Tacx Neo 3M Smart Trainer (2023) released

I pulled your post from the old speculation one to the dedicated one that came out on release day.

1 Like

Thanks Chad!

1 Like

@MattyP79 Hey, I couldn’t reply to your question on the last thread since it got closed :confused: so pinging you here and quoting:

Can I ask why you are sick of the kickr and which model?

My drivo ii is on the way out, power reading all over the place, and I’m looking for something to replace it.

Thanks

So I have the KICKR v4, which not being the v5 means it doesn’t auto-calibrate. I also got it used so it’s possible that has something to do with my issues. But I find it:

  • is kind of loud, it makes a squeal that is not my drivetrain…but it has continued to work at least
  • it doesn’t feel that realistic, like it most definitely feels as if I’m turning a belt, not wheeling across tarmac…but I haven’t ridden other trainers to know if this is just as “good” as it gets
  • I feel like it responds slowly/poorly to changes in resistance from both Zwift’s simulated road and TrainerRoad’s ERG

That last point is the one that really sticks out to me, especially with DC Rainmaker’s review of the Tacx 3M (it refreshed!). Like, all I want out of my trainer is that it matches what I’m seeing (and so my brain is expecting to feel) on screen…but yeah the Kickr (at least my five year old v4) does not do that well at all. On the rolling hills among the sequoias in Zwift it’s so bad it feels like you’re going up when your brain says down. For ERG it overshoots really badly and is too slow for intervals under like 10 seconds (and yes my gears are set right).

I’ll tell you I certainly wouldn’t pay full price for it, but it’s also hard to pony up $2,000 for the Tacx Neo 3M. The 2T at ~$900 is probably great though. I figure my trainer is still working so I’ll wait for Garmin to drop

1 Like

Am wondering if trainer max power is ever one of the considerations when selecting a trainer?

I know I can’t reach 2000w, let alone 1000w, so I don’t really need those sort of specs.

Its 2000w at max speed in top gear 53x11, assuming linear resistance, max resistance might be as low as 440W in a bottom gear of 34x32. If your trainer has a max power rating of only 1000w, you’d be limited to 220w in bottom gear, plenty of folk can manage that.

@MidnightExtraSpecial
Perfect thank you.

I’ve borrowed a kickr v6 and it seems to be ok, that said I had a dropout in a race on Tuesday and the manual resistance behaves differently to most. But I guess nuances of a different system.

Erg overshoot isn’t a thing for the v6, well that I’ve experienced in only 3 rides.

The crucial part for me was that the data I saw on the screen matched my pedals, or, was more accurate.

My drivo ii was over reading by almost 20% through the power range. Nice to see big numbers, but cheating myself and others. Plus training data was inconsistent.

From your reply I’ll pass on a V4. Seriously considering the neo2T or kikr v5/6 as a replacement if elite can’t fix the problem.

Thanks for your thoughts. Very much appreciated

2 Likes

I forgot to mention that I exclusively use the Quarq PM on my bike for power in both Zwift and TrainerRoad, not the trainer’s power. So I don’t have to worry about not having auto-calibration, or any discrepancies between my indoor and outdoor riding (I have Quarq PMs on my other bikes too). I suspect that may contribute to the weirdness the Kickr has with ERG mode since its the TrainerRoad app reading power from the Quarq and then adjusting the Kickr. The v6 is probably fine but damn if I wouldn’t like to at least try a Tacx!

Does anyone know if there would be any mechanical issue using the 3M together with the Kickr Climb with the Move adapter boot (https://ca.wahoofitness.com/devices/indoor-cycling/accessories/kickr-climb-base-adapter)? I.e. would the fore/aft motion of the 3M work, and would trainer’s pivot support the up/down of the Climb?

I know the 3M won’t pair with the Climb, not worried about that since I only adjust it manually for my TR use.

Seems like it would work. The Wahoo is designed to handle more fore-aft motion than the Neo, so that is good.

The issue i could see is needing to add a spacer under the Climb to get the axle heights level . As seen in the aide by side in Ray’s comparisons video, the Neo is taller but a few inches. I’d expect to have to add a block of similarly height delta to get the Climb level.

That or you need to manually keep the bike higher and lose out on top end angle adjustment.

ETA: Not exact due to camera perspective issues, but it’s clear that they two setups have a different “base” height at the axles.

2 Likes