Back at Eurobike I went pretty detailed and deep on the new Wahoo Fitness KICKR trainer, which is the first Blueooth Smart and ANT+ combination resistance controllable trainer out on the market. The trainer was designed to allow application developers to write apps against it, as we’ve already seen with TrainerRoad and Kinomap (in addition to the Wahoo Fitness app).
At the time, pricing and availability wasn’t finalized. But in talking with the Wahoo Fitness guys this morning, they’ve firmed up that piece.
The unit will be available January 1st, 2013, for $999US.
For those outside the US, the final pricing is still a bit in flux – primarily just due to shipping and import logistics. They’re looking to work with local bike shops and distributors in the different countries to finalize those details.
From a pricing standpoint, here’s where things stand competitively in this segment (all prices US). These are ONLY trainers that offer some form of power measurement and resistance control.
CompuTrainer: $1,649
Tacx Genius: $1,600 (review soon)
CycleOps PowerBeam Pro: $1,200
Wahoo KICKR: $999
Tacx Bushido: $980
Note, although not included the LeMond Revolution is: $580 – as it does not include resistant control, but does inclue power measurement. Note, review soon on that too. Also note, prices are either Amazon (cheapest) or MSRP – whatever the lowest I could find.
As noted earlier, I’m still aiming for a trainer roundup coming in early October, but it’s unclear if I’ll have a beta KICKR to add to that roundup at that point.
For all the technical details on the Wahoo Fitness KICKR – see my previous post, which I’ve been keeping up to date. Any technical questions are probably best for that post – as it helps others as well.
Thanks for reading!
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Ray… You better get a KickR for your trainer roundup review!!!! Will there also be trainer related software (RM1, CycleopsVirtual, whatever Tacx software is, etc) reviewed in your roundup?
Looks like a killer price point. I’ll definitely be in line if the noise level proves to be as low as they say.
If you do get around to the trainer review, I wonder if you might consider more than just a decibal level comparison. The main issue with most stationary trainers when it comes to noise is the vibration it sends through the floor.
Ray another request for a review is the type of website you use to track your training progress. Training Peaks, Cheetah, Strava, Garmin Connet, etc.
Really hope you get a chance to review this trainer.
Ray thanks so much for the blazing fast update!! Jan 1 is too late for me though, sigh, looks like I am going genius (unless you say i shouldn’t 🙂
Sign me up! How do we purchase the KICKR? Through LBS or will Wahoo be selling directly to customers?
Cool that (from what I understand) it lets you ride Strava segments directly.
Hi Anon-
RE: Sound levels
Yup, I’ve got a decibelmeter actually, :). Just for this review. I’ve gotta go pick it up tomorrow in a pile of packages I have here waiting for me.
Hi John-
RE: Sales channel
Both methods.
Hi DJ-
RE: Strava
Correct. I uploaded a quick video showing off that piece in the post on the other post – really cool stuff!
Hi Ray,
Really looking forward to your trainer roundup. In addition to the Computrainer and the Wahoo KICKR, I hope you’ll include some cheaper options (without resistance control), such as a Kurt Kinetic, maybe paired with their new inRIDE power meter accessory.
With all the cool stuff being developed with BTLE, it would be nice to get your opinion on how this might stack up against units with resistance control as a training tool.
Really looking forward to the review. I’m in the market and am looking for the best – most durable setup. Feel like the Tacx has the tech down but ?? About the hardware… And Computrainer has the hardware but have had horrific software release (hopefully its part of the review too). The Genius might be interesting or some dark horse I don’t know about? Anyway… Thanks for the great writing and all the reviews Ray. Keep up the good work.
Do you know if the kicker will measure/analyze pedal stroke like the computrainer?
Hi Ray,
Do you have more information about the Wahoo KICKR release day ?
Nothing, though, I’m optimistic they’ll release some details next week at CES.
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