TriowaCPA wrote:
cldtx wrote:
Somewhat in the same boat as the OP - considering primarily the Saris H3, the Kickr and the Taxc Neo 2 (not 2t). With sales starting, the H3 should be ~$800, the Kickr ~$1000 and the Neo 2 is selling at about ~$1000. I am currently leaning to the H3, possibly the Kickr. Any particular reason I should go with the Kickr (or Neo 2) over the Saris? I am primarily a Trainer Road type. TriowaCPA, any thoughts having had both? Need to preface this that my Zwift team is sponsored by Saris, but I'm being 100% honest. In my experience, the Neo has always been bombproof. No calibration is absolutely incredible--just hop on and ride. It's a premium experience. Road feel (cobbles, wood planks, gravel, downhill simulation) is flawless on Zwift (since you'll be on TR, this probably isn't a draw for you).
I think the Kickr has some quality control issues--on my team, 5 riders have Kickrs and over the last 10 months they've each broken them at least once (one guy breaking 3 units) under normal use. I'll give Wahoo credit that their customer service is great about the swapping process, but equipment breaking down is a headache I do not want to mess with ever.
The Saris H3 is an incredible value at $1000 ($800 on
clevertraining today with 20% off for VIPs). The H3 is as quiet as my Neo ever was and so smooth to ride. I bought one for my wife to have as a backup before we obtained sponsorship and promptly put my wife's bike on the Neo and started riding the H3 after giving it a try. It's solid.
Basically, if you have extra cash and want the premium, no-calibration experience get a Neo. If you want the same quality ride at a cheaper price, but have to spin down to calibrate: get the H3. Since you'll mainly be on TR with the trainer, the Neo is probably overkill.
All great points. I’ll add as a long time H1 owner (3 years) the unit is indeed bombproof. It was rocky first few months with few updates but it’s been awesome on erg on Zwift for last 2 years. I did use thick gym foam under the unit to help with a more natural side to side feel without going all rocker plate. I’m sure the h3 is even nicer, quieter and better in most areas.
Couple months ago I got a Neo 2 as I wanted to go quieter and not have the calibration on every ride (I have to move the trainer after every ride). The Neo 2 had issues right away with power jumping in erg and cadence dropping out. I reverted to an older few that lessened the power but the cadence would still stop responding mid ride and the only way to fix it was to jump off the bike, unplug the neo, plug back and resume the ride. It got to be one every other ride, then every ride then multiple times a ride until I started using my quarq for cadence.
In the midst of this is was emailing Garmin (purchased through them from the old blue 365 deal) and Garmin CS had me try few updates, pics until they finally agreed to take the unit back and send me a Neo 2t. Have to say the 2t was perfect right out of the box, updated to few 32, connected with Zwift, and power and cadence works perfectly. Maybe I just got a bad Neo 2. If you’re going Neo pay the extra for the 2t.
Bottom line...if you want the quiet and no calibration ever experience, get the Neo 2t. If you want rock solid, and going to use a rocker plate get the H3. I LOVE the slight side to side movement the Neo offers but the ‘feel’ of the hammer seems to me to be more realistic and more pleasant.