Garmin TACX NEO Bike Plus // Updated Smart Bike Review

The Garmin TACX NEO Bike Plus "Smart Bike" has landed and with this release Garmin have addressed a number of issues from their first generation smart bike from 2019. Although the new brakes/gear levers are best-in-class, unfortunately the performance of the bike as tested in the Lama Lab is not to any acceptable level. Failing in sprint power reporting, issues with ERG mode, and I still encounter leg rub issues with the frame. Also noteworthy - The NEO Bike Plus has a price increase of US$800 over the previous model. 🤔
Links:
GPLama NEO Bike Unboxing/Build Video: • Tacx NEO Bike Smart: U...
GPLama NEO Bike Rider Fit Video: • Tacx NEO Bike Smart: R...
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Video Index:
0:00 Intro
0:21 What's New
0:17 What's The Same (As the NEO Bike V1)
2:22 On Bike Ride Experience
3:12 New Levers
3:43 No Satellite Shifters
3:50 Handlebars
4:22 Saddle
5:00 Leg Rub on the Frame
5:47 Sound Test
6:08 Out-Front Display
6:48 Bike Stability
7:13 Ride Feel
7:50 Road Feel
8:06 Third Party Software Integration
8:30 Data Review / Bike Performance
12:53 Sprints
12:59 Data Review / Bike Performance Cont.
20:26 Summary / Conclusions
21:59 Wrap Up
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gplama.com
#Garmin #SmartBike #Cycling

[@5mattcolour]

That’s a brutal price increase! 😮

[@gplama]

In AussieBucks the Neo Bike V1 is currently AU$3999 (Discounted from $4999). They really need to get this thing perfected for AU$6499.

[@diracflux]

It’s an eye watering price in Australia. I wonder if they’ll sell many here?

[@seanvk]

Always enjoy your frank and unvarnished reviews. No softballs here but speaking to the data. Well done! This was exactly what I was looking for.

[@mattpage9]

Nvidia: Check out our new graphics card, you won't believe how much more expensive it is than the last one! Garmin: Hold my beer.

[@poopscoop2000]

Lol, so true!

[@patrickj4747]

I can visualize the meeting after head of development sees Lama's review. "Yeah, but we nailed the cadence!"

[@davidh7414]

like my - and several friends 4iiii v2 leftleg power meters which all had strain guages die after 18 months. The power may have read 0 watts but they sure provided accurate cadence...

[@Chader9]

Thanks again for doing so much work to find the flaws in these products. Just a bit crazy to see a 2nd gen fail on so many levels.

[@Savonge]

14:40 kinda sums up the whole review. thanks for being so thorough shane so we'll know exactly what not to buy :)

[@stephenprice4739]

Great review. Can’t believe how it performed with resources Garmin have. Shifters look great but glad I got a Stages SB20. Much better value for money.

[@MrDaljoh]

I was really surprised that the original saddle fitted me suprisingly well. I have been using the new NEO bike for a week as well and so far I'm happy with it. Now I can finally set up the SRAM shifting as well :D. So far I haven't seen the "tire-skip" that you are talking about. Let's hope that all these issues can be solved with softwear update.

[@ZachGrabill]

How has your experience been in the last 10 months? Thinking about getting one for this season

[@chbrosz]

For another perspective...I have the previous version of this and ABSOLUTELY LOVE it. I bought it mid-pandemic and have used it so much. Power numbers are bang on vs. my road & mtb meters, and the road feel gimmick - it is so cool. It works flawlessly within Zwift - every time you go over a virtual wooden bridge, or a cobbled or gravel sector, the road feel changes accordingly and it is surprisingly immersive and very impressive. I have muscular thighs, and I can make them touch the seat post, but my normal cadence motion doesn't get anywhere near, so it's a non issue for me. The shifters are buttons, but you quickly get used to them and are another non issue. It's also incredibly reliable, with no drop outs, never needing calibration... it is just there, ready to spin when you are. Can't recommend enough.

[@gplama]

All good points. If you're not having any fit issues with V1 and the gear buttons are working, great. As you've stated, the V1 unit puts out acceptable power numbers in sprints too. 👌🏼

[@usman5140]

I agree with you for the most part. The only thing I don’t like about it is, it’s too stable for its own good. I like to stand when I climb and this thing just doesn’t budge

[@jeffabernathy7053]

That's my situation as well. Love the original bike, but it took four replacements to get it right (!). All credit to Garmin: they kept replacing the bike for me...

[@MikkelMldrupLakjer]

I agree with all said about the Taxa neo v1 - I love it, and I actually appreciate that it doesn’t move, it makes me feel safe during sprints. The only thing I do want is to replace the quick adjustment levers with the new, smaller version that won’t be blocked from movement because of length.

[@KeatB]

Sounds like they’ve truly missed the mark for a multi-thousand dollar premium product. I love my Neo OG but would switch to kickr bike if I ever went down that route. Thanks for the honest review

[@Nuno_bikes_fun]

I don’t think this is a honest review. It is clear for me that he does not like TACX….since the first version of the bike, the comments are negative. And by the way, ROAD FEEL is supported on zwift and I think others also…

[@gplama]

Take a seat Nuno. Not honest? Look at the data. Tell me you'd be happy paying this kind of money for that performance. Look at the other reviews. How does their sprint data and ERG performance look? As for Road Feel. That is NOT supported by Zwift on THIS BIKE at this point in time.

[@jasonc6514]

@@Nuno_bikes_fun I have previously contacted Shane about trainer choice for myself. He recommended a tacx, which I still have and use regularly

[@r0sco_1]

100% agree. I love my Neo but if upgrading I would choose a Kickr bike over this pile of junk. Way over priced for what is at best an extension of the Neo. Can't believe we are nearly in 2023 and these Static bikes have not improve the comfort factor though. We see Rocker plates but neither Tacx or Wahoo have looked to replicate a sleeker version of that in their premium bikes. If I am spending such £1000s I want to be comfortable enough on them to do multiple hours.

[@davidh7414]

@@gplama Quick question on the statement that zwift does not support road feel on this bike. I was under the impression that bluetooth had problems due to the clumsy change to FTMS but using ANT+ means road feel still works ok?

[@michaelk.920]

Thank you so much for this eye-opening and honest review. I am in the market for a second generation smart-bike, while trying to prevent my old Canyon bike on a NEO OG from total disintegration since quite a while. My wife already owns a SB20, which we bought 2 years ago after watching your reviews. Unfortunately, after perceiving severe inconsistencies between left and right Powermeter and many unsatisfying communications with their customer service, we had to go for a set of Assioma DUO to finally solve the power issue. Now, as Tacx/Garmin and Wahoo came forward with more than disappointing "Plus" versions of their products, that did not really adress the issues of the first generation bike, the door is open for Stages to introduce a second generation SB20. Will they take this opportunity?

[@galenkehler]

That clinches it. I'm going to have to build my own smart bike if the big brands can't do it right.

[@quantumdecoherence1289]

Thanks for verifying what a great value the Stages bike is. Glad I got it at less than $2k USD. Great review of this failed product and please, more F-bombs!

[@AndreaGelmini]

Thanks a lot for honest review. I own the "old" version. Dunno. Maybe the increase price for shortage (globally) of tech components and materials pushed Garmin to get sweeter pill for future customers releasing a - more or less - new model? Nowadays it's worldwide complicated for all producers. Tacx/Garmin has all my sympathy. Let's see what happen next!

[@user-og1hb6mv7x]

Thx for the vid. Awesome as always 😊. Is there any alternative to the tacx neo bike (except wahoo, SB20 and Wattbike) and which you can find in a commercial fitness studio? Would by nice to Zwift there, too…

[@c799651]

So Glad I just bought a KIKR V1 at well under 5k

[@luigibirillo6629]

Thanks for your honest reviews

[@davidh7414]

On the topic of Garmin re-introducing bugs in firmware which were resolved in earlier versions, I present my old Garmin edge 510 (RIP). It had a problem with an pre-ride setting (can't remember which one) that disappeared from the screen leaving a blank box. A firmware update fixed it so it was available and worked pre-ride, yet 2 firmware updates later the same issue came back. It made me wonder how many forks and recurring bugs there must be in their codebase.

[@tbone-ip5fi]

Thanks a lot for the thorough review, Shane! Random question, what is the brand and model of the blue bike shorts you're wearing? I'm searching for a long bib shorts (I'm tall), and am liking yours.

[@mlegrand]

It's really fun for us the audience to watch you get frustrated with these sprints. Sorry to be laughing at your expense there. 😆

[@ATG1985]

This is a hard pass. Even if you were in the market, spending this amount for an indoor trainer is a no go. I ride the wahoo kickr bike v1, ands it’s been great

[@Savonge]

I'll wait for the Tacx NEO bike SE ;)

[@RobBZwift]

literally got my Tacx Neo Bike delivered last Monday, I dont have powered pedals so cannot compare but agree with some of your points on the sprinting lag, to be fair I have PB`d my power by quite a significant margin in a few races last week compared to my old kickr core but concerning it might still be reporting lower than actual. I guess id rather be reporting lower than overshooting and winning things I shouldnt be :) to add I dont use erg mode at all really

[@gplama]

The V1 NEO Bike was fine for sprint power (looking back at the data I collected but never reviewed from 2019).

[@RobBZwift]

@@gplama thanks for this, gives me more confidence in my numbers, I agree on sturdiness & love putting power down on it, shame their new version hasn't changed much apart from the shifters (which I don't mind on V1 for me) but Im rather glad its not completely overhauled as only just bought it!

[@cs8sz]

Awesome review!

[@AlbaTech]

I’ve been using a Neo 2 since 2018 - after returning an original Wattbike Atom because it was dreadful. Anyway, the Neo 2 has been fantastic so I should be in the target audience for Tacx/Garmin with this. But I wouldn’t even consider it as a replacement - that is the reverse Midas touch of Garmin for you.

[@stuarthart4498]

Hi GPLama, fab video as always! The Neo Bike is a little out of my price range but I am able to pick up a new Neo 2T for £520. I'm wondering if you would rate it as a good Direct Drive trainer and if it has improved since you reviewed it 3 years ago?

[@gplama]

2T seems to be a solid unit. As discussed in this video, it'll ride a little differently than a weighted flywheel trainer. Some people can pick the difference, some can't, so it's not a deal breaker.

[@RichardWait]

Ouch - with Stages almost giving the SB20 away at $1699 - this is a hard sell now...

[@rosssanelli8852]

Go to site for quick, accurate and comprehensive information. Bravo 👏

[@gplama]

Cheers. Not quite quick... but I get to the points early on if people are short on time looking for what's new. 👌🏼

[@arundelnet]

Simple question, did you see the same failure with different connection type (Bluetooth vs ANT)?

[@retoreto123]

What about the big problem with the loose left crank? Are the same screw and bolts installed?

[@mikebrooks215]

Can’t see them shipping too many here in Aussie!

[@leissp1]

I have migrated from the OG Tacx Direct drive which failed twice to the Wahoo Kickr and then the Wahoo bike. The difference is night and day for me. The Tacx was good until it failed. Moving to the Wahoo was a game changer for me. Garmin absolutely ruined Tacx. The Garmin product support is abysmal compared to Tacx product support. The built in bearing failure is a design flaw. These things should basically last forever even if you beat on them. The slippage and tracking inaccuracies are issues that should not be there at all. Thanks for the review.

[@MrJerry8a]

What’s interesting is that I have the exact same problem with too low power for sprints on my regular NEO Bike ever since I updated to the latest Firmware (0.0.45). See the very same pattern compared with my Rally RS200 pedals.

[@kurastyles]

I had a very disappointing experience with mine. Did just over 8000km and they had no history or stock at the time for replacing the belt. They said they would have to replace the whole unit. However, they had no stock. So had to box it all up again and send back. Fans were cheap junk and wouldn't even put them on a shitty pc. Any chance you could be please report back to me/us about replacement belts for this and is the previous issue been sorted (stock etc world wide). Thanks Lama. Ps: Belt issue was it shredded into 3 pieces with small pieces being scattered through the pulleys and tensioner.

[@DavidFritzIII]

I would have really like to see everything sorted that Shane highlights, but also that front fork doesn't work on any rocker plates, why couldn't they have simply made a backwards compatible climb module for this bike... that and the death by paper cuts list of unaddressed problems would have made this one a best in class.

[@petergee7824]

Thanks Shane for another great vid, any chance your contacts could tell you if the shifters on the original tacx bike are upgradable to the new shifters? I have the original bike, and the ergonomics of the shifters are not great - I added some foam rubber under the hoods to help, but they are still not comfortable. I will not be upgrading the whole bike, because it works fine (after your tips on ant+ connectivity), but could justify upgrading the shifters/bars. any news on in-game steering with these bikes in zwift? - I have missed off-road in watopia!

[@jeffabernathy7053]

Same situation for me. Did you sort out whether we can upgrade?

[@radargillett7510]

Hi sane, thanks for your review that I watched in Jan 23. Do you kno if garmin or Wahoo are selling certified reconditioned bikes in Australia? Given your disappointment with the neo bike, how do you rate the Wahoo Nike?

[@chalkus]

Well, it looks like I have to get the Kickr bike then!

[@SB-xm5uw]

One quick comment re power reporting on Garmin. It's not "lagging" or "napping", it's what happens when you do smoothing or moving averages, the longer the observation window for computation, the more it will depend on past observations. It's a trade off.

[@paulbridgman2501]

Thanks for the review - the sprint power accuracy is a big concern! Did you do a similar power accuracy test with the previous version of the Neo Smart bike? Would you expect there to be a difference considering that (I believe) the drivetrain/virtual flywheel parts of the bike are the same?

[@gplama]

Previous sprints on the NEO Bike V1 were fine. Just looking at datasets from 2019: Assioma DUO 1220W / NEO Bike 1221W peak. Another is within a few watts too (PowerTap P1 1245W / NEO Bike 1211W).

[@paulbridgman2501]

@@gplama Many thanks for the reply - not sure whether to be reassured or disappointed I don't have an excuse for my poor sprinting performance on my V1 bike😏

[@lehtjug]

Just checked Garmin's website and in Finland price is 4139€, ridiculous. With that price you can have Neo 2T and bike which is my opinion more versatile combination. Black Friday is coming so you can have pretty good bike.

[@kidsafe]

I wonder about the freewheeling setups of other smartbikes. The SB20 is silent when coasting, though definitely draggy... If I backpedal on the SB20 from a standstill, the flywheel will spin backward. The pawl/ratchet ring on the Neo Bike makes no sense... At least use a sprag clutch or something.

[@Michael-uo4nq]

Hey Lama, I was planning on buying a Tacx Flux S, so I just came from watching your video on it. Would you say that it is still accurate or has the design/specs changed since that video came out (that you are aware of ofc)? In general, really struggling to figure out which +/-$500 trainer to buy tbh, but that one seemed like a good choice before watching your video.

[@gplama]

I have a taste aversion to the Flux range. I blew two of the original ones up before the third.. well.. didn't blow up. It's been a while since I looped back to them. I think the Flux S was the better one of the bunch... maybe it was the Flux 2? I don't recall any of them being great trainers. The Kickr CORE will be a better choice. The Zwift HUB will probably be within your stated budget though.

[@Michael-uo4nq]

@@gplama Thanks a lot for the advice, I'll revisit some of your other videos as well to get a good comparison:)

[@suennoajchannel6259]

ok thank you so much . I will buy wahoo bike . I hope I don't have problems . thank you

[@handoromper7987]

I have the original bike but have always found the gears to be very unrealistic because of the clonking between gear shifts. I now have an issue with the last update where the display shows ERR and the fans no longer work. Garmin are in the process of replacing the main part of the bike even after 2.5 years I would rather they sent me a down grade of software because I have had no trouble with it. I’m looking at getting the Wahoo kicker I would like to know if Wahoo are planing a second gen smart bike.

[@gplama]

The Wahoo BIKE V2 is out. It's not exactly a second generation iteration though, it's the same bike with a few minor refinements to the sound (now resonates at a different RPM), and has DIRCON and WiFi support.

[@tilltheend685]

Hi Shane, love your content !! Question if you were to choose any smart trainee, which would you choose. I'm in the market to bye one and am unsure, so if you recommend one that is the one I'll get !!

[@gplama]

Smart trainer (direct drive) or smart bike (like what we see in this video)?

[@tilltheend685]

@@gplama thanks buddy, any particular brand you would recommend??

[@gplama]

@@tilltheend685 Brands to stick with - Ones you've heard of before and who you can get good support from locally. Here in Australia Wahoo have the biggest share in local bike stores by far. It really depends where you are.

[@scottintexas]

Brutal review. Has Garmin responded? Have you checked to see if firmware has resolved some of your complaints? Did you possibly get a bad unit? This is disappointing bc it’s so quiet, sturdy, and the road feel seems awesome (others say it is compatible with Zwift, update?).

[@gplama]

Garmin didn't respond to this review directly to me, no. They did however update the firmware to address some of the ride issues I discuss in this video. I wasn't given any indication they'd updated it and the unit was already returned. I'd happily re-review but given what I've been told in the last 24hrs, I won't be getting any further Garmin/Tacx branded products for this purpose.

[@frankiwind461]

Hi, Do you think that the problems with the sprint measurements could be improved with a software update?

[@gplama]

I'd hope so.

[@GS-pk9rd]

On the skipping - I think that unit is defective. On the power, there was a software update that allegedly fixes issues (on ERG mode at least) only just updated and I don't often use ERG so who knows if it works, I do agree however the top end reported power seems lower than what I can produce eg on a wattbike. Maybe the weight of the flywheel is somehow impeeding? I've enjoyed mine for nearly two years, as a bigger rider my height means no thigh rub and the wahoo bike at the time was a lot more expensive and appears more flexy when seat and bars are extended. I like the display screen, tablet holder and space for your phone. I realise the Wahoo is more realistic as a road bike but what I want from this trainer is slightly different - it has to suit both me and my wife, we like it's solidity and the smoothness and reactivity when used with connected apps. On the downside, I'm on my second unit, first replaced due to knocking noise. Second might be going the same way but I've tried a diy fix fingers crossed 🤞 I'm yet to be convinced there is a perfect bike out yet. For this update I'd have liked to see multiple Bluetooth connections and given the price increase is disappointing.

[@86309]

did you ever test the Neo 1 (non smart bike) against the Assoima Duos? My Tacx Neo 1 (before Garmin bought Tacx, never did have these power issues.

[@gplama]

The original NEO Smart was my go-to direct drive trainer for baseline comparisons for a while.

[@strouja]

Ouch!!! So disappointing as I was waiting for this and won’t buy it or tell anyone to buy it.

[@bikesavvy3654]

Great review. What’s the Q factor like. Looks wide.

[@gplama]

148mm. Standard road bike Q.

[@jarettlouie6442]

From my experience with this bike, I have nothing good to say about it. One thing that really irritated me was that the resistance kept coming on and off? It was hard to keep constant pedal pressure cause of this. The seat is horrendous. Thankfully this wasn't my purchase.

[@LarsTore]

Thanks for the detailed review! Hard pass for me! Maybe a new Neo 3 soon..??

[@lsgutah]

GP, do you know if you can switch the new levers with the old bike?

[@gplama]

I don't think so. It'd be a brilliant upgrade for NEO Bike V1 owners if it was possible.

[@ktakashismith]

Disappointing to say the least, coming from a juggernaut like Garmin. Makes me really appreciate my US$1800 Stages SB20.

[@benoittheminerandgamer]

What about the new Wahoo kicker bike. do you have any test coming soon?

[@gplama]

It's 99.99% the same as V1. There's really nothing much to cover.

[@johnfalconer9264]

You keep referring to Stages bike with gravel bars? Which Stages model? Have you done a video review on the aforementioned Stages model?

[@gplama]

SB20 Smart Bike.

[@jeffduncan9347]

Got the V1 KICKR bike on the way to be here today. #PelotonSux

[@Patrickunterwegs]

Great review! May I ask how tall you are? I'm also thinking about getting one. Unfortunately I have no possibility to do a test drive nearby. I'm 193cm / 6,4 feet and a little bit concerned about the leg rub issue...I guess if I'm taller than you than I should have more clearance, because then my knee would be in the are of the frame, where it rubs for you. BR, Patrick

[@gplama]

181cm. It's not about height with this bike, more the width of your knees/thighs while riding.

[@Patrickunterwegs]

@@gplama Thank you! My thoughts were: "Small" people get more likely in touch with the bike frame more with the thigh, because the seat post is not extended. "Tall" people sit higher, their seat post is extended, so the bike frame is more in the area of the knee than my thigh. But maybe I'm completely wrong 😂 Maybe I should just ask a poll in a cyclists forum. Maybe I'll find someone near Berlin to try sitting on Tacx Neo. Thank you anyway. I really like your videos. I also had Wahoo Bike Shift as a potential bike in mind, but the costs were too high for me, because there is no tablet holder and so on. So it would be additional accessories. Wish you a lot of health and strong legs 🚴🏼‍♂

[@GS-pk9rd]

190cm no rub (v1 unit) my thighs are not near the bulky section but also depends on saddle setback

[@MattSwain1]

It’s bizarre that this is so bad when the Neo trainers have been so good for ages. At some point in the next couple of years I’d like to replace my original Neo with one of the smart bikes but this is bad on so many levels. It might be that firmware can sort out the power stuff but it can’t fix bad design! In my mind the 2nd gen smart bikes were going to fix a number of the design niggles of the first gen bikes and have all the fancy stuff like tilting and steering etc. Looks like that will be generation 7 or 8 based on this update!

[@christopherbeattie263]

So it's a super expensive, inaccurate, uncomfortable, noisy, air flow restricting, really good cadence sensor?

[@larrbrown7277]

When you do these reviews do you get any feedback from the company?

[@gplama]

Sometimes. Garmin were aware of my issues a few days prior to posting this video. As I’ve said, I’d loved to have given them this feedback much earlier.

[@euroswilliams7303]

shifters best in class but do they have buttons that you could assign to power up? If not, they aren't

[@gplama]

Spacebar does that! :)

[@euroswilliams7303]

@@gplama even better when you can start or be mid sprint activating the PU without needing to raise your hands from the bars

[@simonrussell734]

From your description it seems like all of the data issues come from the overzealous smoothing of the power data -- you can't create an effective control loop (e.g. erg mode) that doesn't have overshooting if you have delays in feedback like that. The smooth roll-offs on some of the power jumps look ridiculous. They could be trying to compensate for low quality raw data coming from the sensor; hopefully not and it's something they can fix with a firmware update. The pedal stroke analysis -- you're maybe being a bit unfair, if it's using a single sensor it won't be able to detect extremes. It's possible that it's more accurate when there's less of an imbalance. But given the power data overall seems to have major issues, I can't imagine it's going to be very useful right now.

[@gplama]

Issues that should have been evident in early testing at Garmin/Tacx. I'm surprised at how bad this is across the board (not just my data).

[@simonrussell734]

@@gplama yes, agreed; it's hard to imagine why they decided to release it like this. If it is a bad sensor design then they may not really be able to do a lot better; they'll just spend several firmware updates balancing between noise and speed. Let's hope it's not that. If it's just poor choices in the software design then I really don't get it - this isn't their first product like this.

[@TrickyTree84]

I get road feel in zwift on the original bike. Is it just the new bike that it's not supported in zwift?

[@gplama]

Correct. For now.

[@TrickyTree84]

@@gplama probably correct forever considering I still don't have steering on the original bike

[@OnnoMolenkamp]

@@gplama, I can see why it doesn't work over BT yet, but what about ANT+? No road feel using ANT+ either?

[@gplama]

@@OnnoMolenkamp Not at this point on Zwift. Similar happened with the NEO 2/2T when first released. Zwift (and other platforms) have to implement support for the new hardware profiles. As mentioned in this video, it would be nice to see everything integrated from day 1.

[@adeka59]

Aren't they aware that the only reason they sold V1 units was because it was cheaper thus the product for people more concerned about their wallet than simulation? Now that it's the same price as the Kickr Bike, why would anyone spend this amount of money to have a smart bike without the incline simulation?

[@chw0112]

It really seems lke Tacx are consistently failing to release products which meet the specs or quality expected. In terms of workhorse trainers, I'm really interested to know when the Kickr Core is going to receive an update. I'm still struggling on with my Flux 1 which has belt issues and BT dropouts with AppleTV and I think Kickr Core will be my next but don't want to jump in now if they release a new one in the next few months.

[@rosssanelli8852]

I would hate to think how someone new to indoor training purchase this set up with no previous experience of the amount of sweat one produces indoors and doesn't know that a simple wipe isn't enough to protect their investment. Would love to hear what your experience has been and how best to protect your investment

[@gplama]

Good question! And I have something in the works answering this one.

[@rosssanelli8852]

@@gplama During COVID-19 I walked into a retailer who were waiting for 7 Stages Bikes to be picked up @ $5,000 each. I witnessed some of those whom purchased the bike and I must say there was no evidence from the retailer how to protect their investment 😳 Look forward to your thoughts/review in up coming episodes 😀

[@neil_down_south]

I would expect to see a reworked gen 1 bike with all issues fixed at a LOWER price, plus a superior gen 2 bike at a slightly higher price. This is a nonsense.

[@nicholassmith6325]

Saddest part of this is that sigma sports review of this says everything about this bike is brilliant. It’s why we should never trust a shop/manufacturers review. Thank you for staying independent Shane. Trust is a big thing. Especially when cycling is so stupidly expensive these days.

[@gplama]

Thanks for the kind words. Sigma are a retail outlet, so it's in their interest to sell whatever it is that comes along.

[@cubas666]

what differences does it have neo bike?

[@gplama]

I outline this in the first few seconds of the video. Literally titled “What’s New”

[@gourami7]

Wattbike Atom sounds great value right now

[@gplama]

Maybe the ATOM X... maybe.... The original ATOM really shat itself when put through the Lama Lab Test.

[@matt-10229]

The 2nd Gen atom is so much better though with a full electromagnetic resistance that sped up the resistance changes massively. Also I believe it’s the same resistance system as the AtomX.

[@Sven1Simons]

Are there any updates to the issues reported in this video after one year ? No optimizations yet ?

[@gplama]

Garmin updated the firmware to address a number of the performance issues on the bike they delivered for review. I didn’t have the opportunity to retest before sending the bike back to Garmin.

[@Sven1Simons]

@@gplama ok, let's hope the firmware update solved all issues ;-) Thanks for the reply

[@SnappyWasHere]

So what is currently a good smart bike? This one sucks apparently and my sb20 has been a disaster since I got it and now the pcb is 3 months back ordered so I need something to ride. Ugh

[@gplama]

You've only got the Kickr Bike to tick off your list. :)

[@SnappyWasHere]

@@gplama I’m too tall and too heavy for it. I tried a buddies. I just wish the manufacturers would listen to you and build something good!

[@gplama]

@@SnappyWasHere This Neo Bike Plus is a perfect example of what appears to be NO testing pool prior to launch. The poor performance of the unit and the obvious easy updates (bandlbars/saddle/etc) are inexcusable, especially at this price.

[@GS-pk9rd]

I rate the original tacx bike which you can still pick up here in UK at least. Yeah the shifters are a bit annoying and you need to check for thigh rub, but the unit is solid (good for big, tall riders like me), Garmin is standing behind this with good customer support and warranty. Had a 1 week turnaround for getting mine replaced. Just as well because they do seem to suffer from some drivetrain issues IMO - I think it was a freehub that went which can be replaced at home but as its still under warranty they swapped the whole unit. The new version is too expensive and certainly had some teething issues as per this review. Alternatively there is now a kickr without downhill drive or climb which might be more solid/ less parts to go wrong. I'm still not convinced there is a perfect option out there though.

[@davepratt9909]

So, the sound of the trainer is a "Beep"?

[@ZoomWinflo]

Bit of a shocker for Garmin then.

[@galenkehler]

Disappointed in this "update". Especially the thigh rub, that's a clear no-go for me. Especially on a stationary bike where you're not constrained by weight or structural considerations like a real outdoor bike.

[@gplama]

I refer to Stages a few times in this video... they also got it right for frame/leg clearance. Garmin/Tacx really opted for the easy pathway for this refresh.

[@chrisbayliss3532]

@@gplama would you personally take a Stages bike over The Kickr bike ?

[@bertdol9071]

Hi! Any news on these serious issues? Are Garmin on it? Or.....nothing yet?

[@gplama]

I’ve returned this unit. They didn’t address any issues for months. They silently released a firmware update to address some ERG issues this had, as for testing those updates, it’s not going to happen here.

[@bertdol9071]

@@gplama Fair enough, totally understand your decision here. Not coming back to you on these rather serious issues and sneakily releasing what sounds like a partial bandage update.... i would not be standing in line either. Unfortunately rather similar to my own experience with Garmin.... I mean i love my Neo 2 and i used to adore Tacx. But ever since they are Garmin.... lets just say i am not a fan. Thanks again for coming back to me on this taking some of your precious time. Keep up the good work!

[@pierrex3226]

What a strange product. Have you had the chance to review the dare2tri fuego 1 smart trainer? It sells for 400 EUR shipped in Europe atm, and it looks like the zwift one. It's almost certain that they're just slapping a sticker on an OEM trainer, but the price is appealing and on paper it ticks quite a few boxes?

[@gplama]

Not had a chance to get a hold of one.

[@pierrex3226]

@@gplama they clearly have stock right now, and they show it at 400, down from 500. Would be great if you could get them to send you one? I'm tempted to buy one but I'm concerned about warranty claim process if it turns out to be kind of crap. They're not a hardware company, nor a software one, so it's got to be branded OEM. Especially given the design is bog standard.

[@gplama]

@@pierrex3226 If you've seen my reviews of lesser-known trainers, you'll know not to expect too much in regard to performance of cheaper trainers. (Noza S, Xpedo APX Pro, Gravat, ThinkRider A1 / X5... just off the top of my head).

[@suennoajchannel6259]

hello wahoo bike or taco neo ?? thank you

[@gplama]

Given how this bike performs (and not just my option on it), that’s a pretty clear answer.

[@rasherdk]

Does Zwift not support road feel?

[@gplama]

Not on this bike, yet. It does for the Neo(s) and V1 NEO Bike. The interesting part as I mention will be what Zwift (and others) do with implementing this over FTMS.

[@rasherdk]

Aha - I misunderstood, and didn't realise that they had actually changed the interface for road feel. That seems weird 🤔

[@jessicabudden5695]

I was going to ask that question too. Mind you, when I had a Neo 2T I switched it off because I found it so annoying!

[@richardvaughn168]

Excellent review, disappointing performance. I'm sticking with the KICKR bike.

[@brettoau84]

You might expect this from a company that has never released a trainer before...but seriously Garmin it's almost 2023, everyone knows the testing protocols any new trainer will be put through. No excuses for this fail. (and I'm a very happy Neo v1 owner)

[@gplama]

Yeah, that's why I puled up the NEO 2T data in this review. They know this game. How this was allowed out of the cage.... no idea.

[@WowRixter]

That's a crazy amount of money to spend on an indoor stationary bike. Hey Honey, that Italian vacation is going to have to wait another year. Hope you don't mind 🙄

[@BananaChipzzz]

I’m sorry, i don’t think i heard you correctly…. Did you say $800 price increase?😂

[@Savonge]

Hey shane, I think the title of this video is the reason you dont get a NEO 3M ;)

[@gplama]

You can't argue it's not authentic though. The Bike Plus missed the mark in a BIG way, and to say anything else would be bullshitting people.

[@Eirikkinserdal]

Gen 1 is like 2k now

[@darrenhaines1]

Shane’s “f*cking Sram” moment

[@sjcarson1976]

Oh wow…Garmin have really messed up with the sprint power! The Neobike bike (and the plus) look lovely, but my V1 broke down after just 2 months and sent back for a refund. Just a point about the fans, I had the same set up as you, the Headwind isn’t effective as cooling the face, but the Garmin fans generally did a good job at that, but needed more upward tilt when out the saddle…I presume these ones are identical to the V1?

[@robbooth]

I watched this video and thought Shane might have been a bit harsh. I then forked out just over 5k and realised Shane was spot on with the criticism of the power. While I really like the smart bike plus and think it is a wonderful improvement over the Neo 2T with a dedicated bike mounted the power inconsistencies are totally infuriating. I find fluctuations of around 5% during an interval on a rock steady cadence inexplicable. Surely if I set an interval at a desired wattage and have a consistent cadence the bike should just sit there? Not jump around mainly under?

[@gplama]

Thanks for the comment. Tacx/Garmin really didn't like this review, but hey, it is what it is, and it's 100% on them to make better products. They released a number of firmware updates post this video/review (without notifying me), but the bike was already boxed up for return.

[@redwoodJB]

Garmin called, they want their TACX NEO Bike Plus back, and a huge towel to cry into.

[@gplama]

The bike comes with a free towel too!

[@carlstatham594]

oh dear. I was about to buy this as a part of a very bad crash recovery solution. Maybe I won't!

[@gplama]

Just test ride prior to making the purchase. It might be the right bike for you.

[@Dr.Sheldor]

Leave it to Garmin to ship a product that basically requires customers to Beta test it for them and wait to roll out firmware updates to correct major flaws. Happens with all their watches and head units...why not their bike too. Pathetic. Ship a final and tested product, Garmin! And I'm not just complaining from the sidelines...I have a Edge 530, F945, and Vector 3 pedals...I should really know better by now, but I feel locked into their ecosystem.

[@ejw4300]

interesting. I love my v1 Neo Bike and don't think the issues are material at all. I think the new knobs and crack are great upgrades however

[@whynotride327]

I guess I am most amazed at the pricing. Good luck but I have to wonder who the hell will pay this kind of money for a trainer? Indoor "riding" would never be that attractive to me.

[@stephanestaelens5914]

it's a bit the story of tacx, no updates in there trainers. Wahoo is in another league at this moment

[@neilbuckley5796]

Garmin, not Tacx. It’s a shame.

[@rongurney48]

Typical Garmin to submit the "upgraded" Tacx bike for review with obvious major problems. One would think they would make sure everything worked well before submitting it to a reviewer as influential as GPLama.

[@SwanWillTearYouApart]

what a POS given the price / thx for the review

[@compasschiro]

14:30 😂😂😂

[@gplama]

A little bit of self-talk is always motivating.... 🤣