The patent dispute is followed by a partnership
It often works the other way round, first partnership, then dispute - sometimes in court. Zwift and Wahoo are doing it the other way round, at least if you look back over the last 12 months. In October 2022, Zwift presented its first smart trainer, the Zwift Hub. And that's when Wahoo saw patents infringed. A dispute arose, a patent dispute to be precise. The company JetBlack, which manufactures the Zwift Hub, was also involved. An agreement had already been reached between Wahoo and JetBlack. At the beginning of September, Wahoo and Zwift finally put the dispute aside and gave a partnership a chance instead.
The partnership brings benefits for new buyers
With this partnership, both companies are pursuing the goal of making it easier for cyclists to enter the modern world of indoor cycling. Anyone who buys a Kickr will also receive an annual Zwift membership. No matter whether:
- Kickr Snap,
- Kickr Rollr,
- Kickr Core,
- Kickr,
- Kickr Move,
- Kickr Bike Shift or
- Kickr Bike.
With the hardware and indoor cycling software package, you can start training straight away. Once the trainer has been successfully set up, Wahoo has made the onboarding process easier. In its Wahoo app, the set-up process is simple and easy to understand. For some devices, you are guided step-by-step through the set-up process, while video instructions are available for other products in the Kickr family.
This is how to set up a new Kickr product:
- Open or install the Wahoo app, log in or create an account
- Settings - Sensors
- Add a new sensor - and now it's off to the setup wizard
- In the Kickr Family, there are step-by-step instructions or even video instructions for Kickr Family products
Wahoo x Zwift
The partnership between Zwift and Wahoo has several advantages for users. Zwift membership for one year is included with the purchase of a Kickr. In addition, all Zwift rides can now be synchronised with the Wahoo app. This means that the complete training history is visible there, regardless of whether you are riding on Zwift, SYSTM - the indoor platform from Wahoo, or outdoors with a Wahoo Elemnt GPS computer.
New Kickr, save 149.99 euros with Zwift
The entry-level package of Kickr Core including a Zwift subscription for one year is now available from Wahoo and Zwift with a pre-installed cassette (8/9/10/11/12-speed) for €599.99 plus shipping costs. The Kickr Core is a solid smart trainer that won't put too much of a strain on your bank account.
With the Kickr Snap, the indoor starter package including Zwift annual membership is even cheaper - €399.99 plus shipping costs.
This applies to Wahoo dealers
If you buy your Kickr from a Wahoo dealer, you can get the Kickr Core without cassette for €499.99 - €100 cheaper, but you still have to buy and fit a cassette. The Zwift subscription is only available at a discount when buying a Kickr from a dealer. But you can still save 50 euros with the Zwift annual membership, which you can get for 99.99 euros instead of 149.99 euros after registering the product.
The following offers are also sold with a 1-year Zwift subscription:
- Kickr Bike for 4,099.99 euros incl. Zwift 1-year subscription plus shipping costs >> Kickr Bike tested by TOUR
- Kickr Bike Shift for 3,099.99 euros incl. Zwift 1-year subscription plus shipping costs >> Read the Kickr Bike Shift test report
- Kickr Move for 1,699.99 euros incl. Zwift 1 annual subscription plus shipping costs >> Read the Kickr Move test report
- Kickr for 1,399.99 euros incl. Zwift 1-year subscription plus shipping costs >> Kickr in the TOUR test
- Kickr Rollr for 699.99 euros incl. Zwift 1-year subscription plus shipping costs >> Kickr Rollr was presented in 2022
Chip Hawkins, founder of Wahoo, comments: "Wahoo's new packages will revolutionise the indoor cycling experience and make it easier to enter the fascinating virtual world [...]. [...] Together with Zwift, we are excited to offer the widest choice and functionality in the indoor cycling category, helping to bring out the better athlete in all of us."
If you're spoilt for choice, which product from the Kickr family should it be? The best thing to do is to browse through our test reports. And because Wahoo and Zwift are by no means the only providers of smart trainers, roller trainers and indoor training software, you can find out more here our big overview article. It contains test reports on 38 smart trainers and provides a comprehensive overview of all aspects of indoor cycling.
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
