Van Rysel RCR vs Wahoo KICKR V5 (2020)
Quick answer
Both the Van Rysel RCR and the Wahoo KICKR V5 (2020) are direct-drive trainers that accept the common road and MTB axles. The Van Rysel RCR (2800 W, ±1%, $999) offers Zwift Cog (virtual shifting), Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide) and SRAM XDR Driver Body; the Wahoo KICKR V5 (2020) (2200 W, ±1%, $1199) offers Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide), SRAM XD Driver Body and SRAM XDR Driver Body. Use the checker below to see which fits your exact bike.
Specs side by side
| Van Rysel RCR | Wahoo KICKR V5 (2020) | |
|---|---|---|
| Drive type | Direct drive | Direct drive |
| Factory model code | — | — |
| Axle standards | 130 mm quick-release, 135 mm quick-release, 12 × 142 mm thru-axle and 12 × 148 mm Boost thru-axle | 130 mm quick-release, 135 mm quick-release, 12 × 142 mm thru-axle and 12 × 148 mm Boost thru-axle |
| Thru-axle adapter | Included | Included |
| Freehub (in box) | Zwift Cog (virtual shifting) | Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide) |
| Freehub options | Zwift Cog (virtual shifting), Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide) and SRAM XDR Driver Body | Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide), SRAM XD Driver Body and SRAM XDR Driver Body |
| Cassette | Sold separately | 11-speed 11-28T (Shimano HG-compatible) pre-installed |
| Max cassette speed | 12-speed | 12-speed |
| Virtual shifting | Yes | No |
| Protocols | ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, Bluetooth, Ethernet | ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, Bluetooth |
| Power accuracy | ±1% | ±1% |
| Max power | 2800 W | 2200 W |
| Max gradient | 27% | 20% |
| Flywheel | Electromagnetic (no flywheel) | 7.25 kg |
| MSRP | $999 | $1199 |
| Status | Current | Discontinued |
Which fits your bike — Van Rysel RCR or Wahoo KICKR V5 (2020)?
29Drops straight in3Fits with parts1Not supported
- Elite AvantiDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Elite Direto XRDrops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Elite JustoDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Elite Justo 2Drops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Elite RivoDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Elite Suito-TDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Elite TuoDrops straight in
- • Wheel-on — it clamps your rear axle and uses your existing wheel and cassette.
- Elite ZumoDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- JetBlack VictoryDrops straight in
- • Ships with the Zwift Cog — virtual shifting means no cassette to match.
- JetBlack VOLT V2Drops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- JetBlack WhisperDrive SmartDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Kinetic R1Drops straight in
- • The trainer takes this axle, but we could not verify which adapters ship in its box.
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Saris H2Drops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Saris H3Drops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Tacx Flux 2 SmartDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Tacx NEO 2Drops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Tacx NEO 2TDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Tacx NEO 3MDrops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Van Rysel D100Drops straight in
- • Ships with the Zwift Cog — virtual shifting means no cassette to match.
- Van Rysel D500Drops straight in
- • Ships with the Zwift Cog — virtual shifting means no cassette to match.
- Van Rysel RCRDrops straight in
- • Ships with the Zwift Cog — virtual shifting means no cassette to match.
- Wahoo KICKR CORE (1st gen)Drops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Wahoo KICKR CORE 2Drops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Wahoo KICKR MOVEDrops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Wahoo KICKR V5 (2020)Drops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Wahoo KICKR V6 (2022)Drops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Xplova Noza SDrops straight in
- • The trainer takes this axle, but we could not verify which adapters ship in its box.
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Zwift Hub (classic)Drops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Zwift Hub OneDrops straight in
- • Ships with the Zwift Cog — virtual shifting means no cassette to match.
- Magene T300Fits with parts
- • Needs a thru-axle adapter (sold separately).
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- Tacx Flux S SmartFits with parts
- • Needs a thru-axle adapter (sold separately).
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- Wahoo KICKR SNAPFits with parts
- • Needs a thru-axle adapter (sold separately).
- Tacx Flow SmartNot supported
No support for your 12 × 142 mm thru-axle axle on this trainer.
Frequently asked questions
Both accept the same common road and MTB axles, so the deciding factor is the freehub for your cassette: the Van Rysel RCR offers Zwift Cog (virtual shifting), Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide) and SRAM XDR Driver Body, while the Wahoo KICKR V5 (2020) offers Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide), SRAM XD Driver Body and SRAM XDR Driver Body. Run your drivetrain through the checker to see which is a clean drop-in.
The Van Rysel RCR: Zwift Cog. The Wahoo KICKR V5 (2020): 11-speed 11-28T (Shimano HG-compatible) pre-installed.
At launch the Van Rysel RCR is $999 and the Wahoo KICKR V5 (2020) is $1199 — check current retail prices, which often differ.
Yes — both the Van Rysel RCR and the Wahoo KICKR V5 (2020) accept 12×142 and 12×148 thru-axle bikes with their adapters, plus 130/135 quick-release. Check each trainer’s adapter note for any sub-model caveat.
Beyond fit, they differ on power and price — the Van Rysel RCR (2800 W, ±1%, $999) vs the Wahoo KICKR V5 (2020) (2200 W, ±1%, $1199). See the full table above.