Replaced my Kickr 2018 with a Neo 2T. I used my Vector 3 pedals to compare the power of the two and the Neo reads around 5 watts lower than the kickr at both 200 and 300 watts. Not sure which is “correct” though since the V3 is pretty much the same as the Neo and my Quarq dzero on my other bike is in line with the Kickr. Anyway, don’t really care about 5 watts -but will of course add 5w to my FTP whenever talking about it
Short comparison between the two: Kickr:
like the inertia feeling the wheel gives
have had it replaced twice in the 1.5 years I’ve owned it due to vibration/sounds (getting a new back from wahoo next week but will be selling it right away since I’m worried about the quality and more faults)
Neo
I like how it feels more instant in power changes.
easier to get going after doing a backpedal
the more flexible side motion is nice
great that there is no calibration needed. The calibration button is still there in devices though, think that should be disabled -or am I missing something?
One thing I’ve not been able to work out is how to set where the purple light changes to red. I’ve only seen red during sprint intervals of 500w+, feels like there should be a setting for where the red kicks in…
We asked for it to be removed when we were testing the updated beta desktop app. I thought it got removed, but can’t say I’ve looked in quite some time.
If they did there, hopefully it will also be remo ed in the pending update to the mobile app.
Anticipating the delivery of my Neo 2T tonight and did some reading on the forum. One thing I don’t understand is why everyone fusses over discrepancy in power readings between their power meter and their trainer. Isn’t the power meter supposed to be the source of truth and the trainer just along for the ride (ERG + PowerMatch)? Why would you expect a power pedal and trainer to read the same? Or am I missing something? To be clear I understand why you would be concerned about power readings when the trainer is the only source. Hoping the Neo 2T is a mega upgrade from my 2014 Kickr when it comes to responsiveness to intervals.
And that is exactly the case for many riders. There’s a notable investment in something that claims to have high accuracy (per their own specs), but seems to fall short of those claims.
This shouldn’t hinge on whether you do or don’t have a second power device. It should match the claims as stated (and it seems many examples are shown that they don’t).
FWIW, I just upgraded my Neo 2 to a 2T and had DesFit come over and we tested both trainers against his Assioma Duos. The Neo 2 was actually reading about 3.5% low, and the 2T was spot on (within 3-4w average at 230w over 10 minutes, including some sprints).
I don’t have a power meter to continue to verify the 2T, but the feel hasn’t changed from the day we tested. I bumped my FTP in TR up 9w to compensate for the low reading of my previous Neo 2. YMMV.
Following up on this…I have a pair of Assiomas and a Neo 2. I’m sure everyone does the same but I TR or Zwift (whichever i’m using) set up to take power readings form Assiomas as they’re going to be the power meter i’m using outdoors also.
When i got the Neo 2 (previously had Vortex), I did a few rides to test them out and found the difference between the Neo to be between 5-10% lower than Assiomas. Never really bothered me but now that i’ve read this thread I’m starting to think I should send the Neo back and request replacement.
So…did anyone go ahead and leave their Neo back and did Tacx offer replacement which power output matched their power meter pedals? I suppose i’m wondering how do you prove that the Neo is incorrect and not the Assiomas??
And is there any real downside to not leaving the Neo back and just accepting that it is 5% lower?
This is a little tricky, because you’re measuring power at two different points on the bike. In general, I think it’s acceptable that power measured at the cassette (like Neo or Kickr) be about 2-3% lower than measured at the pedal. This accounts for efficiency losses of the drivetrain. So with my Neo 2T reading 3.5% higher than my Neo 2, as compared to power at the pedal, it’s hard to know exactly what’s going on. The Neo 2T could be a bit high, but inline with the pedal power, and the 2 could be dead on for where it’s measuring power downstream of the drivetrain.
Well, the Neo 2T did NOT like the post mount disc brakes on my 2016 Santa Cruz Stigmata. No spacer could save me from the way the brake hose attaches to the caliper. I’ll see everyone in the “Does the 2018 Kickr work for anyone?” thread!
Oh bummer man! I went through something like six Kickr 2018s before I gave up. Fortuitous, since I love the Neo. If I were you, I’d personally be heading toward the H3 rather than anything Wahoo makes. My whole experience with them has left a bad taste.
Just to pile on here, the NEO issue is not drivetrain related for the skeptics out there.
On a perfectly straight chain line, waxed chain and with ceramic BB bearings…I see the same behavior on the NEO to my vector3’s. It’s a significant difference in power readings and scales fairly linearly as power goes up. I.E.- power readings diverge.
Usually see 5% difference around 180-200watts and up to 15% above 380 watts or so. I’m going to have to have to start power matching my pedals so i can use them as a single source. Hasn’t been a factor this season as most of my training has been inside. I don’t think I’ll be going TACX again.
I don’t see the issue you are experiencing (my NEO 2T is spot on compared to my Assiona Duos), and several others also don’t. That doesn’t make us skeptics, please adhere to the forum guidelines (“Attack the idea, not the person”).
Seems a little premature to just completely give up on a company. The Neo has always been one of the most trouble-free and accurate smart trainers there is. Maybe some hiccups with the 2T, but lightyears ahead of Wahoo. Have you tried contacting Garmin for a replacement and showing them the data? In my experience, Garmin support is very helpful and amendable to replacing defective hardware without much hassle.
You are surely right about Tacx. I’m being histrionic, while not accurate in my estimation it has been easy to live with. For sure.
I’ve calibrated their Garmins to a quarq riken. They are very close to one another. I’ve also done weight calibrations on both the quarq and pedals. They are good.
