I’ve been using a Tacx Neo 2t (with motion plates) for a good 2-3 years now. I use it exclusively to do coach prescribed workouts only. Mostly intervals, but I’ll do a 3-4hr z2 ride if the weather is crap, also.
This year I’m all in on winter training indoors and starting to find frustrations with a few niggles;
Power reading - I need to use my power meter(s) because the Neo reads 3-6% low.
Grumble / grinding noises - at the start of the ride, there is a grumble that seems to have gotten worse although does go away. Pulled the plate and cleaned to no avail. Have ordered a Reaxle kit in blind hope
Leans to the right - level floor but when sat on it, it has this slight but noticeable lean to the RHS
Wheel slip when sprinting
I feel quite sensitive to inertia - I get used to the lower inertia of the Tacx’s electromagnetic flywheel but feel like a big physical flywheel might feel better
None of them are deal breakers but have me wondering what else is out there and if it’s better?
True longitudinal movement is likely a deal breaker and normal rocker plates are no good for me.
Would a Kickr Core or v6 and a motion plate system or kickr move be a good alternative?
Should I consider other brands or is the Tacx almost as good as it gets?
Looking for help from people that have direct comparisons between these trainers
Well, I had a Neo 1 for 7 years until last week and just switched to a Kickr Core 2. Also found after about 4 years the power readings were lower than my pedals and seemed to get worse over time. Also had a resonance started coming through at high rpm, and it just felt hard work indoors.
Really any working trainer is better than a Neo that isn’t any more, got my Core for £400 including 3 months of Zwift. The Core runs nice and reads power like my pedals and crank meter does.
Hopefully changing some bearings and / or free hub will sort your noises then its a case of does it bother you that you need to use your pedals for power. Not really?
Sold my old Neo for £75 to a Smart Trainer place in Bristol, if you’re in the UK. They buy any trainer.
I have made the switch from me 2T to kickr v6. I absolutely hated the tilt to the side and low power reading. Also, since I Zwift a lot, back when I switched the kickr had virtual shifting, WiFi connection, and race mode (10hz refresh) all over the 2t. I had only had problems here and there because of network issues, but my power on my kickr are always extremely if not matching my favero assioma rs pedals. I never had motion for either trainer, but I’m sure the kickr the rocks would be great. I also have invested in the climb (using discounts and gift cards) which enhances the feel of indoor riding vastly for me (and works more muscles from the different positions in my experience). If you can get a deal, it certainly makes the switch a lot less painful. Also, I would be surprised if wahoo has a new trainer coming soonish considering they just dropped the core 2 and the kickr v6 and the rocking version have been out for a bit now.
I’ve owned a Neo2T for a number of years after selling my Wahoo Kickr (can’t remember the version but I bought it in 2016)
About 18mths ago I noticed that my trainer seemed to be leaning more to the right than I would expect, messed around with trying to get it level, anyway long sort short there was some excessive lateral play, took the plate off and found that the axle itself had failed, a few Google searches later and I discovered a few other cases (which is why ReAxle is a thing)
I actually contacted Garmin because although I was out of warranty I wanted to know if there was a way of fixing the trainer. I sent over some video/photos and within a day or so they said they would send me a replacement (refurb) they even covered the cost of me sending my old trainer to them, I was not expecting them to offer to do that at all, I didn’t even ask for a replacement.
I ordered a ReAxle and installed that on the replacement trainer before using it in anger. I’ve no issues since and I am really happy with the accuracy and consistency of the trainer.
The road feel is definitely different to the Kickr I had and got some getting used to, but I got really annoyed with the inconstancy of the Kickr (I used to have to warm it up before calibrating to get accurate/consistent power readings) although the newer units may handle that better, I was very keen to avoid a belt driven trainer which is why I opted for a 2T, would I buy another one, absolutely. (If budget allowed)
For what it’s worth, my Neo 2T hasn’t experienced any of those issues, and I think I’ve had it since late 2021?
Power dead on against about 5 different power meters (Quarqs, Favero, and Garmin Rally) to the point I trust it as my reference. No leaning, noises, etc. No wheel slip, and the inertia thing has never bothered me and I have a theory that it’s actually a help training for long slow climbs so even gear way down at times.
With that said - sounds like yours has developed issues. I’d call Garmin and see if they replace it first. Then at least you’d have a more functional one to sell or have as a backup.
(I’ve had mine long enough I’m preventatively moving to a 3M myself)
Have you checked the bearings (specifically the smaller one) in the flywheel? I have had to replace several of these. I’m not really sure why they wear so quickly (well, ok, I have well over 50k miles on my Neo 2), but they do. After replacement all seems well, though (at least for some period of time). I had a Kickr Core for a short time before the Neo 2, but I really disliked being ‘stuck’ in a vertical position. For me, the lateral play is great (even if it might be what contributes to the bearing wear).
Same here, my Neo 2T has been working great, none of those issues. It does sound like you may have an issue with the axle.
As for accuracy: I checked power against 2 quarq power meters, 1 on my roadbike, the other on the MTB. Both times it read about 12W lower @250, which falls in the range of drivetrain losses. I think accuracy is spot on for what is delivered at the rear wheel.