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The development of the Wahoo+Zwift bike trainers is a bit confusing, but the TL:DR version is as follows. Zwift launched the Zwift Hub Classic (ZHC) in September 2022. About 13 months later, the company introduced the next-generation Zwift Hub One with a Zwift Cog. Shortly after that, the ZHC was discontinued. Around the same time, the Wahoo KICKR Core, bundled with a one-year Zwift membership, dropped to $599 (from the original $899).
It seemed like things would stay that way for a while. But then Wahoo and Zwift surprised everyone again. After some legal battles, they launched the KICKR Core Zwift One and discontinued the Zwift Hub One in February 2024. Finally, in 2025, Wahoo introduced the KICKR Core 2 and Core 2 with Zwift Cog, marking the complete end of the Zwift Hub One.
Does it sound confusing? Well, the lineup is finally simplified to just two trainers: KICKR Core 2 and KICKR Core 2 with Zwift Cog. So, which of these trainers should you buy?
KEY TAKEAWAY
The Wahoo KICKR Core 2 and KICKR Core 2 with Zwift Cog differ only in that the latter does not have a cassette but instead has a Zwift Cog. This allows you to use the trainer with bikes with different gearing without changing the cassette. Remember, the virtual shifting basically locks you to Zwift, as many other apps don’t support it yet. This means you won’t be able to shift gears in them. However, you can replace the Zwift Cog with a cassette (and vice versa). So, I recommend buying the Zwift Cog version for Zwift and the version with a cassette for other indoor cycling apps.
Continue reading to learn more, or buy the trainer you want using the following links:
Also available at competitivecyclist.com
Also available at zwift.com and competitivecyclist.com
Technical Specifications
Here is the summary of the technical specifications of all the trainers from the KICKR Core and Zwift Hub line.
| Feature | Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 | Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 with Zwift Cog | Wahoo KICKR Core | Wahoo KICKR CORE Zwift One | Zwift Hub One | Zwift Hub (Classic) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resistance | 1800W | 1800W | 1800W | 1800W | 1800W | 1800W |
| Gradient simulation | ±16 % / –10 % | ±16 % / –10 % | 16% | 16% | 16% | 16% |
| Power accuracy | ±2% | ±2% | ±2% | ±2% | ±2.5% | ±2.5% |
| Noisiness | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 52 db @ 250 watts | 52 db @ 250 watts |
| Virtual shifting support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sensor bridging | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Auto-calibration | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power required | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Flywheel | 12 lb (5.4 kg) | 12 lb (5.4 kg) | 12 lb (5.4 kg) | 12 lb (5.4 kg) | 10.3 lb (4.7 kg) | 10.3 lb (4.7 kg) |
| Connectivity | ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Race Mode, KICKR Bridge | ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, up to 3× BLE | ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, up to 3× BLE | ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, up to 3× BLE | ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, 1× BLE, Race Mode | ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, 1× BLE, Race Mode |
| 12-speed cassette support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cassette included | Yes | Zwift Cog (universal solution for 8-12 speed bikes)¹ | No | Zwift Cog (universal solution for 8-12 speed bikes)¹ | Zwift Cog (universal solution for 8-12 speed bikes)¹ | optionable |
| Hub type | 130/135mm QR 12×142 and 12×148 Through-Axle | 130/135mm QR 12×142 and 12×148 Through-Axle | 130/135mm QR 12×142 and 12×148 Through-Axle | 130/135mm QR 12×142 and 12×148 Through-Axle | 130/135mm QR 12×142 and 12×148 Through-Axle | 130/135mm QR 12×142 and 12×148 Through-Axle |
| Weight | 40 lb (18 kg) | 40 lb (18 kg) | 40 lb (18 kg) | 40 lb (18 kg) | 33 lb (15 kg) | 33 lb (15 kg) |
| Buy (USA) | Check Price (with cassette) Check Price (competitivecyclist.com) | Check Price (with Zwift Cog) Check Price (zwift.com) | discontinued | discontinued | discontinued | discontinued |
| Buy (UK) | n/a | Check Price | discontinued | discontinued | discontinued | discontinued |
¹The cog and virtual shifting are a good solution if you have multiple bikes with different gear ratios, but many indoor cycling apps don’t support it yet. So you won’t be able to shift gears.
Pros and Cons Summary
I summarized the pros and cons of both bike trainers below.
| Pedals | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Wahoo KICKR Core 2 | • Universal app compatibility • Flawless compatibility with the Wahoo ecosystem (Climb, Headwind) • Virtual shifting • Auto-calibration • Higher maximum resistance • Wi-Fi, sensor bridging, race mode | • Bad portability due to the lack of a carry handle • No side-to-side tilt • Need to replace the cassette if bikes with different gears are used |
| Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One | • Universal bike compatibility • Better for people with multiple bikes/gear ratios • Virtual shifting • Auto-calibration | • Bad portability due to the lack of a carry handle • No side-to-side tilt • No race mode • Unusable with indoor cycling apps that don’t support virtual shifting (only works with Zwift) • No Wi-Fi, race mode, or sensor bridging |
Features Comparison
Let me now compare both smart bike trainers in depth. Remember that KICKR Core 1 got the virtual shifting and auto-calibration via firmware update. But you must buy Zwift Play buttons to use the virtual shifting. Check out the following article to learn more about the differences between KICKR Core 1 and KICKR Core 2.
Virtual Shifting
Virtual shifting replaces the traditional gear-shifting mechanism, allowing you to electronically switch gears on the bike trainer instead of physically doing so on your bike.
With this system, your chain remains in the selected gear, and the trainer automatically adjusts the resistance. This results in a quieter and more seamless pedaling experience, preventing you from getting stuck in a challenging gear when you stop pedaling during climbs.
This feature is now available on smart bike trainers launched in 2024 and later. However, very few indoor cycling apps support virtual shifting. So, while trainers like the Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One are technically compatible with them (they support the necessary protocols), you won’t be able to shift gears in them unless they support virtual shifting.
Race Mode
In race mode, the power data is transmitted at 10Hz through Bluetooth and 4Hz through ANT+. This high-frequency data transmission enables you to react swiftly during races since your power information gets updated 10 times (or 4 times) per second, possibly giving you the edge over the opponents.
The Zwift Hub and Zwift Hub One had race mode, but the KICKR Core and Core Zwift Hub One didn’t. The KICKR Core 2 already comes with this feature.
Ease of Setup and Practicality
All these trainers are basically the same in terms of assembly difficulty. However, the trainers with the Zwift Cog have a slight advantage as they are compatible with 8-12 speed bikes without the need to replace the cassette.
However, what bothers me about the design is the lack of a carry handle, which would make them easier to carry. I am one of those unlucky ones who have to set up the trainer before each ride.
Unless you have a dedicated training area or don’t have to carry the trainer before each workout, I recommend choosing a different trainer. For example, the Wahoo KICKR is better in this regard because it’s easy to move around.
Ride Feel
Today’s smart bike trainers are so advanced and similar in terms of ride feel that it’s challenging to notice a difference unless you ride them side by side. I have not tried these trainers yet, but after watching a few video reviews (links below), they seem similar.
All these trainers have the same maximum resistance (1800W). So, unless you’re a really powerful rider, you probably won’t be able to max the trainer out.
High-end trainers, however, offer resistance over 2000W. The same goes for the maximum gradient. For the Core and Hub, it’s 16%. So they can’t simulate steeper hills. However, hand on heart, is it necessary? Most people set the trainer difficulty to 50% anyway.
The only minor difference is with shifting gears. While using the Wahoo KICKR Core, you use your bike’s shifters. With the Wahoo KICKR Core with Zwift Cog, you click the included buttons, which introduce a short lag.
Also available at competitivecyclist.com
Also available at zwift.com and competitivecyclist.com
ERG Mode
ERG mode is the same on all trainers. It’s not on the level of high-end trainers like Saris H3 or KICKR v6, but it’s still pretty good. ERG mode adjusts the trainer’s resistance based on your cadence and target power, so it’s great for interval training.
Noisiness
From my experience, the noisiness of direct-drive bike trainers is so low that the bike’s drivetrain will cause more noise. It varies around 60dB at 200W.
Unfortunately, I have not yet been able to test all these trainers side by side to measure their noise levels. However, expect a noise level of around 55 dB at 250 W.
Accuracy
The claimed accuracy of both trainers is the same (±2%). The following table shows power ranges for specific accuracy rates. You can see that the watt differences are marginal.
| Accuracy Rate / Power Output | 250W | 500W | 1000W |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5% | 248.8-251.3 | 497.5-502.5 | 502.5-1005 |
| 1% | 247.5-252.5 | 495-505 | 990-1010 |
| 1.5% | 246.3-253.8 | 492.5-507.5 | 985-1015 |
| 2% | 245-255 | 490-510 | 980-1020 |
| 2.5% | 243.8-256.3 | 487.5-512.5 | 975-1025 |
| 3% | 242.5-257.5 | 485-515 | 970-1030 |
If you are a cat A rider who cares about data accuracy and every single watt, you should buy KICKR or another trainer (like the Tacx NEO 2T) with ±1% accuracy.
So, I don’t think the ±0.5% accuracy difference should be a dealbreaker. All these trainers feature auto-calibration, which is also great.
App Compatibility
Wahoo KICKR Core is compatible with most indoor cycling apps because of its cassette and mechanical shifting. KICKR Core with Zwift Cog is basically only compatible with Zwift and ROUVY, as most other indoor cycling apps don’t support virtual shifting yet.
Accessories Compatibility
Naturally, all these trainers are compatible with Wahoo accessories like Wahoo CLIMB or Headwind.
My Verdict
The Wahoo+Zwift bike trainer lineup was confusing for years. In 2025, they finally reduced it to only 2 trainers that only differ in having a cassette or Zwift Cog. If you want to use different apps, not just Zwift, I recommend buying the KICKR Core 2 with a cassette. But if you want to use the trainer with multiple bikes with different gearing, get the KICKR Core 2 with Zwift Cog.
Also available at competitivecyclist.com
Also available at zwift.com and competitivecyclist.com
Sources
DC Rainmaker Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One review
DC Rainmaker KICKR Core review
GPLama Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One review
GPLama KICKR Core review
Little Tipple KICKR Core review
Zwift
Thanks for this comparison. It helped me to decide. I bought CORE because of its compatibility with Wahoo accessories. But it was close!
You are welcome. 🙂
– Petr
Zwift Hub One only works on the Zwift platform unless you buy a hub and cassette, for most practical purposes. Zwift is the only platform that recognizes the virtual shifting.
The Wahoo works on most if not all platforms (Zwift, Rouvy, Fulgaz, etc).
That’s a pretty key point.
Hi Frank,
Thanks for pointing this out. You are absolutely right. I’ve updated the article accordingly.
– Petr
Virtual shifting sounds like a dealbreaker. It seems like the Zwift Hub One will be the winner for me.
It’s pretty clever but also shady from Zwift to “lock” people to their ecosystem with the cog and virtual shifting.
Yeah, it is!
– Petr
Could you not just mount a cassette on the Zwift hub one (base unit is the same as with the classic). The cassette isn’t included with the kickr core. So same price again. I don’t think this should be an argument (if so only the effort of taking the mounted one cassette off)
Hi Simon,
Yes, you are exactly right. That’s what I write in the “Key Takeaway” section: “unless you use Zwift Hub One with a standard cassette”.
I disagree that this should not be an argument. I imagine that many people and beginners may opt for ZHO without knowing it. Then they may want to try an app other than Zwift and run into compatibility issues. That’s why I think it’s a good idea to inform about it beforehand.
– Petr
So if I buy the wahoo kickr core and then separately buy the zwift cog + click upgrade kit… i would essentially have the brand new wahoo kickr core zwift one?
Are there any other differences?
Hi David,
Basically, yes. At least that’s how I understand it. 🙂
– Petr
hola, una consulta, al kickr core zwift one, en un futuro no le puedes cambiar por un cassette mecánico? y transformarlo en un kickr core? esa es mi gran pregunta.
Hi Victor,
You can replace the Zwift Cog and use standard cassette. Watch this video for more details.
– Petr