For a few years, there was a kind of status quo in smart trainers. Every major brand had an entry level product with slightly lower specs. Generally that meant a 16% max gradient, accuracy at +/- 2%, and somewhere around 1800 watts max resistance. It was decent for most people and you could save a bit of money. If you decided to go for a more premium experience then you’d look at the next level and price point. These premium offerings felt about the same but looked nicer. They were also more accurate and could simulate a 25% max gradient. This year the whole system changed.
Tech specs: Garmin Tacx Neo 3M
Price: £1,749.99 / $1,999.99 / €1,999
Unit weight: 52.0 lbs (23.6 kg)
Flywheel weight: 275.6 lbs / 125 kg virtual
Connectivity: ANT+ connectivity, dual BLUETOOTH wireless technology connection support, Wi-Fi/Ethernet accessory adapter
Accuracy: <1%
Max power: 2,200 watts
Max grade simulation: 25%
Freehub compatibility: Shimano/SRAM 9 to 11 speed (compatible, 11-speed cassette included), Campagnolo (compatible, requires special cassette body), SRAM 12 speed/XDR (compatible, requires special cassette body), Shimano 12-speed Hyperglide+
Although our list of the best smart trainers still has a variety of options, nothing looks quite the same. The low end was already hard to pick winners in and the Zwift Hub decimated whatever choice there was. Now with the Zwift Hub One and Wahoo Kickr Core offering essentially the same product with virtual or mechanical shifting respecitvely, it makes very little sense to bother with anything else for a lower spec trainer and that shift seems to have opened up the top end. Now the major players are competing for your dollars by trying to top each other.
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