I just picked up a Neo 2T last week and I really like it, especially how quiet it runs. Just a couple of issues… one is the cadence is erratic, jumping up and down by 10-15 RPM. I updated the firmware to the latest (.34) and it made no difference. I read about the sensor placement issues that cause this problem with some bikes. As a data point mine is an old 60 cm Trek 2300 with 175 mm Ultegra cranks… pretty standard fare, although many smaller bikes will have shorter chainstays… that never leaves the trainer. I fashioned a short extension out of a scrap piece of aluminum bar and attached it to the left crank… problem solved. Cadence is now rock solid.
The other issue is more puzzling. I have been using a Kurt Kinetic Fluid 2 for maybe 5 years with a bluetooth speed/cadence sensor and virtual power. The Neo2T power doesn’t match it at all. Workouts I could easily do or even exceed on the Kurt I can’t even complete on the Neo2T. I am riding in resistance mode and gradually lowering my FTP manually to get it in a more useful range. Using erg mode is a non-starter until I establish a “Neo 2T” FTP for myself. Probably do a ramp test soon when I am a tad more rested.
My good road bike has Stages cranks so one of these days I’ll pop that on the Neo 2T and try to get a comparison.
Another very minor issue is there isn’t a power switch. My solution, IMO, is even better than a power switch. I simply plug the Neo power supply into a TP-Link Kasa smart mini plug and tell Alexa to turn the trainer on or off.
Bottom line, I really like the Neo 2T. Super solid, super quiet and really overkill for my age and strength. I wish I had this thing 20 years ago.
You should not assume that any power device matches another, especially when one of those is a virtual power number (Kinetic). Make taking a new test a priority and be ready for the gut punch that is likely you new, lower FTP.
Just got my Neo 2T today and pretty frustrated. Came with cracks in the underside of the frame but while I wait for a replacement I installed a cassette and threw a bike on it to give it a go…
TR on erg mode is all over the place. My vortex held a prescribed power 20x better than this thing. What am I missing here? Why is it so erratic? Way over and undershoots intervals.
Do you have a TR workout image to show what you’re talking about? I find (like with all Erg mode smart trainers) greater variability when using taller gearing (e.g., larger front chainring vs smaller).
I can’t speak for the 2T but my 2 holds Erg mode wattage very tight. I’d say +/- 5 watts max at a medium wattage of like 250w, if I’m smooth with my pedaling, and if I’m in the small chainring, and if I’m not changing cadence or standing up.
Did your Vortex have artificially smoothed data that the Neo doesn’t?
I’ve gone from a Vortex to a Neo 2T to an H3 (for cost reasons). Of the three, the graph with the Vortex was much smoother (especially when they are in the big ring).
There’s definitely a lot of smoothing and/or guestimating going on with the Vortex.
Didn’t expect it to agree, but the difference is huge. For instance on the KK on a good day I could do the 5 minute 107% intervals on Mt Foraker increasing each one progressively by 10-15 watts over the programmed interval so the last one was like 50-75 watts higher. On the Neo 2T in erg mode I can’t even complete the workout at the programmed intervals.
And the real gut punch for FTP isn’t from changing trainers, it is from getting old. FTP (and VO2Max) only goes one way… down.
I’ve read about the loss of 70 Watts before when coming from “virtual power” (totally unrelated to Neos). I think it was also mentioned in one of the podcast episodes.
It seems like that should not happen with a good calibration for a specific trainer model. Sure, there could be some variation between units but it shouldn’t depart that much from actual power. So far I have dropped my FTP about 15 watts and might be getting close. But then I may have had my KK FTP underestimated somewhat, too, so the actual difference would be greater. I don’t test often enough.
I used a Kurt Kinetic with virtual power about five years ago when I first started with TR. After about a year I switched to a Kickr and then subsequently a Tacx Neo. The KK with VP read much higher, 30 watts or more, than the other trainers and power meters. Definitely retest on the 2T to reset zones.
Not quite exact. The measurements show that the 2T under-estimates power at high spindle speeds (and those tests also blend in some power floor issue into the mix). Unless you do your workouts at 200W on 53/11, you won’t even get close to the problem range.
I don’t think you’re doing something wrong, I just want to understand what you did (It’s not a trust issue, actually, I hope mine is reading low as well )
I strongly believe the 2T allmost has zero linearity issues. I think the tacx faqx test blend in some power floor issue as you say. I did test my 2T from 50/28 to 50/11 @100W, 150W, 200W and 250W, the only time the 2T didnt report same as target was 50/11@100W. My PM shows consistent difference vs 2T, maybe 1-2% higher on 50/11 than 50/28, hard to tell because my PM is a bit unstable. Will test again when my warranty is received.
DrewTacxFaqx refused the power floor theory and told in the FB-post about the test that he would provide data from higher power, but he hasnt. All the data I have seen from higher power is only from Neo OG or Neo 2.
I had same issue with my first Neo 2, constantly reading 6-7% lower than severel PMs. Tacx replaced it and second Neo 2 was spot on my PMs.
My Neo 2T has been spot on, sounds like you received a faulty unit.
It seems like it is very hard for people to admit there are faulty Neos, I dont know why.
I reported the linearity issue on the Neo 2 allmost a year ago but no one would listen, of course it all changed when GPLama posted his linearity graph.
First ride on my 2T tonight. Cadence reading all over the place, but turns out there’s a firmware update for that. Found erg mode ok - power shifts not too harsh, as some others have commented.
I quite like the small side to side rocking motion when seated. However, when out of the saddle … holy cow. It’s like that Tacoma Narrows bridge video they show in secondary school physics lessons. Huge sideways oscillation. Is that normal? Seems to happen at both low and high power. This is on an alloy CX bike.
That means you need to “take control” of the handle bars.
We have gotten lazy, from rigid trainers, and stop using our upper body as we should be doing.
You need to stabilize yourself with bar control in the much the same way you do when riding outside.
See if this helps. It’s my rocker use video, but the concept is the same since the Neo includes a small amount of flex (not free rocking): https://youtu.be/yIHG2PuPB6E?t=60
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