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    FeaturedRacingTrainers

    Wahoo KICKR Race Mode Released

    Eric Schlange
    By Eric Schlange
    February 9, 2023
    LAST UPDATED February 9, 2023
    49

    Wahoo released a firmware update on Friday, February 3 to deliver a feature never before seen on Zwift: race mode.

    Until now, trainers have generally read power data multiple times per second and then computed a 1-second average of those readings for sending to software like Zwift. Zwift receives more than 1 transmission per second from most trainers, but since the data is averaged to the second, it’s functionally like receiving one transmission per second. A 1Hz power reading.

    Wahoo’s new race mode increases that to 10Hz, meaning your power numbers will be read by your KICKR and sent to Zwift up to 10x faster, resulting in a ride that is more responsive to power changes.

    Shane, our favorite Aussie lama, explains it all very nicely in this video. (He also runs some of the same tests we would have done, if he hadn’t so nicely done them for us!)

    Enabling Race Mode

    Race mode is only available for KICKR v6 owners at this time, and it only works if you’re using WiFi or Direct Connect.

    To enable race mode, first make sure you’re on the latest firmware. Then just toggle “Race Mode” in your settings:

    How it ACTUALLY Works

    It’s worth mentioning that Wahoo’s race mode support page explains that enabling race mode means your power number will be updated up to 10 times per second.

    “KICKR Race Mode updates power upon each flywheel revolution”, Wahoo says, so as long as your flywheel is spinning at least 10rps, you’ll get the 10Hz power updates. Wahoo says “During a high-speed sprint this can be up to 10 times per second” but a few tests on our end show that it doesn’t even take a high-speed sprint to get your flywheel turning at 10rps+.

    A Racing Advantage?

    Does race mode provide a competitive advantage? You’d better believe it.

    Zwift racers generally agree that it’s hard to follow attacks crisply. Many of us have chalked this up to an inability to see other riders in real time, but it’s also caused by a lag between your power being input and Zwift actually seeing the new numbers.

    During steadier efforts, race mode doesn’t feel noticeably different. But reducing that response lag leads to a much more responsive feel when it comes to race jumps and attacks, as Shane mentions above.

    The KICKR v6 is on sale for $150 off – Buy Now >

    Coming to the KICKR 5

    If you’re a KICKR v5 owner, good news: Wahoo tweeted early this week that race mode is coming for v5 using Direct Connect:

    KICKR Race Mode requires a network connection to operate. We will port it back to KICKR V5 over Direct Connect later this year.

    — Wahoo (@wahoofitness) February 7, 2023

    No word yet on whether it’s coming to the new KICKR Bike or when, but we assume that’s in the plans.

    Who’s Next?

    Zwifters are already wondering when Tacx, Elite, Saris, or others are going to release a similar feature on their trainers. In theory it should be possible with most trainers, at least over Bluetooth which can easily handle 10Hz. (The ANT+ standard is 4Hz).

    (The Tacx NEO 2T already supports 4Hz transmission, which while better than 1Hz is still slower than Wahoo’s new race mode.)

    Zwift already uses the 4Hz standard for ANT connections and receives Bluetooth packets at whatever rate the device sends them. We just need smart trainers to start sending data more frequently. Get on it, trainer companies!

    Questions or Comments?

    Post below!

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      Eric Schlange
      Eric Schlangehttp://www.zwiftinsider.com
      Eric runs Zwift Insider in his spare time when he isn't on the bike or managing various business interests. He lives in Northern California with his beautiful wife, two kids and dog. Follow on Strava

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      49 Comments
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      Sam
      Sam
      3 months ago

      Hi Eric, what’s the situation with the Kickr Core – won’t ever come to it due to hardware issues? Cheers

      4
      Reply
      sjmv
      sjmv
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Sam

      Kickr Core doesn’t have a Direct Connect port, so wouldn’t be possible.

      0
      Reply
      John
      John(@jlhughes128)
      3 months ago
      Reply to  sjmv

      This is all technically possible over Bluetooth, it’s in the artical.

      2
      Reply
      Barney
      Barney
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Sam

      Race mode has been tested over BLE by some riders – it might come in furture thou no timeline

      0
      Reply
      Paul Himes
      Paul Himes
      3 months ago

      Confused by your notation. 1 Hz is 1 per second. To get the 10 Hz signals wouldn’t you need the freewheel to be rotating at 10 rotations per second (or 600 rpm) not 10 rpm?

      4
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Paul Himes

      Yeah, sorry. Fixed it above! Just too used to writing “RPM” as a cyclist, I think…

      1
      Reply
      Stuart Lynne
      Stuart Lynne(@sl)
      3 months ago

      ANT+ power meters are a little more complicated than once per second. They broadcast four times a second, generally, two of those include the instantaneous power value. But that value may only be updated either once per second or once per revolution (of the crank or wheel). Which update method is used is determined by the manufacturer. At high cadence (> 60 rpm), this can result in faster than once per second. At a lower cadence (< 60 rpm) this can result in slower than once per second. My Power2Max updates based on crank rotation, and I practice getting my… Read more »

      2
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Stuart Lynne

      All true, Stuart. Yeah, most trainers, as far as I can tell, send data at 4Hz, but they’re averaging the data to once per second. So you don’t get 4 new numbers every second, but just 1.

      And of course power meters (cranks, spiders, and pedals, typically) aren’t time-based but event-based, which gets us back to how sticky watts happen…

      0
      Reply
      Ryan
      Ryan
      3 months ago

      Does this also provide a competitive disadvantage in times where you want to come off the power? e.g. top of the Leg Snapper – with Race Mode you’d have to keep the power on until you’re comfortable sitting up; without it, you could come off up to a second sooner.

      2
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Ryan

      Sure, there are scenarios where it’s advantageous to have your trainer holding on your power number longer before dropping it. But my argument would be – you should just hold your power a bit longer.

      The advantage of race mode is definitely on the “startup” side, though.

      2
      Reply
      Jed Harrison
      Jed Harrison
      3 months ago

      How about the kickr bike? V2 or even V1?

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Jed Harrison

      I reached out to Wahoo but haven’t heard a reply back. My assumption is the bike’s internals would support it, so it’ll roll out soon…

      2
      Reply
      ashupp
      ashupp
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Eric Schlange

      Yes, they confirmed on Twitter it will be added to the kickr bike as well.

      8
      Reply
      John
      John
      3 months ago
      Reply to  ashupp

      v1 and v2, or just v2?

      the article states “and it only works if you’re using WiFi or Direct Connect”. If the feature is not available via Ant+ or Bluetooth then it won’t be supported on v1.

      1
      Reply
      Andrei Istratov
      Andrei Istratov(@aistratov)
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Jed Harrison

      I saw an update somewhere on official Wahoo site that this new feature is being added to wi-fi enabled KICKR trainers (or older generation KICR with direct connect module (not sure about the name, but this is a wi-fi dongle that is optional). It was noted in the same announcement that the same feature is “coming to kickr bike soon”. If wi-fi connectivity is a must, then it is probably only V2 that will get this functionality, but this is just my interpretation.

      0
      Reply
      Jesper Rosenlund Nielsen
      Jesper Rosenlund Nielsen(@jesper)
      3 months ago

      It’s not correct AFAIK that ANT+ power meters only give a reading every second. Actually, they send roughly 5 data pages with power days every second: A basic page every second (at 1 Hz) and the main data page with a frequency of 4 Hz.
      If you have a way of tapping into Zwift live data you’ll also see 4-5 power readings power second.

      1
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Jesper Rosenlund Nielsen

      Correct – I edited what I’d written above. It’s a bit confusing, because many transmit at greater than 1Hz, but they’re actually only calculating power every 1 second (to reduce noisiness I assume) so they’re effectively transmitting power at 1Hz.

      0
      Reply
      Angela Roberts
      Angela Roberts
      3 months ago

      Will it ne enabled for Kickr Bike?

      0
      Reply
      Angela Roberts
      Angela Roberts
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Angela Roberts

      be*

      0
      Reply
      Angela Roberts
      Angela Roberts
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Angela Roberts

      nvm, i see the post below. just out here having a full conversation with just myself.

      1
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Angela Roberts

      LOL!

      0
      Reply
      Chris
      Chris
      3 months ago

      Great… more work for us Neo owners….

      1
      Reply
      Dave
      Dave
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Chris

      As much as I like certain features of neo, kudos to wahoo. Had been considering a change due to them due to the constant and measured power decrease vs several power meters (on bike at tie using neo). Fine for training, but brutal for racing.

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Chris

      If it helps, the Neo reads and broadcasts at 4Hz, which is better than other trainers! (Not sure if that’s all versions of the Neo or just the 2T…)

      0
      Reply
      Chris
      Chris
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Eric Schlange

      Ahh.. yeah Im on the original… seems to def be a lag… oh well.. Ill take real watts and the delay…

      0
      Reply
      Mark B
      Mark B
      3 months ago

      Eric do you know how smart bikes compare to this new race mode? I use a Stages SB20. It does not seem to be this responsive.

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Mark B

      Haven’t tested the SB20 for power frequency, so I can’t say!

      0
      Reply
      Robert Jr Gagne
      Robert Jr Gagne
      3 months ago

      Nvm, just read that again.

      0
      Reply
      Steve
      Steve
      3 months ago

      Any idea if Zwift will update the Zwift Hub with something similar. Or is this something that can be implemented via Wifi or a direct connect?

      1
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Steve

      Let’s just say… Zwift has plans for the Hub to give it more features other trainers don’t have!

      2
      Reply
      Alex M
      Alex M
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Eric Schlange

      Like power accuracy of +/-2.5% ?

      0
      Reply
      eddie
      eddie
      2 months ago
      Reply to  Eric Schlange

      When might this happen? The new Hub with features?

      0
      Reply
      Martin Schiltz
      Martin Schiltz
      3 months ago

      And for stages bike sb 20?
      Many thanks

      0
      Reply
      🐐ReiGBorD🐐
      🐐ReiGBorD🐐(@r31680rd)
      3 months ago

      perhaps will repair the lag of the Wahoo kickr climb !!! the price of the dircon it’s very expensive

      0
      Reply
      Michal Wozniak
      Michal Wozniak(@michwoz)
      3 months ago

      There is no reason for it to not be possible via Bluetooth which can send signal with 125Hz frequency.

      1
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Michal Wozniak

      Agreed.

      0
      Reply
      XxXxX
      XxXxX
      3 months ago

      Race mode has been banned from being used during UCI World Championships.

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      3 months ago
      Reply to  XxXxX

      Interesting! Do you have documentation on that?

      0
      Reply
      XxXxX
      XxXxX
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Eric Schlange

      Yes

      0
      Reply
      ShakeNBakeUK
      Super Member
      ShakeNBakeUK(@bakeuk_2)
      3 months ago
      Reply to  XxXxX

      good. anything that gives a competitive advantage needs to be scrutinised before being rolled out across the board, especially if it is only availble to certain models of trainer. be surprised if Zwift doesn’t add a hard limit now (so everyone is on an equal playing field).

      0
      Reply
      Derek
      Derek(@dpr4473)
      3 months ago

      I was disappointed at first, seeing as this update was only available with the v6 Kickr, but not that I know it’ll be available soon for the v5 I can put my wallet away and cancel my trip to the LBS.Ha!

      1
      Reply
      Andrei Istratov
      Andrei Istratov(@aistratov)
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Derek

      Well, I guess, one needs to find out first how much benefit, if any at all, is in this new feature.

      0
      Reply
      Ivan
      Ivan
      3 months ago

      So if I am pairing ant+ power and using the trainer for resistance – am I already at 4hz

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Ivan

      Only if you have a Neo. Other trainers average power to the second, it would seem.

      Easy to test. Set your power display in Zwift to instant and see how often it updates.

      0
      Reply
      Tamara
      Tamara
      3 months ago

      Eric is that black box with the race mode toggle under the top left watts/BMP box supposed to show?

      0
      Reply
      Eric Schlange
      Author
      Top Member
      Eric Schlange(@eschlange)
      3 months ago
      Reply to  Tamara

      Not sure what you’re asking….?

      0
      Reply
      Barney
      Barney
      3 months ago

      Race mode has been banned from World Champs this weekend. Some riders seem to be having issues with Wifi Direct Connect and not all riders have the Direct Connect Dongle:  ensuring a level playing field with equipment (which is the primary objective of having a single hardware partner in the first place!) isn’t possible with some riders able to use Race Mode and others not

      Can confirm v5 race mode is in beta

      0
      Reply
      Rocksinthecreek
      Rocksinthecreek
      3 months ago

      With a Tacx Neo 2T, does anyone know if the power data rate is different on Bluetooth and ANT+? I’d like to run whatever updates the quickest I guess, but not sure if they are both the same frequency?

      0
      Reply
      Amy Mundisev
      Amy Mundisev
      3 months ago

      Thank you for pointing out that the Wahoo KICKR bike does not have the “race mode” feature. After watching Bares/Anna/Nathan on The Wrap talk about this race mode on Wahoo then I watched Llama’s video. Then I tried to do the race mode on my KICKR bike…but to no avail. I will keep an eye out for the update. Seems like they would want to sell more of those bikes over the trainer….why a trainer would have higher functions than their full on bike I don’t understand. Great article as always.

      0
      Reply
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