Anyone have the Neo 2T?

The TD will impact that to a degree.

Importantly, since it doesn’t seem to be stated…

  • [edit: I see it is mentioned above, but this still serves to point out that it is a factor and will impact the feel. The Neo is likely the fastest response trainer in the world, especially notable in the 2T version. This means that grade changes are likely happing faster than other trainers. So if you are comparing to other ones, this is a key difference, and something to welcome really, since it is likely more close to outside conditions.]

we need to mention something VERY important about the Neo trainers. They all feature “downhill drive” that means it will actually propel the flywheel forward, in an effort to more accurately simulate the change in pedal force from our acceleration down a grade, like we get outside.

That propulsion will make holding power more difficult, again just like outside. It will be a more dramatic difference in feel when you have higher TD setting. So keep that in mind for “simulation” usage on the Neo.

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I think that decent simulation is the more jarring thing, I am going to try it with the unit unplugged, disabling that feature.

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TR seem to have refined that behaviour in the iOS beta app … the power transitions for the 2T now seem a bit smoother, and closer to the expected interval timing.

FWIW, I never have mine plugged in, partly because I move it around occasionally and partly because I never use road feel or the powered descent feature … so there’s no point anyhow. The next time I plug it in will probably be when I need to do a firmware upgrade.

Yes, I’ve seen the stories on tacxfaqx and on the Neo 2T Facebook group. I’ve never had any issues with mine, it would be inconvenient to keep it plugged in, and according to Garmin it’s fine to operate without power, so I’ll take my chances.

I believe a number of the overheating problems were due to a software bug that has since been fixed.

TR seem to have refined that behaviour in the iOS beta app … the power transitions for the 2T now seem a bit smoother, and closer to the expected interval timing.

I will have to try this, I typically use an old Android phone but I have an iPhone for work.

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And TR sure is work! :man_shrugging: :sweat_smile:

The beta app iteration I rode last week had a lag of a couple of seconds to get the power right. I personally prefer the setting changing 2 secs early to start at the correct power.

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you shouldn’t slip a Neo with a 500-700w burst. My neo 2 didn’t start slipping until 1000 and higher

The Neo I tried (forget if it was the 2 or 2T now) slipped out of the saddle going up radio tower climb at 400-450w, on every pedal stroke. Felt like riding through mud

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Yup, really low flywheel speed and those powers can sure slip. Been there, done that on my N2.

I too have this problem with NEO 2 reading about 20W lower than powerpedals (P1)

And I’m on my third Kickr Bike. First one was incredibly noisy, squeaks and creaks, and the shifters died. Second was ‘damaged in shipping’. Hoping third time’s the charm…

Did Wahoo learn from their ‘quality issues’? I’m beginning to doubt that. As much problems as I had with the 2T, I’m thinking of selling the third bike, and getting the Tacx Bike, or just going back to a ‘smart’ mag trainer. I can’t afford to blow $3,500 on a piece of ‘modern art’, but have gotten good at breaking the bike down to ship it back.

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I have noticed it has a decent amount of vibration in the pedals when under load (200-250W). Is this just the magnets and how the resistance works? Definitely not a smooth feeling as my old Kickr Snap.

The other issue I have noticed in in Zwift, the changes are extremely rapid so for example cresting a hill the change from a positive gradient to a negative one causes the resistance to just let go and almost feels like it is slipping. I am not sure if this is normal and the switch from my power to it powering itself down the hill is that abrupt? I guess I need to try unplugging it and remove the powered downhill option.

I went from an H2 to the 2T, and noticed the vibration under heavier resistance. I attributed it to magnet harmonics. It wasn’t constant, but was different than the H2.

The changes being sudden was a surprise. I think that was more the ‘virtual flywheel effect’. The H2 would often take a bit to get up to the higher goal, and would take a bit to spin down to a lower goal. The 2T was generally like riding a flywheel equipped trainer like the H2, but at times it was a lot more harsh also. It got better with a firmware update, but was still an issue somewhat.

I also experienced a 2-second pre-change in the goal. Trucking along, and the goal jumps 50% at 2 minutes, and the 2T was always at 1:58, but it also dropped 2 seconds early too. That seemed to get better over time with firmware updates, but was a surprise. I didn’t notice it being a problem with the H2 but I think the inertia of the flywheel smoothed things out a lot. The Kickr Bike would often jump early too, but I kind of expected that after the 2T.

But there are no perfect trainers. I have an H3 backup trainer, that I have been using a lot since I bought the Kickr Bike, and it has some idiosyncrasies too. I swear it will be on the nose for changes, and then all of a sudden lag on some, plus it gets really hot often but hasn’t quit because of overheating, yet.

I love the smart trainer concept. I was usually bored into torpor on a mag trainer, but all of the drama with failures and quality issues has proven to be a major distraction from riding. I just want to ride my bike.

EDIT: One comment on the Kickr Bike: The shop sold 2 bikes the same day. Mine, and another one. Mine squeaked, creaked, popped, and the shifters died. The other bike, ridden probably more than I rode mine, has experienced no problems at all. None. Weird…

A lot of my vibrations went away with a new chain, I guess I just never noticed it before with my Kickr Snap. There are still light vibrations at lower flywheel speeds, but I think it is largely due to magnets.

As for the rapid changes, those are fixed in the latest beta versions of TR on iOS, the timing changes are correct and it is a small ramp instead of hitting you like a freight train

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I’m on my third 2T (I think). This one was great for about a month, then the cadence slowly started to go wonky. It will drop from regular ~90rpm to reading 24-40rpm and just stick there for 5-10 seconds then come back up. Some rides it does this constantly, other rides it doesn’t do it at all.

I’ve been jumping through hoops with Garmin to troubleshoot it. Trying connectivity to phone, Fenix watch, computer and AppleTV and sending them all the files. Photos of the bike setup. Screenshots of the Tacx app. Right now, they are blaming it on my using flat pedals, which allows the foot to move around too much and mess up the cadence sensor. So they are sending me the little metal crank arm extender bit. WTF? That is ridiculous. It’s super easy to experiment with foot placement and see that it has no effect on the cadence readings.

I’m eyeing up another trainer, but at this point, I’ll probably wait until 2021-22 stuff comes out later this year. The new Kickr models do not seem to be any more reliable.

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I am using their crank arm extension on my mtb, it works great.

I had the same issue, and the little metal stick fixed all my cadence issues. My chainstays were just a bit too long and my heel wasn’t enough to trigger the sensor. I know 5 other people with the same 2T and they have no issues (they are also either shorter or using a road bike with very short chainstays so the crank actually passes the sensor)

We’ll see. I still haven’t received the crank extensions. If it is the solution, it’s annoying. They also want me to remove my crank cadence sensor that I use outdoors. So now I’ve got several more steps to take the bike outdoors. Design flaw Tacx!

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