Are you a cycling enthusiast looking for a way to keep your training on track even when that pesky UK weather outside is less than ideal?
Or maybe you’re a beginner who wants to get into cycling without having to worry about navigating busy roads, falling off your bike, or breathing in car exhaust fumes.
Either way, renting a turbo trainer could be the perfect solution for you. With a turbo trainer, you can cycle indoors on your own bike, letting the computer automatically adjust resistance levels to simulate riding on different terrain, and get a consistent targetted workout every time.
It’s a great way to get in shape, stay in shape, improve your cycling performance, and have fun at the same time.
One popular smart trainer available for hire here in the UK is the Wahoo KICKR Core.
This top-of-the-line trainer offers a virtually silent ride, a heavier flywheel for a more realistic ride feel, and is easy set-up with a choice of adaptors to fit pretty much every road bike made in the last decade.
It’s also compatible with a variety of third-party social cycling apps such as Zwift, MyWhoosh, Trainer Road, and of course Wahoo’s own SYSTM, making it a versatile and convenient option for cyclists of all levels.
On this page we’ll take a closer look at how hiring a Wahoo KICKR Core works and why it might be the perfect solution for your own indoor cycling needs.
How Wahoo KICKR Core Rental Works
To rent a Wahoo KICKR Core there are a small number of online sites that are setup just for this kind of service.
Some smart trainer hire websites offer a variety of turbo trainer models to pick from. Others only have a handful, or even just the Wahoo KICKR itself.
Once you have chosen your smart trainer, you will be prompted to select your desired hire duration and start date. The hire duration can range from as low as 1 day up to 12 weeks and beyond, depending on your needs.
Once the hire duration and start date have been selected, you would then proceed to the checkout process to complete your order.
During the checkout process, you will will be asked to provide your delivery address, billing information, and contact details. This information is used to process your order and prepare the smart trainer for delivery.
You can sometimes select accessories and additional items you might like to hire (or buy) alongside the Wahoo KICKR Core, such as a floor mat to protect from sweat drips, or a pre-configured cassette. More on these below. These items will be included in the same delivery and return process as the turbo trainer.
Once the order has been completed, you will receive an order confirmation email with all the details of their hire, including the start date and the expected delivery date.
What Other Equipment Do I Need?
If you’re planning on using a rented Wahoo Kickr Core, you may also want to purchase or rent additional equipment to enhance your indoor training experience.
The key thing you will need is: a bike.
I’m going to guess you already have a road bike that was manufactured in the last decade. Even the most basic, entry level road bike will suffice here. Personally I use my tried and true Specialized Allez 2019.
You will also need a cassette. A cassette is the spiky gear cog thing that goes on your back wheel:
This needs to match the one you use on your back wheel currently. Check your manufacturers website for your bike year and model, and get one that matches. If you don’t, you will almost certainly find that you experience gear indexing issues which are a real pain to solve.
A way to solve this is to “simply” take the cassette off your existing back wheel and use that on your turbo trainer. This obviously guarantees your compatibility.
Whether you have a matching spare cassette, or you will re-use your existing cassette, you will need a way to put the cassette on to your hired turbo trainer.
For this you will need two further tools. One is a cassette removal tool (which is also a cassette installation tool):
And a chain whip:
Once more, GCN will help you with how to use these two tools:
Some turbo trainer hire companies will offer to rent you a cassette pre-installed. This may be preferable, but as above it may not exactly match your existing cassette. In this case, I would recommend you speak with the turbo trainer hire company first. Trust me, indexing problems are fiddly and frustrating when you just want to ride.
Those are the big two.
I would also very much recommend buying a mat to protect your floor:
Expect to pay around £30 for a floor mat. You don’t need to spend much more, they are all basically just rubber mats.
And a decent sized fan:
A smart trainer like the Wahoo Kickr Core also requires a compatible device and software to control the resistance and track your performance.
You’ll need a smartphone, tablet, or computer – all common devices are supported for most platforms – and you can generally get away with a free trial for the first 14 days. If renting for a month, grab a Zwift trial for the first half, and a Wahoo trial for the second half, and you won’t need to spend a penny.
You may also want to consider purchasing a heart rate monitor and cadence sensor for a more complete indoor training experience.
Returning Your Wahoo KICKR Core Trainer
Once your rental period is over, you will need to return the Wahoo KICKR Core using the store’s available options.
Some hire companies allow you to complete a return form on their website and send the product back to them via your preferred courier service.
Alternatively, you might book a collection direct with them and let them arrange for DPD, Royal Mail, or another courier service to collect the item from your preferred address.
If you prefer, you can also arrange your own return delivery and send the product back to them at your own expense.
It’s important to keep their original delivery box and use that to ensure the item is securely packaged and labelled with the return address.
Expect a short delay after returning your item as there will be an inspection period. So long as you kept the turbo trainer in good condition your deposit should be refunded within about 5 working days.
If the product is damaged or not returned in its original condition, you may lose part or all of the deposit.
If you want to keep using the Wahoo KICKR Core, you can usually extend your rental period on the rental companies website.
There may be a discounted rates for longer hire periods, and if you decide to purchase the trainer after your rental period is over, they may deduct the rental fees you’ve already paid from the total purchase price. Not a bad way to try before you buy.
About The Wahoo KICKR Core Turbo Trainer
The Wahoo KICKR Core is a high-quality smart bike trainer that provides an exceptional indoor training experience for cycling enthusiasts.
It is compatible with 8 to 12 speed cassettes, allowing you to customise your ride to mimic your outdoor groupset.
With maximum power output of 1800 watts and maximum simulated grade of 16%, it is suitable for even the toughest workouts.
The latest model, KICKR 4, is virtually silent and features a heavier flywheel for a more realistic outdoor-like ride.
The KICKR 4 can be easily integrated with third-party cycling apps, as well as Wahoo’s own free apps, to customise your indoor training experience.
KICKR CORE has a robust steel construction, ensuring that it stays in place while you train, and provides accurate, realistic, and quiet training.
When connected to a device, KICKR CORE’s resistance is automatically controlled based on the software or route, and it provides important metrics such as power, speed, distance, and cadence.
Pros and Cons of Renting a Wahoo KICKR Trainer
Here are some potential pros and cons of renting a Wahoo KICKR trainer:
Pros
- Flexibility: Renting a Wahoo KICKR trainer allows you to try out a high-quality indoor cycling trainer without committing to purchasing one.
- Convenience: Renting a trainer can be more convenient than buying one, as you don’t need to worry about storing or transporting the trainer when not in use. You will need to store the delivery box though so you have it for the return.
- Cost-effective: Renting can be a more cost-effective option for those who don’t plan to use the trainer frequently or don’t have the budget to purchase a high-end trainer outright.
- Access to latest models: Renting can allow you to access the latest models of trainers without having to pay the full purchase price.
- Technical support: If there is a technical fault with your trainer, it isn’t entirely on you to get it resolved.
Cons
- Limited duration: Renting means that you’ll only have access to the trainer for a limited period of time, so if you plan to use it frequently or for an extended period, it may be more cost-effective to purchase one.
- Deposit requirement: Many rental services require a deposit to cover any damages or losses to the trainer, which may be a drawback for those who don’t have the funds available.
- Delivery and return logistics: Renting a trainer requires arranging for delivery and return of the trainer, which can be an added hassle and cost.
How to Rent A Wahoo KICKR Core Turbo Trainer
Here’s a very high level summary of what’s involved in renting a turbo trainer:
- Visit the Turbo Trainer Hire website and navigate to the Wahoo KICKR Core product page.
- Choose a minimum rental period (e.g. one week) and select your preferred start date.
- Add the product to your basket and proceed to checkout.
- Enter your billing and delivery information, including a valid email address and phone number.
- Pay the rental fee and a refundable deposit using a credit or debit card.
- If needed, select and add a cassette to your order to ensure compatibility with your bike.
- Review and agree to the terms and conditions of the rental agreement and the delivery terms.
- After placing your order, you will receive an email confirmation with your order details and delivery information.
- The Wahoo KICKR Core will be delivered to your address on or before the rental start date using a courier service like DPD or Royal Mail.
- At the end of your rental period, you can complete a return form, book a collection, or arrange your own return delivery using a courier service of your choice.
- If you choose to extend your rental period or purchase the Wahoo KICKR Core, you may be eligible for discounted rates based on the duration of your rental.
For more information, please review the delivery terms and conditions available on the various Turbo Trainer Hire websites.
How Much Does A Wahoo KICKR Trainer Rental Cost?
The cost of renting a Wahoo KICKR trainer can vary depending on the rental duration and location.
Generally, prices start around £40 per week, with discounts available for longer rental periods. It’s best to check with the rental company for the most up-to-date pricing information and any special offers or discounts that may be available.
Additionally, be aware that a deposit may also be required and any additional fees or charges for delivery and return.
Benefits of Wahoo KICKR Hire
Renting a Wahoo KICKR Core from Turbo Trainer Hire offers a range of benefits, including the ability to train indoors with a high-quality, professional-grade smart trainer at an affordable price.
The KICKR Core’s precision flywheel technology, controlled resistance, and compatibility with a range of apps make it an ideal choice for serious cyclists looking to maintain or improve their fitness during the off-season or typical bad UK weather.
If you’re a cycling enthusiast in the UK looking to take your training to the next level, consider renting a Wahoo KICKR Core from Turbo Trainer Hire.
With a simple rental process, flexible hire periods, and easy return options, you can enjoy a premium indoor cycling experience without the hassle of purchasing and storing your own equipment.
Don’t let the weather or other factors hold you back from achieving your fitness goals – rent a Wahoo KICKR Core today and take your training to new heights.