Zwift Chat

[mjd1988]

Genuine question here, what are the benefits of a smart bike over a direct drive turbo and dedicated trainer bike?

One that I see is easier/quicker customisation if it shared between members of a household for example, but what else?

Idiot proof (the main selling point for me)

Don't need a bike, don't need to maintain a bike don't need to worry about sweating on the bike, don't need to worry about chain coming off, pumping tyres (for wheel on) etc

Advanced metrics maybe? although maybe of limited use

My wife can use it (if I decide to buy one I will lean heavily on this reason)

For me a direct drive trainer or a smart bike would also be a big step up in accuracy. As I'm afraid to put carbon bike on direct drive and current bike is just about bodged onto the kickr snap I would have to buy another bike to go on a direct drive.

If you already have a direct drive it's maybe harder to justify

 

[CXRAndy]

Sigma Sports say back in stock 31 July if that's any good

I know someone who used to work there. He might be able to get a discount. Ill ask if he still has the privilege

 

[Whorty]

I'm always terrified if I try and record a race it will overwhelm my crappy old laptop, always glad someone else does though!

Not sure why I attacked up the little ramp into the volcano near the start. Not sure what my plan was there!

Happy with power output on reflection; 303 watts average for the 20 mins I did (albeit I only really did 20 mins effort total)

ZP hasn't updated my numbers yet still I was hoping I had some pretty decent 20 min and surge numbers but I can see them aarrgh

 

[Whorty]

I'm always terrified if I try and record a race it will overwhelm my crappy old laptop, always glad someone else does though!

Not sure why I attacked up the little ramp into the volcano near the start. Not sure what my plan was there!

Happy with power output on reflection; 303 watts average for the 20 mins I did (albeit I only really did 20 mins effort total)

I think @Joffey learnt a valuable lesson for when he upgrades to C ..... unlike in D where he can attack and dominate, when you go up the cats the racers just let you hang out there, then gradually wheel you in

 

[Whorty]

I am not sure there are any except perhaps avoiding wear and tear on your own bike? Especially if you can’t have a dedicated turbo bike.
you do need a permanent space for it. NEO bike is very heavy. Mines on a mat so I can slide it across the room.

Isn't one of the advantages of the Neo bike (or is it the Kickr) is that you can program your own gear set (so for e.g. a 50/34 with 11/34, or for Lee 52/36 with 11/25 )? Whereas with the Atom you have 22 (or 11) gears but there is no direct link to what you would use on a road bike. Or did I imagine I'd read that

For me the interest is ease of maintenance - a rub down rather than cleaning chain etc. Hopefully less slipping of gears then

Not ready to pull the trigger yet, but may do so next year ...... maybe

 

[Joffey]

I think @Joffey learnt a valuable lesson for when he upgrades to C ..... unlike in D where he can attack and dominate, when you go up the cats the racers just let you hang out there, then gradually wheel you in

Yes, I did learn a valuable lesson last night and won't be trying that again anytime soon (but probably will do on Monday in D just to sooth the dent in my pride).

 

[<Tommy>]

Idiot proof (the main selling point for me)

Don't need a bike, don't need to maintain a bike don't need to worry about sweating on the bike, don't need to worry about chain coming off, pumping tyres (for wheel on) etc

Advanced metrics maybe? although maybe of limited use

My wife can use it (if I decide to buy one I will lean heavily on this reason)

For me a direct drive trainer or a smart bike would also be a big step up in accuracy. As I'm afraid to put carbon bike on direct drive and current bike is just about bodged onto the kickr snap I would have to buy another bike to go on a direct drive.

If you already have a direct drive it's maybe harder to justify

This was pretty much the same logic I used. It’s not completely clear cut. The neo bike and neo 2T are the same technology. But I like having the stand alone bike. The little added features I appreciate in the cock pit like the charger points and the tablet holder and phone tray. The ability to change the virtual cassette to suit you. It’s just a big low maintenance hunk of plastic. Personally I wouldn’t go back. The neo bike might have problems that mean I have to replace it at some point. But I’d replace it with another smart bike not a turbo.

Just personal preference really.

 

[<Tommy>]

Yes, I did learn a valuable lesson last night and won't be trying that again anytime soon (but probably will do on Monday in D just to sooth the dent in my pride).

Don’t worry Joffrey we’re going to pick out a course to suit you next week. You said more hills right?

 

[Whorty]

Don’t worry Joffrey we’re going to pick out a course to suit you next week. You said more hills right?

Might need to get me one of these then 🚑

 

[Del C]

This was pretty much the same logic I used. It’s not completely clear cut. The neo bike and neo 2T are the same technology. But I like having the stand alone bike. The little added features I appreciate in the cock pit like the charger points and the tablet holder and phone tray. The ability to change the virtual cassette to suit you. It’s just a big low maintenance hunk of plastic. Personally I wouldn’t go back. The neo bike might have problems that mean I have to replace it at some point. But I’d replace it with another smart bike not a turbo.

Just personal preference really.

Did you sort out the problems you had with your Neo bike then?

I thought you were close to sending it back at one point? I can’t actually remember what the problems were.

 

[CXRAndy]

Isn't one of the advantages of the Neo bike (or is it the Kickr) is that you can program your own gear set (so for e.g. a 50/34 with 11/34, or for Lee 52/36 with 11/25 )? Whereas with the Atom you have 22 (or 11) gears but there is no direct link to what you would use on a road bike. Or did I imagine I'd read that

For me the interest is ease of maintenance - a rub down rather than cleaning chain etc. Hopefully less slipping of gears then

Not ready to pull the trigger yet, but may do so next year ...... maybe

They do have a belt. You and kevlar belts have history

 

[Joffey]

Don’t worry Joffrey we’re going to pick out a course to suit you next week. You said more hills right?

Please please please NOT the Bologna TT course

 

[Whorty]

They do have a belt. You and kevlar belts have history

You have a point That's why for me I'm leaning towards the Atom - they're UK based with engineers who will come to your home to service the bike. The Tacx/Garmin customer service worries me and I've lost all confidence in the Kickr after the first one I had. Not read much about the Stages bike yet.

 

[<Tommy>]

Did you sort out the problems you had with your Neo bike then?

I thought you were close to sending it back at one point? I can’t actually remember what the problems were.

The problem I had was the belt snapped. In the end they sent me the tool I needed to replace the belt myself. If they hadn’t sent me the tool I’d of sent the bike back for a refund. Since then it’s working very well again. It’s possible the belt snapping was due to an underlying design fault with the belt tensioner. But I’m on a neo smart bike Facebook page and it’s seems that if there is a problem it is on the brink of being resolved. Generally speaking I think the set up I haw now is the best I’ve had turbo wise. In order of preference neo bike>neo>bkool pro>atom. The atom being behind the bkool pro because it gave me a knee injury.

 

[bobinski]

One thing I do love on the NEO bike is the display. I now have some TT bars added either side and I can bunker down keeping an eye on the power numbers occasionally looking up at the big screen to see where I am in a group. Display on the wahoo is in a bonkers place. The fans are only good for a social ride .the charging ports don’t work when the fans are on full blast and tbh I should just ditch the fans.
I have found getting fit right a hassle but thats probably user error. The BB is a little higher than most bikes and that can throw out transferring your bike fit details. The wahoo app for doing so seems excellent for most users and this is something of a let down with the NEO.
I love it though. Except given it’s a NEO at heart it definitely under reports my watts 😁