Tacx has announced the Neo Bike Plus indoor bike, an updated version of the Neo Bike Smart.
The Tacx Neo Bike Plus carries over many of the core specs and features from the Neo Bike Smart, but offers refinements to the virtual drivetrain and shifters, as well an updated system for setting up your position on the bike.
The Tacx Neo Bike Plus costs £3,499.99 / €3,999.99 / $3,999.99, an increase in RRP of more than 50 per cent in the UK and EU compared to the original Neo Bike Smart (£2,299.99 / €2,599.99 / $3,199.99).
This brings its price in line with one of its main competitors, the Wahoo Kickr Bike V2.
Whatever drivetrain you like
The Tacx Neo Bike Plus addresses some of the key criticisms of its predecessor, namely that it was fiddly to set up and the integrated virtual shift and brake levers left a lot to be desired.
With the Neo Bike Plus, the shifters have been overhauled for improved ergonomics, and shifting can now be programmed to mimic popular road bike groupsets from Shimano, SRAM or Campagnolo via the Tacx Utility app for iOS and Android.
The virtual drivetrain otherwise remains unchanged, with the same virtual flywheel system seen on the Tacx Neo 2T Smart, one of the best smart trainers available.
This brings with it a maximum power output of 2,200 watts, a maximum simulated gradient of 25 per cent and a claimed power meter accuracy rating of +/- 1 per cent.
When connected to an external power source, the Tacx Neo Bike Plus can also simulate accelerations felt on virtual descents, and replicate different surfaces, such as cobblestones and gravel.
Millimetre perfect
As before, the saddle and handlebar positions are fully adjustable, but Tacx says it has added a millimetre scale for enhanced setup precision.
Updated handles have also been added to each adjustable component, which should streamline the process of quickly adapting the bike to fit different riders.
Tacx has updated the bike’s adjustable cranks too, ditching the old system of inserts and washers (which our tester said were “a pain to fit”). It has moved to a design more akin to that found on the Wahoo Kickr Bike and its recently announced successor, the Wahoo Kickr Bike V2.
This sees a larger crankset with threaded holes for five discrete crank lengths (up from three on the Neo Bike Smart), from 165 to 175mm (in 2.5mm increments).
Your favourite mountain or road bike pedals then thread into the desired hole as on any other bike crankset.
Tacx Neo Bike Plus specifications, availability and pricing
The Tacx Neo Bike Plus is available now at an RRP of £3,499.99 / €3,999.99 / $3,999.99, an increase in price of £1,200 / €1,400 / $800 compared to its predecessor.
It’s fair to say prices have risen across the cycling industry in recent years. Even so, an increase of this magnitude between two ostensibly similar generations of a product is unusual.
We asked Garmin if there was a particular reason the increase in RRP was so significant, and it said "the Neo Bike Plus delivers a full suite of quality and user feedback improvements over the current Neo Bike Smart."
These changes, Garmin says, "provide the user with a much more refined indoor riding experience and lets them get the most out of their indoor training."
Price aside, the Tacx Neo Bike Plus is compatible with all of the best indoor cycling apps.
It can communicate with smart devices, such as smartphones, tablets, computers and bike computers, via ANT+ or Bluetooth.
Unlike some recently launched high-end smart bikes and trainers, such as the Elite Justo, Wahoo Kickr V6 and Wahoo Kickr Bike V2, the Tacx Neo Bike Plus cannot connect to a local internet network (either wired or wirelessly), however.
The Neo Bike Plus retains the same 4.5in LCD display and twin integrated fans from the previous version.
Tacx Neo Bike Plus specifications
- Flywheel weight: N/A (virtual flywheel)
- Claimed power accuracy: +/- 1 per cent with no calibration required
- Maximum power: 2,200W
- Maximum simulated gradient: 25 per cent
- Bike weight: 50kg
- Device compatibility: Bluetooth, ANT+ and ANT+ FEC
