- What's up guys, this is Tariq from SMARTBikeTrainers.com.
In the indoor cycling market there are two products
from two different companies that have ruled
the smart trainer market for quite a while now,
and these are the KICKR from Wahoo Fitness
and the NEO from Tacx or Garmin.
Two trainers with completely different styles and look,
yet both ruled the market because of their reputation
for power and accuracy,
and if you are in the market for a trainer
you are probably considering one of these two,
and that's why you're probably watching this video,
and it is one of the most common questions I get.
So in this video, I'll talk about the differences between
each trainer and what I personally like about each one,
and if you've got one, or got both,
let me know down in the comments section
what you like and don't like about each one,
and why you decided to go with what you have now.
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I would appreciate it if you hit the like button.
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Okay, so the KICKR 2018 and NEO 2
retail for the same price, $1200.
The NEO 2T, which is an update to the 2,
retails for $1400, so $200 more.
The NEO 2 and 2T are practically the same, by the way,
the main difference is Tacx addressed
the wheel-slipping issue the previous model,
the NEO 1 and 2 had,
something I personally experienced only when climbing
very steep climbs, like at 10+% gradients,
so for the sake of simplicity, from now on, when I say NEO,
I am referring to the NEO 2 and 2T,
and when I say KICKR,
I am referring to the KICKR 2018 model.
Okay, out of the box, the KICKR includes an 11-speed
cassette, and ready to go, where the NEO does not have a
cassette so it can be a little bit of a saving if you use
the same cassette that comes with a KICKR.
The NEO does include a front wheel riser because it sits a
little bit higher off the ground,
so a front wheel riser is needed where it is not needed with
a KICKR because the KICKR height is adjustable to fit your
wheel size, however,
I always like to use a front wheel riser regardless
of the trainer I use because of two things.
I like the front handlebar to be fixed in place
and not keep moving.
Also, you'll find angling or tilting the bike a few
centimeter up more comfortable for indoor riding.
Bike compatibility both trainers supports a wide range of
bikes and axle width,
but then you can have issues with some narrower bikes
particularly TT bike or triathlon bikes with narrower
chainstays clearance by road and TT or triathlon bike
BMT time machine fits without any issues,
but always make sure your bike fits.
You can check with Tacx or Wahoo or just reach out to them
directly to double check if you have any questions about
your bike fitting.
The KICKR is a solid trainer,
made from steel,
nothing is going top break this thing
where the NEOs frame is hard plastic,
not that I ever had an issue with it breaking or anything
it's just one of those differences.
The KICKR legs can be folded somewhat easily where the NEO
is a bit of a mystery for many.
There is just no way to tell how to fold the legs.
I like to tilt mine to the drive side,
and then press the two levers under the other legs and fold
the non drive side leg,
then lay down on the ground and fold the other leg
just like that.
Then carrying the NEO is also a bit of a mystery.
There is no handle anywhere or clear instructions
on how to carry it.
The KICKR has a handle and is much easier to carry around
and take to places with you like a race or just travel with.
Both are compatible with the ANT+ FE-C
and bluetooth smart,
both work with Zwift trainer road
the Sufferfest and almost every app out there.
Both broadcasting bluetooth but the KICKR broadcast
bluetooth through multiple channels.
This was a recent update to the KICKR where Wahoo pushed
this update via firmer,
and they added cadence measurement as well through that
same ferimore update.
With multiple bluetooth channels this allows you to carry
your KICKR to multiple apps using bluetooth.
Personally I like to use terrain road or the Sufferfest
to control my trainer and Zwift at the same time,
this allows me to easily do that using only bluetooth
where the NEO does not have that option,
you can still accomplish that with a NEO,
but you have to use either bluetooth and ANT+
or use some kind of a ANT+ bridge to do that.
But the biggest benefit for having multiple bluetooth
channels is it will eliminate most bluetooth connection
issues that users might encounter.
The KICKR has a physical 16 pound flywheel.
The road feel on the KICKR is probably one of the
best out there.
Then it has a virtual flywheel and control by faded to
neodymium magnets, it's a next level flywheel,
there are advantages and disadvantages to both
some people just do not like that feel of the virtual
flywheel of the NEO and prefer the physical flywheel
of the KICKR.
I personally think both are great,
and I do not mind either one of them.
Maybe I lean more towards the NEO
because it feels smoother to me.
The virtual flywheel can also adjust to different
circumstances like climbing and descends a lot better,
it's also faster to respond in erg mode.
I think the NEO is one of the best trainers
and smoother than anything I have tried in erg mode.
The NEO can also stimulate downhills,
basically the motor will operate the flywheel to
simulate the sense up to minus 5%.
The flywheel can also simulate different roads sensations
like brick road, gravel, wooden board,
which is pretty cool.
I personally love the road feel simulation,
it works when enabled in Zwift in sim mode,
and the trainer will just vibrate to simulate the
different road sensation you're riding on.
So if you ride on brick road it will vibrate to
simulate that brick road sensation and you'll
feel it right in your pedals.
(bike pedaling)
It's like getting a good foot massage.
A $1200 foot massage.
The NEO does not require power to operate,
it is self powered.
That's a huge plus in my book,
basically everything works,
except that downhill simulation,
but everything else works, road feel, erg mode,
sim mode, and just about everything.
The NEO is able to support power up to 2500 watts
with an accuracy of +/-1%,
where the KICKR can support power up to 2200 watts
within an accuracy of +/-2%.
The KICKR can simulate climbs up to 20%,
and the NEO is up to 25%.
The NEO does not need to be calibrated,
that's another advantage to the virtual flywheel we
talked about and the way they measure power.
The KICKR does require calibration,
but to be honest with you,
I probably calibrate the KICKR once every month or so.
It is pretty good at measuring power
and just being consistent.
The KICKR can also appear to your own power meter
and use that as it's own power measurement.
The NEO does not have that option,
this is a good option if your power meter tend to be off
from the KICKR or just prefer to use your own power
meter instead of the KICKR.
The KICKR is compatible with the KICKR climb where
the Neo does not work with the KICKR climb,
so that is something to consider.
The NEO has a built in cadence sensor
where the KICKR does not,
and instead it calculate cadence and broadcast that.
So, you'll find the NEO to be much more accurate
when it comes to cadence measurement.
The NEO can also measure and broadcast lift ride power
and we should see more pedal analysis
and cycling dynamics available hopefully sometime
in the near future.
Currently you can only use cycling dynamics using
the Tacx desktop app on Windows.
The NEO also has a little tiny flex to it
where the KICKR is fixed and rigid.
I personally like that little flex.
It feels a bit more natural.
Especially when you dig deep into harder intervals.
Finally, the apps both have their own personal app,
which you can use to control the trainer.
The Wahoo fitness app is really robust
and very easy to use.
Tacx has a Tacx desktop app and the also have
a mobile app as well,
which you can use to ride GPS routes,
create your own route,
or do structured training,
or create your own structure training.
It does require a membership for features like
riding GPS routes or access to their training library.
As for noise, both are extremely quiet
and I am not going to demo the noise in this video.
I have done that comparison so many times in the past,
so I will link to that description below
if you want to check those out,
but you will be impressed with how quiet these trainers are.
So to summarize,
the NEO is a pretty advanced trainer
with a virtual flywheel and road feel simulation
very accurate power measurement.
It does not require calibration,
you have lift ride power data,
which you can view on a Garmin device, for example.
And more pedal analysis should be coming down the road,
and it is self-powered,
so it does not require to be plugged in.
The KICKR is a solid trainer with a solid flywheel
and good road feel.
It's probably compatible with more bikes than any
other trainer out there.
It's also compatible with the climb.
If you are thinking of getting that,
good accuracy and has a multi bluetooth channel support
and comes with an 11-speed cassette already included.
Price wise the KICKR and the NEO 2 are priced the same
if looking at the updated NEO 2T then that's an
additional $200.
One other thing to consider is shipping and support.
So make sure where you live
shipping it back if you have to ever ship it back
that it's something that you can do easily.
Here is the US both companies have pretty good support
you can easily ship it back to either company
if you need to return it or replace it.
And like I said earlier,
both trainers are very good, very accurate,
and will last you many years of proper use,
and I think you will happy with either one of them.
Okay, if I helped you make your mind
and want to purchase one of these trainers,
make sure to check out the bike trainer price
tracker on SMARTBikeTrainers.com.
Prices are updated all year long.
Some good deals out there today and this whole week,
so make sure to check those out.
And I will leave a link in the description below.
Okay, hope you find this video helpful
if you did hit the like button and subscribe.
Thanks for watching
and see you at the next video.