Just a super quick heads up that Wahoo has put the Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 on sale, as an ‘end of season’ sale. While I’m not entirely sure I’d count the first few days of ‘end of trainer season’, most of us aren’t going to be upset about it.
The KICKR CORE 2 was announced back in early September (2025), and is mostly an electronics upgrade adding a bunch of new features, rather than any sort of difference in flywheel/etc… As a quick reminder, here’s the newness:
– Added WiFi connectivity (helps in certain environments, and auto downloads firmware updates)
– Added Race Mode (faster update rate)
– Added ‘Sensor Hub’, aka Bluetooth bridging, helpful for Apple TV users especially
– Added secure/bonded/encrypted Bluetooth pairing for EU security compliance (EU RED)
– Added new trainer LEDs for trainer/WiFi status
– Tweaked the legs to be flat-shaped (versus rounded previously)
Also, in early January, it got another firmware update, allowing you to pair Zwift controllers via the Sensor Hub (again, mostly useful for Apple TV users). I’ve continued to use the CORE 2 unit I bought, with my wife riding it most of the time as her main trainer. Continues to work spot-on for us.
The unit is offered in two flavors, one with the Zwift Cog/Click (specifically the new Click V2 dual-set buttons), and the second with an 11sp cassette. The underlying hardware is the same on both, and you can always swap to other cassettes (as I did in my review – to a 12sp cassette).
In any case, keeping this short, the KICKR CORE 2 is on sale for $399, regardless of which model you buy. Additionally, in the EU it’s 399EUR, and the UK £399.
In terms of upgrading, the key thing you’d want to decide is whether or not you care about those electronic features above. Meaning, if you already have a KICKR CORE 1, you’re not going to ‘feel’ anything different here. It’s the same physical trainer as before. Likewise, if you have a KICKR CORE V4/V5/V6, those flywheels are greater. However, if you care about those electronics updates, then this is worth considering.
Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 with Zwift Cog/Click – $399 (REI)
Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 with Zwift Cog/Click – $399 (Competitive Cyclist)
Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 with 11-speed cassette – $399 (REI)
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Hopefully you found this review/post useful. At the end of the day, I’m an athlete just like you looking for the most detail possible on a new purchase – so my review is written from the standpoint of how I used the device. The reviews generally take a lot of hours to put together, so it’s a fair bit of work (and labor of love). As you probably noticed by looking below, I also take time to answer all the questions posted in the comments – and there’s quite a bit of detail in there as well.
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Here's a few other variants or sibling products that are worth considering:
Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 (11sp Cassette)
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Thanks for reading! And as always, feel free to post comments or questions in the comments section below, I’ll be happy to try and answer them as quickly as possible. And lastly, if you felt this review was useful – I always appreciate feedback in the comments below. Thanks!
I bought the Core 2 to simplify device connectivity to Zwift on Apple TV but my experience has been opposite.
My old Core through the Zwift companion app worked reliably for years. Using the Wifi bridge of the Core 2, it solid for the first month but now, I frequently get HR and power drop outs. Still troubleshooting the reason but hasn’t been fun.
Hi, thanks for the hint – would you suggest it makes sense to take this opportunity and go for a kickr core 2 now?
I’m currently on a Tacx Neo (1st Gen) – no complaints about it, almost exclusively using TrainerRoad. I was just wondering, are there any benefits to be had that I’m not aware of? Race mode is only relevant in race-situations, right?
Yeah, to be honest, I don’t think you’d gain much there, if it’s fitting all your requirements today.
The main things would be:
1) Multichannel Bluetooth (doesn’t sound like that’s a limiter for you)
2) Zwift Virtual shifting (not an issue since you’re using TrainerRoad)
3) Sensor Hub (again, doesn’t sound like something you’re running up against, mostly for Zwift Apple TV folks)
4) Race mode (again, not for TR, for Zwift, and as you noted, really not something 95% of the people would even notice/care about)
I’d honestly go spend it on ice cream instead!
Cheers!
Hi Ray, I was about to order the JetBlack Victory until I saw your post. Now that they are the same price at $399, which one would you recommend?
Pardon the off-topic comment, but I wasn’t sure how to engage you, Ray: Are you prohibited from posting about the new Garmin RearVue 820 until tomorrow?
GPLama posted about it Wednesday.
Anxious to have your informed take.
Hello! Thanks for being a DCR supporter! I’ve been posting some of my rides and such to Instagram Stories the past few days since it announced. I’ve got an in-depth review coming up very shortly. Just a few more scenarios I want to finalize.
link to instagram.com
TLDR of that will basically be:
– Accuracy really really effing good
– Battery life meeting claimed specs
– New vehicle overlay thing/colors/sizing is overly complicated, and falls apart in rain (still tracks vehicles fine in rain, but identifying size of vehicles goes haywire)
– Steady-state tracking of cars (and bikes!) while riding at same speed is cool, especially bikes riding with you
– Price is obviously a bump, though basically $50 more than Wahoo, and given it’s far more accurate than Wahoo…hard to argue with Garmin’s logic.
– Mounting point exactly the same as previous unit, so will work on all existing mounts
Cheers!
Awesome! Thank you.
I was unaware of your Insta presence, so will add that.
I can probably wait for your review, but if you don’t mind, one simple question:
Can you mount the light inverted, and retain all functionality (provided it’s mounted perpendicular to ground level)?
I sometimes ride with my 515 inverted (on the seat rail mount), to avoid clashing with a rack-top bag, and/or other stuff, when using a dropper post.
Given the inverted light position of the 820, I’ll be more likely to ride with it inverted, since I think having the taillight higher up, increases safety and visibility to motorists, particularly in the US with stupid tall vehicles.
Cheers!
You did not mention, most importantly: USB C, finally 😁
Hey Ray,
One quick question, will the “Sensor Hub” allow me to connect my HR to Apple TV? I’m using the Zwift Ride with the Kickr Core now.
Just a heads up on the REI link, the Zwift Hub/Click is showing out of stock at the moment.
Thanks
Another small tweak to the Core 2 is that the centerline of the bike is now much closer to the center of the support legs.
This improvement likely only affects a small percentage of riders who are tall enough and heavy enough to create the leverage needed to experience the unsteadiness of the Core 1 when standing and sprinting. I wouldn’t call the Core 1 “dangerous”, but always found it odd that the bike wasn’t centered on the legs and could more easily tip toward the right. It was unsettling having it tip and lift a support leg if you got too aggressive during an effort.
Again, lighter riders, shorter riders, or smooth sprinters probably don’t ever have an issue on the Core 1. And once you experience it once or twice, you adjust your style to compensate and just move on. Still glad to see Wahoo improve that design oversight on the new version.
Hello
I have a Kickr V5 paired with Apple TV
Could be intresting for me the update?
Improvement is virtual shifting compatibility, BT bridge for HR and zwift click but I´m loosing the Kickr design with foldable legs
Is possible to adapt the core 2 to the kickr frame?
Thanks for your help
In one of the last paragraphs, you say
Likewise, if you have a KICKR CORE V4/V5/V6, those flywheels are greater.
Shouldn’t that be just KICKR, not KICKR CORE, or am I getting confused on the various names.
Alas, no deals in the great white north, still CDN$899.99.
Wahoo/zwift have been screwing Canadians for years on hardware prices like this sadly.
Ray, any chance you’d do a new comparison of all the online training apps? They’ve changed so much in the last 2-3 years.
There is a reason these are on sale. I bought the Core 2 which came with instructions for another product. The customer support is minimal and my issues, as of yet, are not resolved. While I am dealing with both Zwift and Wahoo, be prepared for long waits and links to leads that get you no where.
Well, in Europe I had a query that did take a long time to reply, but, when they did, it was helpful so I asked for a discount to the agent (it was around black Friday and I was “angry” at the 200e discount for the zwiftbike+kickr core 2 only 1 month after launch when I paid more) and he graciously sent me two gifts, without postage, worth more than the discount.
So, at least for me, I’m 100% wahoo team, they gained a costumer, and have been dying to tell it as appreciation. I also donated the difference to the church :)
Hi
I´m a Mexican rider, that i have been using a mechanic trainner, and what to buy a inteligent traimer.
Im between the Wahoo Kick Core 2 or Taxc Flux 2, which one would you buy?
Thanks for your help
If I get the 11speed version, can I swap the cassette to sram 12speed without changing the hub? They compatible?
The jetblack victory is now on sale for $299. Not sure for how long.
Hi. Not quite the right thread but all thoughts welcome. DC appreciate your wisdom knowledge on a kickr v5 vs a wahoo kickr bike v1? Which would you recommend if you could have either. I have KICKR v5 and friend moving offered v1 bike for free if I can move it ASAP.
Which is better? Any and all thoughts welcome. Am I giving up any thing…? Thanks. Hope kiddies had a great valentine!