HEAD TO HEAD

£2999.99

We’re in turbo season and we’ve got two of the best smart bikes on test: the Tacx Neo and the Wahoo Kickr

Fit it or forget it

Setting up the Kickr is a piece of cake. The Wahoo app tells you where to set the individual fit adjustments: based on your dimensions, a pro bike fit or via a photo of your ‘real’ bike taken within the app. The quick release levers are long enough to open easily, while the five-hole crank arms mean crank length setting is problem-free.

On-board features

Wahoo’s trump card is the tilting mechanism that helps gamify training apps, such as Zwift. While riding there’s little to look at with a scant amount of data to keep you occupied and you simply stare at your screen. There’s a small control unit next to the top tube, showing simple gearing or incline data.

Power delivery

In ERG mode smaller shifts in power requirements are smooth and easily manageable. However, there’s a noticeable spike when kicking off on a hard effort. There’s a little more bearing rumble through the cranks than with the Tacx.

App-preciation

We had no problems connecting the Kickr Bike to Zwift – with no discernible lag between bike and app we were easily able to set-up and follow workouts, with all the necessary data easily displayed. At the time of writing, Wahoo is offering a 60-day free trial of Sufferfest for your on and off-bike training needs.

Livability

If you like an easy setup, and don’t need all your data staring you in the face, the Kickr is very easy to live with. We found the bar tape thin and the saddle to be uncomfortable, but both of these can be easily swapped.