Heads up! The big Garmin annual spring sale has started, with $200 off the Fenix 8 (first sale to date!), $100 off the Edge 1050, Forerunner 965 at $499, the Forerunner 265, the new Instinct 3, and countless other Garmin products including inReach Mini 2. Plus the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium is on sale, and some Suunto & Wahoo product deals too. Full list & thoughts here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…
I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.
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Here’s my most recent GPS watch guide here, and cycling GPS computers here. Plus there are smart trainers here, all in these guides cover almost every category of sports gadgets out there. Looking for the equipment I use day-to-day? I also just put together my complete ‘Gear I Use’ equipment list, from swim to bike to run and everything in between (plus a few extra things). And to compliment that, here’s The Girl’s (my wife’s) list. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!
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The Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
Many readers stumble into my website in search of information on the latest and greatest sports tech products. But at the end of the day, you might just be wondering “What does Ray use when not testing new products?”. So here is the most up to date list of products I like and fit the bill for me and my training needs best! DC Rainmaker 2024 swim, bike, run, and general gear list. But wait, are you a female and feel like these things might not apply to you? If that’s the case (but certainly not saying my choices aren’t good for women), and you just want to see a different gear junkies “picks”, check out The Girl’s Gear Guide too.
I’m still running my 2016 Kickr, but had considered upgrading to the H3 for a better feel before they had financial issues. Any reason to do so at this price point?
So the CORE is basically a 2017 KICKR in terms of specs, so that’d be an upgrade for you.
From a 2016 KICKR to a KICKR CORE, you’d gain:
1) Adds KICKR CLIMB compatibility
2) Makes it silent
3) Adds 12×148 thru-axle support
4) Increases compatibility with more bike frames
5) Adds multi-channel Bluetooth
6) Adds cadence support (meaning you don’t need an extra sensor)
I’d say if you were on the market for spending under $500, it’s a solid upgrade in terms of those items, probably noise, cadence, and CLIMB compatibility being the big ones, with it being silent being the most notable differences for you.
My Core is 3+ years old….Wahoo support phenomenal for me…it just became a spare. Thanks for the heads up Ray….
Now if they would “test market” a $250.00 Elemnt Roam v2. So much for saving money
This sucks… I just bought a h3 on sale for about 400 shipped… I would have rather have the core… Oh well…
Why sad? The H3 is a solid unit, and $400 shipped is a great price. H3 has a heavier flywheel for great road feel, fantastic ERG mode, made in USA. Only reason to prefer a CORE for more $ imho is if you want CLIMB or have a 12sp bike. Enjoy your new trainer!
Gosh, I love my H3–It feels great and has been rock solid for 2.5 years now! I wouldn’t trade it for a KICKR if you paid me.
Agree that the H3 is a very solid trainer, especially – if not entirely – for ERG mode.
That said, the CORE is silent, the H3 is not. Also, the CORE has multi-channel Bluetooth, which may matter for some (depending on their watch/apps), and of course, if you want the KICKR CLIMB, the CORE is better.
And of course, depending on your bike as you noted, cassette compatibility.
Personally, if doing primarily Zwift, I’d likely to CORE. But if doing primarily ERG in a garage, I’d probably go H3.
I’ve been on a Hammer since 2016. It’s damn loud but sure works well. Later H versions are much much more quiet. I actually wanted a Kickr but work politics dictated otherwise.
Hi Ray, one additional point of comparison I did not notice in the write up or chart is auto calibration. The Hub has it, does the CORE? Also wondering if you think auto calibration matters much… I have an H3 without auto calibration but it seems to “hold” its calibration setting for many months (it does sit indoors in a temperature controlled room…). Thanks for all your good work!
The CORE doesn’t have it officially (like, as a spec-item), though frankly, it kinda has it from a practical standpoint. You can leave a CORE for months and because of temp offset, it’s happy.
Similar question regarding upgrade – I have a Kickr V2 – I have it on an Inside Ride E-Flex – Its been fine – Occasional drop outs – Obviously no climb compatibility – Is it worth upgrading? I have a $200 credit at REI so this would be a steal..
In your case, a KICKR V2 is the KICKR 2016, so the above-linked comment covers most of it (link to dcrainmaker.com)
However, the big notable item is you have the Inside Ride E-Flex. Certainly, if you go to CLIMB, that kills that. And same with CORE, as it’s not compatible there unless you’ve got the newer E-Flex Plus (which is compatible with both CORE & KICKR).
Just as I was trying to unload my KICKR Core, which has since been replaced with the newer KICKR. 🤦🏻♂️ So it goes…
Boy o boy… My 7ish year old Elite Drivo is aging… and these deals are getting GREAT
Boom! I’m updating my KICKR v1 (< 2016) today!!! THANKS RAY!
Interesting. I just picked up a refurb KICKR V5 for $400 off ($799) basically on the grounds that it simulates a slightly wider range of gradients and the legs fold in for easier storage (along with a carrying handle which helps too). But if the lack of folding legs isn’t too much of an issue this is an amazing deal when you consider that with inflation it’s what a basic hydraulic fluid dumb trainer cost a decade ago.
I’ve been using a Cyclops Fluid2 for about 12 years now (not a joke), mostly for Wahoo/old Sufferfest workouts. I’ve been thinking about pulling the trigger on a smart trainer, trying to find the best deal. Almost went for an H3 at around $600US a few weeks ago. Any likelihood there will be something better than this between now and Black Friday?
link to rei.com
Not quite the kickr deal but good for someone on a minimal budget.
Kickr deal is over. Back to $900.
No it’s not. You have to put it in your cart. It’s still showing up as discounted as of 9:18 PM Eastern time
The deal is still there. Just add to the cart and then check the final price.
Yeah, deal is definitely still there.
Thanks. Sorry for any confusion.
Just bought it. It’s my first smart trainer. Thanks Ray!
Ray,
Is there a deal for the EU customers as well?
Thanks.
Mike
No, this is specific to a US retailer.
Clicking through to shipping it lets me choose a UK address with air shipping with no added charge. Doesn’t mention customs charges tho.
Thinking out loud here….. could REI avoid MAP non-compliance by technically advertising at full MSRP, and only showing the discount in cart?
There’s a lot of weird MAP quirks out there, and it really depends on the exact contract with Wahoo (the nuances differ from company to company).
Would I also be able to use this in place of a stationary bike for Apple Fitness+ Bike workouts? I have an Apple Watch Ultra and a new 2022 Apple TV 4K, as well as a Verity Sense Heart Rate Strap. I plan to get the Life Fitness Rower as soon as I finish rearranging my garage to be a workout space.
Definitely, at least in terms of the riding part. It transmits just fine, but as of current, Apple Fitness+ won’t “accept” any data at all (from any type of bike).
That said, given Apple just added power/cadence/speed for the Apple Watch, I’m going to guess that Apple Fitnes+ won’t be too far down the road. And this supports those standards perfectly.
Thanks! I ordered two of them, one for me and one for my BF. Unless they add Ethernet support in the next 90 days, these will be fine for us.
It has been my expectation that they would add some more data in to Fitness+ and eventually some device control (speed/elevation/resistance) from Fitness+ for some time. I expect that as part of the fall update, we will get some new features, including a structured workout program.
As someone just trying to get in shape, not prepare for an Ironman Triathlon would something like Training Peaks make any sense once their Fitness+ integration is real?
It seems bizarre to me how far behind Tacx/Garmin is slipping.
Yes, the NEO2T is still a top-tier trainer – as you’ve commented before: they kinda nailed it right from the OG NEO1.
However, their entry and mid-level units – the Flux S and Flux 2 – are getting left in the dust. They’re noisier, bigger, and way more expensive than the silent Kickr Core and Zwift Hub.
It appears the deal has ended — back to $900.
Still available. One has to add it to one’s cart to see the discount.
Nope, still valid (just checked now), you HAVE to add it to your cart to see the price.
Cheers!
Just checked, they added it to their general 4th of July sale and made it $600, and the price doesn’t change in your cart anymore.
It’s the same price as Wahoo direct now.
link to wahoofitness.com
Thanks, ordered about 12 days ago and it was delivered ( to Ireland !! ) yesterday. At just over 430eur it was a super deal
Does anyone know if the still is still valid? Just saw this post about 10 days late.
Click the links (REI and Wahoo Fitness) and take a look…
i am a bit confused between elite direto xr-t vs wahoo kicker core as both of them cost me the same in india. please suggest which one should i go with.
Been riding an OG Kurt Kinetic wheel on (dumb) fluid trainer for 3 Ironman preps. Never got into smart trainer wave and realized I was missing out. Debated between $1400 neo 2t or Kickr core.
Found a deal at Sun Ski Sport similar to this one and decided to get my first smart trainer with zwift.
Curious to see how this goes!
Thanks Ray, your reviews helped me make a smart decision. I hope the upgrades are worth it!