Tacx

Neo 2 Smart Direct Drive Trainer

With the Neo 2 Smart Direct Drive Trainer, Tacx updates its flagship unit with even quieter operation, giving credence to Tacx's claim that it's the quietest direct-drive trainer available. Despite the noise reduction, the Neo 2 is still a fully functional smart trainer that reproduces virtual courses in terms of inclines and declines, which we'd expect, but is also able to reproduce the feel of the surface being ridden, which is an unexpected surprise that helps to enliven indoor training sessions and sets it further apart from the rest of Tacx's trainers. (And yes, that does include cobblestones—a true blessing for those of us who get our Roubaix fix from gravel roads.)

The Neo 2 is also updated with features like improved cadence sensing, analysis of pedal stroke and power data for both crank arms, and more responsive resistance control. While those features are of immediate use, the addition of improved memory capacity and thru-axle adapters mean the unit is also future-proof, giving it digital space to accommodate future updates to firmware and features and physical space to accommodate thru-axles as the industry moves more towards disc brakes.

Changes aside, the Neo 2 returns with the same smart features that set its predecessor apart in Tacx's lineup. Its max power is 2,200 watts (200 higher than Tacx's other high-end direct-drive and wheel-on options), it measures watts to a claimed 1% accuracy (a full 1.5% sharper than the Flux 2 Smart unit and well beyond any wheel-on unit's ability), and it simulates inclines up to 25% (putting it 5% higher than Tacx's closest wheel-on unit and 9% beyond the Flux 2, its closest direct-drive competition).

The Neo 2 is Bluetooth and ANT+ compatible, and it receives resistance and terrain input from Tacx's own software, Zwift, Kinomap, Skuga, Trainer Road, FulGaz, The Sufferfest, Cycleops Virtual Training, BKOOL, Golden Cheetah, Maximum Trainer, Perfpro, and VeloReality. It's also compatible with Garmin's 520 and Magellan's Mio 505 head units.