Why Wahoo Is Looking to Block JetBlack Trainer Imports: A New Chapter in an Old Story
Updated December 17, 2025 02:47AM
On December 3, Wahoo once again initiated a legal challenge against rival smart trainer company JetBlack, marking a new chapter in a years-old story that many thought was already finished. Here's what has changed since the last chapter in 2022.
In 2022, Wahoo took JetBlack to court over the Zwift Hub Classic, a collaboration between Zwift and JetBlack that simplified the experience of getting on Zwift. The Zwift Hub Classic was groundbreaking, offering color-coded directions and ease of use, with the actual hardware coming from JetBlack. The JetBlack Volt, which Zwift rebadged, wasn't just another smart trainer; it offered a quality product at a competitive price of $499, including a cassette, which was similar to the Wahoo Kickr Core's price point.
The fallout from the original lawsuit was significant. Wahoo quickly took legal action against JetBlack for patent infringement, and the two companies settled. JetBlack agreed to cease all Volt smart trainer imports into the US and Europe, and everyone moved on. The settlement was finalized in September 2023, and the Zwift Hub Classic was discontinued in November 2023, replaced by a Wahoo Kickr Core bundle and the Zwift Hub One, the only Zwift-branded smart trainer still available.
However, JetBlack also moved on. This September, Wahoo updated the Kickr Core with the new Kickr Core 2, refining features like an updated leg attachment and adding features from the Wahoo Kickr, such as WiFi and race mode, at a price of $549. Alternatively, the JetBlack Victory smart trainer offers the same features for $399, with the Zwift Cog preinstalled and a 10Hz race mode.
The new Wahoo complaint is different. While the obvious narrative is that JetBlack introduced a new model after the 2022 tussle and Wahoo is claiming patent infringement again, the catch is that the JetBlack Victory was on the market for a year before Wahoo took issue with it. The new case differs from the old one, with Wahoo claiming infringement of four patents, two of which are more recent than the 2022 settlement.
Critically, the new case appears to be more software-focused than the previous hardware-focused suit. The latest 2025 patent covers a "System and Method for Controlling a Bicycle Trainer," which points to the firmware used to control exact power targets, likely related to the specific tech required for virtual shifting with the Zwift Cog. The other major difference is venue; Wahoo is not just suing JetBlack in district court for damages but has also opened a complaint with the ITC to specifically block imports of the JetBlack Victory into the United States.
There is no stated rationale for this change in tactic, but there are strategic advantages. First, the ITC is often faster, and because JetBlack is not an American company, a standard patent dispute in federal court could drag on for years. Second, and perhaps more importantly, the ITC deals in absolute bans rather than licensing fees, which could leave JetBlack hollowed out if Wahoo wins. This time, Wahoo is looking to block JetBlack trainer imports, and the outcome could significantly impact the smart trainer market.
