- This is the Flux 2.
This is Tacx Flux Direct Driver Trainer and in this
video I'll talk about the specs.
How is it different from than Flux S
and how loud is it.
Also is there an accuracy issue that you need to be
aware of.
(techno music playing)
Hey, what's up guys this Tariq Ali from
SmartBiketrainers.com,
where I review smart trainers and talk about
indoor training and other fitness gadgets.
Uh, if you are new here make sure to
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links to all products I talk about in this video
in the description below.
So Tacx release the Flux 2 last September.
And right after that they released the Flux S.
The Flux S was a minor update to the original Flux.
And the Flux 2 is like the big brother,
with better specs and got a bigger fly wheel and
it retails for $900.
(sliding sound)
(up beat techno playing)
So in the box you will find the power cord and manual.
It comes with a car cord of 130-135 MM.
Quick release adapter and a 142-148 MM axel adapters
and the legs which you need to assemble.
(upbeat temp playing)
All the tools you need to put the legs together
are included in the box.
Basically a couple of screws and an allen key.
It's pretty simple to put together and it will take
you just a few minutes to install.
The Flux 2 does not come with the cassettes.
So you need to buy your own and install it.
It is compatible with 8-11 spped Shimano and SRAM cassettes.
Campagnolo is compatible but you will need to purchase
the adapters separately.
(techno playing)
Once assembled, pair it to the Tacx Utility App to see
if there is any old firmware available.
And it there is just go ahead an install it
before your first ride.
Ride it for about ten minutes and run the calibration
to insure that the break is set properly.
The calibration can be done using the Tacx Utility App.
Generally, with direct drive trainers you should
perform that calibration once every week or so.
Or if you remove the bike and move the trainer around.
I'm going to put up a table for you here just to show
you the specs and differences between the Flux S
and the Flux 2.
As you see, the Flux 2 is about a $150 more.
It can output 500 more watts and supposedly more accurate.
It can simulate up to 15 % slope compared to the
maximum 10 % slope the Flux 1 or the Flux S can simulate.
Also the Flux 2 has a 16.8 pound fly wheel.
Where the Flux S has 15.4, uh, pound fly wheel.
It also come with additional thru axle adapters.
Where you have to order them separately with the Flux S
if you need them.
Oh and the blue color, you can't miss that one.
Actually that's how you differentiate between the
Flux S and the Flux 2.
Tacx is now putting this new blue color in all their
trainers including their new smart bike.
The ride feel with the Flux 2 is good
for a mid range trainer.
You definitely feel the difference in inertia between
the Flux S and the Flux 2.
And that also translates into lower wattage floor.
Which I'll talk about later in this video.
The Flux 2 is totally interactive.
It-it's anti plus FEC Smart Bluetooth compliant and FTMS.
It can interact with the a bunch of
(clanging) different apps and devices.
It paired fine with Zwift and TrainerRoad in both.
Ant plus and Bluetooth.
I also tested it with Sufferfest on IOS and it connected
just fine and the app was able to control it, uh uh.
To control the trainer in ErgMode.
I also connected it Using Xert on iOS and it
connected okay and it broadcasted the power,
but the app wasn't able to control it for some odd reason.
Okay accuracy.
Uh, Tacx claims accuracy within plus minus to a 2.5%.
2000 maximum watts and a 15% maximum slope.
Now in ErgMode,
I noticed it was measuring a bit low
against my power meter when hitting intervals
over 200 watts.
Uh, here's a chart, uh, from a test workout I did.
It was fine during warmup
until I hit the first interval around 200
and that's when I started to see significant separation
and power between the Flux and my power meter.
That gap increased as I increased power
for each interval by up to 17-20%.
Now, that workout was done all in the small chain ring.
However, when I switched to the big chain ring in the front,
suddenly, it was much better
and very close to my power meter
until I got to intervals over 400 watts.
That gap increased to about 17% or so.
So, I did reach out to Tacx on this
and they are aware of this issue and,
according to them,
this seems to happen at lower fly wheel speed,
which kind of makes sense and explain
why it was off by that much in the small chain ring,
however, they're not sure what causes this
because it doesn't happen with every trainer
and they are looking in to a way to
identify, uh, the cause and a possible fix.
Uh, hopefully, it just a matter of a firmware update,
uh, I've seen stuff like this in the past
with other trainers, uh, most recently, the Kickr Core
and it was fixed with a firmware update.
The interesting part is
it worked just fine in sim mode
even during short sprints
as you see in this chart.
So, if you have the Flux 2,
the easiest way to identify if you have this issue,
uh, is by comparing to a-to another power meter.
But, if you don't have one,
you might be able to go by
perceived exertion or a heart rate monitor
to see if it's significantly harder to hold watts
in the small chain ring, then you have this issue.
Otherwise, yours is fine.
Okay, that's gonna be it for accuracy
and now, let's listen to the noise.
(bike chain spinning)
So, here's a fly wheel speed at 20 miles per hour.
Now, I'm going to increase that speed to 30 miles per hour
just so you hear how loud it gets at higher speed.
(bike chain spinning increases)
I think the Flux 2 is pretty quiet.
At 30 miles per hour, it's a bit loud
but most likely, you won't get that high,
especially if you do a lot of you
workouts in ErgMode in the small chain ring.
Also, 20 or 30 miles per hour fly wheel speed
does not automatically translate to your speed outside,
so just keep that in mind.
So, as for wattage floor,
but first, what is wattage floor?
Uh, it's basically your recovery watts and
how low the trainer can get you.
So, for example,
if your recovery watts are around 100 watts,
that's when usually trainers have trouble,
uh, getting you that low.
Uh, you might find yourself floating just above that
and not able to hit that low target.
With the Flux 2 in the small ring in front
and the middle to low cog in the rear,
I was able to hit 100 watts at
my size and my weight without a problem
so, if you are a lighter rider,
then you shouldn't have a problem hitting less than 100 watts
in the small chain ring.
Okay, if you are interested in the Flux 2,
you can find it on Amazon and other retailers.
Ah, I'll have links in the description below
and, if you purchase with any of the links
in the description, it will help this channel out and
it is much appreciated.
And if you have any question about the Flux 2,
let me know in the comments section below
and make sure to check out SmartBiketrainers.com
for the full review and more details.
That's all I have,
if you like this video, hit the thumbs up and subscribe.
Thanks for watching and see you in the next video.