Wahoo Kickr VS Tacx Neo | Review | Cycling Weekly
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- čas přidán 17. 02. 2018
- So which is better - Wahoo Kickr or Tacx Neo? Well... | Subscribe to Cycling Weekly here: czcams.com/users/CyclingW...
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I have a Kickr Snap and that works perfectly for what I need it for. I'm using my existing power meter for my power input in Zwift, and I'm not putting even putting out near the 1500 watt max. It is lighter than both of these by a long shot, cheaper than both of these by a long shot, folds up smaller than the Kickr, and is quiet enough to use in my apartment without disturbing anybody. I've ridden on it at 5:00 am with my wife sleeping in the next room with no problem. For the price of a cheap rear wheel and trainer tire, you can negate the wear on your decent tires, and avoid the hassle of switching between a normal tire and a winter tire, and still pay a hell of a lot less than a direct drive trainer. It might not feel exactly like you're on the road, but neither does looking at a computer monitor with a fan on.
doesnt have cadence tho
z. browning: All good points but I got my Neo for, essentially, free by selling my Computrainer and the extra Powertap (the other one for my road bicycle) I had in my training bike's rear wheel. But, besides the points you made, I prefer not having to fill up my rear tire ever again, not having to recalibrate (done, even though I had the Powertap, maybe not necessary), not having to deal with the occasional flat rear tire (never could figure why that ever happened but it did, three times over the years), not having to deal with the occasional slippage at high power spurts (and, yes, I used a high quality trainer styled rear tire), reduction in noise, higher weight simulated fly wheel (over 250 lbs!), and even the more realistic road feel in Zwift while riding over the rougher road surfaces (not to everyone's taste, I admit). For me, though, the Computrainer was just not supported by Bkool, etc., so it became a necessity to go elsewhere.
I have the Snap and loved it. But the Neo does feel smoother. Yes its expensive but my Snap burns through tires ( in my case 1 every 2 months) so you have to balance this out. Also I ride early in the morning ( 5:00am) so the lack of calibration is certainly welcome . The way I justify it is that a gym membership around me is $200 + / month and the winters are too harsh to ride outside. The Snap more than paid for it over 3 years and so should the Neo.
How are you “avoiding the hassle of switching between a normal tire and a winter tire” with the Snap? You do have the hassle unless you plan to ride outdoors and indoors with the same tires, right?
oli a hack you could do on your trainer is to superglue the little pads on
The Kickr power meter accuracy is underrated by Wahoo. Actual accuracy has been tested much better than ratings.
I'm surprised you didn't film this in Black and white. I'm not sure what era your Neo is from, but from 2017 they revised the outer casing to take TT bikes. From 2018 it no longer comes with an EDCO freewheel.
Thanks guys. I'm in the market and this really helps.
What about the Elite Drivo?
I love Wahoo's customer service. Just call them up, it can't be beat.
Roxic12 yeah right
YEAH..cos you will need to call themm...a lot....:):):)
Is it just me or is anyone getting a Spinal Tap vibe, love it! Hello Cleveland! Just need a bit more of 'this one goes to eleven' banter. Thanks for the video guys, gonna get the kickr I think.
The end caps on the KICKR have to remain loose so that they can pivot when you use the CLIMB. Most other trainers the rear axle lock ring is fixed and therefore your bike can't pivot up and down if you ever bought the CLIMB
Rixter great point that they missed there.
Climb is 400£ ?
600 i saw it lol. why did bikes become the rip off space when theres more riders than ever
No mention of speed of response to change in power requirements in EGR mode for intervals.
How about comparability with other Apps other than Zwift. Sufferfest, Trainer Road etc.
So the Neo can be used without power yet it's not easily portable. Hope Tacx will fix that in the next version.
This is really helpful. Thanks!
I own both. If lowest noise is most important, buy the Neo. Wahoo has better connectivity and support. Neo doesn’t require calibration each ride so saves time. The slight rocking of the Neo is nice as it feels more natural.
I find the slight rocking undermines my ability to do an all out sprint while up off the saddle. I'm going to see if, in replacing the front wheel with a stiff fork support, that would significantly help alleviate that issue.
How much calibration or spindown do you have to perform on the wahoo kickr, am shopping now and it would be used by both me and the wife with bike swapping, so I imagine calibration and spindown with every bikeswap but do you also have to spindown before every ride?
Nice work. Can you update this in the next few weeks (buying season is upon us!)?? Does the taco software (and ability to ride your de France stages etc) make a difference (is that any good)? Is wahoo climb any good? Does it matter which trainer you get based on your other hardware, eg pairing an ELEMNT bolt with a Neo 2? Thanks.
@cyclinweekly would you do a test with the drivo? I have to admit I like to ride the drivo more than my road bike sometimes. The zwift response power is just like real racing
Will go for the tacx neo soon... 🤤
Does the Neo still have compatability issues? I heard a while ago that Tacx slightly modified the body of the Neo to accommodate more frames.
Are the max power ratings at a certain speed or do you see that full resistance at very low cadence (40 to 50 rpm)?
Can you simulate crappy asphalt and the occasional pothole on the neo? Very important.
Tacx is the better unit, by far. It's quiet, it's accurate, it doesn't require extensive calibration processes and it has worked flawlessly for over 8000 indoor km's. Whereas I've had 3 kickr's in 3000 indoor km's, all faulty or with big time issues. Only the kickr has a better road feel due to the inertia of the heavy flywheel
My Kickr is not noisy, especially compared to the wheel-on (and completely crappy) Tacx trainer I used to have.
I wanna get a direct drive trainer, but not sure of which one to get. I am not a professional rider so I don't really need all the measurement instruments, but I like the idea of the resistance changing while using an app like zwift. Any thoughts?
What about the Hammer?
What about the Kickr Core? I can't afford or justify spending over a grand for a trainer but I think I can get myself to purchase the Kickr Core. I need something that accepts 148mm through axles so can't use one of the cheapo trainers and I want to use Zwift so built in power meter is important. REI has a promo atm were they match your dividends for purchases this weekend so I'm really thinking about buying the Kickr Core today.
You could get the kickr and some rollers if you really want to warm up at a race...
The Kickr Climb changes the nature of this whole discussion - Sure the Tacx can make you feel like you're riding on cobbles and wood slats and the like, but you're still always going to be riding on a flat surface. The climb has a hell of a lot more usage and practicality than a little bit of shake on your rear wheel.
Good to know the Neo has 2 yr warranty vs 1 for the Kickr
That's because with Tacx you're gonna need it hahaha
@@MarkRiddellRacing Take a look at the new kickr and kickr core, even a 7 days warranty is usefull for these lol
Especially with the new Neo 2, no idea why you would buy the Wahoo. I’m about to buy one, and it’s a no brainer to me that the Neo is the way to go. Specs are better, quieter, looks better, etc.
Oh, those poor road racer's arms. 20 kilograms to lift - much too heavy! :)
Vince Leuenberger yup!
Hahahah
Surprised you didn't cover the calibration process as a plus/minus. I have a Wahoo SNAP and am looking to upgrade to the TACX just because you don't need calibrate before every ride... I believe the Wahoo Kickr still requires regular calibration?
One thing to remember with the tacx neo is the drop in power . It’s far more accurate than the other trainers which tend to overestimate the watts
You should know KICKR 21KL 47 LB TACX NEO 21KL 47 LB SO NO Difference to lift weight 2018 looked it up
So basically the tacx is better as long as you have a level floor and a supportive girlfriend who doesn't mind its size.
Maybe if he had a can of wd40 he might be able to loosen the other side 🤔
Get a Kickr 1 and upgrade the firmware which makes it just as good as the new one,I love mine even though it really hurts your legs, and get a good fan and prepare to suffer !!
About Campagnolo compatibility: since any 11 speed cassette works on any 11 speed drivetrain, compatibility is never a real issue. I think even Wahoo say that the cassette they supply with the kickr is for both Shimano/Sram and Campag
my campy is 10 speed
No mention about the Neo simulating descents...? I'm considering both units right now, but Tacx quality issues are a concern... plus I like the option to add the Kickr Climb in future. I just think a real flywheel is always going to feel better than something simulated with magnets.
Mark Riddell: The simulated flywheel is excellent. I tried both units and, in my opinion, it's actually better than the real flywheels and, the simulation aspect makes the Neo a true direct drive, thus totally eliminating the need to recalibrate often, a big plus in my opinion.
@@lazurm I bought a Neo end of October.
@@MarkRiddellRacing How are you getting on with the Neo? That looks like the one for me.
@@bikerpeavey it's amazing, flawless, feels great... highly recommended.
@@MarkRiddellRacing Thanks probably get one this week.
The Neo Is made in.Holland i believe which makes a change and a family biz.I.heard
The Kickr is not compatible with all bikes, since the metal around the axles is to bulky it rubs the inside of some frames. My Canyon CF SLX 2016 does not work with Kickr 2018. The dropouts/chainstays is to narrow, it is about 1 - 1,5 mm. This is nothing but a design flaw from Wahoo. Disc brake bikes and 142 axles will not be a problem since they are using the drop-out adapters, putting the dropouts further out. This is not a problem with the Neo.
Great information - I am in the market for an indoor trainer right now and your information was unbiased and professional. Thanks - it really helped my decision.
Can I use my Garmin Edge 530 with the kickr?
Wahoo customer service is awesome.. the bad news is that I talked to them ... A LOT! 4 kickrs swapped under warranty ... All ended up with noise out of the box. :( Just bought a TACX and hoping Wahoo will refund original purchase now!
Does both products comes with carrying case/bag/molded casing for travel?.
And do you know if tacx will come out with a similar riser block like wahoo (automated ones?) In the future of this year?
I do indoor trainer at home no simulation etc....I still have cyclops trainer with magnetic.
I would love to get into more indoor app training like zwift etc.....
But I usually do some Indoor cycle then run outside and or just mountain biking in winter cold weather in Calgary Canada of -15 - -28 degrees Celsius. And some snow shoeing and trail running. ...and swimming and speed skating...
Get one now - which one doesn't matter. The difference between a smart trainer and a dumb trainer is night and day. Don't wait for a carry bag - you're not gonna live long enough for one to eventuate.
Campag 11 speed works with shimano 11 speed with no issues what so ever, so what's the point in changing the free hub.
which trainer do you think could hold a 375lb big boi biker? LOL, im serious i wanna lose weight while biking(one of my fave things to do) which one do you think would hold that weight.
I love my Tacx Neo living on the 2nd floor it’s essential
Neo rubber feet coming off: how about gluing them on? Problem solved.
Wahoo Kickr has a high-pitched whiny sound which would drive me *nuts*. DCRainmaker did a comparison & I was shocked.
I have seen that video and the dummy had the microphone set too close. The new Kickr doesn't sound anywhere near that load.
I honestly I think the kickr making bit of noise is exaggerated! And what training advantage do you actually get from your trainer vibrating? Asking for myself lol #ilovemykickr
Agree 100% - my KickR makes less noise than my fan (but I use a big-ass fan: I'm in Australia, and my "pain cave" is in an un-insulated garage. My fan sounds like a 747 taking off).
Who are these people who are using a KickR but don't sweat enough to merit a decent-powered fan?
I lived in the Auvergne a decade ago, including the winter (15°C below)... if I was training indoors in the Avergnat winter, I would still want an industrial-strength fan (otherwise I would have to turn off the heating, which would take 12 hours to get back to temperature).
Plus... with a KickR you get to have "Wahooligan" plastered across your ass on Zwift: what to Tacx Neo owners get? (Joking: I run an *All Black* strip on Zwift, in honour of the winning-est sporting team of all time, in any sport).
Wahoo is Campy not compatible? Next.
You guys didn’t read the Neo guide, to fold the legs simply flip the Neo on its rear end. Wola now you can fold each leg easily... most ppl don’t move the trainer often, portability is a non issue for me.
Could you confirm that Neo doesn't accept derailleur medium or long cage while Kickr does ?
Thanks
if you are worried about derailleur compatibilities - the kickr would be the better choice - the kickr has miles of clearance on the derailleur side - especially the newer kickr 3rd generation - they have removed the plastic shroud that used to be an issue with the cage clearance.
Thanks a lot !!
pedoncule36: The Neo doesn't work with long cage derailleurs, but will with medium.
My winter bike, I use on my current turbo, is a 9 speed, would it be ok on either of these smart turbos? Cheers
Mark Winney Yes, I used my Sora equipped winter bike on the Neo.
Thanks, appreciate you taking the time to answer.
I have a Neo and a disc road bike. Every time I mount my bike I have to loosen the rear brake caliper and move it all the way outboard to clear the Neo, then recenter it when I reinstall the wheel. It has become part of my routine and only takes a few minutes at this point. However it is totally worth it, I LOVE this thing...
who the hell! wants to ride on rough surfaces! LOL
I would go for the Tacx but I have a feeling it will be updated soon so I'm going to hold off.
palmer3977 good point
Doesn't look like it.
On the other hand the current version has been improved and issues fixed. Next version will be a brand new with new issues too. Hard to beat how good the current version is without introducing new issues. That's how I feel about getting the "new" upcoming model.
One major advantage of the Neo is that it doesn't need calibrating each ride (Saving 10 mins each time)!
I have an original Kickr and had to buy a 12x142mm thru-axle adapter kit....does the new Kickr come with this compatibility as standard, or does it also need the adapter kit?
Ross Fripp I had to do the same for the 2017 version
Thanks. I found the adapter didn't fit 100% with my Canyon Aeroad....luckily my old man is an engineer and adapted the adapter and now it fits perfectly (I was getting a bit of lateral movement....the bike was rocking side to side and it's taken some paint off of the inside near the hanger!)
I can't confirm but likely they are talking about the 2018 because they were also talking about the kickr and the kickr climb - which can only be used with the 2018 version.
u missed one point, the power meter on neo doesn't require calibrate.
Wahoo have just fixed that in their lasted v5 no calibration needed anymore
I can't speak for the Tacx Neo, but now waiting for 4th KICKR. First two had the noise issue with the bad key. The third now will not send wattage info even though it pairs.
Waiting for a third Kickr... frustrating to cut a 12 weeks training plan halfway with a 2 week waiting for a ....aaaah! should stop it here....=[
How does the noise/vibration affect the neighbours below your flat?
My dogs, when they're sleeping near the traning, don't like the cobbles being simulated on the Neo, it wakes them up and they have an unforgivable look on their faces. The don't seem to mind the Run & Bass Spotify playlist.
Loz: I looked and discovered that the only thing below my flat was some glass.
Kickr all day every day. I have had two kickrs now and they are solid and reliable. Bought a neo for how quiet it is meant to be and found it was far from it. Two miles into my first race, I had to stand up and it felt flimsy, then it came off the neo. Came back today the neo today and it has started making a tapping noise and a tinging noise. If you want to stand up and really want to put some power in and standup get a kickr. in fact just get a kickr!!!!!
The noises have started to go away and started to enjoy the neo. Getting more confidence standing as well, just make sure the quick releases are tight, tighter than what you do on your bike.
the shape of tacx neo is like star war fighter
I believe that the Tacx doesn't support Medium or Long rear Mech's
youthedaddy it does support the medium easily, I have one and it’s an amazing and quiet trainer.
Kickr noise terrible. Sold it and bought Neo. How could something that noisy be flat-friendly?
What model Kickr? The 2018 model is supposed to be on par with the Neo.
Though noisier it's still flat friendly as I know of no one that ever got a rear wheel flat while using it.
Tacx neo is quieter
That's all I need to know.
Guys if these are sat in a cupboard somewhere, more than happy to take just one off your hands!
that hair curl..
I have the TacX Neo and while I haven't solved the problem of it being a pig to carry folding the legs in/out is a lot easier if you tip it so it's resting on it's back where the power port is - use that just to rest the weight whilst you're faffing with the legs :)
I use a hard band to under wrapped the neo for moving it
Tacx had/have an issue with reliability + poor customer service. This made going for one a potential nightmare for returns etc depending on who you purchase from. Given cost tacx reliability a real let down.
Tacx A lot of kit to carry for warm up suggest use rollers with resistance machine. The reliability issues + customer service let down the tacx, I would go for a version 2.0 once it had been proved reliable. Till then stick with wahoo drama of the Tacx not worth it.
What about entry level smart trainers, any chance of reviews
Smart trainers are about what cost point you want to enter the market.
Wahoo snap or the new bkool units. would be the intermediate stage. Wahoo snap normally have a good discount period once or twice a year black Friday etc.
Tacx support is good but not the best. I got a response within one day
When I was in the market for a tacx their reputation for support was pretty poor + unit reliability was not great etc .Given the cost of the unit it was not something I wanted to put up with given the substantial cost. Caveat emptor as they say. Imho will look again only when they do a version 2.0.
Agreed. went through two items of junk from them, one i lost money altogether as it was a gift and they gave no support. the other returned for money back on 29th day so I was fortunate (?) I would avoid Tacx and I rarely give negatives broadly
I have a Neo which I use with a disc brake bike (Canyon Aeroad). Think I would rather pay the £60 for the thru axle converter and cassette for the Neo and not have that whining noise from the Kickr.
Does your brake caliper also rub against the trainer?
Which ERG-Mode will be the best?
Lukas Albrecht watch some of Shane Miller's videos. He actually has a video that's confirms that flywheel speed effects ERG mode.
both good. no need to worry.
Olly that was really good of you to give that homeless guy a job at presenting alongside you. Well done sir. Maybe next time brush his hair and beard before he goes on camera! 😜
What about the cassettes supplied? I’m going to guess 11speed so you need to replace that potentially and do you need to adjust gears if ratio not same as current bike? Finally...;)....seriously re power meter, 1 or 2 % surely isn’t statiscally significant especially on a Turbotrainer
Lol. Kylo Ren Air Space. 🤣
tacx neo for sure, wahoo kicker has a lot of design problems
why am I watching those dorks ?! Both are equally great ( Wahoo kickr 2018 vs NEO 1 )
Somewhat ironic that, on the Net, one can get a tacx...tax free. Now, if they'd only reverse this....
Kickr
They really act like 1% inaccuracy is a lot. Not even a world tour pro would care about it.
Ollie has been cycling weekly
my wahoo is almost silent and feels like the road, 1% really ? I mean c'mon
Same here
elite drivo says 5 % accuracy but in test was like the neo and the kickr for half the price i have a kickr rely good but for the money i think elite drivo is the thing
Like you said... Who needs more than 2000w and 20%. There really is no actual difference in that category.
Power maybe, but gradient I want more than 30% to replicate my local climb! Both fail but Neo is more useful in that sense.
I love how you pretend to decide what others want and need.
Tacx is always better engineered piece of device. 2000W is just for balancing engineered component or mech-algorithms (cant find a terminalogy for it)
Handling or lifting is concerned with your knowledge of your posturized position so...
Kickr climb was very intersting object for me BUT... the device quality turn me down after 4mo. of using it!
However i always wanted to jump on my tacx always!
TACX ALWAYS WIN
& i dont think whahoo will be in the field that much (if the SKY team kick them out)
Tacx and better engineering dont belong in same sentence
Wtf was the Barclaycard wiggins advert half way through, what a terrible ad
Don't be ridiculous. "1% (difference) accuracy starts encroaching on your ability to work towards specific goals". Neither of these trainers takes into account real world aerodynamics, which account for WAY more than 2 - 6 W, which is what 1% of typical power output for any sustained period is. Typical "real road" power meter accuracy is around 3-4%...
I realy expected the kicker to walk away with that! #gutted
A free Elite Drivo won
1st-like
Kickr conspiracy!
How many times does the homeless guy say “the Kickr is better”.
@cycling weekly you spelled Tacx wrong...
tbh this is the third time I have commented to correct one of your video's just sign me up with a job.
Videos - no apostrophe.
Noah Janssen the spelling and grammar police 🖕🤷♂️
Ignorant statement regarding Campagnolo on the KICKR. 11 is 11. The KICKR comes with a garbage SRAM cassette. I replaced it with an Ultegra cassette and it shifts perfectly with my Campagnolo rear derailleur.
I think cycling weekly might need to recheck there facts about the Kickr.
Very important info for all Campagnolo 11v users (like me)!
So just to double triple check - I have Campag Athena - will I need to buy another campag cassette or will I be able to use the stock one it comes with? Cheers in advance :)
а нарусском???
Love the comment about possibly needing a Manual Handling Course for the Tacx Neo!! Soooo true... so for anyone interested, here's a link to our online training courses! hahah
videotilehost.com/fscnationwide/purchaseCourse.php?nid=9 - Use the code "STAYATHOME20" for a 60% Discount! :D
Who ever transports his hometrainer? LOL
People who race and want to warm up. Why use rollers and risk having someone bump into you while you're on them right before a race.
Once you shell out the money for a smart trainer you probably already have a power meter on your bike. So the +/- 1or2% doesn't matter. Cause no one uses the power meter on the machine. That's my experience at least.
no, i stil cant afford a decemt power metre and have had several smart trainers that are generally way cheaper considering they have buil in power metres lol
For me there's no comparison - the Tacx Neo is the superior product technologically with less moving parts to go wrong. The noise issue is quite huge for indoor trainers in general and the Tacx is light years better in this respect. While its a bit awkward to carry, its not something that I find is so unbearable and when folded it's quite easy to stash away. Also, bike handling while training and the ability to experience road feel in Zwift is quite an awesome thing - which is something that you'll never experience with the Kickr. Over time, because of the design of the Tacx Neo, the ability to improve its experience via software is something that the Kickr can never approach. While the newer version of the Kickr will have the ability to incorporate the new Kicker Climb, I feel its not something so absolutely necessary to warrant an additional $600 plus you'll need quite a larger footprint to use it. Overall, while the Kickr is an excellent product, the Tacx Neo remains the best option for indoor training if your budget can handle it - its the best there is for indoor training.
David Garcia why aren’t the legs adjustable for carpet or uneven surfaces seems like a design flaw.
noisy as fook when they break and they break a lot if anything like all other Tacx products
Just ride outside it’s more real world
Ledonna Ygana: Especially since, when riding indoors, you get to miss the rain, ice and snow, extreme cold or heat, city traffic, smog, night time experience and more. I see your point.
First!!!
theyre both overpriced
This.
What's a good trainer you recommend? one that could link to strava
Cyclist reviewers complaining about lifting 20kg! Jeez, do some upper body training fellas! Good advert for cross-training!