Overview: Wahoo KICKR BIKE SHIFT

It’s winter which implies indoor driving season. Sometimes, which means placing my bike on a sensible coach — which I’ve executed for the previous a number of winters. However this winter I’m doing one thing a bit completely different … I’ll be driving a sensible bike: the brand new Wahoo KICKR BIKE SHIFT.

That is the second good 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 should resolve for your self if having the bike tilt up and down is price the additional $$$.

Listed here 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 under for a hyperlink to a very nice how-to video (sorry, however Wahoo didn’t publish 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. DOH! 🤦‍♂️ I used to be capable of do it, however PLEASE FOLLOW WAHOO’s INSTRUCTIONS! In any other case, you run the chance of injuring 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

Should you 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 publish/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/slender channel that runs about half the size of the saddle from the rear. If that doesn’t fit your undercarriage, you’ll be able to swap it out like another saddle. I journey quick nostril saddles with cutouts, however — to date — my vital bits get alongside effectively sufficient with the Wahoo saddle.

Each the seat publish/saddle and stem/handlebars have a D-shaped publish/quill. The tube for the stem/handlebars has a shim in order that the stem/handlebars go in straight. The tube for the seat publish/saddle doesn’t have a shim so it’s a must to be certain that the seat is straight. Wahoo says that is so house owners can use their very own seat publish, if they need.

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

You’re executed! At the least with getting every thing all put collectively. There’s nonetheless the matter of getting the bike set as much as journey, i.e., match.

Arrange (match)

Wahoo has an app to assist bounce begin the match course of. You enter your inseam measurement and your most well-liked driving 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 driving place

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

The above is for fundamental match. When you have all of the stuff (I don’t) to do a  GURU, Retul, or Trek skilled bike match or if you understand your values from having a motorbike match with a type of methods, you’ll be able to select PROFESSIONAL FIT  on the app and enter the suitable measurements to get SHIFT match positions.

Should you’ve executed an expert bike match and know your measurements

I used the essential match measurements as a place to begin. I then took numerous measurements on my Colnago V3 (not too in contrast to the completely different measurements utilized by becoming methods, 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 every thing to after taking my very own bike measurements.

	Wahoo app	DIY match
Standover top	A	A
Saddle top	10.3	11
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 truly needed to go larger
** I journey 170 mm crank arms so caught with that moderately than the Wahoo advice

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

Fast launch clamp for the seat publish to regulate saddle top (NOTE: As soon as I obtained my my place the place I wished it, I obtained the fast launch clamp tight sufficient to carry the seat publish. 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 for match, carry and switch the adjustment deal with to heart it.

Attain is adjusted the identical manner as setback

Stack adjustment is through 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 (moreover plugging the bike into {an electrical} outlet) earlier than you’ll be able to journey 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 you plug within the SHIFT and wake it up by turning the cranks). I’ll let footage do a whole lot of the speaking.

Center: Choose the KICKR BIKE SHIFT. Proper: I’m already related 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 journey!

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

Using the SHIFT is … effectively … like driving a motorbike. But in addition a 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 good coach: “the KICKR AXIS could be very quiet — to the purpose the place my bike’s well-lubed and fairly quiet drivetrain makes extra noise.” The SHIFT’s belt drivetrain is even quieter.
• And pedaling engagement with the belt drivetrain is almost instantaneous. Extra like a driving a monitor bike.
• Digital shifting takes a bit getting used to (in some methods, it’s nearly a bit unnerving). For all intents and functions, gear shifts are instantaneous. Should you thought Di2 was quick, SHIFT is quicker. Digital gear shifts are additionally silent. And there’s no mechanical suggestions.
• Not like the KICKR BIKE, the KICKR SHIFT doesn’t have a show so that you don’t know what gear you’re in. So, in that respect, I discover myself driving by “really feel.” That means, I simply attempt to discover the gear that feels “proper” for the driving I’m doing.

In any other case, driving the SHIFT is like driving my very own bike on a sensible coach. Up to now, I’ve ridden a number of hundred miles on Wahoo SYSTM, Zwift, Rouvy, and BKOOL. The journey really feel is great and the load modifications (up or down) to a prescribed energy degree or to simulate gradient are clean.

Using to nowhere specifically

The SHIFT has Wahoo’s ERG Straightforward Ramp that was first featured on the KICKR v6 that I examined on the finish of final 12 months. My feedback then nonetheless apply now: “As a substitute 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 Straightforward 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.”

Additionally, the SHIFT has directional steering you should utilize on Zwift. There’s a button on the within of every brake hood that you just press to steer the bike when within the pixels. Press the left button to steer left and the precise button to steer proper.

Buttons on the within of every brake hood for digital steering

I’m on no account suggesting any of y’all do that, however for these with inquiring minds:

I used to be courageous (silly?) sufficient to take a peek inside: (1) Flywheel for highway really feel/inertia, (2) extremely quiet and tremendous clean belt drive, (3) electromagnetic braking that controls resistance

The brains of a sensible bike

A phrase about your indoor driving arrange

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

• Put your coach/good bike on a ground mat to maintain it from slipping and sliding, in addition to to guard your ground from sweat. Plus when you stay in an condo, your downstairs neighbors will recognize that further little little bit of sound insulation.
• Except you’re driving inside a walk-in fridge, you’ll want fan. I’ve a Wahoo KICKR HEADWIND and a second ground standing fan. I discover with two followers that I don’t should 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 affordable funding and your bike will thanks

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

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 greater is all the time higher. I used to have a house theater projector with an 82-inch display within the basement of our previous home. In my condo, I’ve a 60-inch TV and use the native Zwift app on my Apple TV. For driving apps that aren’t out there immediately 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 a much bigger boat”

n+1

When you have the $$$ and the house to “completely” arrange a sensible 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 a whole lot of sense to me. After all, YMMV. However I like the concept of an indoor bike that’s all the time able to journey. And given the primarily infinite adjustability of the SHIFT, it’s arguably cost-effective in a multi-rider family (plus not coping with the effort of swapping bikes on-and-off a coach). I additionally like the concept of not placing indoor driving put on and tear on my “actual” bikes.

Sure, the KICKR BIKE SHIFT is dearer than a typical good coach. However inexpensive (and arguably extra sensible) than a typical n+1 bike. At the least that’s one method to rationalize/justify shopping for it to your partner/vital different. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

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

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