Wahoo Fitness KICKR Headwind, Black
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You can program it to sync with your heart rate (fan power vs heart rate is programmable via the Wahoo app; you can set a heart rate when it starts spinning and a heart rate when it reaches its maximum level), your bike trainer speed, the power you generate, or just control it manually. If you set it to track your heart rate, it will keep running even if you stop. It will simulate wind if you sync it to the speed of your trainer. But it's not really a wind simulator; rather, it's a way to keep cool while indoor cycling on a trainer. The majority of people sync it to their heart rate because it is the most accurate indicator of how much cooling power the fan needs to provide.
KICKR Headwind connects to a trainer or heart rate monitor and adjusts flow based on speed and heart rate. The Trainer then establishes a connection with Zwift. Because it connects directly to a trainer or HRM, it won't work with any other apps except the Wahoo Fitness App, which is used for app-to-app communication. Control and updates are based on a web-based platform.
120v
Selected User Reviews For Wahoo Fitness KICKR Headwind, Black
I used to have a ceiling fan and an oscillating fan that were both locked and pointed at me from about 6 feet away in my previous setup. I thought this was sufficient, and it wasn't until I started using the Headwind that I realized how inadequate it was. br>br>There are three ways to control the headwind. You can control it manually with the Wahoo Fitness app on your phone or tablet, with a heart rate monitor paired to the fan to control it based on heart rate, or with a compatible Wahoo Kickr trainer to have the trainer control the fan speed based on bike speed. It's simple to control it using the app. br>br> The Headwind was visible right away in the app, and it was controlled with a slider. br>br>Because my Wahoo Kickr trainer is older, it can't handle the headwind. But I don't think this would be useful because when I'm riding my trainer, I'm not concerned with realistic wind. Keeping cool is a concern for me. For example, if I am only riding 5mph but up a 12% grade, I am putting out a lot of power to keep moving ahead so a 5mph breeze won t do much to% br>br>The best solution for me was to control the fan speed with my heart rate. I won't go into pairing because it's fairly simple and covered in the manual. After the devices have been paired, I can go into the Wahoo Fitness app and set the operating range. Mine is set to turn on at 95 beats per minute and go up to 155 beats per minute. This is a little lower than my maximum HR of 178 BPM. br>br>For the past week, I've been using the headwind. It's about 5 feet in front of my bike, so I can feel the breeze on my chest and face. This produces a lot of air at full speed! Much more than my ceiling or other fan could provide, and because it's connected to my HRM, all I have to do is put on the strap, and the fan will turn on automatically when it detects my heart rate. It doesn't get any simpler than that! So, when I first start the ride, the fan will only blow a small amount of air, but as I exert more energy and my heart rate rises, the fan speed rises with it. According to reports, people who have desks in front of their bikes (which I don't have) will have the air blocked and will need to move the Kickr to the side rather than in front. br>br>Overall, I'm pleased with my purchase. It's a lot of money, and I'm hoping it lasts a long time, but assuming it does, it's a fantastic purchase and addition to my Pain Cave.
It produces a lot of concentrated wind and is very comfortable to ride. Unfortunately, it makes a lot of noise from what appears to be a cheaply made housing that rattles and vibrates, making more noise than you want while riding on a nearly silent trainer. I'm not sure if I got a defective product, but I tried everything I could to get the noise to go away without success. Occasionally, the rattling and vibration would go away for a short time before reappearing. Without success, I tried repositioning, tightening, and padding. Noise was loud enough to be distracting even with headphones on, so I reluctantly returned.
On the Heart Rate function, I have two Headwinds running at the same time, side by side. I am completely enamored with the force with which they expel air. One was nice, but after riding in a recent Zwift event with a pro who claimed to have two, I figured, why not? And if one is good, it's safe to assume that two will be even better. That's correct! I would strongly suggest it.
Coming out of winter in the mountains, indoor cycling is a must to get ready for spring! It's also important to have a good fan, and this one has a lot of great features: manual control, HR mode (which increases fan speed and volume as your heart rate rises), and my personal favorite, Speed Mode, which simulates riding outdoors on the trainer as closely as possible. br>br>The most important point! price . Plastic is used in the final assembly. Worst of all, there's a loud 'humming noise' and plastic rattle that gets better or worse depending on fan speed or whether it's placed against an object.
However, it performs admirably for the purpose for which it was created. br>br>The ability to control fan intensity by connecting it to an HR monitor is fantastic. Setting the minimum and maximum heart rates at which the fan will run at minimum and maximum intensities is recommended so that you can tune it to your own preferences. br>br>It's nice to have the ability to fine-tune the HR control with the app. br>br>Even at full speed, it's much quieter than the box fan I was using previously. It's even quieter than a mid-intensity workout on the trainer.
It's been about three months since I've started using it. I was initially skeptical (especially given the price tag) about how strong/effective of a wind flow it could generate because it appears to be quite small. But I believed all the good reviews, and I have to say: This astute fan has really impressed me! It can, in fact, generate a strong wind flow and, more importantly, it can do so quickly. I'm talking about one that is very focused. The flow is very focused on my body, but it does not have the same effect on the rest of the environment. It's been working perfectly for me so far with the Garmin TacX Neo 2T Smart Trainer and Wahoo's TICKR Heart Rate Monitor - There are no problems with the connection (or anything else), and everything works as it should. Furthermore, the construction quality is excellent.
This fan is one of my favorites. Yes, it's pricey, but the fact that it adjusts to the amount of effort I put in on Zwift is very nice. br>br>I wish it could pair with multiple heart rate monitors, but I can live with that. br>br>Interesting fact: The bottom of the device has an Apple HomeKit QR code. When I inquired about it with the folks at Wahoo, they said it was only for future use.
Do you really need a fan that costs more than $200? Perhaps a little on the pricey side. Is a Vornado or a shop blower capable of performing the same task? Yes, but I prefer to work out around 3:00 p. m. When it's cold outside at 30 a. m. , being able to connect with my HRM allows me to warm up properly and comfortably. This thing kicks in with the right amount of breeze at the right time when I'm doing an extended standing jog or grinding away on a long climb without you having to think about it. To turn on or up the Vornado, I had to get off the bike. This fan feels sturdy; it's significantly heavier than any other fan I've used, and it comes with a long, heavy-duty cord with a grounded plug. Overall, I am pleased with my purchase.
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