Zwift Chat

[Del C]

48:53 for TDZ stage 5 for me please @IrishAl

Really gave it a go, but scuppered a bit by a) very few other riders going hard; and b) a 5 minute Internet dropout leaving me literally all alone!

Oh well, shouldn't have missed the stage first time round so all my fault I know

Also, first proper ride on my new Neo Smart Bike- loved it. Feels like riding on freshly laid new tarmac after having been constantly on gravel for the past few years!

What were you riding before the Neo Smart Bike and what was the difference?

I’m going for a test ride on Sunday as I’m thinking seriously about buying one - I’ve currently got a Neo version 1.

I’d been meaning to post here and ask as I thought that @bobinski and @<Tommy> both had one?

 

[CXRAndy]

What were you riding before the Neo Smart Bike and what was the difference?

I’m going for a test ride on Sunday as I’m thinking seriously about buying one - I’ve currently got a Neo version 1.

I’d been meaning to post here and ask as I thought that @bobinski and @<Tommy> both had one?

Im waiting till the new Zwift Tron setup is available to assess all options. I reckon they will have steering standard, glowing wheels, and hopefully tilt.

 

[CXRAndy]

I have been eyeing up 2 rocker options but which of the 2 can wait until the autumn.

Get it built Bob

 

[bobinski]

What were you riding before the Neo Smart Bike and what was the difference?

I’m going for a test ride on Sunday as I’m thinking seriously about buying one - I’ve currently got a Neo version 1.

I’d been meaning to post here and ask as I thought that @bobinski and @<Tommy> both had one?

It’s a beast. Heavy ,solid and super quiet. Latest fw update has brought pretty much instantaneous gear changes however abrupt the change even on the front chain rings. Erg, which matters to me, is now flawless whether connected to power supply or not. Super fast to change power needs and no need to chase watts with higher cadence.
They still haven’t enhance the features eg brakes and steering but that I suspect is as much a zwift issue and we all know how quick Zwift are to respond to users needs.

 

[bobinski]

Get it built Bob

I am not THAT stupid 😁

 

[Del C]

It’s a beast. Heavy ,solid and super quiet. Latest fw update has brought pretty much instantaneous gear changes however abrupt the change even on the front chain rings. Erg, which matters to me, is now flawless whether connected to power supply or not. Super fast to change power needs and no need to chase watts with higher cadence.
They still haven’t enhance the features eg brakes and steering but that I suspect is as much a zwift issue and we all know how quick Zwift are to respond to users needs.

How different does it feel to ride compared to the Neo trainer? I think you had one before the bike?

 

[BurningLegs]

Im waiting till the new Zwift Tron setup is available to assess all options. I reckon they will have steering standard, glowing wheels, and hopefully tilt.

You had me at glowing wheels 🤣

 

[bobinski]

How different does it feel to ride compared to the Neo trainer? I think you had one before the bike?

I had my NEO checked over new bearings etc so can do a direct comparison. Before I did I was toying with selling the smart bike. Familiarity has bred a certain , if not contempt, then questions if I actually needed it. I know I am not allowed to mention the knee but I also wondered if being Locked in much more on the bike as opposed to the NEO was good for the knee . Well, while i do miss the movement if the NEO I actually prefer the ride of the bike. Smoother, quieter and just nicer really.
A small thing but when in Erg and getting to the pointy end of an effort and struggling head buried near the stem it’s really cool being able to see your watts and cadence on the small screen.
One negative thing to be aware of. The new models have claw cranks to allow different crank length fittings. The design seems to be lowering power readings for those using pm pedals of all makes. Only something that A racers and those that swap pm pedals off their outdoor bikes need to worry about.

 

[CXRAndy]

How different does it feel to ride compared to the Neo trainer? I think you had one before the bike?

Its all to do with the shifting. Non of these complete training bikes actually have gears, its all electronic shifting. That's where the smooth ride comes from and being belt driven

 

[Milkfloat]

Sorry to jump in, but I went from a Neo (first version) to a Neo Bike (latest version with bear claw crank), both on a homemade side to side rocker. The feel is very similar, but is smoother on the bike and significantly quieter. The Neo 1 for me was not great a low cadence high power, like 400W at 50RPM which would be my very steep climb cadence at times, the bike resolves this, but I believe the Neo2T also fixed it. Subjectively I think I am reading a few watts higher than the Neo, I put my Garmin Vectors on as a test and they seem to be closer to the Neo watts on the bike compared to the standalone, I guess there are less drivetrain losses on the Neo bike compared to Neo 1 and a normal bike. I would not be without a rocker, I can only ride for about 60 minutes without one. I would say that Neo 1 plus bike has more flex/side to side movement than Neo Bike, so you may want to consider a rocker plate.

forgot to add, it is crucial that you ride one before you buy, there is a reasonable chance that you knees/thighs could brush the seatpost/frame on every revolution.

 

[bridgy]

What were you riding before the Neo Smart Bike and what was the difference?

I’m going for a test ride on Sunday as I’m thinking seriously about buying one - I’ve currently got a Neo version 1.

I’d been meaning to post here and ask as I thought that @bobinski and @<Tommy> both had one?

I was on a Neo 1. The bike I had on it is getting on a bit, and the difference is that the Neo bike is just way stiffer (which at the moment I really like) and smoother - and quieter. And as Bob says the gears are incredible! Also, I think the adjustability of everything to get the fit just right also helps.

Yes @bobinski I did upgrade the firmware straight away to 43 - thanks for the reminder though

 

[alex_cycles]

we all know how quick Zwift are to respond to users needs.

Are they quite Zlow?

 

[Del C]

Thanks for the replies and guidance guys!

I've got a rocker plate for the Neo so hoping this would cope with a Neo bike, but I need to check the footprint of the bike. The rigidity is one thing that does concern me a little. On the other hand, most reports I've had of the ride feel are very positive.

 

[<Tommy>]

How different does it feel to ride compared to the Neo trainer? I think you had one before the bike?

I’ve had mine 2 1/2 years and I wouldn’t go back to a turbo.

The neo was very smooth as a turbo to be fair. But with the bike you now have a very smooth entire system.

I think long gone are the days when only I had one, and a lot of naysayers (mostly andy ) questioned how dependable they are. They’re not bullet proof. But I think on balance they are much less maintenance than a normal bike. And Garmin have really raised their customer service game. I’ve had both models and the 2nd generation has ironed out the creases the first model had. I think now Bob, Michael, Paul, and Lee has one too. In general I think it’s now been regarded as the best in field by most long term reviewers. To be fair though there are some other very decent options too. But I think in terms of feel, build and ride quality the neo is number 1.

 

[<Tommy>]

You had me at glowing wheels 🤣

😄

The neo bike has a glowing back wheel to be fair. It changes colour depending on how much power you put out. I’ve never paid any attention to it during a race. But it keeps my youngest daughter entertained!