Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 vs KICKR V6: Which Smart Trainer Should You Actually Buy?

For most riders, most of the time, the Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 is the right smart trainer, and the extra money on the KICKR V6 buys ride feel rather than better data. This is the whole difference in four minutes. The numbers: the KICKR CORE 2 measures power to within +/-2%, handles up to 1,800 watts, and simulates up to a 16% climb. The KICKR V6 measures to +/-1%, handles 2,200 watts, and simulates 20%. On paper the V6 wins all three, but two of those numbers matter far less than they sound. What actually separates them is feel: the V6's 16 lb flywheel and its AXIS feet, which allow around five degrees of side-to-side movement. What they share: both ship ready to ride, both connect over WiFi, Bluetooth and ANT+, both support Race Mode (which Wahoo says broadcasts data up to 10x faster than standard wireless), both run Zwift, Wahoo SYSTM, TrainerRoad and Rouvy, and neither ever needs a calibration spindown. Chapters 0:00 The question: CORE 2 or V6? 0:27 The numbers: accuracy, max power, gradient 1:03 What does not matter 1:40 What does matter: flywheel and AXIS feet 2:17 Upgrading from an older KICKR CORE? 2:55 How to choose 3:33 What they share 3:57 Outro Product footage courtesy of Wahoo Fitness and Zwift. Additional footage courtesy of Shane Miller (GPLama), DC Rainmaker, DesFit, 169k, and Kristian Roald Cycling. "Beauty Flow" Kevin MacLeod () Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0