Tacx NEO 2T Smart bike trainer in review

The Tacx NEO 2T Smart is an interactive, direct drive smart trainer which scores highly thanks to interesting specs, clever features and an elegant design which makes it stand out from the crowd. Read on to find out how the Tacx NEO 2T Smart compares to the KICKR BIKE and the other smart trainers in our test.

In our overview article “The best bike trainer 2020” you will find everything you need to know about indoor bike trainers for Zwift and Co.

The futuristic design of the Tacx NEO 2T Smart stands out among the trainers in our test and could happily fit in any penthouse in the world. Whether folded for storage or set up, this trainer reminds us of an Imperial Lambda shuttle. This direct drive trainer lets you ride with Zwift, Sufferfest or other software in progressive mode, where the trainer will use your input to power the system. That won’t just save you some money, it also lets you put the bike trainer wherever you want without having to find a plug. No other trainer in our test is as smart as this, not even the Wahoo KICKR BIKE.

The key specs of this direct drive smart trainer

Price € 1,299
Weight 22.01 kg
Weight limit 125 kg
Maximum power (40 km/h) 2,200 W
Power meter accuracy ±1 %

Maximum simulated gradient 25 %
Axle compatibility 130/135 mm quick release, 142/148 mm thru-axle
Available freehubs/adapters Campagnolo-, SRAM XD- and XD-R freehubs

Fold the legs down, mount the cassette and indoor training can begin. That’s assuming your bike fits on the Tacx NEO 2T Smart properly. On road bikes with 140 mm disc brakes, depending on the design, the caliper might come into contact with the trainer. In addition, we found that long derailleur cages on 11-speed bike with 130/135 mm quick release axles or 142 mm thru-axles could hit the trainer in the lowest gear. 148 mm BOOST mountain bikes have a bit of an advantage here. Even worse, with some bikes there’s interference between the chainstays and the trainer – an absolute design flaw. If you want to be sure that your bike fits the Tacx NEO 2T Smart, make sure to take a look at the compatibility list! Disclaimer: unfortunately, not all current bikes are listed yet.

**Spacesaver**
The feet fold up without tools, making the trainer quick and easy to stow away.

**Floor lighting**
As soon as you start turning the cranks, the Tacx NEO 2T SMART starts producing electricity and the floor lighting turns on. The colour of the LEDs changes depending on your power input – super cool!

**Design issue 1**
Unfortunately, the derailleur cage of 11-speed drivetrains hits the smart trainer in the lowest gear. That’s just annoying.

**Design issue 2**
With 140 mm disc brakes and 142 mm thru-axles there’s not much clearance for the disc caliper. With narrower rear end spacings, there’s actually interference with the trainer, while on a 142 mm frame, the caliper tends to contact the trainer when sprinting and flexing the bike hard.

**Star Wars spaceship**
The high-quality design reminds us of an Imperial Lambda shuttle, yet it still fits (or perhaps exactly because of this) in any modern penthouse.

**AOn stilts**
The increased standover height makes mounting and dismounting for short or tired legs harder.

**The most natural**
With its natural degree of flex, the bike trainer offers a natural ride feel in the saddle, out of the saddle or sprinting – no other trainer in the test can match it!

**Wide shoulders**
The natural flex and wide construction provides a very stable platform, even when sprinting.

**Well constructed**
The axle adapters are included as standard, get screwed in and make mounting your bike secure and easy.

Your family will be pleased with the whisper quiet operation of the Tacx NEO 2T Smart, which is similar to that of the Wahoo KICKR CORE. Changing gears is by far the loudest thing you can do. The freewheel of the bike trainer has the smallest engagement angle in the test field, resulting in pleasantly direct power transmission. However, mounted on the trainer, your bike will have a slightly higher standover than the Wahoo KICKR CORE, making mounting and dismounting the bike, especially with lactate flooded legs, a little more difficult.

Perhaps the only truly intelligent smart trainer in our test, which can use your pedal strokes to power itself.

Start riding and the slight flex of the trainer is a little unexpected but doesn’t feel unpleasant or insecure. Indeed, after riding for a few minutes you feel completely at home and it actually helps you shift your weight around on the saddle and avoid pressure points. The NEO 2T Smart imitates a natural riding closely and no other trainer in the test field matches its performance. The slight flex in the system actually mirrors how your bike might move while sprinting and together with the widely spaced legs, the trainer offers the most stable ride amongst the direct drive option, making it perfect for high-intensity interval training! It’s only the Wahoo KICKR BIKE that is perhaps a bit more secure, though it’s also a rigid and massive machine. Freewheeling and roll down is simulated naturally and the digital flywheel engages smoothly when you start pedalling again. However, if you choose to use the Tacx NEO 2T Smart without an external power source, it isn’t able to simulate downhill riding and the ride feel suffers a little.

Conclusion

Whether its structured performance training or fun rides for riders of all abilities, you’ll find the complete package with the Tacx NEO 2T Smart which has by far the most natural feeling ride in the test. In addition it offers an elegant design with clever features which other smart trainers and the Wahoo KICKR BIKE simply can’t keep up with. Were it not for the flawed design which makes some bikes incompatible, we would wholeheartedly recommend the Tacx NEO 2T SMART to everyone. Unfortunately it’s exactly this that ended up costing it the win in our test.

Tops

easy to stow away
modern design
natural ride feel
can be used without a power source
quick engaging freehub

Flops

high standover
limited clearance for brake caliper on bikes with 140 mm rotors
derailleur cage can contact the trainer

More information at: tacx.com

All turbo trainers in review