ratz
Wielder of the Rubber Mallet
The following will dramatically improve the power accuracy of you Kickr version 1; do this to yours and pass along to anyone you know with a Kickr 1.
I have verified this on both our Kickr over several days of testing. The process is easy and it works as advertised.
Summary
On Feb 3rd, Release firmware version 1.5.63
This version will update your Kickr 1 to calculate power the same way as the Kickr 2.
From DCRainmakers review of the Kickr 2
"KICKR received a pretty significant change in terms of how it measures power. Specifically, they removed the strain gauge they previously had in it, and instead are measuring resistance of the brake itself, which they found increased their accuracy and also increased responsiveness (since it short-cut a logic loop of having to check another component)."
Details. why and how.
I’m not sure why they didn’t make a bigger deal of this, I suppose it will make people feel bad about the last 2 years riding on the Kickr version 1 with suspect power (but we all knew that already). This update does the same thing as the physical changes to the Kickr2; it disables your strain gauges and gets power from the brake. Not only is it more accurate; it’s much smoother and double bonus if you use Trainer Road Power match the feel and smoothness of the riding goes up about 5-10 fold.
So to do this update:
1) Grab an iOS devices and install the Wahoo fitness App
2) Pair your Kickr on BlueTooth to the fitness App via the sensor details page
3) Upgrade you Gen 1 kickr to firmware 1.5.63
4) After the upgrade turn off iOs bluetooth
5) Turn bluetooth back on and pair the kickr
6) In Wahoo fitness app in the sensor details; pick the Spindown option
7) On the spindown detail screen scroll to “advance spin down” and pick it
8) Pedal for 3 minutes against the brake (not fun if you are not warmed up)
9) Pedlal up to 22.36 and let is free wheel spin down as instructed
10) It will then ask you to do it a second time when it gets down to about 6mph
11) Pedal up to 22.36 and let is spin down against the brake…
12) Finish
13) Ride 10+ minutes
14) Perform normal spin down
If you don’t have a power meter then enjoy you now much more accurate power readings. AKA time to take an FTP test ….
If you have a power meter and you are using power match; you will now likely find that your kickr power and power meter power stay within 4-5 watts of each other well within the 2-3% error range. Power match is now much smoother and much more enjoyable to use
Enjoy….. and pass it forward….
I have verified this on both our Kickr over several days of testing. The process is easy and it works as advertised.
Summary
On Feb 3rd, Release firmware version 1.5.63
This version will update your Kickr 1 to calculate power the same way as the Kickr 2.
From DCRainmakers review of the Kickr 2
"KICKR received a pretty significant change in terms of how it measures power. Specifically, they removed the strain gauge they previously had in it, and instead are measuring resistance of the brake itself, which they found increased their accuracy and also increased responsiveness (since it short-cut a logic loop of having to check another component)."
Details. why and how.
I’m not sure why they didn’t make a bigger deal of this, I suppose it will make people feel bad about the last 2 years riding on the Kickr version 1 with suspect power (but we all knew that already). This update does the same thing as the physical changes to the Kickr2; it disables your strain gauges and gets power from the brake. Not only is it more accurate; it’s much smoother and double bonus if you use Trainer Road Power match the feel and smoothness of the riding goes up about 5-10 fold.
So to do this update:
1) Grab an iOS devices and install the Wahoo fitness App
2) Pair your Kickr on BlueTooth to the fitness App via the sensor details page
3) Upgrade you Gen 1 kickr to firmware 1.5.63
4) After the upgrade turn off iOs bluetooth
5) Turn bluetooth back on and pair the kickr
6) In Wahoo fitness app in the sensor details; pick the Spindown option
7) On the spindown detail screen scroll to “advance spin down” and pick it
8) Pedal for 3 minutes against the brake (not fun if you are not warmed up)
9) Pedlal up to 22.36 and let is free wheel spin down as instructed
10) It will then ask you to do it a second time when it gets down to about 6mph
11) Pedal up to 22.36 and let is spin down against the brake…
12) Finish
13) Ride 10+ minutes
14) Perform normal spin down
If you don’t have a power meter then enjoy you now much more accurate power readings. AKA time to take an FTP test ….
If you have a power meter and you are using power match; you will now likely find that your kickr power and power meter power stay within 4-5 watts of each other well within the 2-3% error range. Power match is now much smoother and much more enjoyable to use
Enjoy….. and pass it forward….
