Wahoo Kickr Rollr Smart Rollers Impressions: Genius or Daft? 

I think it’s a great idea, you don’t have to take your wheel off and although the front wheel is held still the back wheel can still move around like on the road. So basically just throw your bike on it and get a resistance/ swift work out, and take the bike out on the road the next day when the weather is better.

No removing the wheel, or smashing the back I. A clamp, I really like this. Looks so quick and easy

Great wheels. I have the same. If you're wondering what wheels they are, they are the Winspace Hypers!

I like this option because I have two bikes that run different cassettes and not having to fiddle with swapping cassettes and hub bodies is appealing. I have a Wahoo Kickr trainer that I literally have not used in the 2+ years I've owned it because it a hub body isn't available for the version I have to fit a Campy 8 spd cassette.

Not having to change axles and set ups between mine and my wife's bikes makes this an instant win.

Love the idea so much easier than taking rear wheel out every time you want to put your bike on the trainer. Normally would ride through winter if weather is reasonable but after a week of being really windy and gales this could work to keep legs turning.

This trainer is the answer I’ve been looking for. My bike is unusual in that its rear hub is a135 mm x 12 mm through axle. The KICKR won’t accommodate it. Since I already own power-measuring pedals, the absence of power measurement from the trainer is not only inconsequential, it frees up enough money to enable me to buy a new set of wheels.

Bit of an odd product, I always thought a lot of people used rollers just for the ease and the ride feel getting learning how to get better balance. Also That front wheel flex cannot do your wheel much good, Being locked in two places like that ?

Would like to see this made as a normal set of rollers with the power meter fitted. Having the front wheel supported seems to defeat the point of having rollers ☺

The purpose of rollers is freedom of movement with an unrestrained spinning front wheel as an aid to improving technique. With a restrained front wheel, what’s the point….I actually have no idea what this thing is supposed to do. For a warm up I’m just taking my fluid rear wheel trainer to the race. What were they thinking?

I wonder if the pressure on the front wheel can cause long term damage to the wheel. 🤔

I’ve watched a few reviews of this product now and I’m still slightly at a loss about what this is really for. It looks fairly massive, it’s just about as heavy in comparison to other smart trainers, it’s noisier than direct drive, it seems to do less well at ERG mode so not great for structured training, you require a separate power meter which many regard as an expensive option (although admittedly getting much more common). I just don’t know what wahoo was trying to find a solution for other than being quite easy to put a bike on and off, but that also requires having the space to leave this large unit setup all the time. Feels like the product is a better idea than it offers in reality.

If you wanted rollers, surely you'd get the Elite smart rollers which are actually rollers, this is more of a wheel on trainer/roller hybrid thing. Bit weird, not sure it's going to sell heaps.

I’d use this vs my trainer that I don’t use at all. I could put my bike off and on easier and still have some of the casual ride feel I do. I ride outside but not inside because I hate attaching the bike.

I'll stick to my wattbike atom second generation. It's just a no frills but solid piece of kit.

Roller Trainers have the feel of riding on the road with the rock back and forth. This device does not have the ability to rock . I agree with you that the target market is very pointed to a small segment. Good Luck Wahoo Roller.

I agree with you David. Great first look video 👍

The benefit I find in rollers is that it engages small muscles that you use to keep the balance that won't engage with a fixed trainer. So I use a combination of both. But I can't see the use for this product. I'd be surprised if they'll still be selling this in 2 years.

Interesting as I'm just looking a smart trainers, the Kicker in particular. Which I still think would be better for me. Plus taking up less room. Does the new Rollr always have to have power, or can it be used for warm ups without it. Thanks for a great informative AV as always.

Dare you to "remove the stabiliser" when the resistance kicks up to a 10% gradient... David's face > wall

That is ludicurously expensive considering the other options and the limited use cases of this product

Not for me. Still using a Cateye CS 1000 from the 90's with Raleigh Cronos from 1993(damaged headtube from a crash) .Only use it when weather is bad,or too busy to get outside for a ride. Traditional rollers are tricky to learn,but improve your skills more than these devices. I would not like to do standing or max efforts on the Wahoo and break a fork or wheel with that flex ! What were they thinking? Daft.

Wich smart trainer do you use David ? Look forward too them carbon wheels review on tcr 😜🔥🔥🔥

Recently purchased Feedback Sports Omnium rollers for warming up before races. Paid 350€ and it's a lot more compact than Rollr. Confusing value proposition indeed.

I really don't understand this product, but it'll be really interesting to see who ends up buying and using it.

I have a Kickr Snap, and as another wheel-on trainer this looks to be a proposed alternative to that. I'm not sure it can be called an upgrade, especially as they state it "relies on calibration of external power metre" and so you need to have a power metre in your pedals, whereas the Snap can gauge power itself. Paying more for less (much more if you don't already have a metre in a crank or the pedals). The only advantages I can think of over the Snap are: that you won't need to change your rear QR skewer in order to be "clamped" in as is the case with the Snap, plus the accompanying creaking therefore won't be an issue either, and finally there's a potential footprint saving (if the widest part is narrower than that of the Snap). I'd also be concerned by the forces being applied to my front dropouts + wheel axle what with the wheel being locked in place like that whilst I rock my bike side to side during a sprint on Zwift. You might argue the same with the clamp implementation of the Snap but there's lots of play in the mechanism so I can confirm this isn't an issue. That also begs the question, is there a danger of my rear wheel slipping out? Also, the grip on the roller seems entirely dependent on the rider's weight, no chance of wheel slippage? In summary, I'm yet to be convinced a) who this is for and b) what it solves or improves upon?

Idk but the stabilizer’s clamp seems it could damage the carbon wheel by rubbing it?

Combine the kickr rollr and the kickr climb into one package and wahoo can take my money.

This would benefit households with more than one bicycle and more than one gear set that want to use a trainer. We have a Saris M2 and we have to get different axles do use the trainer. This would be easy just to swap bikes with no hardware changes. 7:18

See thats better no issue balancing

like the idea, but you can’t really rock the bike. So I guess it’s mostly for a feel thing? if the front wheel bottom holder has a pivot to let it swing side to side, and the top holder/clamp is wider and also flexible, and maybe have some kind of elastomer on each side to provide some kind of lateral support/cushion so when you rock the bike it is not going to fall.

Isn't the answer to all the questions proposed at the end to just use a kicker snap? It's the cheapest, smallest, and most convenient full smart trainer and you can keep the wheel on.

Great informative & honest vid as always. I have 'normal' rollers & am thinking of getting a smart trainer. Having seen this & not owning a power meter there's no chance of me buying the Kickr Rollr, I just don't see why you would really - I'll save my pennies & get the Kickr!

Where would you get the 240V power sorce from when you want to use this trainer mainly for warming up before a race / TT? That's the killing argument in my view for this product. Traditional Rollers or the Tacx Bushido are lightweight and need no external power source, which makes them much more handy in my view (for the purpose of warming up).

Niche product for sure, and that front wheel wobble IN the forks is concerning. I can see a high effort creating a crack in a carbon fork. It's a pass for me though as I have an older 26er as a dedicated trainer set up. Works just fine!

I have a horizontal drop out on my TT bike, which means I hate having it on a turbo, I have my own power meter and I don't use ERG mode on zwift coz I don't like it. I think this will be perfect for me.

No strong buying point without a powermeter. Roller is for balancing practice, powermeter built hub-based trainer is for stable/robust training, and roller-based stationary trainer is for budget. This one doesn't have any competitive point over above three.

Guter Rollertrainer für alle die nicht nur Treten möchten

Wear down rear tire long run and the stabilizer front wheel looks like a concern…

Very expensive warm-up/down option ..... but very very cool indeed

Using rollers must give more of a core workout than this or more traditional indoor trainer styles? Question: can you use mild gravel/cx tyres on rollers (if you only have one set of wheels with those tyres fitted)?

Review of Winspace wheels coming up? :)

What is the advantage over a kicker snap or any other turbo trainer?

Why not give the front wheel a bit of room in that clamp? It will still prevent you from falling, but not flex the wheel?

I'd really like something with better feel like i'm riding the bike outside- this it?

I wished they added a roller to the front of the road bike unit. That really throws this so called indoor roller out the window.

I have Elite Nero smart rollers and absolutely love them, I think the wahoo isn't really a roller in the proper sense. Your bike should be able to move freely as if you are riding on the road. The elites feel fantastic with the freedom to rock side by side up a climb out of the saddle. The noise is acceptable, unless you are sprinting on them then they are a little noisy. On Rouvy you really get lost in the riding especially if using a projector. Good try by wahoo but I think elite beat them to it

it still works even without power meter?

A question not related to the Kickr trainer. I noticed you have Winspace Hyper 50 wheels. Are you able to please provide some feedback, good and bad. Regards

What is that lovely green bike 🚴.?

Initial impression = wow! But the fact that it doesn't have a built in power meter and it's not a true roller = meh. Guess I shouldn't knock it until I've tried it, but I'm having a hard time visualizing what this thing gives me over a Kickr Core.

Imagine how mad you'll be when you try a standing sprint on this and your front wheel/fork snaps.

I do almost all of my riding outside (15000 km/yr), but the few days where I set up the Kickr I just stick to rides where I’m doing only zones 2, 3, or 4. Is this suitable for that?

Is this better on the knees?

Will you be reviewing the Winspace wheels?

Would you consider using a turbo tyre for this? or would your standard tyres be okay for use?

Suitable for TT ie Tri bikes?

How are the hypers?

Man, that front of the bike is taking a beating! No way this product is for me.

How are those winspace?

can't really see where to use this, if you dont want to remove the wheel just use a wheel on trainer, at least you have a proper erg mode and a lot more resistance, if it fixed this can't even be called roller, it's just a trainer with another design

Can you use it without electricity just like a regular roller though?

Since when do you ride the Winspace Hypers?

It's a solution in search of a problem.

First 😬 now I watch it ^^

Must used indoor tyres?

as a warm up rig, it's interesting. But not for training.

🤷🏾‍♂️ Why does this product exist?? It gives NONE of the advantages of a traditional roller since the front wheel locked in place.. and it takes up MORE space than a stationary trainer... WHY?? Makes not sense to me.. AT ALL!!

I don’t understand the point of having rollers with a fixed front. In this way it’s just a wheel-on trainer, but bigger, louder, more expensive, no power and the risk of damaging the front wheel.

why do we always spend more money to cycle ?

Gimmicky IMHO.

No balancing kind of defeats one of the main benefits of a roller - training balance and all the smaller muscles in your body.

I don't get it. Instead of giving you the best of both worlds (rollers and smart trainers) it seems to me it does exactly the opposite.

Can't see the point in this at all, especially at the price point. No idea how you can call it affordable? It costs more than the Kickr Snap and most Cores online just now. If it cost the same as rollers then yeah but nah, waste of time.

I wouldn't put my bike on that, lots of load on front wheel and forks, and twist through frame. That and rear tyre wear. Nope. I'll stick with a wheel off trainer for 99% of training, and rollers for the 1% of the time when I feel brave.

I think this product is going to be a flop. For the price your better off with the kickr core. I’m concerned with the flexing of the front wheel. I can see fatigue from the spokes in the nipples failing. Also the noise is off putting.

What a useless piece of junk, kudos to you David for trying to make this fit anywhere in the indoor/warm-up sphere of training. But we all know what you really think.

Ha ha ha. Rollers for rank amateurs. Expensive ones at that. Best rollers, Tacx galaxias. Floating system and you can sprint out of the saddle. No wear on tyres.

having seen the front wheel flex, i'm out

thank you... but NO.

Affordable…l. It’s more exp then my bike

No thanks I'll rather stick to my kickr

This is a pointless product. I don't see where it fits in with their current products or why someone would buy this over the regular kickr or kickr snap. They could have at least made it wireless so you could use it to warm up on raceday? Isn't that the point of having rollers over a direct-drive trainer? The rollers also don't seem wide enough that you could balance on them without the stabilizer.

Daft

Too expensive

DA, you sound like a salesman. "Niche product" is sales speak for expensive. For me, a bit more than necessary. I'll stick with old fashioned trainer and the city roads.

That stress on the front end and wheel is not good. These sort of trainers also hammer rear tires. Tech that didn’t need to be reinvented imho. 👎

Expensive, noisy, too heavy to be portable and only simulates up to 10% gradient….. just don’t see the point! 🤦🏽