After a few back and forths with the delivery service, the Wahoo Kickr Core Zwift One test device has arrived. Just in time to take it for a few test rides before it goes on sale.
Unboxing
From the outside, the packaging showed no difference to the "normal" Kickr Core. Inside, it looked a little different, as the Zwift orange was immediately apparent.
Wahoo Kickr Core Zwift One
Wow, that's quite a long name, isn't it? But you know straight away what to expect: The tried-and-tested Wahoo Kickr Core with pre-installed Zwift Cog instead of a cassette. This makes the Smart Trainer almost universally compatible with 8- to 12-speed bikes.
With the combination of Zwift Click and Zwift Cog, you can shift gears virtually and silently, with 24 virtual gears available, so you can overcome any incline in Zwift. The Zwift Click can also be used to adjust the intensity of a workout if it is too easy or too hard for your current form on any given day.
The price
- Price: €599 incl. one-year Zwift membership, available at zwift.com and wahoofitness.com
Wahoo Kickr Core Zwift One in practice
The Kickr Core Zwift One was quickly set up. It was a relief that I do my own indoor training with the Kickr Core - just without the Zwift One. But even without this previous experience, the trainer is quickly set up and the bike mounted. One positive aspect is the gear shifting, which is really quiet. I'm the kind of person who sometimes forgets to take some pressure off the pedal when changing gear, and then it often bangs loudly. I've already had complaints from my partner at home. It's a good thing that the Kickr Core with Zwift One is now available, where the chain doesn't have to change sprockets. This makes shifting much quieter. The disadvantage is that the Zwift Click has to be placed somewhere on the handlebars if you don't have the Zwift Play controllers. The Zwift Click is small, but when it is placed within reach of the thumb, it has bothered me so far, as the thumb cannot be in its usual position. If the click is placed on top of the handlebars, it is difficult to reach, especially in racing situations. You have to take one hand off the handlebars first. With lactate in your legs and panting for breath, this manoeuvre can be the decisive moment in a Cycling Esports race. I still have to find the perfect position for the click on the handlebars.
The Wahoo Kickr Core Zwift One should be particularly interesting for households in which more than one person and/or more than one bike is used on the same smart trainer. Thanks to the single sprocket, which is compatible with various chains (8 to 12-speed), the wheel can be changed in just a few minutes.
And then it's "ride on!", because a one-year Zwift subscription is included in the price. Annual membership otherwise costs 149.99 euros, while a monthly subscription costs 14.99 euros per month.
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
