{"id":355859,"date":"2025-12-18T10:34:16","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T10:34:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/355859\/"},"modified":"2025-12-18T10:34:16","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T10:34:16","slug":"how-wahoos-kickr-core-2-is-making-indoor-training-even-more-accessible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/355859\/","title":{"rendered":"How Wahoo\u2019s KICKR CORE 2 is making indoor training even more accessible"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wahoo has built a reputation for being a disruptor since it was founded in 2009.<\/p>\n

The American manufacturer turned the world of turbo training on its head when it launched the original KICKR back in 2012, while the brand\u2019s cycling computers have shaken up the GPS market.<\/p>\n

Throw in a segment-leading smart bike, accessories such as heart-rate monitors, cycling sensors, radar lights and pedals, and it\u2019s easy to see how Wahoo has become a major player in the world of cycling tech.<\/p>\n

One of the brand\u2019s most significant releases was the KICKR CORE \u2013 a direct-drive smart trainer launched in 2018. While the KICKR CORE didn\u2019t quite have the same range-topping spec figures as Wahoo\u2019s flagship KICKR, it was a whole lot more affordable, opening up the world of indoor training to the masses.<\/p>\n

Now, Wahoo\u2019s latest iteration \u2013 the KICKR CORE 2 \u2013 builds on its predecessor\u2019s success, but is a fresh attempt by Wahoo to play the role of disruptor once more. Instead of focusing solely on cyclists, this time Wahoo is targeting the world of mainstream fitness.<\/p>\n

Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 \u2013 what you need to know<\/p>\n

1,800-watt maximum power output
\n+\/- 2% power accuracy
\n16% maximum gradient simulation
\nWiFi and Bluetooth connectivity
\nRace Mode broadcasts data 10 times faster than the original KICKR CORE
\n\u00a3499.99 \/ $549.99 \/ \u20ac549.99<\/p>\n

The mission statement
\n\"WahooWahoo wants to help “build the better athlete in all of us”. Wahoo<\/p>\n

\u201cWahoo\u2019s mission is to \u2018build the better athlete in all of us\u2019,\u201d says Tyler Harris, the brand’s cycling category director.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore we dive into the development process for any of our products, we take a step back to focus on the ideal customer experience \u2013 so that our athletes can achieve their goals. We look at customer feedback, current features, new innovations, styling and costs to bring together what the new product needs to deliver.\u201d<\/p>\n

The team didn\u2019t look only at the previous generation of the CORE 1 in isolation, but at customer feedback of all models in the KICKR line-up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen starting a project, we assess customer feedback to ensure we design to eliminate any types of issues experienced,\u201d adds Harris. \u201cThis evaluation process happens continuously throughout the lifecycle of any Wahoo product.<\/p>\n

\"WahooThe CORE 2 is designed to be accessible to cyclists of all levels. Wahoo<\/p>\n

\u201cKICKR CORE 2 went through multiple development iterations across the electrical, mechanical and firmware components until we arrived at what we believe to be the best outcome for our athletes.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the KICKR CORE 2, aimed at improving the accessibility of indoor training, the \u2018athletes\u2019 referred to represent a broad spectrum of abilities \u2013 from first timers to pro-level cyclists.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter iterating through the earlier stages of development, we lean into our global team of passionate athletes who help Wahoo as beta testers,\u201d says Harris. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe beta test group ranges from pro athletes through to casual indoor riders and are fundamental in our product development feedback. Our products, such as the KICKR CORE 2, are being used by all types of riders \u2013 we require their valuable feedback to deliver the best possible product.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Building on solid foundations
\n\"WahooThe CORE 2 builds on the original’s success, and is designed to balance performance and value for money. Wahoo<\/p>\n

Despite being seven years old, the KICKR CORE remained a stalwart of hundreds of thousands of pain caves worldwide thanks to its simplicity, ride feel and pocket-friendly pricing.<\/p>\n

The updated V2, therefore, had solid foundations it could build upon. \u201cCORE 2 has best-in-class ride feel, integrated cadence, virtual shifting and the perfect balance of performance and value,\u201d says Harris.<\/p>\n

The outer design looks very similar to the previous generation, but there is a subtle change to help riders from the outset \u2013 the trainer\u2019s legs are redesigned and colour-coded for a faster, easier setup and improved stability.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe four points of contact on the feet give a wide base for great stability with any style of bike,\u201d adds Harris. Elsewhere, an updated LED system takes the guesswork out of the trainer\u2019s connection status.<\/p>\n

\"WahooWahoo has shaved the weight of the flywheel to 5.4kg for the CORE 2. Wahoo<\/p>\n

It\u2019s inside where Wahoo has undertaken most changes, though. Improvements have been made to the flywheel, which has also been shrunk to 5.4kg, reducing the trainer\u2019s overall weight. Elsewhere, upgrades to the sensors, electronic design and the addition of WiFi connectivity are part of wholesale enhancements to improve the KICKR CORE 2\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe resistance technology in the CORE is a robust and well-tested design. It provides a wide range of braking forces dependent on riding scenarios. The resistance unit capabilities allow for very fast changes in resistance, which make features like virtual shifting, structured workout mode and riding through a virtual world feel natural,\u201d says Harris.<\/p>\n

\u201cA more powerful microprocessor and updated electronics make a more capable KICKR CORE that [thanks to WiFi connectivity] we can continue to add features to over the next few years.\u201d<\/p>\n

The incorporation of WiFi has also unlocked Wahoo\u2019s Race Mode \u2013 where power numbers are broadcast with every flywheel revolution rather than averaged once per second, boosting responsiveness and increasing the accessibility and accuracy of eRacing, where a split-second can be the difference between winning and losing.<\/p>\n

Finally, the introduction of the KICKR BRIDGE simplifies sensor pairing, with all additional devices, such as heart rate monitors and Zwift\u2019s Cog and Click virtual shifters, connected to the CORE 2 rather than individually to a training platform such as Zwift. This feature is particularly beneficial for Apple TV users.<\/p>\n

Approachable alliance
\n\"WahooWahoo has worked hard to make setup and use with apps such as Zwift a seamless experience. Wahoo<\/p>\n

The KICKR BRIDGE is just one example of co-development with Zwift, along with the CORE 2\u2019s virtual-shifting compatibility for the training platform\u2019s Cog and Click accessory.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe both share the view of making indoor riding onboarding as easy and intuitive as possible to encourage more people to ride indoors,\u201d says Harris.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy allowing the Wahoo app or Zwift game itself to select and pair other sensors [via the KICKR BRIDGE and Zwift sensor relay], data can now stream directly through the trainer to apps, turning the KICKR CORE 2 into a central sensor gateway and reducing setup friction.<\/p>\n

\u201cWahoo and Zwift\u2019s product and engineering teams discuss weekly about how we want to see the user experience and technology evolve for current and future features and products.\u201d<\/p>\n

This collaboration is part of a wider attempt across the indoor cycling market to make indoor training more accessible \u2013 from unboxing a turbo trainer through to sprinting for the virtual line in your first online race.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnboarding can be a pain point for new indoor riders \u2013 we have worked hard on improving the simplicity of unboxing and ease of set up, which, when coupled with the Zwift Cog and a Zwift subscription, helps make your first indoor ride set up very quick, easy and much less daunting to those new to it,\u201d says Harris. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe will work tirelessly to continue to keep this innovation going \u2013 to help enable more people to enjoy the benefits of indoor riding.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn addition to Wahoo and Zwift, other partners like MyWhoosh, Rouvy and TrainingPeaks Virtual share our vision of making indoor cycling more accessible. We continue to collaborate with all, to drive the future of indoor cycling.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Wahoo has built a reputation for being a disruptor since it was founded in 2009. The American manufacturer…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":355860,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[569],"tags":[64,63,784,85],"class_list":{"0":"post-355859","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cycling","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-cycling","11":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/355859","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=355859"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/355859\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/355860"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=355859"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=355859"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=355859"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}