Tacx just announced the Neo Smart trainer. Looks to be very similar to the Wahoo Kickr. I’ve been thinking about getting a trainer and the Wahoo Kickr was my top choice. The Neo Smart is giving me second thoughts. I like the fact the Neo Smart is able to simulate downhills with the built in motor, if I’m understanding the hype correctly. Any thoughts comments?
Tracx just announced the Neo Smart trainer. Looks to be very similar to the Wahoo Kickr. I’ve been thinking about getting a trainer and the Wahoo Kickr was my top choice. The Neo Smart is giving me second thoughts. I like the fact the Neo Smart is able to simulate downhills with the built in motor, if I’m understanding the hype correctly. Any thoughts comments?
It does look like an awesome trainer. Maybe DC Rainmaker will review it. Also, it’s Tacx not Tracx 
I’m very interested in people’s thoughts about this too.
I’m also close to pulling the trigger on a Kickr but wondering whether perhaps it’s worth waiting for/spending more on the Neo.
I don’t care much about the pedalling downhill capability.
The perceived advantages of the Neo to me are:
- Quiet
- Rocking action
- ‘True direct drive’ may mean higher accuracy, less drift, longer wearing
The perceived disadvantages of the Neo to me:
- Relatively unproven - may have teething problems with software rtf
- Relatively unproven - may turn out to have other issues
I’e had a KICKR since it was first released in early-2013. I love the thing… as much as you can love a trainer. I plan on buying the Tacx Neo Smart though and giving it a try.
The true cost seems problematic. Does the Neo Smart come with the Advanced 4 software and/or do you need the Upgrade Smart? I have some Tacx videos and they are smartly done, but expensive. With Trainer Road, Zwift, and so many other options, what, other than the hardware, makes this a sensible upgrade? Ultimately, this sort of training device must translate into improved performance/enjoyability, or, at least, keep me from getting worse than I already am.
-Robert
They also claim that it will operate like a standard fluid trainer when in a completely unpowered mode.
Have they provided enough information to know if you can mount a MTB?
The true cost seems problematic. Does the Neo Smart come with the Advanced 4 software and/or do you need the Upgrade Smart? I have some Tacx videos and they are smartly done, but expensive. With Trainer Road, Zwift, and so many other options, what, other than the hardware, makes this a sensible upgrade? Ultimately, this sort of training device must translate into improved performance/enjoyability, or, at least, keep me from getting worse than I already am.
-Robert
There’s some serious translation issues on their software page, but it looks like this thing supports or can be upgraded to support ANT+ FE-C (the latest controllable equipment spec), which means most apps will be able to talk to it: http://www.tacx.com/en/products/trainers/neo-smart#tab_3
Tacx has indicated the Neo will be released with support for ANT+ FE-C already in the firmware. I think Neo ‘one-ups’ the Kickr in that the direct drive feature requires no spin-down and when plugged into the home electrical supply, if the application being used supports it, the Neo will power the rear wheel on downhills such as in Tacx Real Life Video’s or GPS rides. It would be nice to know if the Neo will broadcast speed and cadence data the companies other SMART trainers do as the design makes it more difficult to use an existing ANT+ speed sensor (typically mounted on the rear non-drive side stay) for recording speed data when recording with a cycle computer.
Right. Their marketing is not clear. Probably a language issue, but if they want to sell internationally, they should consider better communication, including good English, or if they really want snob appeal, FRENCH!
-Robert
It certainly appears compelling, but it’s pretty hard to compare a product that doesn’t actually exist yet.
If the price of the Neo doesn’t scare you off (~1600 based off of europe pre-orders) and you don’t need/want a smart trainer right away it’s probably worth waiting out actual comprehensive reviews. In the mean time, I’d keep your eyes open for deals on the Kickr in the holiday build up. At MSRP for both maybe the Neo will be worth the extra cost, but I suspect one will be available at discount this year and the other will most certainly not.
As someone who owned a Tacx Bushido for 4 years and dealt with nonstop software bugs as well as a mid-release software “patch” that disabled a significant feature in the software which going forward required the user to then purchase an additional software license to get back said previously working feature, I could not in good faith ever recommend one of their products. I sold the Bushido and purchased a Kickr two years ago and absolutely love it. Last winter I used Trainerroad with the Kickr and have had my best cycling season ever.
If the price of the Neo doesn’t scare you off (~1600 based off of europe pre-orders
Looks like Bike24 in Germany is offering pre-orders for the Tacx NEO Smart T2800 Cycletrainer for only 1099 € ($1251.54)
.
Except, they don’t tell you what you get! Or what else you might need or want. Tacx is bad about the “add-ons”…
-Robert
Except, they don’t tell you what you get! Or what else you might need or want. Tacx is bad about the “add-ons”…
Tacx’s strategy for the SMART trainers has been pretty straight forward in that what you are purchasing is the trainer which includes the motorbrake, stand, and a front wheel support. Additional accessories available for purchase separately would include a handlebar clip on holder contraption for a tablet, the Upgrade SMART T2990 which is really only necessary if you want to use the trainer with Tacx’s desktop software, and a Tacx steering unit for use in the Tacx VR worlds. The upgrade SMART kit includes a Tacx ANT+ powered USB antenna, ANT+ handle bar controller (from iGenius), and TTS Advanced. If all you want to do is use a SMART trainer with 3rd party FE-C compatible apps like Zwift or Trainer Road, then I think all that is required is device that is ANT+ capable or desktop PC with an ANT+ USB antenna.
If all you want to do is use a SMART trainer with 3rd party FE-C compatible apps like Zwift or Trainer Road, then I think all that is required is device that is ANT+ capable or desktop PC with an ANT+ USB antenna.
I have a Tacx Bushido Smart. I have used both Trainer Road and Zwift. As mentioned all you need is a computer with Ant+ dongle. Both programs will control the Tacx Smart trainer. I would add an extension usb cable to get a better signal.
As someone who owned a Tacx Bushido for 4 years and dealt with nonstop software bugs as well as a mid-release software “patch” that disabled a significant feature in the software which going forward required the user to then purchase an additional software license to get back said previously working feature, I could not in good faith ever recommend one of their products. I sold the Bushido and purchased a Kickr two years ago and absolutely love it. Last winter I used Trainerroad with the Kickr and have had my best cycling season ever.
My experience as well (I owned 2 Bushido trainers in the past): Bushido controller + software sucks and the build quality is poor (lots of corrosion and plastic bits falling off). Hopefully the new device is can set a better standard.
No compaints about the Kickr so far after 1.5 years very intensive use.
Sam
look at it this way.
would you want a tact neo
or
kickr and brand new wetsuit
i went with the kickr and maverick pro (on sale it was 470), i didn’t own a full sleeve suit, so it made sense for me.
john
As someone who owned a Tacx Bushido for 4 years and dealt with nonstop software bugs as well as a mid-release software “patch” that disabled a significant feature in the software which going forward required the user to then purchase an additional software license to get back said previously working feature, I could not in good faith ever recommend one of their products. I sold the Bushido and purchased a Kickr two years ago and absolutely love it. Last winter I used Trainerroad with the Kickr and have had my best cycling season ever.
My experience as well (I owned 2 Bushido trainers in the past): Bushido controller + software sucks and the build quality is poor (lots of corrosion and plastic bits falling off). Hopefully the new device is can set a better standard.
No compaints about the Kickr so far after 1.5 years very intensive use.
Sam
This was my, and a few friend’s, experience as well with their imagic series of VR trainers. Terrible software, and non-existent support from the company. All you needed to do was check out one of the Tacx forums to see all the complaints. If you value the support available from folks like Racermate (Computrainer) and Wahoo, then I would stay far away from Tacx, regardless of price. .02
I am pretty excited about this, seems perfect, so whats wrong with it! I am still not 100% certain what i am getting with a “smart” trainer since i have no issues and hit my zones no problem on my trainer thats not so smart.