On October 20, Garmin announced their first new smart trainer since 2023, named the Tacx Nēra. This is a completely new trainer design, not an iterative change like Garmin has been making to their NEO and Flux lines for years. Available in a Zwift Ready version, it boasts strong accuracy and max power numbers, while also being Garmin’s only trainer supporting WiFi out of the box.
Popular trainer reviewers like GPLama and DCRainmaker appear to have received this trainer for review later than usual. We certainly did! But the good news is, we’ve got one here at Zwift Insider for testing, and will publish a review in the coming weeks. Until then, here are the details of the Nēra.
Key Specs
- Accuracy: +-1%
- Flywheel: 13.51 lbs (6.13 kg)
- Max Wattage: 2200W
- Max Incline: 20%
- Race Mode: Yes
- Motion: Left/Right, Fore/Aft
- Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, ANT+
- Bluetooth Bridge for HRM Only
- Zwift Virtual Shifting Supported: Yes
- Cassette: Sold with 11-speed cassette or as Zwift Ready (Cog and Click)
- Foldable legs for storage
- Dimensions: 24.76″ x 30.67″ (629 x 779 mm), 24.76″ x 16.06″ (629 x 408 mm) when folded
- Weight: 54.45 lbs (24.7 kg)
- MSRP: $999 USD
Comparisons
First, let’s hold the Nēra up against Garmin’s other smart trainers: the NEOk 3M, NEO 2T, and Flux 2. Where does the Nēra fit into the mix?
At least on paper, the Nēra matches Garmin’s flagship NEO models in power accuracy (+-1%) and max wattage (2200W). The NEOs, though, are based on entirely different technology and boast a higher max torque (88 Nm vs 55 Nm) and max brake force (260 N vs 162.5 N).
Note: Max torque and brake force are interesting numbers other manufacturers don’t typically share, and they arguably communicate a trainer’s actual capabilities a bit more accurately, since max wattage and max incline numbers aren’t exactly objective measurements.
These days, native WiFi support is expected for mid- and high-budget smart trainers. The Nēra is Garmin’s only trainer that supports WiFi out of the box (the 3M can do it if you purchase an extra adapter).
Garmin’s Flux 2, while half the price of the Nēra, really isn’t in the smart trainer conversation at this point. It was released in 2020, making it over 6 years old. It lacks the accuracy and connectivity of the Nēra, and is probably only still in Garmin’s lineup because it’s the only mid-budget trainer they offer.
Putting the Nēra up against the industry, it stacks up spec-wise quite nicely with Wahoo’s flagship KICKR v6. The Nēra offers more motion than the KICKR and a Bluetooth bridge for HRMs, but apart from those features, they match in accuracy, max wattage/incline, and connectivity. The Nēra, though, is priced $150 above the KICKR.
A Few Thoughts
And that’s where comparisons will eventually land. Garmin has never been the low-price leader in smart trainers, and that trend is continuing with the Nēra. Will riders be willing to shell out $150 more to buy the Nēra over the KICKR? A lot will be riding on early reviews of the Nēra, including the one we’re working on right now here at Zwift Insider. Speaking of which, GPLama just dropped his!
Garmin has sort of put themselves over the pricing barrel with the Nēra, given it meets or exceeds the capabilities of their most popular trainer, the NEO 2T. If they keep the 2T at its regular price ($1099), the Nēra looks like it’s losing to the older trainers right out of the gate. And if they drop the 2T’s price (which they have, it’s currently on sale for $899) it emphasizes the fact that the 2T is getting long in the tooth.
A few minor notes:
- Built-in handle: Thank you, Garmin, for putting a solid, accessible handle on this trainer. The earlier NEOs just about killed anyone trying to move it!
- Heaviest trainer yet: The Nēra is 1kg heavier than the NEO 3M, which was previously Garmin’s heaviest trainer. This is one heavy unit! Guess that’s why it has a solid handle.
- Where is TrainingPeaks Virtual? Garmin acquired TrainingPeaks – and TrainingPeaks Virtual – back in July. But TPV is conspicuously absent from any marketing of the Nēra, which pushes free access to the Tacx Training App and also includes some Zwift gameplay.
Questions or comments?
That’s all for this post. But like I said, what for a full review of the Nēra coming soon.
Got questions or comments about the Nēra? Share below!
