We Texans are a tough breed. We march through life, facing our problems head on while muttering things like, “The only way out is through.” We’re doers, who forge our own path. Unless, of course, that path is slightly chilly. When temperatures dip below 40° we cancel rides with impunity. If it’s nearing 30°, school and work is on the table as well.
To maintain fitness through these dark times we’ve being using the Wahoo KICKR Smart trainer. It’s a premier product, that breathes life into the soul-sucking prospect of indoor training.
Why We Like It
The KICKR is a smart trainer. This means it boasts an integrated power meter to keep you honest. It’s also Bluetooth and ANT+ compatible, so it will easily sync to your devices, or online programs like Zwift or Wahoo X. As someone who used to watch cyclocross races on YouTube while on the trainer, this compatibility is a game changer. One benefit of indoor training is that it’s an ideal environment for structured workouts.
If you’d like to do hills, select a hilly route in your training program of choice and your KICKR will automatically adjust resistance, accurately simulating grades of up to 20%. There are even group events and online challenges that do a great job of keeping you motivated.
The direct mount system reduces wear on your drivetrain, hubs, and tires, and fits a wide range of tire sizes and hub spacings.
Compatibility
The KICKR v6 we stock comes with spacer kits for 130/135 quick release, 142mm, and 148mm (boost) hub spacing. It also includes a Shimano compatible 11spd cassette. If you’re on a 10 or 12 speed bike, you’ll either need to move over your existing cassette, or purchase one specifically for your trainer. If you buy from us, we’ll be happy to show you how to mount your bike and which spacers to use. After the initial setup, your everyday rides are easy. Hop on. Start pedaling to wake the system. It will be recognized by your computer and you’ll be set.
These trainers aren’t cheap, but they aren’t cheaply made either. The heavy flywheel provides realistic coasting, and they’re designed to hold up to years of use. We’re fans, and reckon you’ll be as well.