Coming off road to a Wahoo KICKR Core Smart Turbo Trainer

[CAESAR AVGVSTVS]

Due to an operation on Wednesday my right arm is going to be in a fixed sling for four weeks and recovery is 4-6 months. My surgeon said I could use a trainer for keeping fit.
I have two bikes to choose from. My specialised tarmac road bike or my specialised chisel mtb.
With my road bike, it has Bluetooth gears, so I can change the configuration so that the left gear lever will work the rear derailleur but I’ll have no access to the granny gear as that will be on the right side of the bars. I know nothing about the Wahoo kicker. Will I need to instal an app on my phone or can I use this without using the internet or app?
I was thinking I could set a power and leave it at that. If I can, maybe it would be better to use my mountain bike instead. What’s your thoughts please guys?

 

[Legs]

Yep, using erg mode you'd not need to change gears at all, so either bike would be fine. I'm doing nearly all my training at the moment using workouts in Zwift (other software is available! - see below), and, except for workouts which involve very rapid changes of power, erg mode works perfectly for me. That means you can do a pre-set workout where the power changes in a certain pattern, and the trainer will adjust the torque depending on your pedalling cadence.

Indievelo is like Zwift but free, unless you're wanting to run it on an iPhone/iPad. If you've got an Android phone or Windows PC you can download it here:
https://indievelo.com/downloads/

It should be very straightforward for the software to detect your Kickr and connect. I think you'll need to be connected to the internet to run it.

I hope your recovery goes well!

 

[CAESAR AVGVSTVS]

Yep, using erg mode you'd not need to change gears at all, so either bike would be fine. I'm doing nearly all my training at the moment using workouts in Zwift (other software is available! - see below), and, except for workouts which involve very rapid changes of power, erg mode works perfectly for me. That means you can do a pre-set workout where the power changes in a certain pattern, and the trainer will adjust the torque depending on your pedalling cadence.

Indievelo is like Zwift but free, unless you're wanting to run it on an iPhone/iPad. If you've got an Android phone or Windows PC you can download it here:
https://indievelo.com/downloads/

It should be very straightforward for the software to detect your Kickr and connect. I think you'll need to be connected to the internet to run it.

I hope your recovery goes well!

Thank you, yes I only have an iPhone 🤣👍

 

[CAESAR AVGVSTVS]

Yep, using erg mode you'd not need to change gears at all, so either bike would be fine. I'm doing nearly all my training at the moment using workouts in Zwift (other software is available! - see below), and, except for workouts which involve very rapid changes of power, erg mode works perfectly for me. That means you can do a pre-set workout where the power changes in a certain pattern, and the trainer will adjust the torque depending on your pedalling cadence.

Indievelo is like Zwift but free, unless you're wanting to run it on an iPhone/iPad. If you've got an Android phone or Windows PC you can download it here:
https://indievelo.com/downloads/

It should be very straightforward for the software to detect your Kickr and connect. I think you'll need to be connected to the internet to run it.

I hope your recovery goes well!

That’s a fantastic reply as I’d sooner use my Mtb bike just for some workouts. Maybe the more upright position may help my shoulder. I’m happy to download Zwift as it sounds like more fun.
Thank you Legs 😀👍

 

[fossyant]

You'll need to change the rear tyre - the knobblies will be terrible so get a cheap slick tyre.

 

[CAESAR AVGVSTVS]

You'll need to change the rear tyre - the knobblies will be terrible so get a cheap slick tyre.

That’s handy advise as I have some new road tyres in the shed. I’ll put them on 😀👍

 

[Legs]

You'll need to change the rear tyre - the knobblies will be terrible so get a cheap slick tyre.

Kickr Core Smart is a direct-drive trainer, isn't it?

 

[CAESAR AVGVSTVS]

Kickr Core Smart is a direct-drive trainer, isn't it?

I just realised that 🤣

 

[Legs]

I just realised that 🤣

Is that what you've got? Or are you on a wheel-on trainer (Wahoo's is called Kickr Snap, I think)?

 

[CXRAndy]

Change the difficulty setting to around 10% this will allow you to climb the Alp Zwift in the big ring.

 

[si_c]

You look set to go with a Kickr Core. Once you've got the bike set up on the trainer it's fairly plain sailing.

If you want to set up a static power output and you're using Zwift, you can use the work outs feature, create your own and set a static power for however long you want to use it for. Easy enough to do in the app last time I did it.

 

[Legs]

Change the difficulty setting to around 10% this will allow you to climb the Alp Zwift in the big ring.

Yep, I use about 30% TD: I do all racing and freeriding on the 53T ring, and all workouts in the 39T ring (lower cassette speed/flywheel inertia results in quicker adaptation of the erg function).

You look set to go with a Kickr Core. Once you've got the bike set up on the trainer it's fairly plain sailing.

If you want to set up a static power output and you're using Zwift, you can use the work outs feature, create your own and set a static power for however long you want to use it for. Easy enough to do in the app last time I did it.

Static power is a bit dull, though, and there is quite a selection of Type II fun to be had in the library of available Zwift workouts (you really need a PC to import .zwo workout files from elsewhere on the internet).

 

[Sharky]

I'd be a bit cautious, climbing on & off a bike with only one arm is not without problems. A slight off balance and a reflex action with your injured arm could do damage.

Having said that, following broken colorbones and ankles, used my trainer for quite a while before getting back on the road .

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Get well soon

(And I agree with what @Legs said about erg mode)

 

[CAESAR AVGVSTVS]

I'd be a bit cautious, climbing on & off a bike with only one arm is not without problems. A slight off balance and a reflex action with your injured arm could do damage.

Having said that, following broken colorbones and ankles, used my trainer for quite a while before getting back on the road .

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

When my surgeon told me I was not able to ride for around 4 months, he could see I was concerned. He rides bikes himself and he said, just use your bike trainer at home 😀
I’ll be careful as I’m not going through this pain again 🤣👍