Tacx Neo 2T Review: 1 Year of Real-World Use
INTRODUCTION
I have owned Garmin’s Tacx Neo 2T direct drive smart trainer for a little over a year. I use the indoor trainer around 3 times per week for a mix of activities including Zwift rides and racing, as well as structured workouts via TrainerRoad.
My stats
I am 5'11" in height with a weight of around 73kg. I had an FTP above 200w - almost 2.8w/kg - before I had to break for an injury. After approximately 12 weeks of no cycling, I am back with about 2.4w/kg as my FTP.
My current Zwift score is 163, which makes me a category D racer, I believe. I previously held a racing score 275 and was competing in category C races.
All of this is to provide context that I was able to utilize the Tacx Neo 2T through consistent work I improved my fitness to a respectable level. The work continues now that I am back to full health!
Why I chose the Tacx Neo 2T smart trainer
I purchased the Tacx Neo 2T smart trainer due to my out-of-warranty Wahoo Kickr Core failing. When I reached out to Wahoo, I was informed they do not repair equipment. Due to this, I decided to move away from Wahoo and upgrade to Garmin’s offering - purchased from my local bike store who price matched the sale price of approximately CAD$1300 Garmin had in their online store
TECHNICAL
Specifications
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Trainer Type | Direct Drive |
| Flywheel | Virtual |
| Dimensions (W x L x H) | 22.6" x 29.5" x 21.7" OR 58cm x 75cm x 55cm |
| Weight | 47.4lbs OR 21.5kg |
| Accuracy | +/- <1% |
| Connectivity | Wireless via ANT+ and Bluetooth |
| Max power | 2200 Watt |
| Max incline | 25% |
| Outputs available | Speed, Power, Cadence |
Other features to note:
- You will require a compatible cassette for the bike you are using. The trainer can accept Shimano/SRAM 9-11 speeds as standard. Campagnolo, Shimano/SRAM 12 speed and Shimano Micro Spline are compatible with the purchase of an additional cassette body for the smart trainer.
- The trainer supports both quick-release and thru-axle.
- There is no calibrations necessary with the Garmin Tacx Neo 2T.
- Can work without a mains connection, although some features require mains connection.
Setup
The setup process is fairly simple. Fold out the legs, attach your cassette and mount your bike on the smart trainer. You should factor in time to attach your cassette, plus testing and indexing gears may be necessary.
OPINION
After 1 year of use I can say that I really like the Tacx Neo 2T, it feels great to ride around Zwift or do a workout on TrainerRoad.
It is absolutely quieter than the Kickr Core, which has a physical flywheel and belts. There is still some noise, but I mostly hear the sounds of my bike, rather than the trainer, which uses magnets to control resistance, so operates with a virtual flywheel
I find the direct drive trainer with virtual flywheel provides increased resistance when it should and backs off the resistance when expected, too.
Zwift and the Tacx Neo 2T
Pairing your Garmin Tacx Neo 2T with Zwift is a breeze. After starting up, Zwift will present the pairing screen, the smart trainer can be selected to pair for power and cadence data, as well as resistance controller.
TrainerRoad and the Tacx Neo 2T
For TrainerRoad, I pair to the smart trainer via Bluetooth, using either my phone or my PC. This is also made very easy. If you want a structured workout that will get you fast and strong (with minimal tears 😥) TrainerRoad is a great platform.
Is Garmin’s virtual road feel worth it?
The Tacx Neo 2T will simulate different road surfaces when using Zwift. Ride the hell of the north route for some cobblestones, or climb the Mayan mountain and you will feel the feedback through your pedals.
This likely isn’t your number one reason for considering the trainer, nor should it be - but it is a nice feature to have. At first, I wasn’t sure about it, over time I have come to like this feature. I especially enjoy coming off a rougher road surface onto smooth road, it feels so nice.
Does the Tacx Neo 2T work well with Zwift virtual shifting?
As of June 2025 virtual shifting is available for the Tacx Neo 2T, with Garmin releasing an update to the firmware. I acquired the Zwift Play controller August 2025 and enabled the virtual shifting in Zwift immediately. Virtual shifting has been enabled ever since, however, I may try regular shifting again as I find when shifting down a gear the smart trainer backs off the resistance and power drops significantly; similar story when shifting up a gear, the resistance increases and you have to work a bit harder for a second or two, potentially pushing you to the front of the peloton when you were nestled snugly in the middle. Perhaps it’s something I need to get used to, maybe it’s an issue others have noted, I haven’t investigated particularly deep.
SUMMARY
Should I buy the trainer?
Yes, it’s great for cyclists of all levels. If you have the means to purchase this top of the line direct-drive trainer, it will serve you well for a long time to come - as long as you are dedicated then you can justify the price. If you’re new to indoor cycling and want a solid trainer at a much lower price, I would recommend the Kickr Snap - it’s a wheel-on trainer that gives a great Zwift experience - my wife uses it and it’s perfect for her as a casual workout cyclist.
Further Information
For a deep dive into the technical aspects of the Garmin Tacx Neo 2T, I recommend DC Rainmakers article Tacx NEO 2T Smart Trainer In-Depth Review | DC Rainmaker spoiler: it’s a pretty accurate smart trainer