Tacx Flux

[Nebulous]

For years I was a member of a gym and would spend 3 sessions most weeks in the winter cranking an exercise bike. I rarely did any weights, but did a mixture of sessions, steady output, steady heartrate, intervals etc. I know many people dont like that, but it worked for me. Last winter I bought a basic turbo, set it up in a spare bedroom and found I did much less than I usually do with a gym membership. It told in my fitness this year as well.

I've just put a turbo tyre on my bike, ready to use this year and find I'm not particularly enthused about it.

I have the chance to buy a Tacx flux for about £365 - Halfords at £450 less 10% british cycling less 10% special offer on my credit card.

I know it's below the topline direct drive turbos, but it is substantially cheaper. Am I going to get substantially more from it than from my dumb turbo?

I have a garmin 1000 to connect it to, and/or an ipad and a laptop. Is there anything else I'll need? I presume a subscription to a training / entertainment package of some sort.

Also what does the short cage rear mechs only mean? On both my main bikes (one ultegra, one 105) I swapped the short cage derailleur for a mid-cage one to get a 32 tooth rear sprocket. Will that fit?

Does anyone have the Flux and like it?

 

[CXRAndy]

Flux is a fairly decent turbo and at that price is extremely attractive. It has max gradient simulation of 10% and 1500W. These are more than enough for most folk .

If your using Zwift at a 50% resistance setting then the max gradient figure won't be exceeded, because max gradient in Zwift is 17%. So 50% of that is 8.5%

It will work fine in Zwift, with ant+ dongle or connect with Bluetooth

The only bit I can't comment on is whether there is clearance for a mid cage derailleur. Can you take your bike into the shop and fit it on the demo model.

Here is the reason why long cage don't work on the Flux http://forum.tacx.com/viewtopic.php?t=33407
Measure the length of your mid cage derailleur

 

[Nebulous]

Thanks, I didn't spot when I posted this that there was a very similar thread here already. I'm still thinking, but my credit card offer runs out soon, so my window is closing.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Great deal that, sod the derailleur thats a problem for another day

 

[Fauj270]

thats a great deal! what credit card offer is giving you an additional 10% off?

 

[Nebulous]

thats a great deal! what credit card offer is giving you an additional 10% off?

It has run out. Several credit card companies offer discounts to their customers - usually one off deals, but you need to register your card with the scheme to get the offer. It was an HSBC one.

 

[Milzy]

Good deal as long as you don’t regret it and want the KickR core.

 

[Fauj270]

havent yet pulled the trigger (still deciding!) ive spoken with my LBS and edging towards toe Tacx Flux. The CS for the LBS is quite good so if i have any issues il be able to get it swapped/returned. I do have a question for anyone who does have this model. I understand i need to get a cassette with this type of trainer. Does anyone know what type of cassette i would require and if i would need specialist tools to fit this? I have a Specilised Diverge bike (https://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/product/5321/2017-diverge-a1/) which currently has a 11-32t 8 speed cassette

 

[theboxers]

havent yet pulled the trigger (still deciding!) ive spoken with my LBS and edging towards toe Tacx Flux. The CS for the LBS is quite good so if i have any issues il be able to get it swapped/returned. I do have a question for anyone who does have this model. I understand i need to get a cassette with this type of trainer. Does anyone know what type of cassette i would require and if i would need specialist tools to fit this? I have a Specilised Diverge bike (https://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/product/5321/2017-diverge-a1/) which currently has a 11-32t 8 speed cassette

Go with the same cassette. It minimises the need for adjustments on the deraileur if the same size cassette is used.

 

[CXRAndy]

So you will need the same cassette for the turbo. Does the trainer accept 8 speed?
I would expect you will need a spacer behind the cassette 1.85mm I think

 

[tallliman]

Thinking about going down the flux route but worried about the cage lengths issue. Trying to rationalise things by working out how many gears I couldn't use by getting the flux.

 

[Milkfloat]

Thinking about going down the flux route but worried about the cage lengths issue. Trying to rationalise things by working out how many gears I couldn't use by getting the flux.

I help set a friend up on one and had to change 2 derailleurs on his bikes (both medium cage). The long cage meant that 3 cogs were not usable out of 11 on each setup. On both bikes I managed to get a short cage to shift a 32 sprocket with the B screw reversed, albeit one is a little too noisy. I got a Tacx Neo partly because of this Flux issue. However, I understand that the brand new Flux has been redesigned not to have this problem

 

[tallliman]

@Milkfloat, I measured the drop the other day for the lowest gear and was around 205mm so will see what the exchange rate is for gears vs drop. If I only lose 1 cog, it'd be fine I think. If it's 3, I'd struggle on hills.....

 

[tallliman]

Having checked everything out with my sram equipped bike, I should be ok to use all bar 1 cog on the rear cassette....looks like the Flux is the winner.

 

[Fauj270]

Just a question re tracking distance. If I purchase the flux smart trainer. Can I track the distance I have done without a GPS computer? Can I use, say strava to track this or do I need to download another app?