How to DNF a Zwift Race: Epic Tacx Smart Bike Fail!

#garmin #tacx #zwift #cyclingfail #zwiftfail
Garmin Tacx NEO smart bike review update? Zwift fail? Bad day on a bike? This video has it all! I set out to livestream a Zwift race, and felt pretty good about it. Being relatively new to Zwift racing, I had finally put some effort into learning drafting tactics, the course profile, and what my plan of attack should be. My fitness was good, I was well rested, and in a good headspace to do my best in this race! And... well... things happened. Knowing I was going to give it my all the in race, I set up a few extra cameras and shot an intro to be used only if something out of the ordinary happened. I guess my wish was granted...
Watch the full livestream of the race here: kzbin.infos-GAIG1O...
Also, during the livestream, I mention Rob (‪@ZwiftyZwifter‬) and the @inthedrops podcast - be sure to check them out!

[@MichaelSnasdell]

Haha fair play for sharing mate. Had similar mid sprint before, not a good feeling. Hope one of the fixes works for you.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

I’ll work my way through the fixes, but want to start with what Garmin says. I’ll document the whole experience on here. Cheers!

[@ZwiftyZwifter]

Quality content but I feel awful for you. I normally (?) enjoy watching (other) people suffer and fail in Zwift races, but a technical just doesn’t do it for me. And yet you still somehow made one of the best videos. I don’t believe in silver linings, some things are just crap and I suppose this is for you, but it’s a good video nevertheless

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thanks Rob. I was really planning on making a go of it in this race, thus the intro and additional cameras. This was supposed to be my first B podium. Hopefully Garmin sees this and improves their customer service. Ultimately, my plans are a bit derailed until this gets resolved. May as well turn some lemons into lemonade for a (hopefully) entertaining video!

[@ZwiftyZwifter]

@@ericbarnettcycling it was indeed. Good luck with the fix and hope to speak soon!

[@scotinnl]

Same here, although they are going to replace the main body again.... at some time in the (hopefully) near future.

[@TrekMTBikeRider]

That sucks. You were at the halfway point in the race too!

[@ericbarnettcycling]

It was still the easy part - had it been on one of the climbs I would have been furious!

[@TrekMTBikeRider]

@@ericbarnettcycling think about it like this… had you been on one of the climbs and putting out some serious wattage, you could have been injured when the crankarm separated from the bottom bracket. Just saying.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

@@TrekMTBikeRider very true!

[@ImGlossy63]

Sorry to hear Eric, glad it happened now and not say in December when outdoor riding would have sucked. Curious how old is your trainer and how many miles/hours are on it before it failed? Hope it gets fixed soon.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Got it in October - I guess around 2,000 miles.

[@L4ngley]

Welcome to the Club Eric 😂. I am on my third Tacx bike. Replaced once for this same issue. However now it seems like support is aware of this. And shipped me a repair kit this time. Consisting of a new Allan screw and a new “plastic screw for the center”. Could not see any difference on the once that was on the bike an the new one’s. I have replaced them a few days ago, only ridden about 100km. So hard to tell if it works. If the loosen again I will apply a good amount of loctite on both and re-insert. My support experience was good, uploaded one video, and they sent the kit.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Ah, the Tacx left crank arm club 😂 - that should be a thing. So far Garmin has been pretty frustrating - I’ll update as it goes…

[@mumblecake251]

@@ericbarnettcycling Any news on this? Do you know if this was fixed with the refresh of the Tacx Neo Bike that came out last year? It's not a good sign that they are having one "picture" round after the other when this is a perfectly well understood problem. A good company would own that problem and send out the replacement parts without fuzz. Really not sure which company is actually any good right now. Have read horror stories about Wahoo on Trustpilot where kickr bikes broke or the software bricked just out of warranty and they were like "not out problem" (seriously? If I invest over £3000 into a smart bike I expect a lot better). Going by your experience Garmin are having a pretty bad track record as well. I'm having ongoing reliability issues with my Stages Bike as well with external control mode not working and the customer support are not super helpful. Wattbike started off with a pretty poor customer service some years back but seem to have turned it around recently. I guess in that regard the Wattbike Atom might have the edge right now.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

@@mumblecake251 they sent some parts to fix it - haven't received them, yet. I'll make an update video of trying to fix it and the ride after. I have heard it's not an issue on the new one, which shows even more that Garmin knew it was a problem. Overall, I estimate it was about 3-4 business days of going back and forth with Garmin support until they shipped the parts. The correct conversation with Garmin should have been: Me: "hey, I have a Tacx NEO bike smart and the left..." Them: "...the left crank arm? Yes, we're so sorry. Parts are on the way."

[@mumblecake251]

@@ericbarnettcycling Fully agree, no harassment with constant photo taking but straight out "We are sorry, we'll make it right"

[@johnstypa8974]

Sorry about the issue with your trainer. Hope it gets resolved quickly and you can get back on Zwift soon.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thanks JW - I needed something to push me into weight training. Maybe not being able to Zwift will finally make me start lifting!

[@johnstypa8974]

@@ericbarnettcycling it’s a nice supplement to riding and you might find yourself keeping strength training part of your overall fitness routine. Hope to hear some good news on the Tacx being fixed this week!

[@ericbarnettcycling]

@@johnstypa8974 the irony is that I have a pretty decent weight setup - it’s just that it lives in a shed out behind my house. Just that little bit of distance plus how hot the shed gets makes me not do it. I used to have a house with a basement and lifted 3-4 days a week. Gotta figure out a way to make it more convenient.

[@OhioMTBTrails]

What the hell is this mustache thing?.. Bring back the beard

[@ericbarnettcycling]

🥸

[@mumblecake251]

@@ericbarnettcycling And it's not even Movember yet 🤣

[@ericbarnettcycling]

@@mumblecake251 'stache is like a 3 watt penalty

[@gearmonger8616]

Wow - and you were wearing the Garmin jersey. How serendipitous?

[@ericbarnettcycling]

😂 I was a Garmin fanboy - fandom is currently on hold until I see how they resolve this…

[@gearmonger8616]

@@ericbarnettcycling Good luck, I know this is a hard spot for you. I did that gravel race 55 miles and 4300 ft of climbing. More real world information than I can stand right now.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

@@gearmonger8616 that's fantastic - lots of climbing!

[@gearmonger8616]

@@ericbarnettcycling Hey, where is there a good list/website for longer road events?

[@ericbarnettcycling]

@@gearmonger8616 I haven't found a good comprehensive one. I just typically search Google for the times I have available and the areas where I'll be. There needs to be a better site, somewhere.

[@MarkBruceUK]

So harsh, hope Garmin sort you out.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

Thanks Mark! Fingers crossed!

[@ZwiftDude]

Please ditch this bike as soon as possible. Garmin don't deserve a worthy customer like you. Suggested alternatives which are SOLID. Wattbike Atom X, Wahoo Kickr, Technogym Ride, Zwift Hub.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

At this point I have too much money in it. Still giving Garmin a shot at fixing it, and I’ve seen some ways of aftermarket fixes. I do like the smart bike idea over a trainer - I means I don’t have to have a working road bike that never sees the road.

[@marcus_velo_9970]

usual cheap cn crap, there's a solution which unless they're going to replace it under warranty then have a look at what this guy used. "Tacx Neo Bike: Problem left loose pedal SOLUTION / linkes Pedal wackelt - LÖSUNG" - user: retoreto123 I would use a nyloc nut or locktite - use an allen head bolt they have a flat head. Its an easy fix, clearance wise use a grinder to remove any edges if required.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

I've seen that video & that's the fallback fix. There's a bolt that's strangely called a "sex bolt" where it's essentially two bolts that screw together. I'm researching to see if there's a size of those that locks like a nyloc in the middle and are the right size with a low profile head. Trying to avoid any potential ankle-scraper.

[@marcus_velo_9970]

@@ericbarnettcycling although thinking about this the issue is the lack of clamping force on the shaft, so the fix will keep the crank on but not necessarily keep the crank from coming loose.

[@ericbarnettcycling]

@@marcus_velo_9970 that's true. Garmin is sending some kind of fix - I'll try the first before any bodges. Fingers crossed.