test ride either if you can and go from there.
Can you leave your kickr switched on at all times? I turn mine off at the power point after every use, will turning it off cause any issues? Also I noticed a lot of people having issues on zwift after doing the masters firmware update. I had a massive issues with zwift. They recommended downgrading back down to the previous firmware, although I did a spin down in game and it fixed everything.
On is fine. Zwift telling people to downgrade firmware isn’t ideal. I’m sure it makes Wahoo cringe too. Zwift need to up their game with trainer support including supporting that direct connect port.
Not sure how can your power meter track so close to the Kickr v5 in ERG mode. I have a Quarq power meter (with the Force groupset) and in ERG it always read differently than the Kickr itself. For example, if you are slowing down on your cadence, the ERG will always lag (the inertia from the flywheel will help you out). On the contrary, when you increase your cadence, you will fight of that inertia and your power will spike for a few seconds. My Quarq will show those variations but my Kickr V5 will not show them in ERG. So my Kickr reading is very smooth and consistent but my Quarq shows all the fluctuation and small spike.
I have a KICKR 2017 (Gen II) that did not get any update this round. Their model nomenclature is confusing. Is the 2017 considered a KICKR 4? Gen II? Not sure.
Shane, What would be your ideal bike to purchase new (either complete or build) to pair with a wahoo kickr 5 that you're also able to take on the road? I know very little about bikes, but would like to take advantage of the 11 speed cassette on the kickr. I've been playing zwift on a kickr snap + mountain bike but would like to upgrade and want to do it in the smartest way possible.
There’s a ton of options that’ll work. It depends on your budget and what’s available. Drop into your local bike shop and have a chat to them about what they have in stock.
i was soooo happy with the lights now i (13) have my core in my room for training and as i would close my eyes blasting in the corner was a blinding blue and red lights
I have a weird issue with the kickr v5. The power reading in erg mode matches allmost exactly my PM but in the simulation mode the power reading becomes too low from ~6-10% compared to the same PM. The kickr is updated to the last FW, both sensors are properly calibrated. I'm just arranging the warranty pickup with Wahoo but I got a somehow scarry mail saying "Please note, all V5 KICKR trainers are calibrated using the same method and use the same hardware. As a result, the replacement trainer will provide the same power accuracy as your current trainer." Anyone with the same problem perhaps?
@@gplama it's a crank PM Quarq. An old one. The PM power data was very close to my previous trainer Elite Suito which should be inferior in terms of accuracy... I just cannot understand how could be the difference in power reading between ERG and simulation(freeride) mode.
@@gplama I have tried both options smoothing on and off. Both options provides power data that is in line with my crank PM. As soon as I switch to a freeride I get lower values from the trainer. It becomes visible allready while watching the Bolt display in the realtime and comparing to zwift display... Btw it is not Zwift related because I get same difference also in RGT.
Zwift have been telling people to revert firmware versions…. Which isn’t an ideal solution. Try another platform and see if you encounter the same. This way you’ll know who needs to resolve this one.
@@joshbingaman2334 By all accounts this is only occurring with Zwift, so it's a Zwift issue to resolve. I'm not sure even Zwift acknowledge this though.... it's a mess.
@@joshbingaman2334 updated to latest, then uninstalled Zwift completely from MacBook (that might be the issue) then reinstalled. It worked first time and even on workouts. But the next time I went on Zwift the delay was around 15 to 30 seconds. Have reverted to the 4.1.2
For the kickR LED’s being on all the time: I have put the power plug in a power block with a switch so it won’t use power while not being used: which in summer can be months.
Same. Power strip with the Kickr, the Climb, charging cables for iPad and iPhone.
I can't get that feature to work on mine. Bluetooth shows an active connection. I'm guessing its the Apple TV which is in sleep mode and not technically off. Doesn't break the connection.
This trainer is brilliant in my experience, more than capable of doing 10 second erg intervals, power changes are rapid. My previous Elite trainer took about 7 seconds to change power, a joke. Wahoo kickr is the solution if you don't like buying headaches.
the most durable cycling product i have ever used...I have the 2016 version and have had to do nothing...use it roughly 4K-5K per year
You will need to regrease the flywheel eventually....probably soon.
Our Kickr 5 has been superb.
Also, Wahoo customer support is excellent
Love my Kickr v5 setup. No issues since buying it in July as a Zwift newbie.
My Kickr Climb, however, has an intermittent issue where every once in awhile (like maybe once every 10 or 15 hours of use, a week or two) it will hit a 2% or 3% climb but the Climb will go all the way up to max 20%, hang there for a couple seconds, then go back down to normal.
There was a firmware update for the Climb released a few weeks back. Have you updated your unit?
My wife would "Kickr" if I spent this much money on a bike trainer. I better get outside and ride for real 😆😆😆
She's a sweetie and probably would buy it for me if I asked. Awesome video as always. Wish I were this smooth on my Teams meetings.
For Zwift races, this is the dream
Erg mode is off for me, if you switch erg off for a moment and spin it up and let it roll out so it can do the auto calibration. And then start erg again it seems accurate again. Testing against my favero Assioma
Going to try the factory spin down, my now more than one year old kickr 5 reports consistently about 20-22 watts less on average in a Zwift ride, when compared to my Garmin Vector 3s and a borrowed Vector 3.
Did this solve your issue?
The new power meter speedplay pedals were on display at the Rouleur. Can we expect a GPLama video on them soon?
That's entirely up to Wahoo.
2022 Trek Boone also needs the updated thru axle end caps (especially the NDS).
Hello Shane, I have a Kickr V5 and a power2max ngeco, and my kickr is recording 14 watts low (every ride on Zwift). How can I adjust this? When I start Zwift I can’t do a spindown (with the older Kickr I could, but the mechanic sign directly disappear when I select the kickr v5 and also in the wahoo app there is no more option to do a spindown.
Thank you for your help.
I too am having this issue. Did you get a resolution?
@@NeonGrayEdits No I still don’t have a solution. I also did the factory spindown. 5 times tap in the app and you can perform a spindown, but it didn’t work out
After I updated, my kickr v5 stopped working. It is connected all the metric is green, but shows zeros on all the metrics
Have been using my Kickr Core with my Cervelo Aspero for the last 6 months. Wasn’t aware of the issues with incompatibility / adapters. Should I not have been using it?
Nice revisit review! If you like heavy flywheels.... Hoping you can do a similar revisit with the Saris H3. It is also a popular unit - you found some niggles with it in your initial review, but it has had many firmware releases since then as well as some internal tweaks (e.g. textured flywheel). Wondering how the H3 would survive a second swing in the llama lab! Thank you.
I just purchased a Kickr v5 and got it set up last night, coming from an Elite Direto that I've been training on for 4 years. A couple of things that have been troubling me that are different then the way the Direto functioned, wondering if I can work that out. I'm pairing with Apple 4k TV via Bluetooth and using Zwift. I did a quick test in ERG mode, first thing is that when I accelerate or spin up faster, the power or speed does not change in Zwift. I know ERG holds you to a certain power, but on the Direto it would show those changes (increase speed and power in Zwift) then average back down to the set power within a few seconds. Maybe this is something that can be changed in the APP? I haven't tried to play with the ERG mode smoothing or speed simulation yet. I'm hoping that will make it more like what I was used too. Second, the effort at a given power in ERG mode seams to be way off. I know the Kickr is suppose to be more accurate then the Direto, but this is like 15% - 20% difference. Example; Doing a Vo2 set of 5min x 5 ERG intervals, usually around 310w, I could barely get through the first one, and during the 2nd I had to drop the power to around 270w, and that felt more like what I was used too on the Direto. My last 20min FTP test on that trainer was 264w (2 weeks ago/ 56yrs old 77kg) which is up from 240w a few months ago. Maybe the Direto just sucked when it came to accuracy, and if that's the case I'll have to re-adjust all my workouts to match the lower power numbers that the Kickr is reporting, kind of sucks from a motivation stand point :-( My power numbers have improved outside on the bike too, but the funny thing is I've always been able to hold more power on the trainer then on the bike, a lot of people report the opposite
The hidden power meter had to be the speedplay pedals.
From February? That’s a long play! 😉
Any update on the Kickr Core sprint issue that it still drops watts at the top (>1000w) ? Seems to still happen on the latest firmware versions.
Enjoy the content. Debating on getting the Kickr KOM bundle or going with the Elite Rizer to compliment my Suito. Any thoughts on the Climb vs the Rizer?
It'll come down to budget and if you want steering or not. The up/down function is effectively the same on both.
I'm not happy with my kickr core, constant drop outs. The 1st one I purchased died just after a year. FE sports was a great help in getting it replaced unlike my LBS.
If and when my Core dies again, I'm hard pressed buying a kickr5 over a neo2 considering you get a 2yr warranty with a Neo vs a 1yr warranty with the kickr..
Excellent video. In your opinion do you still need to perform freehub servicing on the V5? Wahoo doesn't seem to recommend any basic servicing other than to your drivetrain. I'm always keen on maximising power when riding on Fulgaz or Zwift so if it's worth an extra 5-10 watts it's worth doing in my book!Thanks.
@gplama - do you normally use your Wahoo kickr as the power source or prefer to use your power meter? Any tips for getting the best results from ERG mode when using Kickr and your own power meter?
Lots of kickr users having issues with resistance not lining up with zwift, is this latest update likely to address that. Anybody know if there is another solution we could try?
My Kickr 4 did this. Only solution I found was to roll back to the previous firmware & it’s been fine since then. Not bothered to update it since so don’t know if new firmware fixes the issue.
Given these issues are isolated to Zwift (I haven’t heard of any issues with TR, SUF, RGT, etc), I’d say the ball is with Zwift on this one to resolve. I hope they have a good working relationship with Wahoo to sort this out.
Shane, I noticed that you suggested on another thread trying a factory spin down on the v5 as a potential fix to under reporting power at low flywheel speeds. Since the v5 has auto calibration, why would a factory spin down do anything?
Thanks for all your videos. I was wondering if you had a solution for the flywheel going too fast when I'm in high cadence low power. I'm doing some 95-110 cadence runs at 150-250 watts, no matter how smooth my pedal stroke I keep pushing the flywheel too fast and then my drivetrain clunks when it catches up to the speed of the flywheel. Is there a way to smooth out the ERG mode so it's not dropping the resistance too much in these intervals? I haven't had this issue on other trainers.
What gear are you using in ERG?
@@gplama I am in my largest gear up front and 4/11 in the rear cog
@@crashkg Most trainers perform best in ERG when using the small(er) ring on the front and mid-cassette up the back. This keeps the flywheel speed within the best working range for it to apply proper resistance.
@@gplama Thanks I will try that out, and try to avoid the Spiral of Death!
Off subject Lama, what do you think about a 'power up' for Zwift, but a power up to offer a slight push to another rider, either a teammate or someone maybe struggling up a climb, if you 'give a push' to a teammate you use up more of your own power?, but if you 'give a push' to a non teammate you use less of your own power? Maybe you can 'give a push' at no power loss in a non race but it costs you to use in a race? Maybe you save your 'give a push' power up and push your teams sprinter at the end of the race, I am just thinking it would be nice to be able to 'be a nice guy' and give someone a little push, especially a struggling rider to that rider that little push might mean a lot. I hope this even makes a little sense, maybe a small idea to build on, and I probably should have went to Zwift to suggest this. ps I am well aware of 'ride ons' as a nice gesture but 'give a push' would actually affect the game/rider.
I like the idea. The 'virtual hand of God' power-off. You've raised a really interesting concept here as Zwift considers itself a social platform, so these kind of power-ups will contribute to the interaction between riders/team mates/etc. How they'd go about implementing it.... that'd be tough. They're still having issues with the basics after six years... (referring to the current u-turn issue).
I dont know where or who to ask this question but you seem to be pretty knowledgeable about bike trainers so here goes.
Could there be a discrepancy in power output between smart trainers and smart bikes? I have a tacx neo gen 1 and my ftp is 240 but i go to my coaches studio once a week and they use wahoo kickr bikes and honestly it's so buttery smooth i can push out bigger watts. So much so that my coach gave me an ftp of 260! And i do the workouts without too much trouble (hard but doable).
The thing is if i had that ftp at home, there is no way i can hold that type of power for longer than 5 minutes. So what gives?
RE: Smoothness/feel/etc... Yep. They'll feel a little different being different machines.
RE: Power differences - there shouldn't be any from the machines themselves. If there is..... you'll need to jump through a few hoops to test/compare both units with a trusted power source to see which (or both) are off.
What year is that giant ? Love the colors
I think this was the 2013 TCR.
How many app's can you connect at the same time through the Direct Connect?
It’s a single connection only.
it appears the Wahoo app doesn't let you perform the spin down test anymore anyway. When you select the button, the app tells you V5 auto calibrates while you are riding.
Hello Shane, if you must choose between the Kickr core or the flux s. What should be your advice and why?
Core.
@@gplama and flux 2 and core? is there much difference between core and flux? or the elite suito of other elite?
@@kaderist1975 Core again.
@Shane Miller - GPLama
I was used to riding on a Kickr 2018 but as of late I'm spending some time on a Tacx Flux S. I'm a very light, small guy (55kg, 166cm) and I like climbing (who'd have thought :D) and I prefer a very low cadence out-of-saddle riding style (55 to 65rpm). Doing Alp du Zwift sessions on the Flux S feels like riding in the flat. Switching to an easier gear will just have me increase cadence to uncomfortably high levels.
Do you have any experience on this? I would like a trainer that gives me a ton of resistance while riding a simulated gradient. Is it possible that only the high-end models such as the full-blown Kickr, ... are capable of providing this "kind of resistance" or am I doing something wrong on the Flux S?
I'd really appreciate an answer and I guess there are other people out there curious about differences in feel when riding a simulated climb :)
The Flux should still be able to give a sold amount of resistance in that scenario. Maybe try changing up how you pair to it. Try ANT+ or BLE (switching from what you currently use) and see if that helps.
Greetings Shane, I really like the comparison between the Kicker and the Core trainer. I did want to ask what in your opinion is the best advantage of doing a direct drive trainer (kicker) vs a wheel on trainer (Snap). The Snap requires you do the spindown each time you ride vs every 2 weeks with the Kickr.
I was thinking about getting a refurbished Kickr but was leaning towards the Snap. I was just wondering what in your thoughts were on the biggest difference was between the two.
Direct Drive is a much better experience. No tyre slip. No tyre wear. No need to continually calibrate. Better power accuracy.
@@gplama thanks for the quick reply!
Hi Shane, do you have any experience with the wahoo reconditioned kickr v5? Wahoo have them on sale for $1100 and curious if it would be worth buying. Cheers mate.
Not with a reconditioned unit… but the unit I have here is still going strong after a hard life I’ve given it. 👌🏼
How do I find out left/right power balance with the Kickr 5?
It doesn’t report L/R balance (as I’m aware).
Thanks - enhancement request!
How have you found the extra width that the Assioma Duo-Shi power meter introduces? I seem to recall that you weren't too happy with it in your original review.
I don’t like the additional width at all. Changing my bike fit to just measure power is unacceptable. However, the data from this replacement set is good.
@@gplama Many thanks for the speedy response.
I want the firmware that increases the power
😂
So do you think it’s worth upgrading from a 2016 version? (V2 I think) it’s done 22k and I’ve only had to change the belt once and adjust it a couple of times
If you've got the funds, sure. The updated Kickr is quieter than the early models. It has better thru-axle support (if you need it now, or in the future). The auto-calibration is handy too.
Hi Shane, another happy Core customer here. I was reading about Tim Searle's Kickr G1 finally dying the other day and I noted that he had it serviced annually. Other than sending it back to Wahoo, are there non-DIY options that you're aware of? I've seen your servicing video - has much changed (other than the different types of belts)?
Worth an update video if things get quiet due to the shipping crisis? ;-)
It depends how 'hands on' you want to get. Standard freehub servicing would be advisable. Bearing servicing is a little more advanced. Belts aren't snapping as much (or at all?) since they switched to the new style a few models back.
Ive been using a 2021 Trek Domane with the original adapters...... Without issue so far.
What has actually changed to make the new adapters requried?
I'm really baffled by this. Does this mean that there's certain types of wheel hub out there that are not compatible with these frames?
czcams.com/video/-UcK9XDdD1Y/video.html
Would you currently choose the Kickr5 over the Neo?
Yep. The 2T is a good unit though... they resolved the virtual flywheel slipping.
Is it because you prefer the flywheel design over magnetic resistance? If I al correct the wahoo bike has also the magnetic resistance, which is what we might expect in future kickrs as well then.
Yes
How do you know if you have latest update?? Thanks
Open the Wahoo Fitness app, connect to the Kickr. If it needs an update it'll prompt you.
I went for the kickr 5 solely because it has a handle…….
Do you have a video that explains how to use the Direct Connect module?
Yep! Well, what it is. How to use it is easy on supported platforms. It just shows up as a sensor/trainer to pair. czcams.com/video/XtIM5675dLo/video.html
@@gplama Cool. Thx! would be cool if it was just wifi. none has ethernet networks any more :)
@@SimoneChiaretta yeah it's quite poor really that these (£1000/$1355) trainers dont have onboard wifi. Should really also have a web browser based settings page that can be accessed via IP for firmware updates etc.
I have the new Kickr V. If I get spikes during training intervals are those drop outs? This happens quite often. I try to avoid this by having both BLTE & ant + connected but not sure if that is a good way to do this. I'm in my garage & use wireless. Which is directly above me in my living room. Any tips I'd appreciate. Thanks. I don't recall this happening with my Neo 1st gen. I still have this & was thinking of testing it to see if it happens. That unit worked & still works flawlessly.
This is one for Wahoo. If you can sent them a FIT file or two and how you can reproduce the issue, I’m sure they’ll have a few ideas.
How would you compare the Wahoo to the Elite Direto XR?
The XR is easily the best unit Elite has produced to date. On paper the two units are similar. Under the covers they use different technology to apply resistance. Does this matter for most people? I'm not sure. Test ride either if you can and go from there.
@@gplama Thanks
KICKR 5 or TACX NEO2T if you were spending your own money?
Kickr
@@gplama very interesting…Thank you
Can you leave your kickr switched on at all times? I turn mine off at the power point after every use, will turning it off cause any issues? Also I noticed a lot of people having issues on zwift after doing the masters firmware update. I had a massive issues with zwift. They recommended downgrading back down to the previous firmware, although I did a spin down in game and it fixed everything.
On is fine. Zwift telling people to downgrade firmware isn’t ideal. I’m sure it makes Wahoo cringe too. Zwift need to up their game with trainer support including supporting that direct connect port.
Not sure how can your power meter track so close to the Kickr v5 in ERG mode. I have a Quarq power meter (with the Force groupset) and in ERG it always read differently than the Kickr itself. For example, if you are slowing down on your cadence, the ERG will always lag (the inertia from the flywheel will help you out). On the contrary, when you increase your cadence, you will fight of that inertia and your power will spike for a few seconds. My Quarq will show those variations but my Kickr V5 will not show them in ERG. So my Kickr reading is very smooth and consistent but my Quarq shows all the fluctuation and small spike.
It’s likely you have ERG Mode power smoothing enabled on your Kickr. And possibly a Quarq (or Kickr) that needs a calibration test.
Question for you Lama:
Just finished a zwift tt and want to know can i check which power data source It was recording on.
How can i do this?
Not easily. Maybe in the Zwift logs.
@@gplama how do i access that?
I’ve looked on the companion app
@@TheUltimateULTRA Logs are on the device you're running Zwift on.
@@gplama great cheers!
@@gplama I’ve checked on the tacx training app, Can’t see it? Any other thoughts
This firmware update is for all Wahoo devices, include Kickr Core?
There’s updates for the Core too. Use the Wahoo App to connect to your device and check for updates.
@@gplama thank you!!
I have a KICKR 2017 (Gen II) that did not get any update this round. Their model nomenclature is confusing. Is the 2017 considered a KICKR 4? Gen II? Not sure.
Brit Alex Dowsett going for hour record in about 30 minutes live on CZcams
I think if you like to race in ZRL etc. you should go for the v5 if not the core is the way to go :)
Hidden power meter - Wahoo / Speedplay pedals😜
Shane,
What would be your ideal bike to purchase new (either complete or build) to pair with a wahoo kickr 5 that you're also able to take on the road?
I know very little about bikes, but would like to take advantage of the 11 speed cassette on the kickr.
I've been playing zwift on a kickr snap + mountain bike but would like to upgrade and want to do it in the smartest way possible.
There’s a ton of options that’ll work. It depends on your budget and what’s available. Drop into your local bike shop and have a chat to them about what they have in stock.
i was soooo happy with the lights now i (13) have my core in my room for training and as i would close my eyes blasting in the corner was a blinding blue and red lights
I have a weird issue with the kickr v5. The power reading in erg mode matches allmost exactly my PM but in the simulation mode the power reading becomes too low from ~6-10% compared to the same PM. The kickr is updated to the last FW, both sensors are properly calibrated. I'm just arranging the warranty pickup with Wahoo but I got a somehow scarry mail saying "Please note, all V5 KICKR trainers are calibrated using the same method and use the same hardware. As a result, the replacement trainer will provide the same power accuracy as your current trainer." Anyone with the same problem perhaps?
What power meter are you comparing it to?
@@gplama it's a crank PM Quarq. An old one. The PM power data was very close to my previous trainer Elite Suito which should be inferior in terms of accuracy... I just cannot understand how could be the difference in power reading between ERG and simulation(freeride) mode.
@@rantilus666 Did you have ERG Power Smoothing enabled on the Kickr? (it's on by default)
@@gplama I have tried both options smoothing on and off. Both options provides power data that is in line with my crank PM. As soon as I switch to a freeride I get lower values from the trainer. It becomes visible allready while watching the Bolt display in the realtime and comparing to zwift display... Btw it is not Zwift related because I get same difference also in RGT.
@@rantilus666 Interesting. Keep me posted on the results with the replacement Kickr. Power meter issues can be a deep rabbit hole of discovery! :)
I have the latest firmware update but my lights do not fall asleep.
Are you using Apple TV by any chance?
@@gplama No. However, I unplugged it, plugged it back in and now it works. Thanks.
Having major issues with resistance on the Wahoo Kickr and Zwift. Sub optimal support too.
Zwift have been telling people to revert firmware versions…. Which isn’t an ideal solution. Try another platform and see if you encounter the same. This way you’ll know who needs to resolve this one.
Hidden Power Meter = iQsquare ... prove me wrong :p
It wasn’t. Case closed. 👌🏼
Just purchased my Kickr V5 and it came with the old adapters. On top of that, it shakes and vibrates like a washing machine so I'll be returning it.
Sounds like we shouldn't update until the firmware issues are fixed.
What firmware issues?
@@gplama I saw some other comments on this video that said that they had issues and had to revert back to a previous version of firmware.
@@joshbingaman2334 By all accounts this is only occurring with Zwift, so it's a Zwift issue to resolve. I'm not sure even Zwift acknowledge this though.... it's a mess.
$139 to be able to plug it in?!? 1:37
AUD, yes.
When updating the firmware, do you still need to uninstall zwift and reinstall?
Negative Ghostrider, leave Zwift alone.
Lol. I did! Didn't update the firmware. It's a known issue on Zwift when updating the wahoo firmware. I had to roll back.
@@Madshammers are you on an older version of firmware or were you able to use the latest release? debating on whether to update firmware
@@joshbingaman2334 updated to latest, then uninstalled Zwift completely from MacBook (that might be the issue) then reinstalled. It worked first time and even on workouts. But the next time I went on Zwift the delay was around 15 to 30 seconds. Have reverted to the 4.1.2
Uh Oh! I see chevrons.
That Instagram account at the end ;)
Thanks for the sneaky photos at the worlds! 😉