Wahoo Fitness KICKR release date

Triathlon Forum
43

It’s funny. I just watched the video and though ‘gee, that sounds loud’ (yes, I know I shot it).

I was curious to see if I just did a simple 200w ride at normal cadence what the decibles would be. So I just jumped on. Came out almost identical.

But the thing is, I think my laptop actually sounded louder playing it back than the trainer did. I guess to me (in the room), there isn’t that undercurrent of loudness. And the high-pitched sound does seem higher on the tape than in real life.

If you’re in Paris - I’m happy to have ya swing by and listen. :slight_smile:

44

True, but I don’t think the secret sauce is the CompuTrainer functionality (power meter, erg mode), but instead the KICKR’s ability to communicate with software. That really opens up the cool stuff.

For me, the draw of the CT is not needing to try to match shifting and cadence to hit the power intervals, just hit your cadence and keep going no matter what. Same thing I want out of the Kickr. And much as I love the idea of not needing a trainer wheel to keep aired and continually check the resistance unit tension, I’d rather do that than deal with high-pitched whining. Is this something a belt change could fix?

IIRC the Kickr will also perform in an erg mode just like the Computrainer.

Hugh

45

If you’re in Paris - I’m happy to have ya swing by and listen. :slight_smile:

The missus has family there, so you never know, but if you’re telling us that your subjective opinion is that it’s not “that bad,” then I’m not too troubled. I’m in a house so I don’t have the same concerns that apartment/condo dwellers - just hoping to maintain the peace at home when I decide to jump on the trainer at 5:30am to bang out come intervals while the missus is asleep upstairs!

47

True, but I don’t think the secret sauce is the CompuTrainer functionality (power meter, erg mode), but instead the KICKR’s ability to communicate with software. That really opens up the cool stuff.

For me, the draw of the CT is not needing to try to match shifting and cadence to hit the power intervals, just hit your cadence and keep going no matter what. Same thing I want out of the Kickr. And much as I love the idea of not needing a trainer wheel to keep aired and continually check the resistance unit tension, I’d rather do that than deal with high-pitched whining. Is this something a belt change could fix?

IIRC the Kickr will also perform in an erg mode just like the Computrainer.

Hugh

It does, it’s what I use 90% of the time. Set and change the wattage as you see fit. You can see a workout done that way in today’s post, I had various cadences to hit, but just set the wattage as the workout required manually as I went along to stay in my HR zones.

48

If you’re in Paris - I’m happy to have ya swing by and listen. :slight_smile:

The missus has family there, so you never know, but if you’re telling us that your subjective opinion is that it’s not “that bad,” then I’m not too troubled. I’m in a house so I don’t have the same concerns that apartment/condo dwellers - just hoping to maintain the peace at home when I decide to jump on the trainer at 5:30am to bang out come intervals while the missus is asleep upstairs!

My wife has very little tolerance for loud noises/sounds. She’s fine with it and has used it herself on a few rides.

Just my opinion (well, I guess and hers). But I am serious, if any Paris folks want to swing in and listen (or ride it), I’m open.

49

Moral of the story is don’t be countin on softwares to make to make this she-beast pretty. The softwares just makeup and the units gotta stand on its own…

I agree that is the hardware is a POS then no amount of cool software is going to make the user experience a good one, but my point is that while there are certainly core similarities between the KICKR and the Computrainer, it’s the Ant+/Bluetooth compatibility and the corresponding ability to interface and operate with cool software that is the key differentiator of the KICKR, IMHO.

50

Wow, interesting stuff, I hadn’t seen that yet.

Just read through the lawsuit, and then the patent itself. I’m no patent pro, but I think it’s junk. The first patent they claim was in 1999. Looking at the core tenant, it’s:

"1. A data signal having data encoded thereon transmitted over a communication channel, comprising: (a) a first data field defining a first operating parameter value for one of one or more operating parameters of an exercise device; (b) a second data field defining a second operating parameter value for another of said one or more operating parameters of the exercise device; and (c) a third data field defining a checksum of said first byte of data and said second byte of data, said checksum configured to be used by the exercise device for error detection of the first operating parameter value and the second operating parameter value. "

What’s interesting is that they aren’t suing RacerMate, who did this before them. The first handlebar units were 1987 - 12 years prior.

I’d expect this to be tossed. It would otherwise cover every piece of exercise equipment ever made, plus every software app and device related to exercise ever made. Weird.

(But again, thanks for sharing, cool to read through)

And that brings them awfully close to the already-established CompuTrainer.

True, but I don’t think the secret sauce is the CompuTrainer functionality (power meter, erg mode), but instead the KICKR’s ability to communicate with software. That really opens up the cool stuff.

Not so fast there brotha… cycleops (power beam trainer) just got sued by the makers of that tour de fancie pants bike advertized on tv for all sortsa software stuff. These are the same nice fellers suin’ strava, mapmyride and garmin.

This lawsuit just filed Jan 2, '13 http://patentblast.com/...saris-cycling-group/

http://www.bicycleretailer.com/...elopers#.UQHa86VRabB

Heck even my kart car runs a garmin to track lap times like a crit and I wonder if they gonna sue garmin for that too cuz we usin’ all sorts of software gizmos. Whoops, LOL.

Moral of the story is don’t be countin on softwares to make to make this she-beast pretty. The softwares just makeup and the units gotta stand on its own…

53

It’s ANT+.

54

I suppose that means waiting to see if they can resolve it for the Kickr2, or somesuch. Or try to find a used Computrainer and deal with the tire interface. Frustrating.

55

bluetooth no ant

Mac IOS and probably android
.

56

bluetooth no ant

Mac IOS and probably android

No really folks, it has ANT+.

57

sorry all on their website: http://www.wahoofitness.com/KICKRPowerTrainer/?returnFull=1

WHAT SOFTWARE?
Compatibility: Any iPhone with Bluetooth 4.0: iPhone 4S, 5; iPad 3 and newer; iPad mini Older iPhones/iPads can collect data with the use of an ANT+ adapter for iPhone

Trainer Road
Trainer Road.com is an online community focused on providing cyclists incredible structured workouts and training programs. Check outwww.trainerroad.com for more information

Compatibility: Latest generation Apple laptops and desktops with Bluetooth 4.0 built in. Older Macs and Macbooks with a BT40 dongle Windows machines with ANT+ USB stick (control mode via ANT+ not available – yet)

Kinomap
Kinomap is an online sharing site of geolocated videos. Choose a video of your favorite Tour stage or race course and Kinomap will control the KICKR as you watch the video, matching the resistance to the elevation of your virtual ride. Check out www.kinomap.com for more information.

Compatibility: Any iPhone with Bluetooth 4.0: iPhone 4S, 5; iPad 3 and newer; iPad mini Older iPhones/iPads can collect data with the use of an ANT+ adapter for iPhone

Any ANT+ head unit
The KICKR broadcasts speed and power (wattage) via ANT+. Any ANT+ enabled bike computer, such as a Garmin Edge, will be able to read the data from your KICKR.

58

“I hear lemond went outta biz over this noise issue…”

It would - literally - be impossible for this to be farther from the truth.

.

59

I ordered mine back in December from probikesupply.com

I’m just pissed that they’ve already charged my card (and I’ve already paid that month’s card balance) and I have nothing to show for it.

Mike from Wahoo here. This was a mistake and I apologize for this. We had no agreement with Pro Bike Supply to sell trainers. Heck - dealers don’t even have a price list yet (it is going out next week).

If you would like to talk more about pro bike supply and your situation, please pm or email me at mike AT wahoofitness.com. I apologize for this situation.

60

But … WHAT ABOUT INTERNATIONAL ORDERS?
In the short term, we cannot offer international shipping. We don’t have the ability to support KICKRs if you are outside North America. In the long term, we will have distribution in Europe and Australia.
So what is long term? 2014 and onwards?

Hi - Mike from Wahoo here. We will publish information about International purchases in mid February. We are finalized details next week at ISPO (big sport/fitness trade show) in Munich.

61

Mike from Wahoo here.

We will announce something official by the end of next week. It’s time for us to put up or shut up ;-).

Actually, I am too afraid of Ray’s mighty pen to ship anything crappy.

LOL an announcement about an upcomming announcement. Why not just cut the crap and make an announcement in the first place?

62

Mike from Wahoo here.

The KICKR has BOTH Bluetooth Smart and ANT+.

You can both receive data and control the KICKR via Bluetooth Smart.
As of now, you can receive data via ANT+. In the future, we will extend the ANT+ capabilities.

Also, the KICKR’s firmware can be updated via the App.

bluetooth no ant

Mac IOS and probably android

No really folks, it has ANT+.

63

It’s not a noisy trainer. It’s a very very quiet trainer.

I’ve ridden it in erg mode in my office while in the smallest gear. That makes the fly wheel spin more slowly. It was quieter than my Rock n Roll (which my buddy Reid was using with a trainer tire right next to me).

When the fly wheel spins quickly it’s not very noisy either.

64

New update has preorders Jan 29, the bait is en route…

65

Hi Nate,

Thanks for making that point. The high torque electromagnet is designed to generate high power even at low speeds, something I don’t believe any other trainer can do. This allows Erg mode to operate at low speeds and makes the Trainer exceptionally quiet. I’m obviously biased (it’s my baby) but it doesn’t “feel” as loud as other trainers even at similar speeds.

Chip from Wahoo