Immersion (literally "dipping") describes the effect produced by a virtual reality (VR) environment that causes the user's awareness of being exposed to illusory stimuli to recede so far into the background that the virtual environment is perceived as real. When the degree of immersion is particularly high, it is also referred to as "presence".
We wouldn't yet want to speak of "presence" in connection with Wahoo's indoor training, but with the introduction of the new steering functionality in Wahoo X – especially in the virtual community-ride and bike-racing platform RGT – the Americans made a huge step forward.
KICKR STEER is the name of the new accessory with which riders, in conjunction with their smartphone and the RGT Remote app, can steer their virtual avatar via easily accessible thumb levers. These in turn tilt the actual STEER tray on which the smartphone running the active RGT Remote app is placed. The physical steering assembly is individually adjustable and therefore ergonomically always in the right position, whether using tops, brake hoods, or drops. For attachment to the handlebar, the KICKR STEER is supplied with a sturdy mount that can also be used for Wahoo or Garmin bike computers. However, the clamp of the mount — and thus the STEER — is currently only compatible with standard round-tube handlebars, meaning owners of integrated cockpits or oval aero bars are out of luck for now.
Realistic, immersive and captivating.
The riding experience with the KICKR STEER in the Wahoo X training worlds
Unboxing and Assembly
The KICKR STEER package includes the smartphone tray that pivots to the sides, two Allen keys integrated into its underside, two adjustable thumb levers and a universal, sturdy Wahoo/Garmin mount.
The only drawback — and a real showstopper for owners of aero bars — is unfortunately the clamping design of the computer mount, which is only compatible with classic round‑tube handlebars. We assume, however, that Wahoo is already working on an adapter solution or something similar.
Anyone who has a suitably shaped section on the handlebar should first install the mount, attach the smartphone cradle to it and adjust the two thumb levers according to individual requirements. After that you only need to install the latest version of the Wahoo RGT Remote App and calibrate the KICKR STEER for tilt angle and responsiveness. That’s it.
Prices and Offers
As a stand-alone feature, the KICKR STEER costs €99.99. It is also offered as a "Wahoo X and KICKR STEER" bundle for €199.99, which saves you €49 in total, since a Wahoo X annual membership* costs €149.
* The Wahoo X all-in-one membership provides cyclists, via the two apps Wahoo RGT and Wahoo SYSTM, with a full range of riding and training experiences all year round. Structured training, virtual races and challenges - indoors and outdoors, online and offline.
Avatar control in RGT
If the user avatar's position and riding line were previously automated or set by the app, with the KICKR STEER maneuvering on the course becomes part of the virtual experience. Similar to riding outdoors, you can now during training or races push the pace at the front, find your sweet spot in the middle of the group, or launch an attack from the back. More importantly, you can at any time get the optimal draft from the rider in front and take corners extremely tightly — depending on the riding situation or course. That saves energy and lets you gain serious meters on the automatically controlled competition. In addition, the "Race Radio" allows communication and interaction with other riders.
Alternative control in Wahoo X
If you don't want to buy a KICKR STEER or can't install it for compatibility reasons, you'll be pleased to know there are two other ways to control your avatar in the Wahoo X-worlds without additional hardware.
Alternative #1: KICKR Bike users can use the built-in thumb buttons on the inside of the brake/shift levers to strategically control their position.
Alternative #2: Using the RGT Mobile Remote app or the RGT Game app, the rider can steer left or right through the streets of RGT using the arrow keys on the screen or the computer keyboard (keys A and D).
In practice
We were able to see for ourselves the benefits of the avatar control already before the official product launch on the two RGT routes Tempelhof Airport Workout and Borrego Springs Workout. Not only was the installation of the KICKR STEER and its calibration very quick and intuitive, but in practice the new feature resulted in a noticeably more realistic and entertaining riding experience.
Whether it's worth the €99 for the average hobby online rider is debatable; for serious RGT racers the KICKR STEER will almost certainly become an absolute must-have.
The hunt for the optimal slipstream, cutting corners, directly "riding through" slower riders, as well as searching for gaps or pushing other opponents off the line when level with them provided in our tests such a large time advantage that in ambitious races it would be an immense disadvantage to go without it.
Using manual control enables maximum drafting, a faster line, and passing through slower opponents or ghosts.
The automatic avoidance of other riders is slow.
To give racers a competitive advantage in decisive race phases, Wahoo has also introduced the new "KICKR Race Mode", which uses the WiFi and Direct-Connect capabilities of Wahoo indoor trainers to transmit power up to 10 times faster than with standard trainers. Race Mode is available on the latest KICKR Smart Trainers with integrated WiFi - KICKR BIKE will follow very soon. With the KICKR Direct Connect WiFi adapter, Race Mode can also be implemented on earlier KICKR versions.
Make Your Move
