Wahoo Fitness Launches New KICKR BIKE PRO and KICKR CORE 2

Wahoo Fitness has introduced two new products set to hit the UK market: the KICKR BIKE PRO and KICKR CORE 2. Both models go on sale from 9 September 2025 and aim to serve a broad spectrum of indoor cycling needs, from uncompromising enthusiasts to riders seeking value without sacrificing performance. According to Wahoo, these releases update the company’s increasingly complete indoor training ecosystem.

KICKR BIKE PRO: Flagship Features and Hardware

The KICKR BIKE PRO sits at the top of Wahoo’s offering, replacing the outgoing KICKR BIKE as the brand’s flagship trainer. The main talking point is its focus on ride realism and added control. It features redesigned shifter controls that are more in line with modern virtual cycling and are ergonomically reworked for better comfort and responsiveness. The goal appears to be greater in-ride interaction and seamless integration with popular apps like Zwift, bringing the shifting experience even closer to what high-end road bikes offer during outdoor rides.

Comfort dictates the other hardware updates. The KICKR BIKE PRO is now equipped with a Fi’zi:k Aliante R5 saddle, upgraded Solocush handlebar tape, and an entirely new ergonomic handlebar designed specifically for indoor sessions. These upgrades are intended to make multi-hour indoor rides more bearable, which matters for anyone putting in serious base work through winter.

In terms of riding feel, Wahoo continues to use a precision flywheel with an integrated motor, which allows the BIKE PRO to simulate steep gradients — up to 20 percent, and declines of up to -15 percent. The five-point fit system is highly adjustable, aiming to enable the closest replica of a user’s actual road bike geometry.

For riders concerned with metrics and real-world responsiveness, the KICKR BIKE PRO boasts precision power measurement accuracy to within ±1%. The inclusion of Wahoo’s Race Mode feature is a nod to those who take virtual racing seriously, minimising lag between effort and simulated response.

Core Specifications Breakdown: KICKR BIKE PRO

• Price: £3,499.99 RRP in the UK
• Weight: 42 kg unboxed
• Max simulated grade: 20 percent incline, -15 percent decline
• Max power output: 2500 watts
• Fit adjustments: five-point system (including crank arm length options)
• Gear shifting: Virtual, customisable simulation via redesigned shifters
• Connectivity: WiFi, ANT+ FEC, Bluetooth, direct connect

WiFi connectivity is now standard, offering faster and more reliable data transmission than Bluetooth or ANT+ alone, potentially benefiting multi-device setups and use in group environments.

KICKR CORE 2: The Workhorse for Everyday Riders

Where the KICKR BIKE PRO aims for immersion and high-end features, the KICKR CORE 2 targets those after reliability and solid performance at a more accessible price point. This is the first meaningful update to the CORE since its launch in 2018, and it keeps much of the previous model’s form factor, focusing on practical updates to connectivity and assembly.

The KICKR CORE 2 now comes fitted with either a conventional 11-speed cassette or the “Zwift Cog and Click” virtual shifting system, giving users greater freedom to match their existing bikes or transition more smoothly between real and simulated rides.

WiFi is also standard here, and the addition of Wahoo’s KICKR BRIDGE means the trainer acts as a sensor hub for heart rate data, reducing the amount of tinkering and device pairing needed before each ride. Virtual shifting and Race Mode also make it across to the CORE 2, closing the gap with more premium trainers when it comes to use with Zwift and other platforms.

The new leg design makes for simpler assembly and improved stability, a subtle but welcome update, as anyone who has ever built and balanced a turbo trainer can attest. Multi-colour LEDs have also been added, which should help users understand status indications at a glance rather than relying solely on an app.

Core Specifications Breakdown: KICKR CORE 2

• Price: £499.99 RRP in the UK
• Weight: 13.6 kg
• Max simulated grade: 20 percent incline, -10 percent decline
• Max power output: 1800 watts
• Power accuracy: ±2 percent
• Standard cassette: 11-speed (11-28) or Zwift virtual cog
• Connectivity: WiFi, ANT+ FEC, ANT+ Power, Bluetooth FTMS, Zwift protocol
• KICKR BRIDGE: Heart rate sensor integration into software apps

The trainer remains compatible with a variety of axle standards and wheel sizes and retains its electromagnetic resistance mechanism. As before, the maximum user weight is rated at 114 kg.

Comparative Overview

Given the price gap, £3,499.99 for the KICKR BIKE PRO versus £499.99 for the CORE 2, each product targets distinctly different users.

For dedicated indoor riders, the BIKE PRO brings together all the key features expected in a flagship, including high-end fit options and superb ergonomics. Its price will put it out of reach for many, but it competes directly with the likes of the Tacx NEO Bike and Wattbike Atom X, which are similarly expensive and focus on realism and fully integrated hardware.

The KICKR CORE 2 is the workhorse option. It offers as much gradient simulation as most riders are likely to need, is lighter, and should be simpler to set up or move around. At its price, it undercuts the direct competition, especially with WiFi as standard and semi-integrated sensor bridging, which are typically absent from other trainers in this bracket.

Availability

Both products will be available from 9 September 2025 and Wahoo has confirmed UK retail and online availability from launch. The KICKR BIKE PRO clearly chases those who want an all-in-one indoor platform, whereas the KICKR CORE 2 is more likely to appeal to existing road riders looking for off-season training or budget-conscious buyers who still want accurate power data and good ride feel.

Final Impressions

Wahoo is asserting itself at both the premium and entry-level end of the smart trainer spectrum with the KICKR BIKE PRO and KICKR CORE 2. The new models address small but meaningful rider frustrations: better handlebar ergonomics, more intuitive assembly, universal connectivity, and improved virtual shifting. Although neither model is radically different from its predecessor, the company’s iterative approach focuses on useful upgrades to enhance rider experience rather than headline-chasing.

The high price of the BIKE PRO will limit its appeal to those who truly value realism and fit adjustability, while the CORE 2 could offer the best performance-to-price combination in Wahoo’s line-up and the broader smart trainer market as of autumn 2025. Both models illustrate a pragmatic approach to product development in a maturing sector, placing features where they are genuinely useful and shedding complexity wherever possible.

I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.

As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.

In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.

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