Wahoo announced the KICKR CORE at Eurobike last July. The Core was Wahoo’s attempt to enter the midrange direct drive trainer market and go head to head against the Tacx Flux and Elite Direto. Two months later, the KICKR CORE is now in stock and you can order yours today.

CORE vs KICKR 2018

Other than the $300 cheaper price, The CORE uses a lot of the same technology and hardware in the Wahoo KICKR Direct drive trainer but with a smaller flywheel, less max power, and less max grade. The KICKR Core flywheel is 12 lbs. For comparison, the KICKR 2017 and previous generations had a 12.5 lbs flywheel. Wahoo SNAP has a 10.5 lbs flywheel. So ultimately you are getting the same flywheel as a 2017 KICKR has which is pretty darn good.

Wahoo KICKR 2018 vs Wahoo KICKR CORE

JUST AS QUIET

Wahoo used the same belt technology in the CORE as they now have in the KICKR 2018 making it just as quiet as you can see in the video demo below:

MIDRANGE BATTLE

Tacx started the midrange direct drive trainer segment with their Tacx Flux as a more affordable way to upgrade to a smart trainer. Less than a year later, Elite introduced the Elite Direto which was a big hit among athletes and received rave reviews for its power accuracy, quiet noise, and many other features.

It was only a matter of time until Wahoo entered this segment with the new KICKR Core, and without skimping much on many of the features that made the KICKR the top selling smart trainer on the market today. The CORE is so similar to the KICKR it makes me wonder what’s going to happen to the sales of the Wahoo KICKR. Would the CORE steal the top spot from its big brother?

Check out our Trainers Sale page for possible deals on Wahoo KICKRs

Thanks for reading!

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2 Comments

  • Hi, first of all tks for your video an tests.
    I’m starting triathlon and I love that. I discover smart trainer I buy a second hand one to start with but now following your Chanel I like to buy a wahoo.
    There are two dilemmas:
    1. I want to get the kickr climb, I need to train in climbing a lot (I love that).
    So now I hesitate between kickr core and kickr 2020 ( new)
    Any advice here would be appreciated.
    2. When I will get my kickr do I keep my old aluminium bike to stay on the trainer? If yes I would have to change the cassette (9 speed), or do I sell It and I keep my carbone (giant propel) for both utilisations? It’s not a money nor space problem?

    Tks for any advice here.

    Gael.

    PS: Hello from France 😉

    • Hello Gael,
      If you can buy the KICKR 2020 model, then I would go with that and get the climb if you would like to add that to your training studio. Putting your Giant carbon bike on the trainer should not be an issue. I personally like to ride the same bike indoors and outdoors.
      Let me know if there is any other question I can help answer. Ride on!