LEXINGTON, S.C. (BRAIN) — Tacx new NEO Smart, a Eurobike 2015 Award Winner, is a direct drive smart trainer that the company said offers the truest road feel, from long flat roads to steep descents, without the complication of calibrations and maintenance.
The NEO features a permanent motor with 32 Neodymium magnets that rotate around 30 coils. The magnets are positioned on a steel plate which is directly connected to the bike's cassette. The higher the current through the coils, the larger the magnetic force and the higher the braking power. Tacx said the trainer ensures minimal power loss when training. It is capable of generating 2000 watts that in turn provides enough torque so that even at low speeds, it can deliver high resistance, enabling accurate hill climb simulations.
The NEO Smart is part of the Tacx Smart series. NEO communicates wirelessly over ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart and sends out the standard speed, cadence and power profiles. Performance data can be read on several devices simultaneously and the resistance is controlled by a smartphone, tablet or computer (via an upgrade). It uses the ANT+ FE-C protocol, so it can be controlled by third party software and it can also be used without connecting it to a device. The NEO features Plug-in/Plug-out technology so that it can be used with or without main power.
The compact motor fits snugly between the rear forks, and the foldable "wing-like" legs provide great stability and allow for easy transportation and storage.
The Tacx NEO Smart retails for $1,599.99.
More information: tacx.com/en/products/trainers/neo-smart.
