Thanks, it was the KickR threads here that originally gave me cold feet. I was however still tempted to roll the dice and buy one from our friendly local bike store (or REI) where I could return easily if I got a bad unit. However, I will probably due the smart thing (again not my strong suit) and wait. Its also fun to see all the new toys come out when you are in the market to buy.
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Didn’t really say that I would only use the Nero for zone 2 rides. I have had great success with z2 rides on the Nero because I can use zwift controllable mode and enjoy the interactivity if having roller resistance change with the zwift environment. That to me has been really unexpected and great
I only say erg mode is different on the rollers because it’s not instantaneous / quick changes of resistance as people tend to expect with erg mode. There is a lag that appears to be baked in because you are on rollers and such sudden shifts in resistance could seriously affect your ability to stay on the rollers. I have done sweetspot and a bit of vo2 with no problems. There is just a delay in shifting times to higher resistance. For some, that’s a deal breaker. Others not so much
Tbh I think that the Nero rollers are a killer zwift item. Some people really need more interactivity to deal with indoor training. If that’s you, they are great. I think those that want a highly structured training approach and are very particular about power and zone training, I think the Nero isn’t exactly for you
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So the Suito already comes with an 11 speed Shimano cassette installed. If price is comparable to the Direto and Flux then I’m leaning towards that. Will wait for first couple of months for peoples reviews on it
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Yeah. Wait a bit and pick the trainer that best suits your needs. This should be a good year for value trainers if the new elite trainer is any indication
One item to take into account if you are getting this for sprints (quoted from DC Rainmaker’s Tacx Neo Review, and GP Lama has seen this same issue):
The one area I have seen challenges with though is if the trainer is at a low speed (such as a low-speed climb), and then I apply a significant sprint-like force to the pedals, it’ll slip. By ‘slip’, I mean it feels like for a split second you out-power the trainer. As if you pulled too fast on the toilet paper roll and things went flying.
As mentioned above, I ended up going with the original Neo because it was on sale. Its rock solid and works perfectly. My setup is so streamlined that getting on the bike is no problem. Really happy with it
No worries :).
Definitely though about the setup. Tbh, I think that any of the big 3 (maybe wahoo might be an issue given the long comment chain on this forum) will give you a “set it and forget it” setup that allows you to just focus on the workout at hand.
I’ve only got a Neo2, but a couple of points I’ve noticed that aren’t addressed:
- do you want to just sprint simulating the flat or simulate sprinting uphill? You have less inertia; only the Neo can simulate that.
- are you going to be sprinting from rolling along? As Chad mentioned the Neo can take a fraction of a second for the virtual flywheel to kick in. It’s annoying, but if you’re gently going along you’re okay.
For what it’s worth, I have had no issues with my Kickr Core. It works like a dream and it’s wonderfully quiet. Extremely happy with ERG after riding rollers for a year as well. Definitely would not go back.
I have both a Neo and a Neo2. You can feel a slipping sensation in a sprint. However this only happens at really low rpm. This is a situation that never really occurs in real life.
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Because there’s no mechanical attachment between the resistance part and the part moved by the cyclist - only magnetic? The sensation should be similar to a Stac Zero or a wheel-on trainer that slips, I guess.
It’s a little different to a wheel on that slips. Not sure about the other one you mention.
When a Neo slips it is very short lived. The resistance unit is incredibly powerful and responsive so you only get a moment.
My fluid trainer becomes easier to slip once you overcome the static friction at the beginning of a big stomp.
That’s my experience anyway.
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Tbh, I think this issue is overblown. It does exist but only occurs if you are really trying to make it happen. I think its a matter of splitting hairs
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It’s more than hairs. Try ride a simulated gradient of 10%+ out of the saddle and it’ll happen every pedal stroke.
It happens when I don’t want it to happen. And that’s the problem.
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Fair enough. I should have worded the ‘hairs’ part better; I just think its one of the very specialist issues that often crops up when discussing which trainer to go for. For me its “hairs” because I’m not a zwift racer and I am mostly a TR trainer. For others, its a more major problem and I get that.
Idk, I look back at all the time and effort I did to figure out which smart trainer to get that I feel like I spent too much time stressing over issues that are smaller in the overall picture. I just think once you get to the above 700 (at the time of writing) trainers, they are all good and you can’t go wrong. The thing that should be stressed is that some trainers in the high amounts are better for specific use cases. I think going in with that attitude would make this whole selection experience much easier.
That said, who am I to lecture GPLama? 
Thanks for all your work on all of this. Your year review of the Neo tipped the balance for me because my use case was “set, forget, and high durability”. Keep on keeping on 
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All good I’m struggling with the last four or five trainers that have arrived as they aren’t living up to my 2014 standards. So I’m grumpy. I’m giving companies a LOT of rope to fix/explain/justify the issues… but that means weeks waiting around frustrated… and a lack of content posted… which has other flow on effects. Mostly financial.
Eurobike is coming. That always means new trainers. That’ll make me happy.
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Tbh, after having my Neo, I totally get why the standards are high. I really think it is a truly innovative piece of kit. Very high bar was set very early so I can imagine the frustration when newer trainers haven’t done much.
Do you have a Patreon? I’d be happy to contribute so you have a more steady stream of income.
Definitely. And I will watch all your new videos about it obsessively
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Nailed it with the standards being set high by the Neo1/2, even the Core ‘just worked’ (well, aside from the initial production issues and the sprinty power… sorted now).
No Patereon. It’d be tough ask, imo, for people to $ for content that’s free anyway. I’m hoping YouTube Memberships will be enabled on my account. But… YouTube. I tick all the boxes for that feature and still don’t have it.
Not so sure. I contribute to several podcasts that have free episodes and paywalled premium content. I found that the paid content gives them much more flexibility to do what they want. I think your viewers would respond well. We cyclists always seem to find the money for stuff we like…
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GPLama,
I too am looking at these 2 trainers H2 and Neo 2.
Having watched your videos I thought you seemed relatively happy with the Neo and your partner seem equally happy.
However the slipping sounds pretty rubbish on a $1900 trainer.
It’s killing me that there just doesn’t seem to be a trainer to buy that doesn’t have some short fall.
Do you think we will see a new trainer soon that will tick more boxes?
Do all the Neo 2s slip the same?
Have you spent much time on the H2?
I can’t imagine I will have the luxury of buying another trainer if I get it wrong!!
Kind regards