Indoor bike trainers, particularly smart trainers that let you ride using apps like Zwift and TrainerRoad, have exploded in popularity in recent years because they’re the best way to scratch your cycling itch year-round. If you’re looking to build the ultimate trainer dungeon, you need to start with the ultimate trainer. Garmin’s Tacx trainers are top picks, and the Tacx line-up has five models to suit riders with different abilities and budgets. So which should you choose? This guide will let you easily compare trainers, so you can pick the right Tacx trainer for you.
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Garmin Tacx smart trainer comparison
|
Tacx Neo 2T |
Tacx Flux 2 |
Tacx Flux S |
Tacx Flow S |
|
|
MSRP |
$1,399.99 |
$899.99 |
$749.99 |
$369.99 |
|
Type |
Direct Drive |
Direct Drive |
Direct Drive |
Wheel On |
|
Connectivity |
ANT+/Bluetooth |
ANT+/Bluetooth |
ANT+/Bluetooth |
ANT+/Bluetooth |
|
Max Power |
2,200 watts |
2,000 watts |
1,500 watts |
800 watts |
|
Max Incline |
25% |
16% |
10% |
6% |
|
Accuracy |
<1% |
<2.5% |
<3% |
<5% |
|
Flywheel |
Virtual |
16.8 lbs |
15.4 lbs |
3.5 lbs |
|
Weight |
47.4 lbs |
52 lbs |
50.3 lbs |
20.7 lbs |
The main features more expensive smart trainers provide are better accuracy, higher max power, and the ability to simulate steeper inclines. Here’s what each means:
Accuracy
Smart trainers measure your pedaling power to move your avatar in Zwift or keep you on track during workouts. Accuracy refers to how much higher or lower the trainer will read your power compared to your actual power output.
How important is accuracy? If you are a serious competitor in Zwift races, using ZwiftPower to track results, or a high-level athlete focused on nailing your structured training, then sure, more accuracy is better. But for most average-to-advanced riders, anything within 3% accuracy is still extremely good and more than enough for exploring the Zwift world, racing, and doing workouts.
Max power
Max power output refers to how much resistance, a.k.a. “braking force,” a trainer can produce and thus the highest power numbers it can register. More expensive trainers have better hardware that can produce more braking force to handle higher power outputs. This is only an important consideration for strong and advanced cyclists.
If your max power is above the trainer’s max power, then you’ll be limited during sprint workouts or Zwift races. For most riders though, the 1,500-watt max of the Tacx S is already more than enough (1,000 watts in a sprint is a great achievement for the average rider). Pros and top-level amateur racers are really the only people who need a trainer that can handle 2,000 watts or more.
Max Incline
When riding around virtual worlds like Zwift, smart trainers will automatically increase resistance to simulate riding uphill. Max incline and max power are actually related because the more braking force a trainer can apply, the more resistance it can create at low speeds to simulate steeper grades.
I wouldn’t worry too much about max incline though. By default, Zwift sets trainer “difficulty” to 50%, meaning a 10% incline will only “feel” like 5%. If you want to run your trainer difficulty at 100% (few people do), you’ll need a trainer that offers more resistance. At the default difficulty, any trainer that maxes out at 10% will have enough resistance, even on Zwift’s steepest terrain, and provide a fun riding experience. Ultimately, max power is the more important consideration.
Direct drive vs. wheel-on smart trainers
You’ll notice in the above table that the three direct drive Tacx models are significantly more expensive than the wheel-on Tacx Flow S. Direct drive trainers are more accurate and can produce more resistance than wheel-on trainers. They also react faster and can adjust resistance more quickly to simulate terrain changes or handle intervals during structured workouts. They also have larger, heavier flywheels (with the exception of the Neo 2T, but more on that below) which provide a more natural “road feel” while pedaling and don’t suffer from issues like tire slip or tire wear.
Wheel-on smart trainers are a cheap and easy way to introduce yourself to the world of virtual cycling. If you rarely ride inside, they’re a great option. But if you plan to ride indoors regularly or compete in online races, direct drive trainers are the superior option.
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Garmin Tacx Neo 2T
MSRP: $1,399.99
Max power: 2,200 watts
Max incline: 25%
Accuracy: <1%
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The Tacx Neo 2T is the top-of-the-line pro-level option in the Tacx line-up. It has the most features and provides the most accuracy and the highest max power and incline. The Neo 2T was also the trainer used by all athletes competing in the UCI Esports World Championships.
Unlike the other Tacx models, it uses a “virtual” flywheel that is controlled with 32 powerful neodymium magnets. This makes the Neo 2T super quiet and allows it to instantly adjust resistance. It can even vibrate to simulate rough roads, gravel, and cobblestones. For riders who want to ride the best-of-the-best, the Neo 2T is the ultimate trainer.
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The Neo 2T also has the ability to add motion plates which increase rider immersion and comfort by providing multidirectional movement to mimics the feel of an outdoor ride.
Garmin Tacx Flux 2
MSRP: $899.99
Max power: 2,000 watts
Max incline: 16%
Accuracy: <2.5%
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The mid-range Tacx Flux 2 improves on the Flux S with more accuracy, a heavier flywheel for a more realistic ride feel, and more braking force to achieve higher max power and incline numbers. For the vast majority of cyclists, the Flux 2 will provide more than enough performance to achieve their riding goals.
Garmin Tacx Flux S
MSRP: $749.99
Max power: 1,500 watts
Max incline: 10%
Accuracy: <3%
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The Tacx Flux S offers Flux 2 direct drive performance at a slightly lower cost. The main consideration when comparing the Flux S to the Flux 2 is your bike’s rear axle. The Flux S is compatible with 10x130mm road and 10x135mm mtb quick-release axles out of the box so it’s a great option for riders with older bikes. Other axle widths will require adaptors.
Garmin Tacx Flow S
MSRP: $369.99
Max power: 800 watts
Max incline: 6%
Accuracy: <5%
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The Tacx Flow S is the simplest way to get into the world of virtual riding. It's a wheel-on trainer, so the only thing you need to attach your bike is a trainer axle. This keeps its footprint smaller and costs lower, but you still get all the fun smart trainer features like wireless connectivity, automatic resistance adjustment, and ERG mode for trainer controlled workouts.
Garmin Tacx Boost
MSRP: $299.99
Max power: 1,050 watts
[product-block handle="tacx-boost-trainer"/]
Some riders don't need all the fancy smart trainer extras, and just want a trainer that can hold their bike and allow them to pedal. That's where the Tacx Boost comes in. A handlebar remote allows riders to adjust between 10 levels of resistance. At the highest resistance level, the Tacx Boost can handle up to 1,050 watts.
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Add a speed sensor to your bike, and you now have a cheap and easy way to use your "dumb" trainer with apps like Zwift or TrainerRoad.
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