Wahoo today announced the launch of the new Kickr, a direct-drive smart turbo trainer that replaces the popular Kickr18. The new model is more of an evolution than a revolution, but it offers some interesting improvements over its successor, the 2018 model, as Wahoo looks to return to the front of the best turbo trainer race.

The most notable change to the Kickr20 is that it now moves 5 degrees from side to side, thanks to new cushioned feet called AXIS. The maximum resistance remains at 2,200 watts, but Wahoo claims that the measurement of this power has been improved and is now accurate to within 1% of the previous model, up from 2%. And third is the introduction of automatic calibration, which owners will most likely appreciate.

The current Kickr18 model is a popular choice among indoor cycling enthusiasts, earning a 4.5/5-star score in a recent Wahoo Kickr review. With the latest improvements, the Kickr20 is sure to make the Best Turbo Trainer Guide The Kickr20 has a tried and clearly successful construction, and much else remains unchanged from the previous model The new magnetics introduced in the Kickr bike Instead of using a resistance unit, the Kickr20 uses the same 16-pound flywheel as the previous model, with the same 2,200 watts of maximum resistance. In addition, Wahoo claims that the "virtually silent" operation is also unchanged, measured at about 60 dB in a recent Wahoo Kickr review.

The other thing that hasn't changed is the price, which will sound pleasant to the ears of Wahooligans around the world; the Kickr has never been a cheap option, and until the introduction of the Kickr Bike, it was at the top of Wahoo's Turbo Trainer series, thankfully. this update does not involve a price increase.

The new model looks very similar to the current model, mainly because it shares folding legs, a carry handle, and black and blue coloring. In fact, the only visible difference between the two is the updated AXIS foot, which, according to Wahoo, is a customizable, cushioned foot that responds to movement due to changes in tempo and body position. They say it mimics the left-right motion experienced when riding outdoors. Owners of the previous generation Kickr 4 model are backward compatible with the Kickr AXIS foot, which is sold separately.