The turbo thread(s) came up at a good time. The five year old Directo with approx 10,000km on it (I never knew my boredom threshold was so high!) is going to be replaced with a the CRC Neo 2T or a Zwift Cog.
I only use Zwift, can't imagine I'll ever bother with trainerroad or equiv. Noise/Space isn't really an issue. My turbo Mule is an old 10 speed cross bike with an ancient Apex mech. It's a bit agricultural but it still works.
Price wise, if I went Zwift I'd get the 'play' controllers so I could dump the mech. If I went Neo, I'd get a new chain and sprocket and live with the shifting.
Current thinking is 2T is going to be a 'better' experience (based on a ride on my Bro's original). Not sure if special edition has cheaper parts. DC rainmaker reviews is not exactly glowing on the electronic shifting on the Zwift trainer.
Any practical experience to direct my dithering? Ta.
i've a 2t and thinks it's fab... really fast and accurate ERG mode (by this i mean, when going from 100w to 200w, it gets there very quickly).<br />also, it has a 'rock' to it that makes it feel comfy.
<br />However, i've been suggesting the zwift cog hub to a mate, as he'll be swapping bikes over. And it's a bargain.<br /><br />bascially i haven't helped have i..
DrP
Not really, but it supports my current dithering 🙂
If I get a Neo, really I should change the cassette, chain and mech. Even 10 Speed cheapness still says that's another £100. On that note, assume mixing Shimano road cassettes and SRAM mechs isn't an issue (like it isn't on MTB).
I’ve got a Neo 2t, had it a couple of years and it’s been fine apart from developing a really annoying creaking sound but that could be down to it not being on an even floor. <br /><br />
My only other complaint is the size of it, coming from a Wahoo Kickr that I could just fold away at the end of a session the 2T is very much a static feature of the room.
I have an OG Taxc Neo and it is faultless- apart from, yes, it has developed a creak when ridden. For me, this doesn't really matter though, but could be an issue if you really do need it to be silent.
Space isn't really an issue as it's in the shed and I have plenty where the current one is housed. Noise the same, but the increasing creaking of my current turbo is one of the reasons to change it.
Right now, my biggest concern with the Neo is replacing the shifter cable to my old SRAM mech. Apparently you have to take it off the bar! I've only just replaced the tape 🙁
I see that the cog comes with 12 months free Zwift. And I don't think you can suspend your subs anymore so that might be worth it. I emailed zwift to see how that worked if you already have an active sub.
I emailed zwift to see how that worked if you already have an active sub.
It does, I ordered one this morning, received the code and applied it.
a) Log in to Zwift on a desktop
b) go to the URL ww.zwift.com/activate
c) apply code and voila.
I have the original Neo, it's been brilliant, ride quality fantastic, not ridden the Neo 2T but imagine it's as good/better. Will have a choice to make when it needs replacing! The Zwift Cog does look pretty good, excellent value, would need to do more research but possibly the advantages of the virtual-shifting i.e. less maintenance and eliminating the (admittedly my lazy lack-of-maintenance-related) occasional mis-shift issue (mega, mega frustrating in a race situation obviously!)
What I'm really hoping is that Zwift bring out their own market-undercutting smart bike before too long... would love a (later) Neo Smart Bike but the price is just crazy.
(I have the Zwift Play controllers btw, they are ace, would recommend no matter what trainer/bike you're using!)
Thanks @kryton57 - good to know
@zilog6128 - pretty much my thinking. A mate does have a Pre-Cog Zwift turbo (in fact he's on his second) and has issues with both cadence and power but I've not read that in many reviews (ie it's not as good as the Neo, but it's acceptable)
Some of my dithering is also laziness. Swap drivetrain and cables, or just forget all about that and live with the fact the zwift version probably won't be much of an upgrade on my directo (maybe Kryton has a view..) but at the end of the day, I'm just in my shed going nowhere slowly so does it matter 😉
#dithercontinues
Oh I'm having the play buttons whatever I get. Because - you know - the shiny 🙂
won’t be much of an upgrade on my directo (maybe Kryton has a view..) but at the end of the day, I’m just in my shed going nowhere slowly so does it matter
As it happens mine is replacing a Direto. I've no issues with the Direto. My choice is because Jnr has made Regional Triathlon Academy and needs to incorporate bike specific fitness over winter so the Zwift One Hub ease the change of bikes, and accounts for the different gear setups easily. Mrs K will also use Jnr's bike for some light exercise on Zwift.
With the sale of the Direto and Zwift subscription savings the cost of about £200 or so to have 2 other people enabled seemed like the cheapest option when outdoor riding isn't available/for planned intervals & races.
I'm doing it now because "rest month" is November for me so I will start winter base on the new setup and therefore with my power measured on the same kit throughout the next base/build/race period.
Thanks @kryton57. Never thought of trying to sell my Direto. It's too heavy to go in the loft tho 🙂 I expect I'll donate it to someone who fancies trying some shed based misery!
Well done Jr BTW 🙂
I'm still dithering. I wonder if a beer later might help....
I was thinking of "upgrading" to a Neo from my current Elite Zumo but I really can't see past the Zwift Hub - particularly now with the Cog and Virtual Shifting. You also get the 100Hz "Race Mode" which doesn't matter much to me but will benefit the sprinters whilst racing.
think it's 10Hz same as Wahoo offer on their top-end trainer. FWIW the Neo 2T I think does 4Hz which whilst not as much still better than the 1Hz of all other trainers! No idea what this actually means in real terms whilst riding though as not experienced it myself!You also get the 100Hz “Race Mode” which doesn’t matter much to me but will benefit the sprinters whilst racing.
I've had an OG Neo, since release, and it's been faultless, the cog function is the first time I've ever gone, ok that's a AAA feature, and there is zero chance of it coming to the OG Neo as we haven't had a firmware update for YEARS as it's classed as a discontinued product
Oh aye - 10hz, not 100 🤪
My OH had a Neo original and put a lot of miles on it. Never missed a beat and was great to ride, having a slight flex built into it.
I had the original KickR trainer, bought s/hand and also never went wrong, but was notably rigid after playing on the Neo for 30 minutes.
Probably won't be a problem for you Alex if you're used to your existing trainer, but I'd go for a Neo given the choice.
Gears and drivetrain doesn't really get much stick indoors, and I didn't notice much wear on either of our bikes.
That said, both the OH and I now have full indoor bikes - I have the Neo Bike and she the KickR bike. Got them both for super special deals new, but they are great. Electronic gearing is nice because it is adjustable, silent and just seems better for indoors use, and both machines take up considerably less space than a bike on a trainer.
Thanks @twonks - I'm a bit nervous about buying off CRC in case of any issues... by the time I've made my mind up, it'll probably be too late!
Thanks @twonks.
After pricing up mech, chain, cassette and pondering how much of a faff it'd be if I had to return that Neo to CRC, I went with the Cog. Other than price, being able to run an MTB on it is a plus and having a better range of gears might alleviate the issues on my 10 speed where - on the flat - I aways want a gear between the two I have available!
I also bought the play controllers. Because I'm an idiot 🙂
And ta @kryton57 - super easy to activate annual free subs. As Zwift gave me a 30 day one already to temp me back in (which expires tomorrow), 13 months free zwift for me!
Fin 🙂
You have to hand it to Zwift, from great/minimal packaging to total non event to build/setup, they've done a great job. Took me a while to zero out the mech/cog (but lubing my degreased chain made quite a difference 😉 )
Quick go, reckon the changes in resistance are a bit more subtle than the Direto. Shifting is really quick, until you hit the old analogue shifter ;), steering works but seems mostly pointless if you're not racing, the buttons are actually pretty useful/intuitive. Power/Cadence updates way quicker than the old turbo. I guess that's the 100% integration between app and turbo.
Best thing is spread of gears work better than my old 2x10 setup. Even found a home for my old Direto - got a few more KMs in yet I reckon.
Alex did you pair the Click ok? I had a gazillion issues with mine, finally realising everything needs to be on BT not ANT, then the Click would change up a couple of gears and looked like it reset and disconnect. <br /><br />
it suddenly then started working yesterday, I’ll be trying it tomorrow to see if the connection has been remembered.
steering works but seems mostly pointless if you’re not racing
You can also "steer" to select a route when you get to a junction.
@kryton57 - no issues, Powered them up, upgraded firmware using companion app, connect to Zwift on Mac and away we went. Tasted through tutorial and a quick free ride-all good.
@scotroutes - that’s something to try tomorrow then 👍
For clarity using play controllers not the click that came with hub. They’ve not been out of the box.
Gave the Cog a proper test on the Tour of Watopia last night. Summary was:
-shifting is very good. After the ride (70 mins), I had mostly removed the muscle memory to click the analogue shifter. I didn't use that many gears as it was a flat course, but gears 15 and 16 were definitely closer together than those on the std chainring/cassette. Can't see me running out of gears and looking forward to how low '1' is when climbing radio tower 🙂
-the play controllers are rock solid. I'm getting used to them now (still randomly firing power ups when pressing wrong key) - they aren't a radical upgrade but it's good to be able to do everything but msg without a kbd.
-Did not use steering. Expect I will on free-ride.
-It's quiet esp once you've nudged the mech to the perfect spot.
-Changes in resistance feel more linear and less 'jumpy' than the Direto.
Going to try an ERG workout over the weekend and see how that goes. So far tho, very happy with it.
do you not race on Zwift? Benefits of steering range from meh on a lot of routes to absolutely huge advantage on Crit courses! Plus makes those more engaging. I never just free-ride so don’t use steering otherwise! There’s some kind of Mario-kart style test track with boost pads you can do but it’s really awful 😂Did not use steering. Expect I will on free-ride.
zero chance of it coming to the OG Neo
It’s a marketing decision to implement it in the trainer instead of just in the game. The actual maffs is hardly challenging and something I designed in my head while bored on the trainer years ago. Especially in Zwift - they already have a trainer difficulty slider which is virtual gearing in all but name.
Didn’t have a great experience with the Click during a lunchtime Crit. On several occasions it jumped to 24 and then there was a big pause of 10s or so before it’d click down. <br /><br />
annoying
do you not race on Zwift?
Nope. Too competitive but a bit rubbish. I think I've done one in the last year. Felt like enough.
I did the 'test' course thing. Agreed it's rubbish. I'm hoping for some more MTB steerable courses now Zwift has their own steering hardware. Not expecting it'll ever be much good tho.
@kryton57 - a mate just bought one and is having same issues. Seems to be fine if Zwift is running on the phone, but not on other hardware. Anything on the zwift forums about it? I'll turn off my play controllers and test the click over the weekend and report back.
Anything on the zwift forums about it? I’ll turn off my play controllers and test the click over the weekend and report back.
I haven’t found anything, but interesting to know I might not be alone….
@kryton57 - mate has the click. Tells me its fine to the Pixel phone but useless connecting to Samsung tablet.
Having said how good the play controllers were, the left one had few connection wobbles today. Disconnect/Reconnect separated by a few seconds. Hope it's a one off.
Wandered up the Alpe today. Definitely better not changing gear under load. Missed one hour target by 4 seconds. Only managed that once 2 years ago. This means I'm going to have to have another go 🙁
Ok thanks for the feedback. Mine is connected direct to a Win 10 PC via a BT USB. I can't quite work out if I can connect it via the Companion App on my iphone, because I use my phone as a hotspot. I did wonder if going via companion is more stable, but if I can't make that work its a moot point.
I'd be grateful on any tips on that f there are any!
I've always connected the trainer to the app on my Mac. Never tried it to the companion app. Might give that a go if I get disconnection issues. Will also try the click against the mac app and see how they go..
Quick update after 7 sessions on the Hub. Really impressed with the ERG, I know some don't like the power smoothing, but compared to the Direto, it's a far nicer experience. I always felt that turbo responded too slowly to changes (esp from low to high watts on training progs) and I was chasing it to try and get to the higher number. The cog is instant and feels a lot smoother.
Had a couple of disconnects from one play controller, seems pretty random, if it keeps happening I'll prob log a call with Zwift, but only tends to disconnect then instantly reconnect.
Also Zwift were good enough to honour the STW 5% member discount after I'd bought the hub and forgot to apply code at checkout.
So far, defo an upgrade on the Direto, do not have FOMO for a Neo 🙂
