Tickrs beyond Gen 1 are garbage as far as I can tell. I’ve read and heard countless issues with them failing
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I’m convinced Wahoo switched manufacturers with Gen 2 of the Tickr line and have never addressed the quality issues. Otherwise, I can’t explain the gulf between the two generations.
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Amen. I have the 13 mini and the fact that it fits easily into my front jeans pocket when riding my commuter is my favorite thing ever.
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There are a number of websites that track incoming freight via ship. That is how I found who manufactures their Kickr Bikes. Shippers have tried to limit what they are required to release to government officials so it could get, or be much harder to get that info. I don’t know why it’s such a secret. I don’t think there are many corporations left that actually design, engineer, and manufacture their own stuff anymore (Maybe Saris trainers?).
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Not Spesh, Giant supply frames for Trek. Spesh are supplied by many contract locations, but they have a large minority stake in them by Merida. Merida and Giant are number 2 and 3 in the world for manufacturing bike units.
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I was in a decent management position in Wahoo until the downsizing. I was lucky that I managed to find a lifeboat and another role in the trade. I must be careful what I say here, but Wahoo are definitely deeply struggling right now.
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Glad you found a place to land after the pink slip from Wahoo.
OT: I can’t help but giggle a bit at your forum account name based on what you just shared 
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I just created this account and was amazed that the username was still available! I bear them little ill will, but I really fear for them having seen what I have seen. I’m trying to dance on the head of a pin with regards to what I say as I don’t want to fall foul of…you get the picture.
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This was as a result of Chip deciding they would totally redesign the circuit board to make the unit thinner. Apparently this would be a game-changer. Safe to say, it wasn’t. The TICKR X doesn’t suffer from the same problem, but all retailers are authorised to simply swap defunct sensors (all sensors) if they have a fresh one in stock. No questions or warranty requests to Wahoo HQ upfront.
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OT, but I’m convinced this is the law of unintended consequences kicking in. Pre-wireless, you could easily get 2-3000km out of a Di2 charge, possibly more if you rode somewhere flat and warm. As a result, people would go months between charges and just completely forget about it.
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But I was reminded to check my Di2 status before a ride pre-pandemic because someone else was lamenting about theirs failing on a ride earlier in the week. Misery loves company, but if you can avoid it, do it?
I did (used to have, can’t get it to work lately) have the battery status on my 1030. I figured that the status was helpful, but having it on all the time is likely adding a milliamp of added draw that would eventually celebrate in the Di2 battery death dance. But I do try to avoid it as much as possible. There are times more information is just too much information. And the time to check it is the day before.
I also had that ride on a trainer and went over 6 months before checking the charge status, and it was just above half, if the gauge is anywhere based in reality. Ride on!!
One of the LBS’s stopped carrying Wahoo sensors. Like any of them. Dropped the whole line. They continued to sell the high end head unit but only stocked Garmin sensors, and I would fully support that. I’ve had very little issues with Garmin heart rate straps. The last ANT+ only strap died a couple of years ago, and when I opened it up out of curiosity, I was shocked to see the amount of crap in the case, and it was still working, until it finally succumbed. 
I remember looking at the treadmill in the flesh. It was a very clever idea, and made complete sense (at the time) as Wahoo looked to move into the running space. I genuinely think it had so much promise, but I fear it will never see the light of day now.
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I’ve been very happy with my Garmin heart rate strap too. I feel the quality of the data from it is also better than when my TICKR was even working. My only complaint was solved with the HRM-Pro+, specifically making the battery change easier.
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My Garmin Dual died in a year just like my TICKR’s always did. With both, I loved them and thought I had found a solution right up until they died. At this point, I’ve just decided that HRM are an annual replacement item.
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My optical HRM seem to last a very long time…
I like the polar and the Scosche. Polar has a newer unit that last 24 hours. Maybe not accurate, but very damn close. Price is better too (less than $100)
We have a Scosche that is great and you’re right, it’s lasted years. I don’t want to wear it outside though, I’d definitely have a stripe.
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I also wonder about what all the replacements cost Wahoo. I have had 2 Wahoo Bolts have their screens die in the middle of rides. Both were replaced. I have had three Tickr2’s and two additional straps replaced. They still are not very reliable over BlueTooth if I wear the strap and put my phone or computer in my back Jersey pocket- lots of dropouts. Then I started measuring the BT signal level with an app on my phone and the Tickr2 was 10dB lower signal level that the original in the back pocket location. So, I suspect poor antenna design on the new one. My original Kickr bike died after about a year because the frame broke at the seatpost. They replaced it. The replacement overheated and died on the first ride out of the box. The second replacement is, so far, working ok. Replacing the bike has got to be super expensive- shipping 100 pounds back and forth around the world. The other thing that I think is stupid is that replacement parts aren’t available (or instructions) on how to fix it yourself. For example, the second bike likely just had a bad fan. It would have been easy to ship me a new fan rather than a whole bike. At least for people not afraid of trying to fix things themselves.
From talking to people in their beta hardware programs, it is clear to me that they ship things to meet a marketing date and not necessarily when they are ready. For example, i was told that the Bolt 2 was shipped with BT sensors not working at all and that Wahoo knew about it for at least a month before shipment. Then they ship and you see zillions of messages in the forums asking how to make BT work. What a hassle for the customer.
I have to say that I have never had a hardware failure with any of my Garmin computers or my Karoo 2. And I don’t know of anyone that has had a hardware failure. Software, bugs, sure. But Garmin has recently done a much better job of quick updates and fixes. And Karoo, with releases of both features and fixes about every two weeks has been stellar.
I think that, due to lack or attention, manpower, leadership or something, Wahoo has lost their way in creating good and RELIABLE products.
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Which I heard is why they don’t sell it in Australia? They are more serious about the coin cell batteries from what I’ve read. Possibly other countries too.