Unboxing Wahoo + Zwift’s New Smart Trainer Collaboration

Thanks to soaring numbers of indoor cyclists and innovative developments by manufacturers, indoor smart trainers have come a long way in the past 10+ years. Need proof? Check out the new Wahoo KICKR CORE Zwift One. It’s affordable, compatible with a wide variety of bicycles, and has the powerful features needed to provide an immersive and enjoyable Zwift experience.

Let’s dig into the details of this new indoor cycling trainer, including key specs and setup tips.

Wahoo & Zwift Smart Trainer Collaboration? 

If you’ve shopped for an affordable indoor bike trainer in recent months, you’ve probably noticed that Zwift Hub and Wahoo KICKR CORE are popular options. Both trainers earn top reviews and boast similar specs, bike compatibility, and pricing. So when it comes to the question of Wahoo KICKR CORE vs. Zwift Hub, which one should you get?

We’ve made the choice easy. 

Moving forward, the Wahoo KICKR CORE Zwift One no longer requires a cassette. This new indoor smart trainer ships with the Zwift Cog pre-installed for easy setup and compatibility using the included Zwift Click for virtual shifting.

This Wahoo KICKR CORE Zwift One is good news for Zwifters in two ways. First, it’s more accurate than the Zwift Hub. Second. it’s available in more markets (US, UK, EU, CA, and AUS) than the Zwift Hub (US, UK, and EU). 

Pricing & Specs

The Wahoo KICKR CORE Zwift One is priced at $599/€599/£549 and includes one year of Zwift. At one time this was the price range of cheap/entry-level smart trainers, but looking at the specs makes it clear t

he CORE Zwift One is very capable:

Key Specs:

• Power accuracy: +/-2%
• Max power output: 1800W
• Max simulated grade: 16%
• Cassette: Zwift Cog pre-installed and compatible with almost any 8-12-speed bike
• Zwift Click included for virtual shifting
• Flywheel weight: 12 lb
• Cadence: built in
• Connectivity: ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, and up to three Bluetooth Connections
• Compatible with quick-release (130/135 mm) and thru-axle (12×142/12×148)
• Maximum Rider Weight: 250 lb / 113 kg

Unboxing and Assembly

Unboxing and assembly is easy with the CORE Zwift One, since most of the work has already been done at the factory. 

Begin by removing the main unit and all parts from the box. One person can do this easily by laying the box on its side and sliding everything out at once. Remove all the parts from the packaging, then extend the foldable arm on the main until it clicks into position. Install the two legs using the included hex tool, and you’re nearly done!

The last assembly step is installing the proper adapters so the trainer mounts perfectly to your bike’s frame. You have four setup options:

• 130mm quick-release
• 135mm quick-release
• 12×142 thru-axle
• 12×148 thru-axle

(If you aren’t sure which adapter to use for your bike, first determine if your bike uses quick release or thru axle. When removing your rear wheel, do you need to unscrew the axle from the frame itself? If so, you have thru-axle. But if instead you open a lever which “quick releases” the wheel from the frame, you have quick release.)

Once you determine your axle type, you just need to know the width. This can be done by measuring your frame’s inside width at the rear axle, or by doing what many riders do: try one of the adaptors widths then test-fit your bike to the trainer to see if you picked the right one! (It should fit snugly if you have the proper adapter installed.)

Cog + Click = Compatibility

The Wahoo KICKR CORE Zwift One ships with the Zwift Cog pre-installed. This single-cog unit replaces a standard cassette, making it easy to use most 8 to 12-speed bikes on the smart trainer without swapping cassettes or fine-tuning your shifting. Just mount your bike to the smart trainer, shift to the gear that places your chain in a straight line with the Cog, and you’re ready to go.

You’ll know you’re in the right gear when your chain is quietest. Go ahead and shift a few gears to find which one feels and sounds the smoothest. Once you’ve found it, you won’t need to do any more mechanical shifting while riding in your favorite indoor cycling training app!

The included Zwift Click mounts on your handlebars for smooth and wireless virtual shifting. With virtual shifting, clicking the + or – button on the Click adjusts your trainer’s resistance to mimic a mechanical shift. Virtual shifting is soundless and smooth. Plus, with 24 virtual gears you’ll never run out, whether you’re sprinting up a steep pitch or putting down the power on a descent.

Already own a Wahoo KICKR CORE? Good news: updating your trainer’s firmware (see below) will allow you to use virtual shifting, provided you own Zwift Play Controllers or a Zwift Click.

Setup

Before starting up the Zwift cycling app and going for your first ride, you must update your trainer’s firmware to enable virtual shifting. It’s a good idea to check for firmware updates on your Zwift Click as well. Here’s how to get that done:

• Wahoo KICKR CORE Zwift One: install the Wahoo app (available for iOS and Android) then connect to the trainer via Bluetooth to check for and install firmware updates.
• Zwift Click: install the Zwift Click wherever you’d like on your handlebars, then tap one of its buttons to power it on so you can check firmware updates. Open the Zwift Companion app (available for iOS and Android) and go to “Zwift Hardware” under the “More” menu to find the Click and install any pending firmware updates.

Now you’re ready to open Zwift, pair your devices, and ride! 

• On the pairing screen, pair the smart trainer as Power Source, Resistance, and Cadence. 
• Pair the Zwift Click under “Controls”. 
• Pair your heart rate monitor if desired.
• Ride On!

Wrapping It Up

With the Wahoo KICKR CORE Zwift One’s entry-level price and premium features, getting on Zwift is easier than ever! Thanks to Zwift Cog + Click this indoor smart trainer is compatible with a huge range of bikes, and virtual shifting ensures you’ve always got the gears you need to perform your best in Zwift’s indoor cycling events, cycling workouts, and free rides.