The Wahoo Kickr Bike & Kickr Shift - everything you need to know

Launched in September 2020 at Eurobike, cycling's biggest cycling trade event, the Wahoo Kickr Bike garnered plenty of attention. There were a few foibles highlighted by early magazine reviews of demo units, and Wahoo spent the winter months ironing out any issues with the technology and launched the Kickr Bike V1 in March 2021. It was an instant hit and received rave reviews. Kickr Bike V1 is now discontinued.

Unlike its competitors, including Peloton, Wattbike, and a traditional set of rollers, the bike connects with all the major training apps. Wattbike and Peloton have an integrated screen, displaying proprietary software, whilst Kickr Bike does not. The bike sends all your data to any screen you link it to, be it Zwift on your Apple TV or TrainerRoad on your laptop. Both Kickr Bike V2 and Kickr Bike Shift have the same powerful Wi-Fi connectivity, so there’s no need for wires all over the place!

There are three key differences in ride feel: Kickr Bike V2 has an integrated tilt, V2 resistance is controlled by an electromagnetic motor, and the power output is higher.

Climb/tilt mode: The Kickr Bike V2 simulates climbing a hill in real time by not only providing changes in resistance, but also physically raising and lowering the smart bike to match ascents up to 20% and descents as steep as -15%. The Kickr Bike Shift will adjust the resistance to the gradient of the climb and, as you descend, the electronic brake eases to also simulate descending, but the physical unit doesn’t move.

Power output: If you are a powerful rider or your focus is sprints, the Kickr Bike V2 will allow you to generate 2500w of power, whereas the Kickr Bike Shift is limited to 2200w. Both values are still huge power outputs and provide more resistance than Wahoo’s best-selling direct drive trainer, the Kickr Core.

Resistance method: The resistance of the Kickr Bike V2 is controlled by two methods and this creates a very realistic ride feel as noted by top review sites, DC Rainmaker and BikeRadar, who said “there’s an assured smoothness to the pedal stroke and resistance application.” Rather than a motor-driven electromagnetic drivetrain, the Kickr Bike Shift uses a brake and belt drivetrain system, called the ‘Eddy Current Brake’. This is a non-motorised electromagnetic design, meaning that virtual downhills can’t be simulated as smoothly and sudden gradient changes may not feel as authentic as the real world.

Gear display: The Kickr Bike V2 shows riders real-time gear and gradient information on a display on the top tube, whereas the Kickr Bike Shift does not have a display.

The Wahoo Kickr Bikes are easy to set up despite the weight as it can be supported on its frame while attaching the three large legs. Both bikes only require a 5mm hex key. If your home floor is not dead level, the feet are adjustable so you won’t have any kind of annoying wobble when you ride.

The only remaining thing needed is a pedal wrench or hex key to fit pedals at your desired crank length. The crank length options are 165mm to 175mm in 2.5mm increments, making it possible to replicate your outdoor bike or get an even better fit.

You can also fit your own saddle if you prefer a certain shape, cut out or brand.

You can then set the reach, stem length, and handlebar width to mimic your bike. There are three ways to do this:

A zero-calibration software algorithm means no calibration is required for the device between uses.

The adjustability range of Kickr Bike and Kickr Bike Shift is almost unrivalled. For example, with a Wattbike Atom you’re set with a 170mm crank, while the Tacx Neo Bike Smart Trainer has three crank-length options (170, 172.5 and 175mm). Wahoo gives riders five options. This gives you the ability to mimic not only your road bike but MTB and gravel bikes, which may have shorter cranks.

Compared to a turbo trainer. It is virtually silent, the Kickr Bike & Kickr Shift create almost no noise because you don’t have your bike chain moving across your gears.

It’s also the only trainer on the market with Wi-Fi connectivity, which means no wires all over the place and no loss in data recording when you're in the middle of a session or race!

The Kickr Bike and Kickr Bike Shift also come with an odometer to measure total mileage. It sounds unusual but it helps gauge when you need to service the machine.

If you want to step up your indoor training, the Kickr Bike is a great option if you have space at home. They’re arguably more convenient, house-friendly, and could save your outdoor bike from extra wear.

Instead of dragging your cruddy bike through the house, re-calibrating resistance, relocating sensors and removing the rear wheel, you just hop on the Kickr Bike and ride at a moment's notice, and other members of your household can adjust to their stored profile and do the same. That's Wahoo's aim: streamline your training and get the best out of the time you have.