Wahoo Kickr Rollr is Wahoo's newest system for indoor training. Check the list of best turbo trainers and you will find that two-thirds of the list are wheel-off, direct-drive options. But the Wahoo Kickr Rollr, despite its wheels, doesn't fit into either category; Wahoo is doing something completely different, and that's to make it the best indoor trainer on the market. As its name suggests, it resembles the rollers of yesteryear, but integrates modern technology.

For many years, rollers were the preferred indoor training system for experienced road racers, installed in the warm-up area of nearly every race from local races to the World Tour, and recommended by a wide range of coaches. The riding experience was closer to riding outdoors than any other, and at the same time the rollers added an element of core stability and bike handling skills to each session.

One of the things rollers excelled at was that they required smooth inputs and conscious bike handling. Mistakes would often result in falling to the floor, and headphone cords would pull the computer away from the counter. As comfortable as rollers were to ride, the barrier to entry was too great for many.

The turbo trainer, which stabilized the bike, was an attractive alternative. They were not as comfortable to ride, but no matter how hard they sprinted, they never fell over.

Then, driven by Wahoo's original Kickr direct-drive trainer, the death of the roller was definitive when wheel-off trainers hit the market. While it is still possible to purchase new rollers from well-known brands today, they represent only a small fraction of the overall market today, and barriers to entry still exist.

The Wahoo Kickr Rollr offers a solution: the Rollr allows riders to conveniently transfer from indoors to outdoors while leaving both wheels on the bike. At the rear of the bicycle, there is a space between the two rollers. It looks a lot like the classic roller design, but Wahoo added resistance with integrated electronic brakes and a 10.5-pound flywheel. ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity allows you to connect to any indoor training app. ride through virtual worlds with Zwift, TrainerRoad to tackle intervals, or enjoy the unique ride of a roller.

And Wahoo does something different on the front than other roller systems. There is no separate roller on the front wheel. Instead, there is a trough that keeps the front wheels from moving forward or backward. There is an A-frame that covers the front wheels from the floor up, and at the top is a system that Wahoo describes as a "safety tire gripper."

Set the bike on the Kickr Rollr, lift the frame over the wheels, and turn the top adjustment wheel. The jaws of this gripper move toward the centerline, keeping the bike upright until the front wheel is secured; according to Wahoo, "The Front Safety Tire Gripper can accommodate tires up to 2.1 inches (53 mm) in diameter, keeping the bike upright and secured.

In practice, the bike does not ride as freely and dreamily as rollers, but it does not fall over. The rear wheels move and feel the same as rollers, but the front wheels are solid enough that you never feel unstable. But there are other things that make this experience great. Some of it comes from the Kickr Rollr frame, some of it comes from the tire sidewall flexing against the holder's jaws, and some of it comes from the actual flexing of the wheel.

It is this last detail that Zip has a problem with. Specifically, the brand does not recommend the use of the wheels with this system and even mentions the following:

"Zipp wheels are not intended for use on trainers that attach to the front rim or tire of a bicycle with the rear of the bicycle unsecured. Any damage resulting from such use is not covered by Zipp's warranty policy." This is not a statement that provides much leeway in the unlikely event of a problem.

On Wahoo's part, "Wahoo has tested and analyzed several wheels and found that the stresses caused by the Rollr trainer are all within acceptable limits or lower than the stresses observed during outdoor riding. we are confident that the Rollr will not damage the wheels. We are confident that Rollr will not damage the wheels. Also, because of Zipp's position, we are working with other wheel manufacturers to certify their wheels with Rollr and will share our research with them." Clearly, the two companies have a difference of opinion.

The important thing to remember as a consumer is that if you have a Zipp wheel, you will want to swap wheels for a trainer ride that uses the Wahoo Kickr Rollr. As noted above, Zipp may not name Wahoo in their statement, but they make it very clear that the warranty is voided by the way the trainer secures the bike. Zipp's concern is how much a small deflection will affect the integrity of the wheel, given how many miles some people ride on their trainers. For Zip, keeping the wheels rigid is important, and his interests are aligned with being cautious. When problems arise due to a combination of circumstances, Zip would rather err on the side of keeping the wheel out of harm's way.

For Wahoo, the motivation is different. The situation puts the indoor cycling giant at a disadvantage in trying to disprove the denial. Is it possible to prove that the system will not damage the wheels under any circumstances?" that is a high hurdle to clear, even though it seems they have done what they can to adequately test the system prior to release.

As consumers, we need to make our own choices about what risks we are willing to take. If you have another wheel brand, that is not a problem at this time, as other wheel brands do not take either side of the equation.

Just note that Zipp is unwavering and there is no wiggle room in its statement and the impact that Wahoo Kickr Rollr has on the Zipp wheel warranty.