Garmin Tacx Neo 3m Assessment: Erg mode excellence

For a couple of years, there was a sort of established order in sensible trainers. Each main model had an entry degree product with barely decrease specs. Usually that meant a 16% max gradient, accuracy at +/- 2%, and someplace round 1800 watts max resistance. It was respectable for most individuals and you possibly can save a bit of cash.  If you happen to determined to go for a extra premium expertise then you definately’d have a look at the following degree and value level. These premium choices felt about the identical however appeared nicer. They have been additionally extra correct and will simulate a 25% max gradient. This yr the entire system modified.  

Though our listing of the greatest sensible trainers nonetheless has quite a lot of choices, nothing seems to be fairly the identical. The low finish was already onerous to select winners in and the Zwift Hub decimated no matter selection 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 key gamers are competing to your {dollars} by making an attempt to prime one another. 

The Garmin Tacx Neo 3M is the newest high-end coach to try 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 brilliant coach that is greater than the sum of its specs. In case you are searching for the most effective indoor coaching expertise out there, preserve studying to see if the Garmin Tacx Neo 3M is well 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 begin and cease. Tacx has all the time had a lightweight blue distinction color as a signature element. Typically the pairing was white and typically black however that gentle blue was a defining element even earlier than Garmin purchased the corporate in 2019. I am going to admit that the Flux S would not have it however the design nonetheless options the area 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 might really be applicable to make use of the Plus moniker that Garmin tends to make use of for half step mannequin modifications. Name this the Neo 2T Plus and it could nonetheless make sense. That is not an insult although, the Neo 2T was one of many greatest sensible trainers out there and the Neo 3M builds on that legacy. 

Exterior of the lacking blue, there are another small visible modifications as properly. The rear part of the 3M is a bit chunkier than the rear of the 2T. This seemingly owes to the inclusion of the facility brick throughout the physique and the improved cooling that comes with it. The modifications 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 modifications the expertise however 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. Previously you’d must handle transferring the Neo 2T by grabbing the folded wings. On condition that the 3M weighs in at 52.0 lbs (23.6 kg) together with a deal with is a giant 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 reinforce disc brake compatibility. This was a difficulty we famous in our unique Neo 2T evaluate but in addition not skilled by everybody. Visually it seems to be comparable, and this wasn’t a difficulty I skilled, however Garmin did deal with it with this newest replace. 

Past these modifications, the design of the 3M is nearly 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 must plug the Neo 3M in if you end up in a state of affairs the place that is not doable. You do lose one of many options that units the Neo 3M other than the competitors although, in that when plugged in you may acquire 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 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’s now a second Bluetooth radio. That element could be useful for twin recording conditions and for connecting to the companion app whereas additionally linked 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 aptitude of upper velocity information transmission, matching the Wahoo Race Mode, nevertheless it isn’t at the moment enabled. 

The true replace to the Neo 3M is one more iterative change. Like earlier than, there are “wings” on both aspect of the Neo 3M they usually fold all the way down to help the unit. Final yr I lined 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 path. 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 need to 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. 

Efficiency

I might say the theme right here is that nothing has modified and every thing is new. There are such a lot of issues that have not modified in any respect that I did not even listing all of them up above. Does anybody actually use the flashing gentle present projected beneath Garmin Tacx trainers? It all the time appears sort of cool but in addition not mandatory. Both manner although, it is again. 

One other characteristic alongside the identical traces is the way in which the coach can immediately begin and cease in a manner that causes it to shake barely. It replicates highway surfaces and I shuttle in regards to the desirability of it. It is sort of baffling how good it’s, when Zwift implements it properly, so for those who prefer it, it is nonetheless right here and nonetheless good. 

Total although, the expertise of getting on the Neo 3M hasn’t modified a lot vs the 2T with the movement plates put in. Specs sensible it is onerous to see a lot distinction and I’ve even spent a bunch of time telling you ways 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 using the Neo 3M to speak in regards to the left and proper motion. 

The primary time I rode the Neo 2T I instantly seen the aspect to aspect motion however on the time, Garmin didn’t acknowledge it. It seems that the impact was a cheerful mistake beforehand. This time, for the 3M, Garmin embraced the impact and additional tuned it. In contrast to 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 using exterior. The aspect to aspect motion is not delicate, it is proper up in your face and really noticeable but in addition pure. Your bike shifts left and proper and the sliders permit it to shift back and front. Identical to exterior it is a feeling of fixed movement. 

I do wish to watch out about overstating the impact. It’s not good in each state of affairs. As I wrote within the movement plates evaluate, you possibly can 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, if you end up sitting and if you end up standing and climbing steadily, it feels good. 

Trainers will not be solely totally free using and simulation although. A superb sensible coach must also 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 best way {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 begin a coach evaluate by establishing that the facility readings are correct. I did not do 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 using in Zwift a set of Garmin Rally RK200 pedals recorded very comparable numbers with an analogous form to the facility curves. The subsequent factor I did was a TrainerRoad VO2 max exercise to see how properly it dealt with fast jumps of energy with quick intervals. What I discovered blew me away. 

The numbers are correct however the feeling of the transition is so pure it is in contrast to every other coach. I wasn’t feeling energised once I did this explicit VO2 max exercise and I might been zoning out as the primary bounce 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 exterior. It is easy and forgiving with energy jumps and for those who overshoot the quantity it drags you again down gently however precisely. The Neo 3M is exceptionally good in ERG mode. 

Verdict

Again and again when testing the Neo 3M I discovered myself considering it was the most effective sensible coach I might ever used. If you wish to use it totally free using, the combo of delicate 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. After 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 using model. Nonetheless, it is good even when it isn’t all the time good for everybody in each state of affairs. 

If free using is not your factor although, the Neo 3M can also 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 downside with all of this, and that is the truth that the Garmin Tacx Neo 3M prices much more than anything. The closest competitor could 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 reinforce descending however is it sufficient of a distinction to justify the value distinction? That is a tough proposition. 

Additionally if you’re actually wanting realism, the Kickr Climb is well worth the buy. It is a dear add on however it provides rather a lot to the expertise and Tacx would 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 however it’s, once more, costlier. 

Given the general value of a coach at this degree, 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 value the bounce in value is sensible to go from the 2T to 3M however that ignores how usually the 2T is on sale. If you happen to get an excellent 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 value bounce to justify.

In the end, you may simply must determine, is incrementally higher efficiency value paying extra for?