I could really use some advice. The last time I rode a bike, I was 12 years old (now 32), and now I’ve realized I know absolutely nothing about bicycles. I recently bought a Wahoo Kickr Core during the Black Friday sale to start exercising at home. I thought I could just buy an inexpensive bike, set it up easily, and start training. Turns out, it’s not that simple!
Now I’m stuck trying to figure out compatibility: cassette speeds, derailleur compatibility, frame fit, bike fit—it’s all overwhelming. I don’t plan on riding outdoors, so I need a bike that’s fully compatible with the Kickr Core without requiring extra costs or skills like cassette swaps or upgrades.
The Kickr Core says it’s 11-speed compatible. My height is 1.73m (5’8”). Could anyone recommend the most budget-friendly bike that would work right out of the box? Im living UK. Your help would be greatly appreciated!
@bfiliz If you are just going to ride inside you could look at the Zwift ride.
Here are the compatibility specs for other bikes:
I would suggest visiting your local bike store and letting them know your needs and see what they have. The industry has been struggling a bit with excess inventory on some models so you may be able to get a good deal.
Thank you for your response. I think I’ll return the Wahoo Kickr Core, as even the most affordable compatible bike costs over £500. I didn’t expect a compatible bike to be this expensive.
Did you order it with a cassette pre-installed? If not, have a look on Facebook marketplace and see what’s in your locality for your budget - most things should be compatible. You can definitely get something for less than £500! If you want new, have a look at Decathlon.
I think I’ve bought a model without a cassette. Things have gotten more complicated for me. I’m already looking for a used bike because, as I mentioned, I’ve already stretched my budget. But I really can’t understand which bikes are compatible and which are not. It says that 700c, 11-speed bikes are compatible, but the most affordable one I can find used is the Triban 520 model, and it’s not available for less than £500. Also, I just learned that I need to buy a cassette it’s all so complicated. When I asked the AI, it said that if I buy a bike with an incompatible gear system, I would need to change the gear system, the cassette system, and a few other parts. It estimated the total cost to be around £400. I didn’t expect it to be this difficult.
Right, ok. The Core being 11-speed compatible doesn’t mean you have to have an 11-speed cassette. Any 8, 9, 10 or 11-speed Shimano road drivetrain can be set up on a Kickr Core without any further purchases. You won’t need to buy a cassette if you buy a complete bike but you will need to get it off the rear wheel and onto the Kickr Core.
That cassette is compatible with the Kickr Core using the 1.8mm spacer that will come with your trainer. But so will the Microshift one that comes on the bike be, so you could just remove that from the rear wheel and fit it to the Core.
Being new to cycling and the world of indoor cycling I caution you to be patient with yourself and with the process. With the patience, you’ll be rewarded with a bike that fits you well and, if properly cared for, will provide you many many years of enjoyment (or pain, depending on your perspective of indoor training, and the type of indoor riding you plan to do )
So while the that Triban 120 may be compatible with your Core and if the cassette can be removed from the wheel and installed on your Core you may not need to buy another cassette, that comes with the proviso that the drive train (cassette, chain and chain rings) has plenty of useful life left in it. If these components are severely worn out, you would need to replace all of those things. If there is plenty of life, then you’ll only likely need to get a new chain when it is worn enough that it needs to be replaced (this will depend on mileage as well as how well and regularly it’s been cleaned) A worn chain will wear down the cassette and chain rings requiring all of that stuff to be replaced, vs replacing a chain at it’s recommended replacement time.
Also, while a 21 inch frame may fit you, it also may not. Ball park for a frame that size is you’d need to be 6’ to maybe 6’2" but there are LOADS of variables here like whether you have long legs but a short torso, or vice versa. Your best bet is to sit on it yourself (and, ideally ride it) with the seat adjusted so when your leg is fully extended, you still have a bit of a bend in your knee. Your even better bet is to either go with someone who knows about bikes and how they ought to fit people, or ask someone at your local bike shop if they could tell you, based on your unique measurements, whether this frame ought to fit.
I hope you keep up the journey @bfiliz, and know there are TONS of folks here willing to help every single step of the way.
I am very grateful for your responses. Since I last rode a bike 20 years ago, I have been researching constantly for the past 3 days. Of course, sometimes it can be difficult to find the answers. I think I should be a bit more patient. I appreciate your help for beginners here. Thank you very much.
I live in Liverpool, and there are so many people in the UK who love cycling. I guess it’s rubbed off on me—or maybe it’s the 20lbs I’ve gained over the last 5 years!
@Glen.Coutts has summed it up very well
Not just any bike - but a bike that is your size is the first thing
Look at the manufacturer web sites to see if the size offered is suitable for YOU.
If you never plan to use it on the road ( and I mean NEVER) then the brakes don’t even need to work!
The front wheel rests on the floor and as long as the tyre inflates, it doesn’t need to have life left in the tyre or have a good brake surface - it’s just a support.
The back wheel doesn’t matter but the cassette can be transferred to the Core with the chain so needs reasonable life in it.
The gears need to be seen and tested by you to check they are working smoothly both back and front as a complete bike. Poor shifting may simply be a sign that it hadn’t been set up properly BUT if you don’t know how to fix it - WALK AWAY. LOOK at the condition of the gears and chain - is it covered in lots of gritty black oil? Walk away.
Ask questions- it should be obvious if the owner has cherished the bike and maintained it from their answers. If they know nothing - be careful.
To give satisfaction indoors, the bits that interact with the core need to be as good as if you were riding outdoors! .
See if there are any local bike shops selling something basic in 10 speed or any charities that specialise in used bikes.
In my opinion, your legs will thank you for 10 speed and 10 speed is old enough in secondhand terms, so it ought to be achievable at a reasonable cost.
Buy in haste - repent at leisure
Maybe see if there is a local BIKE CLUB that might ask its members if anyone is selling anything?
Yes it’s a little complicated but research will save you pain and money!
Talking of pain - get good quality cycle shorts! You sit on the saddle a lot a lot more when riding indoors compared to outside!
Then there’s the saddle - any decent local bike shop should be able to advise on what width saddle you need. If you get one that’s too narrow you will suffer!
The Core is Great choice and very similar to the higher end models.
One challenge that can’t be glossed over, he’s getting the gears set up once the bike is mounted on the Core, as they may not work in the same way as they do on the bike until they have been adjusted.
YouTube is your friend and can help
Well, I recently bought a low step bike from Mendham for $239. It’s nowhere near the quality of my road bike but it doesn’t have to be. With my KICKR in ERG mode, I don’t even need to shift.
You can also buy an unused used bike and throw that on the trainer. Be careful with used bikes with worn out components.
You can also check with your local bike shop. Sometimes they end up with bikes brought in for service and abandoned.
it’s all so complicated. When I asked the AI, it said that if I buy a bike with an incompatible gear system, I would need to change the gear system, the cassette system, and a few other parts. It estimated the total cost to be around £400. I didn’t expect it to be this difficult.
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Naughty Siri! Edited that and other illegible stuff