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After the introduction of the Zwift Hub trainer, it looked like Wahoo and Zwift weren’t going to be great friends. However, things started to take an unexpected turn.
The Zwift Hub Classic (ZHC) was introduced in September 2022. Roughly 13 months later, Zwift introduced its upcoming generation Zwift Hub One with a unique cog (more on that later), and shortly thereafter, the ZHC was discontinued. During that time, the price of the Wahoo KICKR Core (including a 1-year Zwift membership) was reduced to $599. It looked like things would stay that way for a while. Only Wahoo and Zwift set up another bombshell. In February 2024, they introduced the KICKR Core Zwift One and discontinued the Zwift Hub One.
So, which of the two remaining trainers—the Wahoo KICKR Core or the Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One—should you buy?
KEY TAKEAWAY
Wahoo KICKR Core got auto-calibration and virtual shifting thanks to a firmware update. So, the only difference between the KICKR Core and the Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One is now the universal 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 only, as other apps don’t support it yet. This means you won’t be able to shift gears in them.
Continue reading to learn more.
Technical Specifications
Here is the summary of the technical specifications of Wahoo KICKR Core, Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One, Zwift Hub One, and Zwift Hub Classic.
| Feature | Wahoo KICKR Core | Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One | Zwift Hub One | Zwift Hub (Classic) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resistance | 1800W | 1800W | 1800W | 1800W |
| Gradient simulation | 16% | 16% | 16% | 16% |
| Power accuracy | ±2% | ±2% | ±2.5% | ±2.5% |
| Noisiness | not measured yet | not measured yet | 52 db @ 250 watts | 52 db @ 250 watts |
| Auto-calibration | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Race mode | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Power required | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Flywheel | 12Â lb (5.4Â kg) | 12Â lb (5.4Â kg) | 10.3Â lb (4.7Â kg) | 10.3Â lb (4.7Â kg) |
| Connectivity | ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, up to 3× BLE | ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, up to 3× BLE | ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, 1× BLE | ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, 1× BLE |
| 12-speed cassette support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cassette included | 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 |
| Weight | 40 lb (18 kg) | 40 lb (18 kg) | 33 lb (15 kg) | 33 lb (15 kg) |
| Buy (USA) | Check Price Check Price (competitivecyclist.com) | Check Price | discontinued | discontinued |
| Buy (UK) | Check Price | Check Price | 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.
Wahoo KICKR Core Pros
- Universal app compatibility
- Flawless compatibility with the Wahoo ecosystem (Climb, Headwind)
- Virtual shifting
- Auto-calibration
Wahoo KICKR Core Cons
- Bad portability due to the lack of a carry handle
- No side-to-side tilt
- No race mode
Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One Pros
- Universal bike compatibility
- Better for people with multiple bikes/gear ratios
- Virtual shifting
- Auto-calibration
Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One Cons
- 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 (so basically all except Zwift)
Also available at competitivecyclist.com
Features Comparison
Let me now compare both smart bike trainers in depth. Remember that KICKR Core got the virtual shifting and auto-calibration via firmware update. But you must buy Zwift Play buttons to use the virtual shifting.
Virtual Shifting
Virtual shifting replaces the traditional gear-shifting mechanism, enabling you to electronically switch gears on the bike trainer instead of physically switching them 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 Wahoo KICKR Core (thanks to the firmware update) and on Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One. However, very few indoor cycling apps support virtual shifting. So, while Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One is technically compatible with them (it supports the necessary protocols), you won’t be able to shift gears in them unless they support virtual shifting.
Winner: It’s a draw
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.
The Zwift Hub and Zwift Hub One had race mode, but the KICKR Core and Core Zwift Hub One didn’t.
Winner: It’s a draw
Ease of Setup and Practicality
Both bike trainers are basically the same in terms of assembly difficulty. However, the Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One has a slight advantage as it’s compatible with 8-12 speed bikes without the need to replace the cassette.
However, what bothers me about both trainers 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.
Winner: Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One
Ride Feel
Today’s smart bike trainers are so advanced and similar in terms of the ride feel that noticing a difference is very difficult 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.
Both 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 with Wahoo KICKR Core, you use your bike’s shifters, with Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One, you click the included buttons, which introduce a short lag.
Winner: It’s a draw
Also available at competitivecyclist.com
ERG Mode
ERG mode is the same on both trainers. It’s not on the level of high-end trainers like Saris H3, KICKR v6, etc., but it’s still pretty good.
Winner: It’s a draw
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 both trainers side by side to measure their noise levels. However, expect a noisiness of around 55 dB at 250 W.
Winner: n/a
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. Both trainers feature auto-calibration, which is also great.
Winner: It’s a draw
App Compatibility
Wahoo KICKR Core is compatible with most indoor cycling apps because of its cassette and mechanical shifting. Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One is basically only compatible with Zwift and ROUVY, as most other indoor cycling apps don’t support virtual shifting yet.
Winner: Wahoo KICKR Core
Accessories Compatibility
Wahoo KICKR Core and Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One are compatible with Wahoo accessories like Wahoo CLIMB or Headwind.
Winner: It’s a draw
Customer Support
The more expensive the product, the more important the quality of customer support is to me. I have had good experiences with Wahoo support. They have always responded quickly and provided an acceptable solution.
I’m not so sure about Zwift. Although I haven’t dealt with them yet on anything major, a potential claim may be problematic due to the non-existent distributor network.
The question is also how they will handle firmware updates and support for the classic Zwift Hub. Only time will tell. But I would be uncertain if I bought a Zwift Hub because it stopped producing after about a year.
Winner: It’s a draw (difficult to compare, but I would lean toward Wahoo)
Total score: Wahoo KICKR Core (1) | Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One (1) | It’s a draw (6)
Overall winner: It’s a draw
Wahoo KICKR Core vs. Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One FAQ
My Verdict
Wahoo KICKR Core and Wahoo KICKR Core Zwift One only differ in the shifting. Core uses mechanical shifting (a cassette), and Core Zwift One uses virtual shifting (a cog). This means that Core Zwift One locks you to Zwift and ROUVY, as other apps don’t yet support virtual shifting.
So, if you want to use different apps, not just Zwift, I recommend buying the KICKR Core. On the other hand, if you want to use the trainer with multiple bikes with different gearing, get the Core Zwift One.
Do you agree with my conclusion? So which one are you going to buy?
Also available at 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