I have extensive experience with both trainers. I paid $900 for a KickR Core and used it for about 2 years. A year ago I sold it for $500 and upgraded to a TacX Neo2T, which cost me $1190 online. The store gave me a $120 credit, so the effective price for it was $1070. Same place is selling them now for $1050 with a $30 credit. So not TWICE as expensive. MSRP from Garmin is currently $1400. Thoughts: - The Neo2T's self-calibration is really nice, one less thing to keep track of. Spin-down calibrations are not difficult, just an annoyance - The Neo2T's power-assist on descents mean you can COAST on downhills, as you would on actual rides, so they become a recovery. If the downhill is steep enough, you can actually stop pedaling and the speed will keep increasing! On the KickR you have to keep pedaling when you come to a descent, which seems crazy - The KickR felt rigid laterally, whereas on a actual outdoor ride the bike sways back and forth, especially on uphills and out of the saddle. The Neo2T allows a bit of lateral motion. - The Neo2T's variable flywheel definitely feels more natural to me. Except on an unexpected sudden climb, where the resistance rises so rapidly you can almost stall out, which would not happen outdoors - Real Road Feel (RRF) on the Neo2T feels unnatural, mainly because it gives vibration only through the pedals, whereas outdoors you would feel vibration through the handlebars and saddle as well. Plus it does not activate for individual bumps in the road, only for continuous stretches of say gravel (this may be a shortcoming of the app I use). I shut it off. - Neither is loud, but the Neo2T is probably slightly quieter. Both trainers worked well for me, very reliable. But the added features of the Neo2T are worth it for me. Doesn't replicate riding outdoors, though close enough for me.

Expensive vs more expensive

Very good and detailed comparison, much appreciated.

Thank you, this was a fantastic review and what i needed to hear.

Very comprehensive breakdown and following on from your previous video. Thanks for taking the time to create this, very interesting. For me the Tax looks great, storage, colours, self powering and the more realistic cycling feel, but aren't game changing enough to justify double the price, I would love it don't get me wrong 😂 🙏. Did you notice any performance stats differences between them, like sprinting with the power smoothing, although they should be identical and hard to be scientific due to fatigue 🤔

Excellent comparison of the two turbo’s. Last month I purchased a Neo on special offer and got the motion plates free from Garmin under a promotion that Garmin was running so I’m very happy with the outcome. But I can honestly say I wouldn’t pay the retail price for the Neo.

Very good comparison video. One thing I wish you had covered is reliability and customer support record. Pretty unhappy right now that I have to replace a 4 year old Kickr Core for a problem that Wahoo knows exists. Also disappointed that Wahoo won't sell the part that will fix the problem.

Nice comparison, but you don't measure the accuracy, you expect the numbers the manufacturer puts on the box are correct. Are they? And are they correct under every circumstance, like in a 1300w sprint, or at a high flywheel speed? You could do a dual recording vs your Assioma pedals for both trainers, and compare them that way. The assioma's have been proven time and time again that they are quite accurate (GPlama, DC Rainmaker) and repeateable, so they would be a good powermeter to reference against.

I have the Core and it works for me. If I was stronger rider than I would need to upgrade to the Kickr.

Jourdain, did you notice a vibration/grinding feeling on the pedals at high gears on Kickr Core? it seems to be an issue happening with a lot of people, including myself...thanks

Why are you making a comparison of the top tier Tacx Neo 2T and the 2nd tier KICKR Core?

Thanks for a great review. How about the noise levels? Is their a large difference?

chance you will compare kickR core and KickR v5?

Fantastic job on this comparison. Question: I get the side-to-side movement on the Neo is nice for endurance rides, but how about for sprints? In other words, which trainer would you rather sprint on at the end of a Zwift race?

Is the tacx harder to keep in movement in Free pedaling? Please someone answer 😢😢😢

Wahoo's warranty is absolutely amazing, the past 5 years with wahoo products it has been so easy for replacements and they rely quickly. Garmin I found have been 50/50 for warranty quality.

Why compare the core and not the v5?

That is incorrect about multiple connections with 2t, mine connects to shimano power meter and hr monitor, which required for some zwift races. Also when racing having the downhill decent motor to assist simulate is most welcome. Also the ability to throw it in my ute and take to the track for warm up is awesome 👌 no need for power cable just put bike on, turn zwift on with mobile and pedal away. It's the perfect trainer and makes the wahoo pale in comparison. Just my opinion.

The bike flex quite a bit while you peddle..I just got a kickr core and see the same thing on my bike… is this normal?

Kickr Core user here, paired with a rocker plate. Still much cheaper than the Tacx, and gives an even better, more realistic and comfortable side-to-side motion. Secured to the rocker plate with brackets, too, which sorts out the stability issue - it's not going anywhere. Would be better to mark out of 10 for every factor, and then multiply that by an importance factor. Price, for example, is very important. Ease of set-up affects you for maybe an hour, or an afternoon, so isn't as important a factor. Another example: 7 of the 14 points by which the Tacx beats the Kickr Core are for the left/right power function, which I think most people wouldn't care about.

I have the original Tacx NEO which I bought when there weren't any customer support and updating the firmware manually was a roll of the dice. so many units died after the update. after about 3 yrs owning it Garmin Purchased Tacx and my updates were smooth. The unit has to be at least 13 yrs old and still running smooth. Was thinking of upgrading to the Kickr but this video convinced me to run my unit to the ground then purchase the NEO 2.

Biased test 🤣 Downhill simulation 4 ??? It's a 10. I have Neo 2T and it's perfect.

Tacx all day!

Really enjoy your videos - there is some similarity in our consume behavior (Chinese brands, etc.) So, I sold my kickr core because it began to rust and bought a neo2t as good as new. My direct comparision between 24 hours fits to your comparison, but (!) the wattage output was significant lower on the 2t - my output on the old kickr was at races about 330-345… in two races with the neo 2t I hardly reached 300 watts. For me this point weighs much more than other points on your list. As you said, there is no way to calibrate the neo, so there is no chance to fix this issue. I‘ve sold the 2T within 1 day with a slight benefit and purchased a new core now. Greetings from Germany

Arrived as expected with all parts intact, also included two hex keys for assembly. kzfaq.infoUgkxwOUUBdw8-88Iu4QnQS7q6b2NwZkHiYVl Had to adjust mine slightly to fit my bike, this was easy enough with instructions. I bought it to train with my track bike and found it to have resistance similar to climbing a slight gradient. Takes a while to learn to balance but there is plenty of guidance to help on the internet. Edit: There was more resistance at lower speeds because of the number of contact points but at higher speeds it is much easier as you don’t have to contend with drag.

You may compare with Oreca

Für Tacx gibt es Freilaufkörper für Campagnolo 1x13 Ekar.

Right now you can buy Tacx for under £600. Which one would buy today?

Wish make comparison between Wahoo Kickr with ZWIFT HUB

i bought a neo T2800 second hand and i think 350 euros is a good investment :p

i have the decathlon d100. and i had a tacx flux 2. not much difference exept the price. offcoarse there is a difference, but not so much to have this price difference

So, the kicker core is cheaper and has less features and is less enjoyable to ride due to instability and less "real" feel.

Alternative buy the Neo 2 Smart T2850 instead of the 2T 2875 (Newest model). Basically the same but I picked mine up for £670 without Casette and chain.

That moment when you get to buy a Tacx Neo 2T for cheaper than a Wahoo… 😌

the best trainer is the "stupid" one, he may not know much, but he lasts forever and is cheap! in this tech world, cycling has also deteriorated!