Wahoo has announced the Kickr Bike Pro, an upgraded version of its highly rated smart indoor bike.
Built around the same indoor bike frame and resistance unit as the standard Kickr Bike, Wahoo says the Kickr Bike Pro features upgraded shifters alongside “premium” contact points from Fizik.
These include a Fizik Aliante R5 saddle and the Italian brand’s Solocush bar tape wrapped on a new 'ergonomic handlebar' that Wahoo says is “ specifically designed for indoor riding”.
The Kickr Bike Pro is available now and priced at £3,499.99 / $3,999 / €3,999.99.
Zwift-inspired shifters
With interactive indoor cycling booming in recent years, we’ve seen an increasing number of video-game style ‘controllers’ such as Zwift’s Play and, more recently, Click v2.
Designed around Zwift (indoor cycling’s most popular app), these enable riders to control their avatar and navigate in-app menus without needing to reach for a keyboard and mouse while riding.
With other indoor cycling apps, such as Rouvy, adopting these systems and controllers, Wahoo has added more buttons to the tops of the shifter hoods to expand the Kickr Bike Pro’s capabilities.
The brand says these are modelled to mimic the functionality of Zwift’s Play and Click v2 controllers, but they can be used with other apps where they are supported.
Wahoo has also added the ability for the Kickr Bike Pro to act as a sensor bridge for other Bluetooth or ANT+ peripherals, such as heart rate monitors.
According to Wahoo, these make the Kickr Bike Pro “the most integrated indoor training solution available”.
Upgraded contact points
While the standard Kickr Bike came with unbranded parts – leaving riders free to spec their own parts, if preferred – Wahoo has partnered with Fizik to improve the quality of the Kickr Bike Pro’s contact points.
The saddle, for example, is the brand’s popular Aliante model. Designed for endurance road cycling, the Aliante features a curved profile and a pressure-relief channel in the middle.
Alongside this, Wahoo has specced a new 'ergonomic' drop handlebar. It doesn’t note exact changes compared to the bar on the standard Kickr Bike, but it appears to feature a relatively compact drop with a slight flare to the drops.
The brand says it has also refined the quick-release levers used to adjust the bike fit, for a smoother experience setting up the bike.
As before, the Kickr Bike Pro uses industry-standard saddle and stem mounting points, so riders can swap in their own favourites if preferred. Crank length is also selectable in 2.5mm increments from 165 to 175mm.
Wahoo Kickr Bike Pro spec
Beyond the upgraded shifters and contact points, the basic spec of the Kickr Bike Pro is the same as the standard Kickr Bike.
This includes a maximum power output of 2,500 watts, a claimed power accuracy rating of +/- 1 per cent and the ability to simulate gradients from -15 to 20 per cent.
It also features network connectivity via Wi-Fi or Wahoo’s own ‘direct connect’ wired standard, as well as Bluetooth and ANT+ capabilities.
Wahoo Kickr Core 2
Alongside the Kickr Bike Pro, Wahoo has announced the Kickr Core 2 – a new version of its iconic mid-range smart trainer.
As with the Kickr Bike Pro, the Kickr Core 2 is built around a similar platform to the original Kickr Core, but features upgraded legs and additional connectivity options, including Wi-Fi.
Priced at £499.99 / $549.99 / €549.99, we’ve got a unit in for testing ahead of the coming winter.
