Set up your KICKR CORE 2 Smart Trainer

Quick Start Guide

Download the full Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 Quick Start Guide or Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 for Zwift Ride Quick Start Guide as a PDF for instructions in English and other languages.

Assemble the CORE 2

Unboxing

1. Begin with the front of the box facing upward. The front is labeled with a large #1 and a scannable QR code for setup instructions.

2. Pinch clips and gently pull outward.

3. Pull clips outward and down.

4. Repeat for all clips on the box (four total).

5. With clips removed, pull box top up/off.

6. Remove #1 adapters card + manual, #2 trainer, #3 legs box, and power adapter and cord from boxes/plastic. 
   

   Note: The CORE 2's included 6mm hex wrench, leg bolts, and 1.8mm cassette spacer (when present) are in an unmarked paper bag inside the folded adapters card

In the Box

Assembly

1. Extend the CORE 2 legs.
2. Match the color-coded legs and feet before attaching the front foot (longer) and back foot (shorter) to the KICKR CORE. Install the feet with the included bolts and tighten to 10Nm.
3. Connect the included AC power adapter to a standard wall outlet to power on the trainer. 

130MM or 135MM Quick Release (QR)

An axle adapter is required on both sides of the KICKR.

• 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.

142MM or 148MM Thru Axle

• 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 2 with 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.

For Quick Release

1. 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.
2. 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 guidance. Do NOT ride the CORE until the quick release skewer is tightened.

For Thru Axle

1. Secure your bicycle by reinstalling your bicycle's thru axle to the bicycle manufacturer's specifications.
2. 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 2 with Zwift Cog

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.

For Quick Release

1. 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.
2. 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 guidance. Do NOT ride the CORE until the quick release skewer is tightened.

For Thru Axle

1. Secure your bicycle by reinstalling your bicycle's thru axle to the bicycle manufacturer's specifications.
2. 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

Connect the included AC power adapter to a standard wall outlet to power on the trainer. 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!

WiFi Setup

Once paired, the Wahoo app will prompt you to proceed into Wi-Fi setup to allow for automatic firmware updates and the most robust connection available for third party desktop or Apple TV applications. Please see our WiFi support page for more details.

Update Your CORE 2 Firmware

Every new Wahoo KICKR Smart Trainer will require a firmware update to work harmoniously with apps like SYSTM and Zwift, among others. Please see our article on updating trainer firmware for more information.

With a viable Wi-Fi network enabled, the trainer will automatically check for firmware updates and update immediately and automatically via Wi-Fi overnight, provided the trainer has power and is not actively in use.

Registration on the Wahoo Cloud

Trainer registration occurs automatically and silently during the onboarding process as the device is registered to the Wahoo account associated to the paired Wahoo App. Registration status can be found in the Device information page on the app accessed from Devices > CORE > Device information after onboarding is completed.