Wahoo Fitness has made a name for itself through an ever-expanding line of tools designed to measure your cycling stats and make inside rides feel a little more like outside ones (and thus a little more tolerable). Here’s what you need to know about the company—and a list of our favorite Wahoo gear we’ve tested and reviewed.
Intuitive Controls and Third-Party Compatibility
One of the key ingredients to Wahoo’s success is how seamlessly its products integrate with third-party services and apps like Zwift, TrainerRoad, Strava, Training Peaks, RideWithGPS, and Best Bike Split—to name a few. For bike computers, this integration is expected—uploading a ride recorded with Wahoo’s Elemnt GPS cycling computer to Strava should be easy and immediate. But for Wahoo’s Kickr trainers, the ability to provide an interactive experience and automatic resistance control with Zwift and other trainer programs is a key component in the smart trainers’ success. And Wahoo’s product setup, and third-party integration, can be done through a smartphone, which provides an intuitive and positive user experience.
An Immersive Ride Experience
Wahoo was also one of the first to introduce a wheel-off, or direct-drive, smart trainer, which means the trainer takes the place of the rear wheel. This system is used by the Kickr and Kickr Core, and has several advantages. They’re usually the quietest trainers, there’s no tire slip, the interface between bike and trainer is more robust, and it offers higher-resolution resistance changes, and, if the trainer is equipped with a power meter, more accurate power measurement. For these reasons, a direct-drive trainer like the Kickr provides the best experience when paired with interactive programs like Zwift and TrainerRoad. The only drawbacks are that direct-drive is more expensive and, in some cases, requires you to supply your own cassette. The Kickr Snap is Wahoo’s wheel-on trainer, available at a much lower price than the other two Kickr models, though the Snap still offers automatic resistance control and power measurement. Trainer accessories like Wahoo Headwind (essentially a smart fan) and the Kickr Climb (which takes the place of the front wheel and simulates grade changes) can also amplify your trainer experience by better replicating the feelings of riding outside. Necessary or frivolous, these add-ons are two examples of how the company continues to seek out new ways to make indoor training more useful and entertaining.
How We Chose These Products
Every Wahoo product on this list has been thoroughly evaluated by our team of test editors. We research the market, survey user reviews, speak with product managers and engineers, and use our own experience using these products to determine the best options. Many of the products below have been tested by our staff, and those that haven’t have been carefully chosen based on their value, ease of use, compatibility, connectivity, accuracy, and overall features. These are the trainers, computers, heart rate monitors, sensors, and accessories from Wahoo Fitness that earned a spot on our list.
Smart Trainers
Wahoo Kickr
The Kickr is Wahoo’s star smart trainer. It’s whisper-quiet and offers the best and most user-friendly indoor-cycling experience. The latest Kickr updates for 2019 include a larger, 16-pound flywheel and a more accommodating fit with disc-equipped bikes. As with previous models, adjusting the trainer to work with most road and mountain bike wheel sizes, from 24-inch to 29ers, is a breeze. With more than 2,200 watts of resistance and the ability to simulate up to a 20 percent grade, the trainer can manage your hardest efforts. It’s designed to play well with the Kickr Climb and Kickr Headwind, and maintains Bluetooth, ANT+, and ANT+ FE-C connectivity, as well as compatibility with third-party apps such as Zwift, TrainerRoad, Sufferfest, and more. A pre-installed, 11-speed cassette, included cadence sensor, and convenient carrying handle round out an all-around impressive package.
Wahoo Kickr Core
Less expensive than the Kickr but with the same quiet flywheel technology, the Kickr Core is the newest smart trainer in Wahoo’s lineup. With up to 1800 watts of resistance, the Core offers similar functionality and electromagnetic resistance to the Kickr in a more compact package, with a 12-pound flywheel compared to the Kickr’s 16 (a heavier flywheel usually feels more natural). The trainer has ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, and Bluetooth connectivity, and is designed to work with the Kickr Climb and Kickr Headwind, as well as third party apps like Zwift and Training Peaks. It can simulate slopes up to 16 percent, so you can use it to hone your climbing skills. And it accepts a wide range of bike types—like those with 130mm and 135mm quick releases and 12x142mm and 12x142mm thru-axles—and wheel sizes, from 24-inch up to 29ers, and everything in between.
Wahoo Kickr Snap
Unlike Wahoo’s other Kickr trainers, the Snap isn’t direct-drive. Instead the bike’s rear wheel is pressed against a drum that turns the resistance unit. Wahoo claims this doesn’t hamper power-meter accuracy, and power readings should be within +/-3 percent (the direct-drive Kickr has +/- 2 percent accuracy). Other than that distinction, the Kickr Snap provides many of the same smart trainer features as its more expensive brethren. It has ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, and Bluetooth connectivity, works with third-party apps like Zwift and TrainerRoad, and can be used with the Kickr Climb and Kickr Headwind to make the experience more immersive. It doesn’t accommodate quite as many mountain bike wheel sizes (it can take a 700c road wheel up to a 29er mountain bike wheel), nor can it guarantee thru-axle compatibility without an adapter (available for an extra charge). The flywheel weight is 10.5 pounds, compared to the Core’s 12 pounds and the Kickr’s 16. The maximum grade the Snap can simulate is 12 percent, and the maximum power output is 1500 watts—still enough to accommodate the needs of most non-professional cyclists.
GPS Computers
Wahoo Elemnt
When Wahoo first released the Elemnt a couple years ago, the company promised it to be the most connected bike computer on the market. And while functionally it didn’t do much more than similarly priced competitors at the time, we did find it to be much more intuitive to use, and we loved the compatibility with the wide range of third-party apps, services, and sensors. Even die-hard Garmin fans had to admit there was something special about the computer, which featured easy setup and connectivity to both ANT+ and Bluetooth heart rate, cadence, speed, and power sensors. Syncing wirelessly and automatically with services like Strava and TrainingPeaks was surprisingly simple, as was using the turn-by-turn navigation functions and activating Strava Live Segments to race your PRs. Plus, the unit offered a respectable battery life of up to 17 hours, depending on how many features are in use. Other units have caught up to the Elemnt’s once-novel connectivity with a wide range of sensors and third-party apps and services, but the Elemnt's intuitive controls mean you’ll likely make use of more of the features it includes.
Wahoo Elemnt Bolt
The Elemnt Bolt packs the Elemnt’s user-friendly features into a smaller, more aerodynamic package. But unless you’re Peter Sagan (allegedly a Bolt user), lowered drag isn’t the primary reason to check out this compact computer. The Bolt is as intuitive to use as the original Elemnt, with the same on-board GPS; ANT+, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi connectivity; turn-by-turn navigation; Strava Live Segments; and wireless sync to programs like Strava and TrainingPeaks. It still calculates all the stats you need—power, heart rate, speed, and cadence—and effortlessly syncs with your bike’s electronic shifting and smartphone. And though the screen might be smaller and the battery life slightly shorter, at 15 hours, than the original Elemnt, the Bolt is the more affordable choice without sacrificing the laundry list of features that make its larger predecessor great.
Wahoo Elemnt Roam
The new Wahoo Elemnt Roam is Wahoo’s latest GPS cycling computer. Though it has new navigation features and a new color screen, the Roam is, at its microprocessor heart, an Elemnt. That means easy setup and customization from Wahoo’s companion Elemnt app; compatibility with both ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart sensors; third-party integration; and live tracking, routes, navigation, and turn-by-turn directions. Elemnt computers also offer structured workout guidance, and subscribers to Training Peaks and Today’s Plan can sync plans to their device. The Roam’s most significant update is its improved navigation functions, including navigating to locations stored on the device, using pan and zoom on the device to find and select a location, directions from your current location to the beginning of the chosen route, and automatic reroute.
Wahoo Elemnt Mini
Don’t need all the features found in the highest-end GPS computers? The Elemnt Mini strips things down to a simpler time, without the exhaustive list of features you might not even want or use on a more connected computer, like Strava Live segments. For the price, the Mini still brings a lot to the table, like wireless connection, ride tracking, data analysis, and call and text pop-up notifications. It’s also compatible with Wahoo’s sensors like the TICKR heart rate monitors and the company’s speed and cadence sensors (a speed sensor is included in the box). It’s clear, comprehensive, and easy to use—but does have some drawbacks, including a battery that eventually needs to be replaced. We’d prefer it to be USB-rechargeable.
Heart Rate Straps
Wahoo Tickr
The Tickr is a fairly standard, strap-based heart-rate monitor that uses Bluetooth and ANT+ technology to connect to your smartphone, GPS watch, and bike computer. Additional advantages to this particular model: It seamlessly integrates with Wahoo’s other offerings, and, through a series of LED lights, verifies that your heart rate is recording. Watch all your workout data record with better accuracy while you ride, including calorie burn calculated through heart rate data.
Wahoo Tickr X
This chest strap features both ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity. It can also store up to 16 hours of data for future download an analysis, should you go for a ride without your computer. The strap’s treadmill mode tracks speed and distance while you’re running in place, and is compatible with dozens of third-party apps. It runs on a CR2032 battery and comes with a soft, adjustable strap. Ideal for: the person with multiple devices who wants to use them throughout various workouts.
Wahoo Tickr Fit Heart Rate Armband
Don’t like the chest-based heart rate monitors? They can be hard to adjust to get an accurate reading, especially for those of us trying to wear one with a sports bra. As an alternative, this water-resistant band attaches to your forearm and uses Bluetooth and ANT+ to pair with smartphone apps, GPS bike computers, and smartwatches. You can use it to measure your heart rate during running, cycling, and other activities to determine your calorie burn and effort level. The rechargeable battery lasts up to 30 hours.
Speed and Cadence Sensors
Wahoo RPM Cadence Sensor
Affix this little pod to the inside of your crank, or your shoe if you want data at a spin class, to get real-time cadence data. It transmits data via ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart and can connect to any device that accepts those protocols, and comes with both a rubber mount meant for your bike as well as a shoe mount.
Wahoo RPM Speed Sensor
If you’ve ever been frustrated by your speed data getting disrupted when your computer loses the GPS signal, this is the simple solution. This pod comes with a rubber mount that’s meant to wrap around your hub and transmit more accurate speed and distance data than you can rely on from GPS alone. If you’re trying to ride on Zwift without a smart trainer, a speed pod like this will help you get in the virtual game.
Wahoo Blue SC Speed and Cadence Sensor
This device tracks both speed and cadence, transmitting data by ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart. So not only will it send data to any compatible computer, but it will also work with third-party cycling apps like Strava. Those of you who like to use your phone to record your rides will appreciate the ability to get more detailed workout metrics without having to spring for a bike computer. And if you have a computer, the Blue SC speed and cadence sensor gives you more info to work with.
Trainer Accessories
Wahoo Kickr Climb
For cyclists looking to better replicate the experience of riding outdoors, the Climb is a Kickr add-on to mimic the grade changes of real-world roads. Once attached to your fork, a high-torque motor physically raises and lowers your bike to match ascents of up to 20 percent, and descents of up to 10 percent. This can help you better engage the muscles involved in climbing and descending, as you shift your position in time with the virtual climbs of Zwift Island. The Climb is compatible with apps like Wahoo Fitness, Zwift, and TrainerRoad when paired to a Kickr, and can be locked into manual mode or freed to react to the roads of your chosen training app. It’s compatible with Wahoo trainers from 2017 to the present.
Wahoo Kickr Headwind
Yes, this really is a fan made just for riding the trainer. And yes, it’s far superior to a regular fan. The Targeted Airflow Patten directs all of the air where you need it most—right at your body. When paired to ANT+ speed or heart rate monitors, it can even adjust airflow depending on how hard you are working. It also connects via Bluetooth to your phone so you can control the fan speed via the Wahoo app. Four pre-programmed speeds give you plenty of wind to keep you cool, maxing out at a wind speed of 30 miles per hour. If you regularly ride a trainer in ambient temperatures above 70 degrees, you won't regret making this investment.
Wahoo Kickr Bike Desk
This slip-resistant table works as either a standing desk for office use or a support for your screens while riding the trainer. It has wheels for easy movement and a steel-tube frame for maximum sturdiness. Built-in support notches for your tablet and smartphone make it easy to multi-task, as do purpose-built holes for charging cables. And the best part is, it’s fully adjustable to all your work or pedal positioning needs, whether you’re standing, sitting upright, or riding with your hands on the hoods, in the drops, or on an aero bar.