Wahoo Adds Fore/Aft Movement With KICKR MOVE and Lower Price KICKR BIKE SHIFT

Wahoo continues to be a market leader in indoor cycling, with a complete line of products to outfit your indoor cycling experience, from trainers to peripherals to software. Their newest releases bring even more realism to your ride and a lower price point for an indoor bike.

New KICKR that MOVEs

The new KICKR MOVE builds off of the class-leading KICKR to create a new flagship product. Wahoo already added the KICKR Axis feet, which adds 5 degrees of side-to-side movement, mimicking the feel of the bike shifting side to side on the road. Currently available on the latest generation of the KICKR direct drive smart trainer, they are also available as a retrofit to previous generations of the KICKR.

The KICKR MOVE adds 8″ of fore/aft travel. To achieve this movement, the trainer sits on wheels in a fixed, curved track. This fore/aft movement simulates the feel of surging in and out of the saddle. Due to physics and the movement of the mass of your body moving forward when you stand, your bike naturally shifts backwards and then forwards when you sit. The movement of the MOVE gives you that same feeling as if you were riding on the road. From personal experience of riding a rocker plate with side-to-side and fore/aft movement, it makes for a more comfortable and engaging experience over a static trainer/indoor bike. There is also a lockout switch to make it easier to move, or if you want to do a static ride.

But what happens if you have a KICKR CLIMB? Well, I’m glad you asked. There is an add-on for the bottom of the climb to allow it to move with the MOVE. The adaptor fits onto the bottom of the CLIMB unit, and follows the same arc as the MOVE, keeping the two units in sync. There should be no issues with the HEADWIND as it would be ahead of the bike or CLIMB unit. Same with the desk, just make sure you have enough room with the fore/aft movement.

In general, the specs carry over from the current generation KICKR. Max wattage is 2,200 watts with a +/-1% accuracy, and it can simulate resistance up to a 20% grade. When paired with the CLIMB, you will really feel that 20% climb and up to a 10% drop. The 16 lb flywheel helps simulate real road feel. It supports hub standards for 130/135mm QR, 12×142, and 12×148 Thru Axle.

New KICKR BIKE

The MOVE isn’t the only new release. Wahoo is also launching a new, lower-priced bike, the KICKR BIKE SHIFT. Just like the KICKR MOVE and KICKR, the KICKR BIKE SHIFT AND KICKR BIKE share many features. Both feature a sturdy frame and belt-driven flywheel with electromagnetic resistance, but it is also highly adjustable to help you find just the right position to match your outdoor bike setup. There is also Reality Shift, which lets you select gearing to replicate drivetrains from all of the major brands, down to the number of gears and teeth on the cassette.

There are some differences that help to keep costs down. The KICKR BIKE SHIFT has a max wattage of 2200 watts, compared to 2500 watts on the KICKR BIKE, not something that most people would have a problem with. The biggest difference between the bikes is the SHIFT does not change angles for climbs and descents like the KICKR BIKE. A new belt drive system is even quieter, while also making sure changes in resistance or your power output are recognized immediately.

WiFi Connectivity

Both devices will connect by WiFi, which is something that Wahoo introduced last year. This is in addition to up to 3 Bluetooth connections, a direct connect port, and ANT+/ANT+FE-C compatibility. This means you can connect to tons of different devices in different ways, but the WiFi option is what most virtual races will be excited about. The 10Hz broadcasting rate transmits your power data 10x per second for faster response times in the app and for your avatar.

New Unboxing Experience

Wahoo wants to get you riding as quickly as possible with their products. For the KICKR MOVE, there will be a new slide mechanism to slide the trainer out of the box instead of having to lift it out. You’ll also see a reduction of 90% in non-recyclable foam. For the KICKR BIKE and KICKR BIKE SHIFT, you’ll be able to scan a QR code that will help guide you through setup and fitting the bike. This should help take some of the guesswork out for those who are not exactly bike fitters. For the KICKR, CORE, and MOVE, you’ll also have a customized setup that walks you through how to set up your trainer for things like your specific quick release or thru-axle setup, and all of the required tools, accessories, and spacers are included.

Pricing and Availability

• KICKR MOVE: US $1,599.99, Europe €1,599.99 and UK £1,399.99 – available from 12th September
• KICKR BIKE SHIFT: US$2,999.99, Europe €2,999.99 and UK £2,699.99 – available to order from 12th September, delivery late September
• KICKR CLIMB Base Adapter: US $49.99, Europe €49.99 and UK £44.99 – available to order from 12th September, delivery late September

www.wahoofitness.com