Kickr Snap review and unbiased opinion

CRAIGO5000

Just thought I'd talk over a few things since receiving, setting up and testing my Kickr Snap over a few training sessions.
I also own a Stages power meter and have based my training plan off the indoor FTP testing I've performed so having an indoor trainer capable of offering consistency and comparable accuracy to compare to other power measuring devices on the real road is a must for me. I use Gold Cheetah for analysis.

I nearly didn't buy this trainer as nearly every video I watched made it sound like it screams just like the V1 Kickr - it doesn't! Infact it's absolutely near silent. The only noise apparent is my drivetrain but bear in mind I also use a Tacx trainer tyre which helps massively with grip, consistency and noise output. It simply doesn't slip at all when set-up correctly. This is huge for me as my old trainer (Elite Crono fluid used to slip alot when doing sprint intervals). I then tested a Tacx Bushido and found it was on a par with the Elite in terms of ride feel but offered a lot more grip.

The Kickr Snap then arrived and I've tested it for a few sessions on Zwift. In summary, it's absolutely amazing - I'm seriously impressed with every aspect of it. There is nothing about it that makes me think it can be improved (apart from power accuracy of perhaps under 1% but that isn't going to happen on any trainer or comparably - any power meter across the manufacturers). The flywheel is great - it takes around 30 seconds to coast to a stop and really does make it feel like your riding a real road. The implementation of gradients is super smooth - there is no jarring or any form of a "step" feeling to how the resistance is applied.

Here's the important bit - power accuracy and consistency.

After initial advanced spin-downs and usual warm up spin down. I recorded a 1 hr training session with my Garmin recording Stages power and nicking the .fit Zwift records which contains the Kickr power data. I then created a profile of the two outputs in GC and ran over the Critical Power curves to see how close they track across a broad range of power outputs. This for me is the best way to see how well they track. The reason being, when you train and put out an interval, it doesn't really matter if one device is lagging by a second as your still putting out that power for a set duration. So long as the power ceiling is hit, duration of interval is performed and accuracy is maintained - then this is that what really matters. You're always going to get recording lags over BTLE or ANT+ etc.

The Snap is sold as accurate to within +/- 5%. Here's what I found.

(Images were here showing overlay, but can't upload images for some reason.)

Generally the Kickr tracks across the Stages within an accuracy of 1-2%. It generally over reads by less than 1% at sprint wattage (around 1000 watts) and under reads slightly at lower wattage outputs (cruising at 200 watts).

Some figures to compare.

5sec power - Stages 934w / Kickr 936w (extremely close!)

1 min power - Stages 375w / Kickr 363w

5 min power - Stages 289w / Kickr 278w

10 min power - Stages 249w / Kickr 239w

15 min power - Stages 218w / Kickr 213w

20 min power - Stages 214w / Kickr 208w

30 min power - Stages 196w / Kickr 193w

1hr power - Stages 184w / Kickr 182w.

Pretty damn impressive if you ask me. Especially if you also take into account the fact the Stages is ready from the crank arm and the Kickr Snap is reading from the tyre. (Chainset was also cleaned and lubed prior to installation and tyre inflated to 100psi and checked every few days.

Thanks

Mreckless

I totally agree with this. I bought one in the black Friday sale and I'm so impressed. Super quiet. Real road feel and zwift with the gradient changes is brilliant. Can't fault it. Also running a Quarq Riken along side it and it's very similar outputs.

grahamcp

Thanks for posting this. I have been considering one for a while - kicking myself for not placing the order while they were sub £400!

redvision

Interesting review.
I ordered one on black Friday from CRC and still waiting for delivery as it's still out of stock.

I really wanted the kickr 2 as I loved it when I tested it and I had heard the snap was no quieter than a standard trainer and had issues with the power readings. Was going to cancel the snap order if it wasn't delivered this week & get the kickr but now I might wait and test this first.

Thanks for the review.

buckmulligan

Interesting.

You'd expect the Stages to consistently read slightly higher than the Kickr Snap, given that it is measuring prior to drivetrain losses vs afterwards. I've read ballpark figures of 5-10W loss between pedal and wheel, but obviously that is dependent on a lot of different factors.

Do you think it's a possibility that your power output becomes more "left-leg dominant" as total power output increases? This is the prime reason why I wouldn't buy a left-only power meter, it may be close as some power outputs, but likely not across the whole range or necessarily consistently.

Good to see that it correlates reasonably well for you though.

markhewitt1978

BuckMulligan wrote:

Do you think it's a possibility that your power output becomes more "left-leg dominant" as total power output increases? This is the prime reason why I wouldn't buy a left-only power meter, it may be close as some power outputs, but likely not across the whole range or necessarily consistently.

I use Stages outside, because the power output number is just there for information. Inside the power number is the sole thing which is driving your Zwift avatar forwards so it being left only was an issue for me, so I use the trainer reported power instead.

CRAIGO5000

BuckMulligan wrote:

Interesting.

You'd expect the Stages to consistently read slightly higher than the Kickr Snap, given that it is measuring prior to drivetrain losses vs afterwards. I've read ballpark figures of 5-10W loss between pedal and wheel, but obviously that is dependent on a lot of different factors.

Do you think it's a possibility that your power output becomes more "left-leg dominant" as total power output increases? This is the prime reason why I wouldn't buy a left-only power meter, it may be close as some power outputs, but likely not across the whole range or necessarily consistently.

Good to see that it correlates reasonably well for you though.

I think maybe Wahoo calculate for the minor drivetrain losses in an attempt to bring it in line with strain gauge based devices? The Kickr and snap both run separate firmware so that would make sense. I just find it crazy how accurate mine is (YMMV). Bear in mind that there is a whole bunch of variables at play as you mention. Stages is left leg, my pedal action in certain zones etc.

Just to add, I also did another ride the day after without doing a spin down and figures still came out consistent. I do however leave my indoor trainer and bike permanently set up. The spin down is only an adjustment to calculate the time it takes for the wheel to spin down (literally!) so in an environment where the rig is left alone and untouched the variables at play are reduced further to ambient temp, tyre pressure, tyre temperature and the degradation of your drivetrain. That's pretty minimal as the tyre is warm and tacky after 5 mins of light pedaling. Basically don't touch it and make sure to spin down after 10 mins to guarantee a pretty damn accurate and consistent training rig!

I see the Flux has started shipping to retailers today too.

redvision

Well my second kickr snap has just been collected for return.
The first one which was delivered last week was faulty from the off and just wouldn't work due to electrical fault. Fair play to CRC, it was collected the day after and two days later a replacement was delivered.

However, i noticed on the first ride that something was amiss with the power reading, basically it just wasn't reading correctly. I would sprint and the power reading would stay at the same watts as i was riding before, and then more than 30 seconds after the sprint had finished the power would suddenly shoot up.
Contacted wahoo who were great tbh, they really tried to help me sort the issue, but everything they suggested didn't make a difference.

Finally I started using it with my P1s and the power issues settled for a couple of rides, but then yesterday it developed another fault, with the resistance fluctuating constantly and basically it was like i was hill climbing none stop.

Anyway, Wahoo advised that its likely faulty and requested i return it to place of purchase.

Gutted to say the least as i had it at a bargain price in the black friday sales and with BC and quidco discount.
CRC have offered either another or refund. Looking at all the positive reviews I think I have just been very unlucky but will probably go for the refund as i would be paranoid about another unit having similar issues. Question is, which unit?? I had already spent weeks deliberating between the Neo and the full Kickr....guess i'm back to square one.

fat daddy

shame ..... I love mine

I would go Neo though

redvision

fat daddy wrote:

shame ..... I love mine

I would go Neo though

Yeah i know. I am a bit gutted as it was such a bargain.
Very tempted with the Neo. Looked at the flux as well but Shane Millers reviews have put me off that.
Also looking at the Drivo.

Figured i might as well wait until boxing day now though to see if any are in the sales.

shamone

I bought one 8 weeks ago and have been using it with Trainerroad on my iPad most days doing the Sweet Spot Base programmes. I have one minor complaint with mine in that the roller the tyre contacts wobbles slightly. Rotating the flywheel slowly you can see that it's off center about 1mm.
Not enough of an issue for me to risk replacing it, but annoying nonetheless.

gnave

I got mine four weeks a and o love it.

I originally got it to replace it and older TACX trainer due to the excessive noise. The new Snap is silent and feels great, as close as you can get to real road without the risk of cars running you over.

jmm434

A local bike shop told me that new kickr snap could be released this summer. I saw the price on the current one is down to $600 in some places

MiddleRinger

Good write-up and glad you're happy with it! The KICKR Snap is a seriously solid piece of kit and pretty much unrivalled at that price point for wheel-on smart trainers.

redvision wrote:

Question is, which unit?? I had already spent weeks deliberating between the Neo and the full Kickr....guess i'm back to square one.

Pay extra and get the NEO if you need supreme quiet and can't be bothered with calibrating. It is without a doubt one incredible training tool packed with awesome tech! Get the KICKR if noise isn't an issue where you train. Walk away with a bit of extra cash in your pocket. At the end of the day you'll be super happy with either of the two!