Anyone own a Wahoo Kickr?!? (now with a pic!)

[deadken]

I just bought a Wahoo Kickr to use over the winter with my new tri-bike (Cervelo P3). I just played around with it tonight and it seems pretty awesome. I wanted to know if anyone here has one and if they do, what software they use with it.

From what I've heard Wahoo left the software open source so a lot of different companies are making software for it. I've heard good things about Trainer Road but it costs $10 a month (not a big deal considering what I just paid). I figured that I'd ask if anyone else has one and what they use.

I'm thinking of using an older P4 laptop with WinXP and seeing if the TrainerRoad software works with that. If it does, it'd be great as it's portable, I could buy a USB Bluetooth 4.0 adapter, it'd play DVD's (I hear the Sufferfest DVD's are great training videos), and I'd think I could output the video to a TV set (HDMI?).

Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions, comments, experience with software or the Kickr, etc...


Please notice the sweat drips all over the floor under the bike. That was a 40 minute, 15 mile, 177 watt average ride.

 

[Trevor DeRuise]

The KICKR is what I take along with me every time I'm traveling – I love it. And yes, TR will work on just about anything that runs Windows, Mac, and now iOS. Here's some more info on the minimum hardware required: http://support.trainerroad.com/hc/en-us/articles/201542504-Minimum-Hardware

-Trevor from TrainerRoad

 

[RichieZ]

I use a kurt kinetic road machine along with trainer road, trainer road is fantastic.

You need to ride more if you are sweating that much for that time/distance/wattage

(not as fancy as the kicker but does the job)

 

[deadken]

The KICKR is what I take along with me every time I'm traveling – I love it. And yes, TR will work on just about anything that runs Windows, Mac, and now iOS. Here's some more info on the minimum hardware required: http://support.trainerroad.com/hc/en-us/articles/201542504-Minimum-Hardware

-Trevor from TrainerRoad

Quoted directly from the webpage you linked to:
"Wahoo KICKR

Bluetooth:

Mac computer running OSX 10.8 or newer with Bluetooth 4.0 built in or with a dongle. See Bluetooth 4.0 Smart Support
Wahoo Kickr bike trainer
(Optional) ANT+ or Bluetooth Smart cadence sensor and heart rate strap from above"

Please note the lack of a Windows based PC specs anywhere after what is stated as being needed with the Wahoo Kickr. Sure, I know what Mac OS I'll need, but I still have no idea what PC specs I'll need (XP compatibility, CPU, Ram, etc???). I guess I should be appreciative of you signing up with Anandtech just to answer my post, but somehow it feels more like a sales pitch from a guy who didn't really read what I wrote. As I said, I'm interested in TrainerRoad, I'm just trying to find out if anyone else uses an older laptop for it, etc...

WTF: After digging around I now see that the website states (buried, not up front) that ONLY one specific Bluetooth dongle will work. Why isn't this information made clear right up front? Seriously, if you say that a Bluetooth 4.0 dongle is needed, you should be clear that it has to be one specific brand / make / model and that no others will work.

 

[deadken]

I use a kurt kinetic road machine along with trainer road, trainer road is fantastic.

You need to ride more if you are sweating that much for that time/distance/wattage

(not as fancy as the kicker but does the job)

Can I ask what you use to run TrainerRoad on? Please be specific about the hardware used.

Well, I was surprised at how much I sweat for that. Perhaps it's that I was over hydrated, indoors, etc... I'm hoping to get some real hours of training in over the winter. We'll have to see how it goes.

I was ready to buy a KK trainer. But after asking a lot of cyclists how they liked indoor trainers, I found that most of them HATED them. So many people said that they used one once and never again. I figured that I would be better off buying a top of the line trainer and hopefully it'd give me a better experience compared to most everyone else I had talked to. We'll have to see how it pans out over the next few months!

 

[RichieZ]

Can I ask what you use to run TrainerRoad on? Please be specific about the hardware used.

Well, I was surprised at how much I sweat for that. Perhaps it's that I was over hydrated, indoors, etc... I'm hoping to get some real hours of training in over the winter. We'll have to see how it goes.

I was ready to buy a KK trainer. But after asking a lot of cyclists how they liked indoor trainers, I found that most of them HATED them. So many people said that they used one once and never again. I figured that I would be better off buying a top of the line trainer and hopefully it'd give me a better experience compared to most everyone else I had talked to. We'll have to see how it pans out over the next few months!

With trainerroad I just use my normal ANT+ devices w/ a USB ANT+ reciever:
Garmin GSC10 speed/cadence sensor
Garmin HRM
Suunto Movestick Mini (USB ANT+ receiver)
Macbook Pro Retina sometimes connected via HDMI to my 60" LED

However given that the Kickr is bluetooth and has power/speed/cadence I think you just need a bluetooth receiver for your laptop.

A lot of people like to use sufferfest videos w/ trainerroad, but I like to just use the sweet spot training program while watching tv or a movie.

 

[PenguinPower]

Can I ask what you use to run TrainerRoad on? Please be specific about the hardware used.

Well, I was surprised at how much I sweat for that. Perhaps it's that I was over hydrated, indoors, etc... I'm hoping to get some real hours of training in over the winter. We'll have to see how it goes.

I was ready to buy a KK trainer. But after asking a lot of cyclists how they liked indoor trainers, I found that most of them HATED them. So many people said that they used one once and never again. I figured that I would be better off buying a top of the line trainer and hopefully it'd give me a better experience compared to most everyone else I had talked to. We'll have to see how it pans out over the next few months!

I have a CycleOps PowerBeam Pro, and I still hate it...though I do use it three times a week. A trainer is good for building mental toughness (if you can get through the boredom), in addition to focusing on bike power (which is what the offseason is good for).

 

[lotus503]

I just bought a Wahoo Kickr to use over the winter with my new tri-bike (Cervelo P3). I just played around with it tonight and it seems pretty awesome. I wanted to know if anyone here has one and if they do, what software they use with it.

From what I've heard Wahoo left the software open source so a lot of different companies are making software for it. I've heard good things about Trainer Road but it costs $10 a month (not a big deal considering what I just paid). I figured that I'd ask if anyone else has one and what they use.

I'm thinking of using an older P4 laptop with WinXP and seeing if the TrainerRoad software works with that. If it does, it'd be great as it's portable, I could buy a USB Bluetooth 4.0 adapter, it'd play DVD's (I hear the Sufferfest DVD's are great training videos), and I'd think I could output the video to a TV set (HDMI?).

Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions, comments, experience with software or the Kickr, etc...


Please notice the sweat drips all over the floor under the bike. That was a 40 minute, 15 mile, 177 watt average ride.

I don't have the Kickr, I do have thew CycleOps powerbeam though. if it wasn't for the virtual riding and routes I would never be able to take more than an hour of trainer work.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I have a trainer from 1up USA.

http://www.1upusa.com/product-trainer.html

I bought it back in 2006 or so...it's really solid, but not cheap.

 

[KMc]

I'm more interested to hear what you guys put in your saddle bags for an indoor trainer ride?

 

[PenguinPower]

I'm more interested to hear what you guys put in your saddle bags for an indoor trainer ride?

(1) 12oz beer

 

[lotus503]

I have a CycleOps PowerBeam Pro, and I still hate it...though I do use it three times a week. A trainer is good for building mental toughness (if you can get through the boredom), in addition to focusing on bike power (which is what the offseason is good for).

Why do you hate your powerbeam? you downloading and riding the online routes?

 

[PenguinPower]

Why do you hate your powerbeam? you downloading and riding the online routes?

I create my own routes. Don't get me wrong...I love it compared to other trainers. I just abhor all trainers just as I hate running on the treadmill.

 

[lotus503]

I create my own routes. Don't get me wrong...I love it compared to other trainers. I just abhor all trainers just as I hate running on the treadmill.

fair enough, its definitely not on my list of things I enjoy doing. But its a means to an end with upping my outdoor game.

 

[deadken]

So, can I ask what software you guys use with your trainers (Penguin Power and Lotus503)?

I bought the Kickr, but the idea of the post was to find what software other people use, how they like it, and what hardware they run it on.

BTW: RitchieZ, the Kickr doesn't come with a cadence sensor. But, Wahoo does make two. I'm going to buy a BlueSC on Saturday. I'm getting the Wahoo sensor because it is Ant+ and Bluetooth and does Speed and Cadence.

 

[lotus503]

So, can I ask what software you guys use with your trainers (Penguin Power and Lotus503)?

I bought the Kickr, but the idea of the post was to find what software other people use, how they like it, and what hardware they run it on.

BTW: RitchieZ, the Kickr doesn't come with a cadence sensor. But, Wahoo does make two. I'm going to buy a BlueSC on Saturday. I'm getting the Wahoo sensor because it is Ant+ and Bluetooth and does Speed and Cadence.

I use the virtual trainer with the powerbeam pro. When I was researching I thought I saw on DCrainmaker that the Wahoo can use that software too.

http://www.cycleops.com/virtualtraining/overview

I also use traineroad for more structured L4-L5-L6 workouts.

Running virtual routes is fairly computer intensive for decent video quality.

I was using one of the Dell Small form factor PCs and had to upgrade the video card and went with an SSD drive for non jittery video.

 

[deadken]

I use the virtual trainer with the powerbeam pro. When I was researching I thought I saw on DCrainmaker that the Wahoo can use that software too.

http://www.cycleops.com/virtualtraining/overview

I also use traineroad for more structured L4-L5-L6 workouts.

Running virtual routes is fairly computer intensive for decent video quality.

I was using one of the Dell Small form factor PCs and had to upgrade the video card and went with an SSD drive for non jittery video.

Thanks for the information. The link you gave shows that the Virtual Training software does work with the Wahoo Kickr. So, can I ask how you like the Virtual Trainer software?

I don't know what a L4-L5-L6 workout is. A Google search returns lumbar discs mostly relating to herniation. Somehow I don't think that is what you meant.

Do you subscribe to both software? At the same time? I can't imagine signing up for a year unless I truly LOVE the software since I'd think that at a minimum I'd be training outdoors for at least Spring and Fall. Am I wrong about this?

Thanks for the hardware information. I haven't figured out which way I'm going yet.