For a number of years, there was a sort of established order in sensible trainers. Each main model had an entry stage product with barely decrease specs. Usually that meant a 16% max gradient, accuracy at +/- 2%, and someplace round 1800 watts max resistance. It was first rate for most individuals and you possibly can save a bit of cash. Should you determined to go for a extra premium expertise you then’d take a look at the subsequent stage and worth level. These premium choices felt about the identical however appeared nicer. They had been additionally extra correct and will simulate a 25% max gradient. This yr the entire system modified.
Tech specs: Garmin Tacx Neo 3M
Worth: £1,749.99 / $1,999.99 / €1,999
Unit weight: 52.0 lbs (23.6 kg)
Flywheel weight: 275.6 lbs / 125 kg digital
Connectivity: ANT+ connectivity, twin BLUETOOTH wi-fi expertise connection assist, Wi-Fi/Ethernet accent adapter
Accuracy: <1%
Max energy: 2,200 watts
Max grade simulation: 25%
Freehub compatibility: Shimano/SRAM 9 to 11 velocity (suitable, 11-speed cassette included), Campagnolo (suitable, requires particular cassette physique), SRAM 12 velocity/XDR (suitable, requires particular cassette physique), Shimano 12-speed Hyperglide+
Though our checklist of the finest sensible trainers nonetheless has a wide range of choices, nothing appears to be like fairly the identical. The low finish was already arduous to choose winners in and the Zwift Hub decimated no matter alternative there was. Now with the Zwift Hub One and Wahoo Kickr Core providing basically the identical product with digital or mechanical shifting respecitvely, it makes little or no sense to hassle with anything for a decrease spec coach and that shift appears to have opened up the highest finish. Now the main gamers are competing in your {dollars} by attempting to prime one another.
The Garmin Tacx Neo 3M is the newest high-end coach to attempt to compete on this new panorama. In some methods Wahoo entered the market first with the Kickr Transfer, however Garmin Tacx is not standing nonetheless. The Tacx Neo 3M is a great coach that is greater than the sum of its specs. If you’re in search of the most effective indoor coaching expertise obtainable, preserve studying to see if the Garmin Tacx Neo 3M is definitely worth the cash.
Design and aesthetics
If you wish to speak about groundbreaking options in comparison with previous fashions, visible design might be the most effective place to start out and cease. Tacx has all the time had a light-weight blue distinction color as a signature element. Generally the pairing was white and generally black however that mild blue was a defining element even earlier than Garmin purchased the corporate in 2019. I am going to admit that the Flux S does not have it however the design nonetheless options the house for it and the gray that replaces it’s a sign that the Flux is at a cheaper price level. The Tacx Neo 3M fully does away with it.
Clearly this does not actually matter. The purpose is that the Garmin Tacx Neo 3M is an iterative product. It will really be acceptable to make use of the Plus moniker that Garmin tends to make use of for half step mannequin adjustments. Name this the Neo 2T Plus and it might nonetheless make sense. That is not an insult although, the Neo 2T was one of many finest sensible trainers obtainable and the Neo 3M builds on that legacy.
Exterior of the lacking blue, there are another small visible adjustments as properly. The rear part of the 3M is a bit chunkier than the rear of the 2T. This doubtless owes to the inclusion of the facility brick throughout the physique and the improved cooling that comes with it. The adjustments are there to extend energy to the drive unit and bolster accuracy at low cadence/excessive energy and low energy/excessive cadence. Official accuracy numbers stay the identical at <1% so it is unclear precisely how this adjustments the expertise nevertheless it does have an effect on the visible look of the rear.
Maybe the largest bodily design of the casing is that there is now a deal with moulded into the higher part. Up to now you’d have to handle transferring the Neo 2T by grabbing the folded wings. Provided that the 3M weighs in at 52.0 lbs (23.6 kg) together with a deal with is an enormous deal for anybody who has to maneuver a coach round.
It is also value noting that the outer design of the Neo 3M is barely totally different to boost disc brake compatibility. This was a difficulty we famous in our unique Neo 2T evaluate but additionally not skilled by everybody. Visually it appears to be like related, and this wasn’t a difficulty I skilled, however Garmin did handle it with this newest replace.
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Past these adjustments, the design of the 3M is sort of precisely the identical as that of the 2T. Like earlier than, there isn’t any precise flywheel and resistance, in addition to the title, comes from an association of 32 neodymium magnets. That additionally signifies that there isn’t any have to plug the Neo 3M in if you end up in a state of affairs the place that is not potential. You do lose one of many options that units the Neo 3M other than the competitors although, in that when plugged in you may achieve a powered flywheel that makes descents really feel extra real looking. Different returning options embrace the identical 2200 watt max resistance and 25% max incline. Cassette and axle compatibility hasn’t modified both.
Software program compatibility is yet one more returning characteristic however that is not all that notable. At this level each coach works with each software program and there are connection choices for each Bluetooth or ANT+. That hasn’t modified in any respect although there may be now a second Bluetooth radio. That element could be useful for twin recording conditions and for connecting to the companion app whereas additionally related to coaching software program. Together with that second radio, now you can add a community adapter (paid accent) for both Wi-Fi or ethernet connections. There’s additionally the potential of upper velocity information transmission, matching the Wahoo Race Mode, nevertheless it isn’t presently enabled.
The actual replace to the Neo 3M is yet one more iterative change. Like earlier than, there are “wings” on both aspect of the Neo 3M and so they fold all the way down to assist the unit. Final yr I coated the discharge of the Tacx Neo Movement plate accent which makes use of a intelligent design to connect to the bottom of these wings and supply 2.5 cm of motion in every route. This yr the Neo 3M builds that system in and it is largely unchanged, other than a dial on the rear of every wing which you should use to lock the motion. That system additionally included a riser block to even out your bike and that is gotten an replace to accommodate tyres as much as six inches.
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Efficiency
I might say the theme right here is that nothing has modified and all the things is new. There are such a lot of issues that have not modified in any respect that I did not even checklist all of them up above. Does anybody actually use the flashing mild present projected beneath Garmin Tacx trainers? It all the time appears sort of cool but additionally not vital. Both means although, it is again.
One other characteristic alongside the identical strains is the best way the coach can immediately begin and cease in a means that causes it to shake barely. It replicates highway surfaces and I trip in regards to the desirability of it. It is sort of baffling how good it’s, when Zwift implements it properly, so should you prefer it, it is nonetheless right here and nonetheless good.
General although, the expertise of getting on the Neo 3M hasn’t modified a lot vs the 2T with the movement plates put in. Specs smart it is arduous to see a lot distinction and I’ve even spent a bunch of time telling you the way near the 2T it’s. There’s one factor I saved although. As a result of it is so good, I needed to attend till I talked in regards to the expertise of driving the Neo 3M to speak in regards to the left and proper motion.
The primary time I rode the Neo 2T I instantly observed the aspect to aspect motion however on the time, Garmin didn’t acknowledge it. It seems that the impact was a contented mistake beforehand. This time, for the 3M, Garmin embraced the impact and additional tuned it. Not like the Wahoo Kickr aspect to aspect motion, it is an enormous a part of the experience expertise.
Once you get on the Neo 3M and begin pedalling in Zwift, it feels precisely like driving outdoors. The aspect to aspect motion is not refined, it is proper up in your face and really noticeable but additionally pure. Your bike shifts left and proper and the sliders permit it to shift back and front. Identical to outdoors it is a feeling of fixed movement.
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I do wish to watch out about overstating the impact. It isn’t excellent in each state of affairs. As I wrote within the movement plates evaluate, you may break the impact fairly simply. As quickly as you stand it will get troublesome to seize the magic. Any sort of sprinting and you will bang into the entrance and rear stops and it isn’t an ideal feeling as you transition to and from a seated place. Nonetheless, when you’re sitting and when you’re standing and climbing steadily, it feels excellent.
Trainers are usually not solely without cost driving and simulation although. An excellent sensible coach also needs to deal with intervals properly and that is one other vivid spot for the Tacx Neo 3M that is not captured on any spec sheet. It is also not one thing I anticipated in any respect.
All sensible trainers have the flexibility to carry you to an ideal interval however your physique is not in a position to accommodate that. The way in which {that a} coach transitions from low energy to excessive energy is a little bit of software program magic that units totally different manufacturers aside. My earlier favorite was Wahoo however the Tacx Neo 3M amazes me everytime I begin a brand new interval.
Usually I like to start out a coach evaluate by establishing that the facility readings are correct. I did not try this this time as a result of the headline characteristic is the motion. I did nonetheless dual-record a number of rides although, and when free driving in Zwift a set of Garmin Rally RK200 pedals recorded very related numbers with an identical form to the facility curves. The following factor I did was a TrainerRoad VO2 max exercise to see how properly it dealt with fast jumps of energy with brief intervals. What I discovered blew me away.
The numbers are correct however the feeling of the transition is so pure it is not like another coach. I wasn’t feeling energised once I did this specific VO2 max exercise and I might been zoning out as the primary leap in energy got here at me. I did not anticipate it in any respect and I wasn’t prepared for it. Regardless of that, the Neo 3M rolled into it like hitting a hill outdoors. It is easy and forgiving with energy jumps and should you overshoot the quantity it drags you again down gently however precisely. The Neo 3M is exceptionally good in ERG mode.
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Verdict
Again and again when testing the Neo 3M I discovered myself pondering it was the most effective sensible coach I might ever used. If you wish to use it without cost driving, the combo of refined back and front and aspect motion feels extremely pure. To be honest, I have a tendency to remain seated more often than not and I am not a lot of a sprinter. Once I stand to climb I all the time shoot for a easy and managed rhythm as properly so the movement occurs to go with my driving model. Nonetheless, it is good even when it isn’t all the time excellent for everybody in each state of affairs.
If free driving is not your factor although, the Neo 3M can be exceptionally good at ERG mode. Lock down the movement plates and hit the intervals. The transitions are so easy and managed that it genuinely outpaces the competitors and even different Garmin trainers.
There’s just one drawback with all of this, and that is the truth that the Garmin Tacx Neo 3M prices much more than anything. The closest competitor can be the Wahoo Kickr Transfer and Garmin is asking £350 / $300 extra with each choices together with an 11-speed cassette. I do know from expertise that the Neo 3M has higher aspect to aspect motion, a greater ERG mode, and the powered flywheel to boost descending however is it sufficient of a distinction to justify the value distinction? That is a difficult proposition.
Additionally in case you are actually wanting realism, the Kickr Climb is definitely worth the buy. It is a dear add on nevertheless it provides quite a bit to the expertise and Tacx does not have something to match it. The Neo 3M does have a rotating axle meeting making the Elite Rizer an possibility for including climbing realism. I discover the Elite Rizer additionally occurs to be a greater expertise than the Kickr Climb nevertheless it’s, once more, costlier.
Given the general price of a coach at this stage, the value distinction between the Garmin Tacx Neo 3M and the Wahoo Kickr Transfer is not really that large. What a couple of Tacx Neo 2T with movement plates although? At full retail worth the leap in price is smart to go from the 2T to 3M however that ignores how usually the 2T is on sale. Should you get an ideal deal on the Neo 2T it might find yourself saving you £800 / $800 together with the movement plates and that may be a a lot more durable worth leap to justify.
In the end, you may simply must determine, is incrementally higher efficiency value paying extra for?
| Design and aesthetics | It loses a degree for the lack of the blue however this can be a sensible design that does all the things you’d need in a wheel off sensible coach. | 9/10 |
| ERG Mode | Precisely the way you need ERG to really feel. It holds tight to the requested energy however rolls on easy and means that you can catch up. | 10/10 |
| Trip really feel | A powered flywheel and simply the best aspect to aspect motion supplies glorious experience really feel. The built-in movement plates are additionally wonderful although it’s fairly simple to interrupt that phantasm relying in your driving model. | 9/10 |
| Noise and stability | Tremendous quiet and completely steady. | 10/10 |
| Worth | I’d argue that the experience expertise is best than the competitors nevertheless you’re being requested to pay quite a bit for a small benefit. | 6/10 |
| General | Row 5 – Cell 1 | 88% |
