Tacx Trainer Software 4.0 Key 30
Alke Stilwell
(Note: All of the charts in these accuracy sections were created using the DCR Analyzer tool. It allows you to compare power meters/trainers, heart rate, cadence, speed/pace, GPS tracks and plenty more. You can use it as well for your own gadget comparisons, more details here.)
I use Apple TV for Zwift the vast majority of the time, but also just for watching YouTube/Netflix/etc on the trainer. The Apple TV remote sucks though. This $8 case fixes that, it's a silicone strap that makes it easy to grab, but also has a strap to easily place on the edge of your handlebars. Boom! Note: Not compatible with 2021 Apple TV Edition.
This desk is both a knock-off of the original KICKR Desk, but yet also better than it. First, it's got wheel locks (so the darn thing stays put), and second, it has two water bottle holders (also useful for putting other things like remotes). I've been using it as my main trainer desk for a long time now and love it. Cheaper is better apparently. Note: Branding varies by country, exact same desk.
This is by far the best value in trainer desks, at only $59, but with most of the features of the higher end features. It's got multi-tier tablet slots, water bottle holders, non-stick surface, adjustable height and more. I'm loving it!
One of the most popular trainer fans out there, rivaling the Wahoo Headwind fan in strength but at a fraction of the price. It doesn't have smartphone/ANT+/Bluetooth integration, but it does have secondary outlets. I've been using it, and a similiar European version lately with great success (exact EU variant I use is automatically linked at left).
As for the trainer tires, I think I did include them. However, my past testing has found that they are actually slightly louder than regular tires (or at least, the tires I used). They do however cut-down on tiny bits of rubber spewing around your room if in a living room or such.
Loved your review but I have a quick question. Do you know if there is a weight limit on using this trainer? would love to have something in this price point when weather is not cooperating. Currently a big guy and using a bike to try and loose weight.
I have a Vortex, currently my back up unit to an H2, I never had any issues with the knob from a functionality standpoint and it always moved smoothed. My one issue with the knob is the threads need to be the opposite hand, when you think you need to go in, it should be righty tighty. If it had been a long time between adjusting or putting the bike back on the trainer I would always forget.
I never had to adjust too much from on and off as long as long as tire PSI was managed.
I am 85kg with a Snap. I have Zwift set at 100% and everything over 10% feels the exact same. These are high power low speed situations though. I believe that is more pronounced the more one weighs, from what I have read. The true power trainer capabilities seem complicated by Ray does an outstanding job laying it out.
Personally, I think the 6% for the tacx would Not be acceptable for my riding. The snap is very responsive. If I had to do it over again I would have gone with direct drive though just the ease of hopping on the bike, better accuracy etc.
Thank you so much for a great review. I normally spin 3 times a week and now in lockdown have been looking at trainers. Rang a few friends who ride regularly and they directed me to this website. I was looking at putting an order in for this trainer after some research and you have now reassured me. So timely to do a review of this trainer at this time.
Still, even when I was doing 2-3 trainer rides a week on wheel-on trainers (CompuTrainer), I found that while it did burn through the tires faster, it basically corresponded with me wanting to do a yearly tire swap anyway (for traction/etc).
I experienced the same issue with this trainer flashing red light and disconnecting from Zwift due to overheating at low cadence and high power. This is unfortunately a well known problem with this trainer.
In addition, several users have also reported that this trainer is breaking down due to bearings that have gone in the flywheel. I therefore decided to return my trainer to the dealer and I do not recommend this product as it does not appear to be durable enough.
The trainer is indeed overheating, I experienced this myself for the first time and through searching I have seen reports of this occurrence in other places. Pushing 250-300W at low cadences, 60-65 rpm, seems to be too much for this model.
According to some users the solution is to have a small fan pointed directly at the trainer.
You can even 3D print a support for a computer fan and it seems to do the trick.: link to thingiverse.com
I believe through firmware upgrades they increased the stated accuracy, which is honestly somewhat common in the trainer industry. Wahoo at one point increased the accuracy of the KICKR SNAP through firmware, and I think Tacx did as well for the Flux.
Yes, I experienced the same issue with this trainer flashing red light and disconnecting from Zwift due to overheating at low cadence and high power. Overheating is unfortunately a well known issue with this trainer.
Some users have reported that they solved this issue by using a fan:
link to forums.garmin.com
For example, Clever Training does stock it (but, like all trainers, stock is super limited). Performance Bike in the US used to sell it for a while. But for whatever reason a lot of retailers seem to hide away from it, and Tacx has always hesitated to meaningfully market it. Likely because it cuts into higher priced trainer sales.
While in ERG mode if you are training above 250 watts for a prolonged period of time the trainer may go into an overheating protection mode. If this happens the resistance on the trainer may cease while the trainer cools down. In order to avoid this issue we suggest that you increase your speed during your workout. Doing this allows the brake to decrease the resistance amount for your workout and in turn allows the trainer to operate at a cooler temperature.
I have a Smart Vortex trainer, and after reading this review, I calibrated on a cold wheel. I also got a nice FTP boost. But I recently got a Neo 2, with more accurate power measurement, and it looks like the cold-calibration Smart Vortex measurements were about 15% too high (FTP went from 230 to 200).
Hi Loic,
I have the Flow Smart and find it surprisingly quiet. Disclaimer: mine is in the garage, not an apartment, but I honestly expected it to be noisy enough to drown out conversation yet I hear my bike more than I hear the trainer. The only thing I might have done significantly differently is I have a spare bike (old heap nobody rides) on the trainer with a slick tyre on it. If you have to use the same bike for indoors and outdoors, repeated swapping over might be a bit of a pain. If you could get a second rear wheel to wear the slick tyre, I reckon you could get pretty quick at switching out the wheels. HTH.
Avril
Hi Ray, I am using this tacx flow trainer now for a while and i like it. I use it mainly with zwift. I found the readings a bit low (and the other guys on zwift very fast!).
But now I am trying the garmin vector 3 pedals. My first ride was outside and i was asstonished by the high power that showed up. I decided to try and compare on zwift.
I did a 75 minutes sub 2.5 w/kg ride.
The tacx flow showed an avarage of 168W
The Garmin vector 3 pedals gave an average of 218W!
Yes. You can use both ANT+ and BTLE simultaneously. But you should only connect one as a trainer control. In your case, connect as a trainer using ANT+ to your PC for Zwift, but only connect as a power meter (and, optionally, cadence sensor) using BTLE to your Vantage.
I then returned it and purchased a Tacx Neo 2. I tried to use it with either of my road bikes: 2018 Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod and 2019 Specialized Allez Sprint Comp Disc. Both bikes ended up with the rear disc brake caliper flush against the side of the trainer. Once I put some watts into the trainer the caliper banged back and forth against the side of the trainer and I was forced to stop before my bikes were damaged.
I always have the same issue with Tacx app and mine F7. Readings that's I getting with optical sensor on fenix and chest HRM in tacx app dramatically different, like 70-100 on fenix when its 150-180 in tacx app, I got only correct readings (and getting intensity minutes) when i start indoor activity on fenix while riding tacx. After ride I just cancel activity on fenix and saving one on tacx app. This is the only way I found to get intensity minutes from training on tacx app.
Another possibility is connecting the HRM-Pro to the watch (you can do it simultaneously to the trainer or Edge), starting an activity on it (otherwise the watch would not read the HR from the HRM strap), and at the end discarding the activity on the watch, instead of saving it. In this way you will have accurate HR and IM data in Garmin Connect without any duplicates. And it works even if you do not won the HRM-Pro and rather use another type of HRM strap not capable of recording IMs or connecting to Garmin Connect.
Follow the specific user guides for your bike and bike trainer to make sure everything is installed correctly. A bike trainer isn't necessarily bad for your bike, but it can put pressure on the components that come in contact with the trainer.
Whether or not it's worth it to get a bike trainer really depends on your cycling goals, the environment you live in and your budget. Do you want to train frequently and need to be able to fit in that training whenever is convenient? Do you live in a climate with weather that keeps you off the road or trail for long stretches of time? Do you have the extra cash to devote to a trainer?
We like the Wahoo Kickr Snap trainer best for beginners. The setup is easy, it works with third-party apps (including a free month-long trial of Zwift) and it has a quiet ride that closely mirrors riding on the road.
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