12 December 2024
It’s been 9 years since Wahoo changed indoor cycling with the Wahoo KICKR Desk, Wahoo has seemingly quietly announced the introduction of a new version of its KICKR Desk, aptly named KICKR Desk V2. This new version offers minor updates that were implemented by other companies many years ago, while also reducing the price of the KICKR Desk.
For many indoor cyclists, you might not even remember that there was a time and place before indoor trainer desks. While they are commonplace these days, when Wahoo first announced the KICKR Desk back in 2015, the response was a blend of “Need this immediately” with “Wait, how much”? However, notably, there wasn’t anything even remotely on the market like it at the time. Most people used chairs, boxes, sometimes a music stand, and in rare cases a hospital bedside stand. The idea of having a purpose-built trainer stand simply didn’t exist.
Of course, it only took a few years for a flood of companies to introduce other copycat products at a fraction the price. But more importantly, they introduced *better* copycat products. They added cup holders, wheel locks, more slot positions for tablets/phones, towel holders, even both USB & regular AC power. And as noted, the price was often 1/3rd that of Wahoo, usually floating around $75-$125USD, whereas the Wahoo KICKR Desk would slowly rise from $229 (at launch) to current retail pricing of $299 – all without the new features.
What’s New:
Wahoo’s new KICKR DESK V2 aims to solve some of those issues, and adds the following:
– Lowers cost to $199
– Adds wheel locks (and goes from 3 wheels to 4 wheels)
– Adds second slot line for tablets/phones
– Adds USB cable holder (but not USB ports)
– Adds secondary lower hanger/towel holder
– Adds ability to buy taller tablet holder contraption
– Slightly reduced max height, and slightly increased min height
It also appears the slip-resistant rubber desk surface is slightly changed from before, in looking at the photos. I don’t have one myself – perhaps Wahoo is still upset about the Wahoo ACE In-Depth Review last weekXXX. Looking at the specs, the new one hits a max height of 118cm” now (46.75”) versus the old one at 122cm”. And likewise, the new one has a min height of 88cm now (34.75”), versus 84cm before. The overall surface area on the top is the same, at 71x35cm (28”x14”), as does teh max load of 22kg (50lbs).
Here’s a gallery from Wahoo’s press kit of the new one:
From a pricing and availability standpoint, Wahoo’s press release says it’s available immediately (today, December 12th) from Wahoo dealers. The pricing is as follows:
USD: $199
CAD: $279
GBP: £169
EUR: €199
AU: $329
JPY: ¥30,000
There is not yet pricing on the tablet accessory thingy (seen in the gallery).
First, for context, here are the two most popular alternatives. You’ve got the KOM Cycling desk at the bottom left, which floats at $110ish. And then at right, you’ve got the generic option at around $110 as well that’s been rebranded a million times by different companies around the world.
Here are these and others from trainer desk past in a lineup photo I had floating around:
(Front – KOM Cycling Desk, back left – generic desk, back middle Wahoo KICKR Desk V1, back right – Saris desk)
We’ve alsoseen Elite come out with their own trainer desk that even includes a spot for a power street protected internally, allowing you to cleanly power your devices.
While Elite’s is more expensive in terms of retail pricing (290EUR), actual retail pricing is putting it at 202EUR, basically identical to Wahoo’s offering. Albeit, in the US it’s still crazy-pricing at $399 on sale ($499 retail).
And I guess, I’m just kinda surprised at Wahoo’s KICKR Desk V2. After nearly a decade, I’d thought we’d at least get a few USB ports for the extra $100 you’re paying over the competitors. After all, Wahoo’s thing in life is premium products, not generic products. And I’m really struggling to see how this new version is premium. I’ll give all credit in the world to Wahoo for starting the trainer desk trend. Or even starting the trainer-specific fan trend. And while these little updates are certainly welcome, it won’t change my recommendation here: Just buy the generic offerings, or the other Elite premium offering if you want something more premium.
I’m more than happy to reward companies with premium recommendations when they’re justified. And a few integrated 100w USB-C ports on the KICKR Desk V2 would have done that easily, since reducing the cables I can trip over is sorta my preferred thing. But lacking that, this offering doesn’t have really anything the various generics haven’t had for years.
On the bright side, we’ve got 2033 to look forward to for KICKR Desk V3, I’ve put it on my calendar. Third times the charm!
With that – thanks for reading.
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