Overview: PEZ First Journey – Wahoo KICKR BIKE SHIFT

It’s arising on that point of 12 months (no less than right here in Babylon on the Potomac) when the climate is getting colder (and wetter) which suggests indoor using season. Sometimes, which means placing my bike on a wise coach — which I’ve executed for the previous a number of winters. However this winter I get to do one thing completely different … I’ll be using a wise bike: the brand new Wahoo KICKR BIKE SHIFT.

That is the second sensible bike in Wahoo’s lineup — the primary being the KICKR BIKE. There are two large variations between the 2 bikes. The primary is that KICKR BIKE SHIFT doesn’t have up-and-down motion to simulate climbing and descending. The second is that the KICKR BIKE SHIFT prices $1,000 much less. You’ll need to resolve for your self if having the bike tilt up and down is price the additional $$$.

Listed below are the KICKR BIKE SHIFT options and specs per Wahoo:

Unboxing and meeting

Sadly, I don’t have pics of unboxing and meeting as a result of I used to be extra involved with getting it executed. However click on on the pic beneath for a hyperlink to a extremely nice how-to video (sorry, however Wahoo didn’t submit on YouTube) for unboxing and meeting.

A phrase of warning: I didn’t unbox the KICKR BIKE SHIFT (aka SHIFT for the remainder of this text) per Wahoo’s setup directions as a result of (a) I didn’t have room in my studio condo to put the field flat on the ground, (2) I didn’t have a buddy to assist me, and — most significantly — (3) I didn’t learn the directions/see the video earlier than un-boxing. I used to be capable of do it, however PLEASE FOLLOW WAHOO’s INSTRUCTIONS! In any other case, you run the chance of wounding your self … severely.

As soon as unboxed, meeting was fairly easy-peasy (once more, please observe Wahoo’s directions). The one instruments you want are 4mm and 5mm hex wrenches (Wahoo supplies them simply in case you don’t have already got them). The entrance leg and rear stabilizer legs (with leveling toes) slide into slots on the bottom of the bike unit and are bolted in with hex head bolts.

4 hex head bolts for the entrance leg

For those who adopted the unboxing directions accurately, the opposite stabilizer leg ought to already be bolted in

The stem/handlebar meeting slides right into a tube on the entrance

The seat submit/saddle meeting slides right into a tube on the again

NOTE: The Wahoo saddle is common size, curved form (each front-to-back and side-to-side), and has a shallow/slim channel that runs about half the size of the saddle from the rear. If that doesn’t fit your undercarriage, you possibly can swap it out like another saddle. I trip quick nostril saddles with cutouts, however — to date — my vital bits get alongside nicely sufficient with the Wahoo saddle.

Each the seat submit/saddle and stem/handlebars have a D-shaped submit/quill. The tube for the stem/handlebars has a shim in order that the stem/handlebars go in straight. The tube for the seat submit/saddle doesn’t have a shim so you must ensure that the seat is straight. Wahoo says that is so homeowners can use their very own seat submit, if they need.

Lastly, connect the shifter cable to the pod beneath the stem (it’s a magnetic connection)

You’re executed! Not less than with getting all the pieces all put collectively. There’s nonetheless the matter of getting the bike set as much as trip, i.e., match.

Arrange (match)

Wahoo has an app to assist soar begin the match course of. You enter your inseam measurement and your most popular using place (race or endurance), and it provides you values for all of the completely different bike changes. I’ll let footage do the speaking.

Scan the code

Create an account or log in if you have already got a Wahoo account

Enter your inseam and using place

The app provides you values for all of the completely different adjustment factors: standover peak, saddle peak, setback, attain, stack, and crank size

The above is for primary match. When you have all of the stuff (I don’t) to do a  GURU, Retul, or Trek skilled bike match or if your values from having a motorcycle match with a kind of techniques, you possibly can select PROFESSIONAL FIT  on the app and enter the suitable measurements to get SHIFT match positions.

For those who’ve executed an expert bike match and know your measurements

I used the essential match measurements as a place to begin. I then took varied measurements on my Colnago V3 (not too in contrast to the completely different measurements utilized by becoming techniques, however with out the requisite instruments to be completely exact) and replicated my place as greatest as potential on the SHIFT. I do know it’s not spot on excellent/precisely the identical, however I can’t really feel any noticeable distinction. Beneath reveals the Wahoo app match settings and the place I ended up adjusting all the pieces to after taking my very own bike measurements.

	Wahoo app	DIY match
Standover peak	A	A
Saddle peak	10.3	8.6
Setback	5.9	7.7
Attain	3.5	8.5
Stack	0	13*
Crank size	167.5**	170

* Curiously, the stems on all my bikes are Phi Slamma Jamma and that’s what the app mentioned to do, however to get handlebar place proper I really needed to go increased
** I trip 170 mm crank arms so caught with that relatively than the Wahoo suggestion

Loosen the knob to regulate standover peak. Be certain that it’s tightened down so far as it can go; in any other case, there will likely be some play and the highest a part of the bike will rock.

Fast launch clamp for the seat submit to regulate saddle peak (NOTE: As soon as I acquired my my place the place I wished it, I acquired the fast launch clamp tight sufficient to carry the seat submit. There’s a 5 mm hex head bolt reverse the clamp that I used to get the clamp “locked down.”)

Deal with on the “prime tube” to regulate setback. After adjusting, elevate and switch the adjustment deal with to heart it.

Attain is adjusted the identical means as setback

Stack adjustment is by way of a fast launch clamp

The SHIFT crankarm can accommodate completely different crank lengths

Using the KICKR BIKE SHIFT

There are a few issues that want doing (in addition to plugging the bike into {an electrical} outlet) earlier than you possibly can trip the SHIFT. You want the Wahoo Health app (iOS or Android) to (1) connect with your Wi-Fi community, (2) arrange digital shifting, (3) braking, and (3) gearing (be sure to plug within the SHIFT and wake it up by turning the cranks). I’ll let footage do numerous the speaking.

Center: Choose the KICKR BIKE SHIFT. Proper: I’m already linked to my community however that is the place you choose a community and make your community connection.

Left: Select what shifting system you need and which brake lever controls the entrance brake. Proper: Select the variety of chainrings, chainring sizes, variety of cassette cogs, and the cassette vary.

Now you’re able to trip!

I’ve the KICKR Direct Join so I can join the KICKR BIKE SHIFT on to my router by way of Ethernet cable and never have to fret if my Wi-Fi sign flakes out

Using the SHIFT is … nicely … like using a motorcycle. But in addition a little bit bit completely different:

• The very first thing I seen is how quiet the SHIFT is. PEZ readers could bear in mind what I needed to say concerning the KICKR Axis sensible coach: “the KICKR AXIS may be very quiet — to the purpose the place my bike’s well-lubed and fairly quiet drivetrain makes extra noise.” As a result of there isn’t any drivetrain, the SHIFT is even quieter.
• Digital shifting takes a little bit getting used to (in some methods, it’s nearly a little bit unnerving). For all intents and functions, gear shifts are instantaneous. For those who thought Di2 was quick, SHIFT is quicker. They’re additionally silent. And there’s no mechanical suggestions.
• Except you might have the Wahoo Health app open, you don’t know what gear you’re in. So, in that respect, I discover myself using by “really feel.” That means, I simply attempt to discover the gear that feels “proper” for the using I’m doing.

In any other case, using the SHIFT was like using my very own bike on a wise coach. To this point, I’ve executed some using on Wahoo SYSTM, Zwift, and BKOOL. The trip really feel is great and the load modifications (up or down) to a prescribed energy stage or to simulate gradient are comparatively clean.

Using to nowhere specifically

The SHIFT has Wahoo’s ERG Simple Ramp that was first featured on the KICKR v6 that I examined on the finish of final 12 months. My feedback then nonetheless apply: “As an alternative of getting to place out xxx watts instantly [e.g., after stopping on an uphill section or in the middle of an interval during a workout session], the ERG Simple Ramp allowed me to extra simply and easily spin again as much as energy. It is a welcomed occasion the place digital actuality doesn’t mimic IRL.”

A phrase about your indoor using arrange

For PEZ readers who’re new to indoor using, it’s extra than simply attaching your bike to a wise coach or hopping onto a wise bike and using. PEZ contributor Menachem Brodie wrote a extremely good article about making a good atmosphere for indoor using. A couple of fundamentals:

• Put your coach/sensible bike on a flooring mat to maintain it from slipping and sliding, in addition to to guard your flooring from sweat. Plus in the event you reside in an condo, your downstairs neighbors will respect that additional little little bit of sound insulation.
• Except you’re using inside a walk-in fridge, you’ll want an excellent fan. I’ve a Wahoo KICKR HEADWIND and a second flooring standing fan. I discover with two followers that I don’t need to run the fan speeds full tilt to remain cool — even on longer indoor rides.
• You’ll need a good sweat guard to guard your bike from the drippings (sweat is corrosive).

A purpose-built sweat guard is an inexpensive funding and your bike will thanks

A single side-entry/exit (proper hand) water bottle cage. Relying on how lengthy you’re using, you’ll like need one other water bottle helpful.

Lastly, you are able to do digital coaching together with your cellphone or pill (like Alastair confirmed us right here) — even your laptop computer — however I say larger is at all times higher. I used to have a house theater projector with an 82-inch display screen within the basement of our previous home. In my condo, I’ve a 60-inch TV and use the Zwift app on my Apple TV. For using apps that aren’t out there straight on Apple TV, I can mirror from my iPhone or MacBook to the TV.

To cite Roy Scheider from the film Jaws: “You’re gonna want an even bigger boat”

n+1

When you have the $$$ and the house to “completely” arrange a wise bike (NOTE: the SHIFT doesn’t have wheels on the stabilizer legs just like the KICKR BIKE Sensible Bike so can’t be moved round as simply), the brand new KICKR BIKE SHIFT makes numerous sense to me. After all, YMMV. However I like the thought of an indoor bike that’s at all times able to trip. And given the primarily infinite adjustability of the SHIFT, it’s arguably cost-effective in a multi-rider family (plus not coping with the trouble of swapping bikes on-and-off a coach). I additionally like the thought of not placing indoor using put on and tear on my “actual” bikes.

Sure, the KICKR BIKE SHIFT is dearer than a typical sensible coach. However cheaper (and arguably extra sensible) than a typical n+1 bike. Not less than that’s one technique to rationalize/justify shopping for it to your partner/important different.

I like using in Neokyo on Makuri Islands on Zwift … it’s a video arcade in a online game

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