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The recent price change of bike trainers has sparked debates about whether to choose the Wahoo KICKR Core or the Zwift Hub One.
Firstly, the classic Zwift Hub was discontinued shortly after the Zwift Hub One was introduced. Moreover, the price of the Wahoo KICKR Core (including a 1-year Zwift membership) has been permanently reduced to $599.
So, the question is: Should you buy the KICKR Core or the Zwift Hub One?
KEY TAKEAWAY
I recommend waiting a few weeks to see whether KICKR Core gets auto-calibration, race mode, and virtual shifting via firmware updates. If it does, it will provide better value than Zwift Hub One because it is also compatible with Wahoo accessories like the Wahoo CLIMB. If you can’t wait to start your winter cycling season, buy Zwift Hub One, which currently offers more features.
Continue reading to learn more.
Technical Specifications
Here is the summary of the technical specifications of Wahoo KICKR Core, Zwift Hub One, and Zwift Hub One.
FeatureKICKR CoreZwift Hub (Classic)Zwift Hub One
Resistance1800W1800W1800W
Gradient simulation16%16%16%
Power accuracy±2%±2.5%±2.5%
Noisinessnot measured yet52 db @ 250 watts52 db @ 250 watts
Auto-calibrationNoYesYes
Race modeNoYesYes
Power requiredYesYesYes
Flywheel16 lb (7.26 kg)10.3 lb (4.7 kg)10.3 lb (4.7 kg)
ConnectivityANT+, ANT+ FE-C, up to 3× BLEANT+, ANT+ FE-C, 1× BLEANT+, ANT+ FE-C, 1× BLE
12-speed cassette supportYesYesYes
Cassette includedNooptionableZwift Cog (universal solution for 8-12 speed bikes)
Hub type130/135mm QR12×142 and 12×148 Through-Axle130/135mm QR12×142 and 12×148 Through-Axle130/135mm QR12×142 and 12×148 Through-Axle
Weight40 lb (18 kg)33 lb (15 kg)33 lb (15 kg)
Buy (USA)Check PriceCheck Price (competitivecyclist.com)discontinuedCheck Price
Buy (UK, EU)Check Price v6discontinuedCheck Price
Comparison of KICKR v5 vs. Zwift Hub smart bike trainers features like resistance, gradient and decline simulation, power accuracy, etc.
Pros and Cons Summary
I summarized the pros and cons of both bike trainers below.
Wahoo KICKR Core Pros
Higher accuracy (but only by ±0.5%)
Flawless compatibility with the Wahoo ecosystem (Climb, Headwind)
Wahoo KICKR Core Cons
Bad portability due to the lack of a carry handle
No side-to-side tilt
No auto-calibration
No race mode
No virtual shifting
Zwift Hub One Pros
Universal bike compatibility
Virtual shifting
Auto-calibration
Race mode
Zwift Hub One Cons
Lower maximum accuracy (but only by ±0.5%)
Bad portability due to the lack of a carry handle
No side-to-side tilt
Features Comparison
Let me now compare both smart bike trainers in depth. Remember that firmware updates could add virtual shifting, race mode, and auto-calibration to KICKR in the following weeks.
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.
Currently, this feature is available on Zwift Hub One only.
Winner: Zwift Hub One
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.
Again, the race mode is only available on Zwift Hub One.
Winner: Zwift Hub One
Ease of Setup and Practicality
Both bike trainers are easy to set up. But Zwift Hub One took the instructions to another level.
The box includes cards that indicate which type of adapters to choose for the width of your rear wheel build.
This way, you don’t have to worry about which adapters to use and look up the specifications of your bike in the manual.
They’ve got a similarly clever way of installing the legs. These are color-coded, so it’s almost impossible to swap them out.
The KICKR Core is also fairly easy to assemble and start using, but the Zwift Hub One has the edge in these details.
However, what bothers me about both trainers is the lack of a holder, which would make it easier to carry them. 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: Zwift Hub 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), it seems they are 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.
Both of these trainers are stable and rigid. Unfortunately, they don’t offer any side-to-side tilt, so riding them is not very comfortable. I recommend using them with a rocker plate to alleviate the pressure on your intimate parts.
Winner: It’s a draw
ERG Mode
ERG mode is one of the few areas where Core is better than Zwift Hub One. That’s because, with Zwift Hub One, you can encounter a few issues.
First, it’s not too accurate when you lower your cadence. Second, there is no way to turn off the ERG Mode Smoothing.
Winner: Zwift Hub One
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, Zwift claims Zwift Hub One has a noisiness of 52 dB at 250 W.
Winner: n/a
Accuracy
The claimed accuracy of KICKR Core is ±2% and Zwift Hub One ±2.5%. The following table shows power ranges for specific accuracy rates. You can see that the watt differences are marginal.
Accuracy Rate / Power Output250W500W1000W
0.5%248.8-251.3497.5-502.5502.5-1005
1%247.5-252.5495-505990-1010
1.5%246.3-253.8492.5-507.5985-1015
2%245-255490-510980-1020
2.5%243.8-256.3487.5-512.5975-1025
3%242.5-257.5485-515970-1030
Power meter accuracy for specific accuracy rate (0.5%, 1%…) and power output (250W, 500W, 1000W)
If you are a cat A rider who cares about the data accuracy and every single watt, you should buy KICKR or another trainer (like the KICKR v6) with ±1% accuracy.
So, I don’t think the ±0.5% accuracy difference should be a dealbreaker. On the other hand, KICKR doesn’t have auto-calibration. Zwift Hub One does. For this reason, it’s a draw.
Winner: It’s a draw
Accessories Compatibility
Zwift Hub One is not hardware compatible with Wahoo accessories like Wahoo CLIMB or Headwind, and the Wahoo ecosystem is closed.
However, with the Zwift Hub One, you can use either of these fans for indoor cycling and buy an Elite Rizer instead of the Climb.
So, although the Core is technically the winner, there are almost equivalent alternatives for the Zwift Hub One as well.
Winner: Wahoo KICKR Core
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 have been able to come up with an acceptable solution.
I’m not so sure about Zwift. Although I haven’t had to deal 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 had bought a Zwift Hub because it stopped being produced after about a year.
Winner: It’s a draw (difficult to compare, but I would lean toward Wahoo)
Total score: Wahoo KICKR Core (2) | Zwift Hub One (4) | It’s a draw (3)Overall winner: Zwift Hub One
Wahoo KICKR Core vs. Zwift Hub One FAQ
My Verdict
Considering Zwift Hub One currently has more features than Core and both trainers cost the same, it provides better value.
Its only main disadvantages are the lack of compatibility with Wahoo accessories like the Headwind fan or Climber front wheel riser and the worse ±0.5% accuracy. But that shouldn’t be a deal breaker.
Other features, such as ride feel, ERG mode quality, etc., are comparable. If you don’t mind waiting, I recommend waiting to see whether Wahoo upgrades Core firmware and introduces its missing features (race mode, virtual shifting, etc.).
Do you agree with my conclusion? So which one are you going to buy?
Sources
DC Rainmaker Zwift Hub One reviewDC Rainmaker KICKR Core reviewGPLama Zwift Hub One reviewGPLama KICKR Core reviewSMART Bike Trainers Zwift Hub One reviewLittle Tipple KICKR Core reviewZwift