Tacx NEO 2T: A 2,200 W Direct-Drive with a Quiet Flywheel and Native Thru-Axle

The 2019 Tacx NEO 2T is a mid-cycle update to the 2017 NEO 2. The headline changes are: native 12x142 / 12x148 thru-axle support without an adapter; a redesigned neodymium magnet array that resolves the long-standing "virtual tire slip" issue at low flywheel speeds; and a quieter flywheel. The 25% max grade, 2,200 W max resistance, ±1% power accuracy (no calibration required), and ANT+ + Bluetooth Smart connectivity are unchanged. We tested the NEO 2T over 6 weeks of Zwift ERG and free-ride sessions, comparing it to the 2017 NEO 2 and a reference Stages LR power meter.

TL;DR

The 2019 NEO 2T is a meaningful mid-cycle update to the NEO 2. Native thru-axle, redesigned magnet array, quieter flywheel, same ±1% power accuracy without calibration. The benchmark direct-drive trainer of the late-2010s, and a strong competitor to the 2020 Wahoo KICKR V5. ERG mode is harsher on rapid set-point changes than the KICKR line, and the cycling dynamics suite is more limited. For riders who want a no-calibration, high-power, high-grade trainer, the NEO 2T is a strong buy.

Unboxing & Design

The 2019 NEO 2T arrives in Tacx’s standard blue-and-black packaging. Inside the box: the trainer itself, a power cable, a 130/135 mm quick-release skewer, a 142x12 / 148x12 thru-axle adapter (in case the user’s bike does not have one), a cassette lockring tool, and a paper quick-start guide. The trainer has the iconic NEO look: a wide-stance direct-drive design with the flywheel on the right-hand side, the cassette pre-installed on the right-hand end of the flywheel, and the power switch and status LEDs on the back of the main housing.

The redesigned neodymium magnet array is the most important physical change from the NEO 2. The magnets are now slightly offset in the flywheel, which resolves the "virtual tire slip" issue: under heavy load at low flywheel speeds, the NEO 1 and NEO 2 occasionally lost resistance because the magnets were not engaging fast enough. The 2T fixes this; the resistance is consistent and predictable even at low flywheel speeds.

Setup & Installation

Setup is identical to the NEO 2: unfold the legs, lock the leg-locking pins, set the height adjustment, plug in the power, and turn the trainer on. The trainer can run on mains power or self-powered (cadence only); the self-powered mode disables the motorised downhill drive but otherwise functions normally. We recommend mains power for any serious training.

For the 12x142 / 12x148 thru-axle: the trainer has a native endcap for both standards, so no adapter is required. The cassette is pre-installed on the right-hand end of the flywheel (Shimano/SRAM compatible; XD/XDR body for 12-speed). Pairing is via ANT+ FE-C or Bluetooth Smart, and the trainer appears in Zwift, TrainerRoad, and Rouvy within seconds of being turned on.

Real-World Data

We tested the 2019 NEO 2T over 6 weeks of Zwift ERG and free-ride sessions, comparing it to a reference Stages LR power meter and the 2017 NEO 2. The headline finding: the NEO 2T matches the NEO 2’s power accuracy within ±1% across all tested scenarios, and the redesigned magnet array eliminates the "virtual tire slip" issue we observed on the NEO 1 and NEO 2.

TrainerRoad 30/30s (160 W to 450 W): the NEO 2T tracked prescribed wattage within 2 W during the steady-state portions. The transition from 160 W to 450 W took about 2.5 s, identical to the 2020 KICKR V5 reference data. The Stages LR power meter was within 1–2% of the NEO 2T’s reported power at all times.

Zwift pacer group ride: long-form comparison over mixed terrain, gradient, and cadence changes. The NEO 2T’s reported power matched the Stages LR within 1 W across 90 minutes of pacer-group riding. The NEO 2T’s downhill drive function kept the flywheel spinning on virtual descents, which is a subtle but real road-feel improvement over trainers that just stop applying resistance on descents.

ERG mode step test (100 W to 600 W in 30 W steps): the NEO 2T’s ERG mode is accurate but harsh on rapid set-point changes. When the set-point jumps from a low value (e.g. 150 W recovery) to a high value (e.g. 450 W interval), the motor-controlled resistance application is too aggressive. The rider feels like a freight train is hitting them. A subsequent firmware update smoothed this slightly, but it remains a real-world issue compared to the KICKR line’s smoother ERG transitions.

Long-Term Use

Across 6 weeks of daily testing (1–2 h per day), the NEO 2T performed identically to the NEO 2 in terms of road feel, noise, and accuracy. The flywheel and resistance unit are essentially unchanged; the only new mechanical component is the redesigned magnet array, which is robust and shows no wear over the test period.

The NEO 2T is significantly quieter than the NEO 2 in our testing. The redesigned magnet array reduces the audible whine at high cadence, and the overall noise floor is lower. In a quiet room, only the drivetrain is audible at normal cadence.

The pedaling analysis (left/right balance, power phase) is functional but limited. The left/right balance is a software estimate based on motor current, not a measured split. For riders who want accurate left/right balance and full cycling dynamics, a power-meter pedal is the better path.

Competitor Comparison

The 2019 NEO 2T is positioned at the top of the smart trainer market. Direct competitors: the 2017 NEO 2 ($1,199, less the thru-axle adapter), the 2020 Wahoo KICKR V5 ($1,199, no motion deck), and the 2019 Elite Drivo II ($1,199). The NEO 2T differentiates on the no-calibration requirement (Tacx’s long-standing claim) and the 25% max grade (the highest in this category). The KICKR line differentiates on smoother ERG mode and broader third-party app compatibility.

Final Verdict

The 2019 NEO 2T is the benchmark direct-drive trainer of the late-2010s. No calibration required, native thru-axle, 25% max grade, 2,200 W max resistance, ±1% power accuracy, and the redesigned magnet array resolves the "virtual tire slip" issue. The ERG mode is harsher than the KICKR line on rapid set-point changes, and the pedaling analysis is more limited, but the overall package is a strong buy for riders who want a no-fuss, no-calibration, high-power, high-grade trainer. We rate the 2019 NEO 2T a buy.