Yep price. ( in Australia, so no ReI)
Tacx Neo 2 was heavily discounted, now that is being offered at RRP of the 2T.
2T has gone back to RRP.
Supply and demand, but disappointing.
I think I replied to you on the Neo FB page. I had a Kickr 2018 and didn’t rate the feel. Haven’t ridden the Neo though.
Got to try the NEO2 (not the 2T) at home thanks to my LBS. On zwift it’s awesome aside from feeling like it changes resistance ahead of the actual gradient change (some trainers do this after the change so not a huge deal) but ERG on trainerroad feels really bad unfortunately. Even with the .34 firmware, the increases in power come on way too quick and even doing steady state stuff feels like being on a wheel on trainer, the smoothness and road feel just aren’t there and it feels choppy. On the upside I didn’t get any slip while sprinting, on the downside I got awful slip on a 9% gradient at 350-400w on every pedal stroke even seated, standing up it was just atrocious.
Hoping the Kickr is better as far as feel and being closer to the Saris/Cycleops.
Oh wow, that is super disappointing. I think I will be waiting for a new round of trainers then.
I haven’t seen a Saris H3 trainer in Australia yet. Only the Kickr and Neo. So they are my options, the feel of the Kicker wasn’t for me.
Again let me know what your thoughts are about the Kickr.
What are you used to riding on for reference?
I have been on a Cycleops Fluid 2 for about 8 years now.
Did 5 rides on a Kickr 2018.
I had a fluid 2 and sold to a friend. Tried it a few months after being on a direct drive H2 and it felt super chunky. I think you’re just used to the Fluid cause there’s almost no way the Kickr can actually be worse. Even with my disappointment in the Neo, I thought it was still better. Fluid trainers tend to be very mushy and I feel like I can’t spin in smooth circles. I’ll let you know how the Kickr is, but I’m expecting it to feel similar to the H2/H3 which would give it one of the better ride feels on the market. Could be wrong though, I just can’t imagine how it could sell in such numbers if it was that bad.
I imagine after 8 years you’ve developed some kind of familiarity with the unit and probably don’t feel what someone new may feel, maybe the same reason I thought the Neo was so bad, cause I’m used to something totally different
Is anyone else bummed by all the problems you hear about on these expensive trainers? Not to mention the fact that they all have short, 1 year, warranties, and you can’t buy parts. In my mind, a $1000 trainer should be able to be rebuilt after 5 or 10 years if need be.
Are there any good options on an extended warranty?
My Tacx Vortex seems to be dying. I had a Kickr Core in my cart at REI (20% discount and all) and then thought that since I have a power meter I could easily go back to my 25 year old Minoura Mag trainer if needed.
FWIW, I bought my Kickr last year in March. I’m now on my second replacement. When it works I love it, but the adjustment for the resistance has died twice on me.
Seems like for now going back to H2 might be way to go for you if you’re looking for best ride feel.
If by “go-to” you mean “GO-TO” the UPS store to drop it off for warranty repair and “GO-TO” the UPS to pick it back up…rinse and repeat…hard to disagree with you.
Important to note that while some Kickr users have had one or more replacements, there are plenty that have not needed any replacement.
Unfortunately, there are no perfect trainers or companies available right now. It’s easy to point to bad apples with each and every one. Welcome to the trainer lottery… get your ticket and ride the ride. 
Agree. This most recent round of releases has been a bit of a contest of terriblity from everyone. I’ve sent back the final H3 so should get a check soon, will be using this loaner NEO till end of the week and Kickr all next week.
My buddy who I sold the H2 to said I can borrow it if needed, but my plan is done and it’s warming up so probably won’t need it.
Is anyone else bummed by all the problems you hear about on these expensive trainers? Not to mention the fact that they all have short, 1 year, warranties, and you can’t buy parts. In my mind, a $1000 trainer should be able to be rebuilt after 5 or 10 years if need be.
This somewhat annoys me as well. I wouldn’t mind paying a bit more for a Kickr that has guaranteed parts in 5 years, or even 10. Ant and bluetooth for ERG would most likely be good enough.
My 2 year old Direto doesn’t feel as crisp anymore. I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do when it gives up. I might even go back to a dumb trainer that is bombproof. I would have to get another power meter then, as my trainer bike doesn’t have one - the Direto is close enough…
I also find the lack of reasonable warranties annoying. Based on my 2ish year kickr starting to have power accuracy problems I don’t think these are as robust as they should be. Out of warranty they offered to swap it with a refurbished (old model) one for $300, which isn’t terrible, but I generally don’t trust refurbished equipment like this. Mine was having intermittent problems, so if I sent it back it would get a quick ‘refurbishment’, during which they would be unlikely to reproduce the problem (if they would even try), and then be sent to some sucker as a refurbed unit.
I really can’t imagine buying a smart bike without a much longer warranty. Something like that should have a useful and warrantied life of 5+ years. 1-2 years on something like that is not adequate.
On top of this parts are not available (beyond wear items, like belts) so you can’t even repair things yourself. Even these fancy smart trainers are pretty much some bearings, gears/pulleys, and a few PCBs - most of which could be easily replaced if spare parts where available.
It seems ridiculous compared to say a NordicTrak treadmill or other fitness industry piece of equipment. For a treadmill you can get an exploded parts diagram and still buy parts for 5-10 year old pieces of equipment. It makes me wonder if there is a law requiring parts availability for a certain period of time.
You could always pick up a used Computrainer. Sure it’s wheel-on, wired and you’ll have to use the TR legacy app but they’re built like a tank. I sold my 14 year old Computrainer last year and sometimes regret that decision.
I’d like to have a wheel-off trainer but maybe I can wait for the industry to get better. I’m not sure yet but my Tacx Vortex may be dying. If it dies I will try my old-school Minoura with the power meter on my bike. I think I can live without erg mode.
Just unboxed a Neo 2t and so far it’s working great. Installed the cassette and updated the firmware with zero issues. No problems with slippage on a random London Zwift route (climbs up to 12% at least). The London underground feels crazy over the boards. I did a 30 minute workout in erg mode with 400W and 600W intervals. Nothing felt to crazy in erg mode. I can imagine if you aren’t paying attention and the interval sneaks up on you it’s going to hurt. My max sprint power is about 800W and the Neo 2t didn’t have any issues. The slight side to side motion is nice and will take some getting use to after riding a Saris M2 smart trainer that really locks you in place.
So far very happy with the Tacx Neo 2t and zero issues.
Iamholland have you tried the neo2 yet? I would love to know what you think of it compared to the Saris H3
I tried the NEO2, and even considering all the problems I had with all my H3s, I would still rather have the Saris than the TACX. ERG changes are too abrupt, road feel on zwift is nice but road feel in ERG mode is no good, at least as far as I’m concerned