How I keep fit in winter - my training with the Wahoo KICKR Core 2 and the ZWIFT app

I bought the Wahoo KICKR Core 2 for my winter training so that I could train on my bike in winter as well as hiking and running. 🚴‍♂️

Every year, we plan a longer cycle tour with muats drawig, where Michael and his dog Emma are always at the start. This year we are also planning a short 300 km tour from Upper Austria to Tyrol. The Wahoo setup was the ideal way to prepare for this, but also to make my training more varied in general. As a runner, it is also important to add variety to my training programme.

Advertising: I was provided with the setup by Wahoo. However, this in no way influences the honest reporting and my impressions of indoor cycling.

In this article, I would like to tell you about the setup and integration into my everyday life. By the way, the Wahoo KICKR Core 2 is currently on offer for just € 399.99 incl. 11-speed cassette or with the ZWIFT Cog instead of € 549.99. You can find it directly at here.

Structure of the Wahoo KICKR Core 2

To be honest, setting up the KICKR Core 2 was child's play. My setup consists of the Wahoo KICKR Core 2 roller trainer, the Wahoo support mat and the Wahoo ELEMNT ACE bike computer.

The assembly of the trainer was really only a matter of fitting the legs. An Allen key was all that was needed to install the board computer and it fitted perfectly on the handlebars. The connection between the roller trainer and the ELEMNT ACE board computer worked relatively quickly with the Wahoo app on the smartphone. A WLAN connection is also required for this.

Once everything was assembled, all that remained was to clamp the bike - if you are unsure how to do this, you should definitely watch a YouTube tutorial on how to dismount and remount a rear wheel. This is easier than you might think.

In addition to adapters, Wahoo also supplies a quick-release axle if this is required - otherwise you can also use the bike's own thru axle, as in my case, without any problems.

ZWIFT Cog and Click

My Wahoo KICKR Core was provided to me with an 11-speed cassette. However, my bike with the electronic SRAM gear system has 12 gears and therefore a 12-speed cassette. Now I had to think about how I wanted to deal with this. I'm also not particularly technically minded when it comes to bikes and had to do a lot of research first. One thing first: it's really nothing tragic. If a layman like me can manage it, then you can do it easily.

I could have used the 11-speed cassette in middle gear and controlled the resistance purely electrically with my board computer - that would have worked really well. However, as I'm a bit of a monk, I didn't want to do this and weighed up what made more sense for me personally.

Constantly changing the cassette on the bike was out of the question for me. Buying a 12-speed cassette, including a new freehub, which would have been necessary for SRAM, would have cost me around € 200 and then I would have the problem that another bike probably wouldn't fit on it either.

Long story short: In the end, I decided in favour of the ZWIFT Cog incl. Click. After trying out a few apps with the 11-speed cassette, I took a liking to ZWIFT and bought for € 49.99 the conversion kit incl. Click shifting, app-controlled shifting, which is simulated. However, you can also order the Wahoo KICKR Core 2 with the ZWIFT Cog - then you don't have the hassle of retrofitting.

The kit came with the necessary tools and its own freewheel, which is why it can now be easily converted back to the cassette setup.

Despite the ZWIFT Cog, I can still ride without the ZWIFT app and purely with my board computer and control the KICKR Core via it. The perfect solution for my setup. 👍

Why indoor training in winter?

The winter of 2025/2026 was colder and icier than it had been for a long time. I had to cancel a few runs because it was far too dangerous. I also didn't want to miss out on anything in winter, so it quickly became clear to me that I needed an indoor bike setup. The KICKR Core 2 was therefore the most sensible solution for my training volume - because I can quickly mount my Trek gravel bike on it at any time and it also fits into any flat in terms of space. The trainer now adorns my office and helps me to keep fit on my bike in winter. ❄️

Combination with apps such as ZWIFT, Wahoo or Rouvy

So basically no app is necessary. With the ELEMNT ACE training purely with the bike computer is possible and absolutely sufficient. Even with the ZWIFT Cog.

But as I'm also a fan of gamification, I tried out a few apps. Almost all apps are now compatible with the ZWIFT Cog's Click remote control - which is great, because then you're not tied to a specific app even after the conversion.

I personally enjoyed the playful world of ZWIFT, but I also understand the argument that the more realistic alternative Rouvy is also very popular. In the end, the decision was made in favour of ZWIFT, as it also supports running on a treadmill - even without a ZWIFT-compatible treadmill, purely with the Apple Watch, also possible with Garmin, etc.

Use without app with the ELEMNT ACE board / bike computer

As mentioned above, an app is not necessary. So this is also purely with the board computer.

Both the apps and the board computer are compatible with Apple Health - which is absolutely important to me - and transfer this data seamlessly. Both versions are also compatible with Strava.

The on-board computer also makes perfect sense, as you can also use it outdoors. It is connected to the smartphone, which allows you to control the music on the one hand, but also enables navigation thanks to the built-in GPS. At the end of the outdoor ride, everything is also transferred to the health apps.

My impression after 2 weeks of practical testing

I am absolutely thrilled. After 2 weeks, I've already cycled 200 km in ZWIFT as a runner and have enjoyed it so much that I often just sit on my bike for an hour in the evening to switch off. The gamification also pushes you to train a little harder, as the hills and metres in altitude are simulated extremely well and you switch from comfortable mode to challenge mode relatively quickly. It's a lot of fun! 🚀

Realistic feeling on the KICKR Core 2

What is particularly noteworthy is the outstanding quality. On the one hand, the setup is very high quality and on the other, the seamless interaction with all devices and apps is simply impressive. Then there's the realistic rolling resistance, which gives you the feeling of a real road and as soon as there's a small hill in an app, you think you're riding a real mountain with real metres in altitude. There is currently no better way to simulate a bike ride. 🚴‍♂️

My plans for the coming year

I will definitely integrate training into my everyday life. Even though it will be nicer again in summer and cycling outside will be possible, I'm sure there will be days when I'll throw myself on my Wahoo KICKR Core 2 and go for a ride indoors. Rainy weather also no longer stops me from cycling 🙂 I can run in any weather, but I'm a classic fair-weather cyclist 😄

I'll keep you up to date on how the training is going and I'll also find out how well I was able to prepare myself when I report on the bike tour.