Set up your KICKR CORE smart trainer

Quick Start Guide

Download the full Wahoo KICKR CORE Quick Start Guide as a PDF for instructions in English and other languages.

Video Setup Guide 

This video references a KICKR CORE Zwift One. Setup for CORE with cassette is essentially the same, except that when placing the bike on the trainer, drape the chain over the smallest/highest rear cog (so that it aligns with the shifter position from when you removed the rear wheel from your bike. For a detailed presentation on cassette installation, please see below.

Quick Release

Thru Axle

Assemble the CORE

1. Extend the arm of the KICKR CORE unit forward.
2. Fully insert the bolts upward into the square holes of the legs and through the base of the arms.
   • Secure the front leg (longer) and rear leg (shorter) to the KICKR CORE by threading the nuts onto the bolt ends and tightening with the hex tool.
3. Once both legs are attached, place the KICKR CORE on a stable, level surface.

Install the Cassette

Required Tools

• Cassette lock ring tool (Park Tool FR-5.2 or similar)
• Adjustable wrench or socket for 1 inch (to accommodate the cassette lock ring tool)

Installation

1. 11 speed cassettes and 12 speed road cassettes do not require a spacer.
   • 7-10 speed cassettes require additional spacers.
     • 8, 9, and 10 speed cassettes will require a 1.8mm spacer (included with new trainers).
     • 7 speed cassettes will require the 1.8mm spacer AND a 4.5mm spacer (to be purchased separately from your preferred local or online retailer).
2. If your new cassette includes an additional spacer (ex. 1mm spacers with Shimano 10 speed road cassettes), install this before installing the cassette. Otherwise, install the new cassette. directly.
3. Examine the freehub body and note the location of the one spline that is narrower than the others. This keyed pattern exists on the inside edge of the cassette cogs and ensures that the cassette can only be installed one way. Rotate the narrow spline to the top and then install cogs and spacers as a group or one by one, ensuring that the cogs are installed large to small.
   
4. If you get rid of or "drop" any cogs or spacers, know that:
   1. Cogs can only be installed one way.
   2. Some of the rearmost cogs may be pinned together or mounted on a carrier as a group.
   3. All spacers are identical, interchangeable, and reversible.
   4. Generally, there should be a spacer between each cog, except for the last few, where each has a built-in spacer. You will see that they have a thicker profile.
5. Ensure that the last cog is installed in the correct orientation relative to the key spline, and remains there as you install the lock ring. It can sometimes be difficult to keep it in place during installation. This cog moving during lock ring installation is often the cause of drivetrain noise or cassette instability as it is compressed into the freehub without properly compressing the cogs behind it.
   
6. Thread the cassette lock ring by hand. Be careful not to crossthread the lock ring. One good way is to rotate the lock ring counter-clockwise until you feel a notching sensation as the first threads fall past one another. Then start rotating clockwise.
   
7. Use cassette tool to snug the lockring, bracing the large pulley wheel with your hand. Once snug, tighten further another 6 - 10 clicks (roughly 1/4 turn).

Select the Correct Adapters

For 130 or 135mm Quick Release (QR)

• Adapters A + B are required.
• Note the asymmetry of adapter B. When used with a 130mm bike, the longer side of the adapter should be inserted into the trainer. When used with a 135mm bike, the shorter side should be inserted into the trainer.
• Insert the skewer into the wide end of one spring, then into Adapter B, then into the trainer from the non-drive (left) side.
• Slide the longer end of Adapter A around the skewer and into the trainer from the drive side.
• Slide the narrow end of the remaining spring over the skewer, then thread the wider end of the acorn nut onto the skewer.

For 12 x 142 or 148mm Thru Axle (TA)

• Adapters C + D or C + E are required.
• Note the 142 and 148 labels and directional arrows etched on Adapters D and E. When installing a 12x142mm bike, insert Adapter D into the non-drive (left) side of the trainer, with the arrow facing toward the trainer. When installing a 12x148mm bike, insert Adapter E into the non-drive (left) side of the trainer, with the arrow facing toward the trainer.

Mount Your Bike

For CORE with a Cassette

1. Shift into the small front chainring and the smallest/highest cog of the cassette to reduce tension on the chain.
2. Open and loosen the quick release skewer or remove the bike's thru axle.
3. Gently pull the bike up and off of the wheel.
4. Gently pull the body of the rear derailleur backwards and lower the chain onto the smallest/high cog of the cassette on the trainer and the bike's frame onto the trainer's frame adapters.
5. If using a Quick Release (QR):
   
   • Secure your bicycle by tightening the quick release nut and then closing the quick release lever, clamping the frame. The quick release lever is “open” when it curves away from the bicycle frame. The lever is “closed” when it curves towards the bicycle frame. The handle of the quick release skewer should always be installed on the non-drive (left) side of the KICKR CORE.
   • Failure to properly tighten the quick release skewer may result in property damage or personal injury. If you are unsure of the proper tension, please consult your local bike shop or reach out to our customer support team for guideance. Do NOT ride the CORE until the quick release skewer is tightened.
6. If using a Thru Axle:
   
   • Secure your bicycle by reinstalling your bicycle's thru axle to the bicycle manufacturer's specifications.
   • Failure to properly tighten the thru axle may result in property damage or personal injury. If you are unsure of the proper tension, please consult your local bike shop or the bicycle manufacturer for guideance. Do NOT ride the CORE until the thru axle is tightened.

For CORE with a Zwift Cog (CORE Zwift One)

1. Shift into the small front chainring and a cog in the middle of the cassette to reduce tension on the chain.
2. Open and loosen the quick release skewer or remove the bike's thru axle.
3. Gently pull the bike up and off of the wheel.
4. Gently pull the body of the rear derailleur backwards and lower the chain onto the Zwift Cog on the trainer and the bike's frame onto the trainer's frame adapters.
5. If using a Quick Release:
   
   • Secure your bicycle by tightening the quick release nut and then closing the quick release lever, clamping the frame. The quick release lever is “open” when it curves away from the bicycle frame. The lever is “closed” when it curves towards the bicycle frame. The handle of the quick release skewer should always be installed on the non-drive (left) side of the trainer.
   • Failure to properly tighten the quick release skewer may result in property damage or personal injury. If you are unsure of the proper tension, please consult your local bike shop or reach out to our customer support team for guideance. Do NOT ride the CORE until the quick release skewer is tightened.
6. If using a Thru Axle:
   
   
   • Secure your bicycle by reinstalling your bicycle's thru axle to the bicycle manufacturer's specifications.
   • Failure to properly tighten the thru axle may result in property damage or personal injury. If you are unsure of the proper tension, please consult your local bike shop or the bicycle manufacturer for guideance. Do NOT ride the CORE until the thru axle is tightened.

Connect to Power

Use the included AC power adapter to connect the trainer to a standard wall outlet. The trainer requires power to provide any resistance beyond flywheel inertia.

Pair to the Wahoo App

1. Open the Wahoo app.
2. Navigate to the Devices tab.
3. Select Pair sensor (or the + sign if another sensor is paired).

4. Select the KICKR CORE.

5. The CORE is now paired!

Update Your KICKR CORE's Firmware