Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery unless you stole intellectual property to sell on the open marketplace. Without a shadow of a doubt the ThinkRider Power, X7, and the Magene Gravat 2 smart bike trainers, which are sold on AliExpress and other Chinese marketplaces, are knockoffs of Wahoo’s line of KICKR trainers. The first time I saw these trainers for sale I instantly thought of the KICKR and the KICKR Core. Read below to learn more about the trainers.
Spring 2020 Update:
Magene T3000
The Magene T3000 was released this spring, which is a significant upgrade over the Gravat 2 smart trainer. The Magene offers improved specs while decreasing the overall size of the unit and all at a great price point of $850. Price includes shipping to the United States.
- Max Power: 2,600W
- Maximum Slope: 22%
- Power Assist: Electromagnetic
- Flywheel Wight: 16lbs or 7.3kg
Buy it here on AliExpress.com: Magene T3000 Earn ~3% off your purchase buy using Rakuten.com and if you are a new user you can earn $30 in cash back when you spend $30 or more on your first purchase. Refferral Link.
Stolen Wahoo Designs:
Ray Maker, owner and operator of DCRainmaker.com gave the Founder and CEO of Wahoo Fitness, Chip Hawkins, a platform (his YouTube channel) to address a few issues that have popped up with the KICKR line of bike trainers. From what I’ve read in the comments of Ray’s video and post, this is the first time Wahoo Fitness has addressed these issues publicly. One of the issues below sparked my interest to research knockoff trainers. You can skip this next part if you just want to learn more about the trainers.
- Old Manufacturer Issue: Chip mentioned quite briefly that they have a new factory, and as of right now they don’t seem to give away any of their competitive secrets. Video clip here of Chip’s explanation.
- 2018 KICKR Keyway Issue: The locking keyway in earlier units were cut a little bigger than the size of the key, which resulted in vibration while not under load and could eventually create a lot of noise. Chip’s explanation, here. Then see Ray’s video when his KICKR trainer failed, here.
- KICKR’s Electrostatic discharge (ESD) Issue: Depending on the environment of where you place your KICKR, it could create a situation where you discharge an electrical charge to the trainer. When that sometimes occurs, the charge will short out the speed sensor, fraying the circuit so it will not record speed, thus not calculating power. Chip’s explanation, here.
- KICKR CORE Loose Bolts Issue: The bolts basically need to be tightened to their specs and that should decrease any noise that you are having. Chip’s explanation, here.
- KICKR CORE Sticker Issue: The original adhesive used on the stickers on the flywheel is causing them to come unglued and fly off while in use. Chip’s explanation, here.
If you are having any of the issues listed above, reach out to Wahoo and they will make it right. Like they mentioned in the Ray’s video, they will offer a home repair kit or you can send it in for a replacement or for repair, depending on your issue. Wahoo Fitness Contact Page
Factory Issue, Competitive Secrets?
This issue that Chip briefly hit on peaked my interest a lot. I remember seeing the Gravat bike trainer a while back for the first time and I instantly thought it was a copy of Wahoo’s KICKR CORE. I can’t confirm that it is, but it does look awfully close. And, after hearing Chip mention the factory issue in Ray’s video, I jumped on AliExpress.com and did a quick search of the listed bike trainers. Sure enough… ThinkRider trainers popped up and I noticed the similarities right away that they have with Wahoo’s KICKR and KICKR CORE.
I don’t currently own a trainer or have been in the market for one since they are outside my budget, so I haven’t looked at them in a long time. I say this because I don’t know how long ThinkRider trainers have been around. My guess is a year or so, but under 2 years for sure. This was the first time I’ve seen them on AliExpress and it shocked me how similar they are. See below for yourself as I break down the likenesses of each trainer.
Key differences (X7 vs. KICKR):
Price: ThinkRider X7 $750 // KICKR $1,200
Connectivity: ThinkRider X7 Bluetooth 4.0, ANT+ // KICKR ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, and Bluetooth
Flywheel Weight: The flywheel weight of the X7 and the 2017 KICKR are exactly the same at 12.5lbs, 5.7kg. The 2018 KICKR has a 16lb flywheel.
Max Power Output: ThinkRider X7 2500W // KICKR 2200W
Unboxed Weight: The base weight of the X7 is close to the 2018 KICKR at 48.5lbs, 22kg. Doesn’t say too much, just something I noticed.
Support Legs: The base is basically the same. Just inverted on the X7 and then it uses a flat center piece instead of the round tubing. Again, doesn’t say much, but at least they are trying to make it look different.
Simulated Grade: Both are 20%
Key differences (Power vs. Core vs. Gravat 2):
Price: ThinkRider Power $465 // KICKR CORE $900 // Gravat 2 $999
Connectivity: ThinkRider Power Bluetooth 4.0, ANT+ // KICKR CORE ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, and Bluetooth // Gravat 2 Bluetooth, ANT+, ANT+ FE-C
Flywheel Weight: ThinkRider Power 12.5lbs, 5.7kg // KICKR CORE 12lbs, 5.4kg // Gravat 2 14lbs, 6.4kg
Max Power Output: ThinkRider Power 1500W // KICKR CORE 1800W // Gravat 2 2500W
Simulated Grade: ThinkRider Power Preset 5% // KICKR CORE 16% // Gravat 2 15%
How to purchase your own:
If you do decide to purchase a trainer, feel free to use my Rakuten referral link to earn $30 off your first purchase of $30 or more, plus earn ~2-6% in cash back off your purchase using Rakuten. Life to date I have earned $200 in cash back rewards. Referral Link.
Wahoo Fitness bike trainers:
Below are affiliate links to Backcountry.com. Feel free to purchase from them or another site. If you would like to earn $10 on Backcountry click here, and/or to earn an additional ~2.5% back on your purchase click my Rakuten.com referral link and eanr $30 when you spend $30, here.
AliExpress.com:
Below are affiliate links to AliExpress.com. Again, feel free to use them or not. Like above, Rakuten.com is currently offering 2.5% cashback, and if you are a first time user you can earn $30 if you use my referral link and spend more than $30 on your first purchase, click here.
ThinkRider YouTube Playlist:
Gravat YouTube Playlist:
KICKR YouTube Playlist:
Have any experience with the ThinkRider or Gravat trainers? Leave a comment below if you do.
-theBidon
Disclaimer: As mentioned on my other posts and like most sites, if not all websites, the links above are affiliate links that help to keep this site running. Feel free to follow them if you like or you may search for them yourselves on both marketplaces.
I think Wahoo and Thinkrider are made in the same factory. I saw a screenshot recently of a Zwift connected to a Wahoo product. The product was Thinkrider so they share the same electronics. Also Thinkrider also sell both wahoo and their own Thinkrider spare parts. Such as drive belts etc.