Tacx NEO Bike Plus support for Zwift Race Mode

Hello Folks,

Looking for a response from Garmin Support or a Tacx NEO Bike Plus user that has attempted to run Zwift in Race Mode...

Does the Tacx NEO Bike Plus support Zwift's Race Mode which requires power data transmission at 10Hz? If it does not, is this a future capability that can be enabled via a firmware update or is this a hardware limitation that will prevent the Tacx NEO Bike Plus from supporting Zwift Race Mode?

Top Replies

Luko79 over 1 year ago +1

Does the Tacx NEO Bike Plus support Zwift's Race Mode which requires power data transmission at 10Hz? - Not
If it does not, is this a future capability that can be enabled via a firmware update - In theory…
Luko79 over 1 year ago in reply to GPLama +1

GPLama with the Neo1 is not, for sure (neither on BT, i checked the BT dataflow via a BT signal logging app). And the 4Hz is just a thing, the big question is : is it 4 different power values, or only 1…
GPLama over 1 year ago in reply to Luko79 +1

Ohhhh.. that's very interesting! I hope Garmin/Tacx are working on something to refresh their current line-up with. They're at risk of being seen as the SRM of indoor training if they keep snoozing.…

All Replies

0 Luko79 over 1 year ago

Does the Tacx NEO Bike Plus support Zwift's Race Mode which requires power data transmission at 10Hz? - Not
If it does not, is this a future capability that can be enabled via a firmware update - In theory , yes, but i heavily doubt that it will happen, for me it seems the indoor training branch at the Garmin is dead (i wont be suprised if they will quit...)

0 6466167 over 1 year ago in reply to Luko79

Hi Luko79. Thank you for sharing your experience with me. I tried Garmin Support via chat before posting here and didn't get a real answer to my question so I tried this forum.

As much as the Neo Bike Plus costs I would have expected quick and accurate support times. I am surprised that Garmin hasn't made it know yet whether the Neo Bike Plus supports Zwift Race Mode or has plans to do so via a firmware or new component release.

Thank you for your time in responding to share your experience.

0 GPLama over 1 year ago

'Race Mode' is a Wahoo coined term for their 10Hz mode over Direct Connect. It's simply 10Hz (or a higher frequency of) data transmission from the trainer. The software side of things (eg, Zwift) just needs to accept the data at a higher rate. This means any software platform could/should be compatible with the higher transmission frequency. IIRC the Neo range is already on 4Hz on BLE and ANT+.

0 Luko79 over 1 year ago in reply to GPLama

GPLama with the Neo1 is not, for sure (neither on BT, i checked the BT dataflow via a BT signal logging app). And the 4Hz is just a thing, the big question is : is it 4 different power values, or only 1 but with redundancy (via ANT+, it is only 1... or sometimes 2) .in the Neo2 the Tacx replaced the comm chip, with that probably the BT dataflow is increased to real 4Hz (so with 4 different power values instead of 1) but via ANT+, it is still only 1.

0 dfrim over 1 year ago in reply to Luko79

So does this mean that with NEO BIKE SMART it is better to use BT connection for Zwift races?

Is the power reading more "quick"?

0 Luko79 over 1 year ago in reply to dfrim

yes

0 dfrim over 1 year ago in reply to Luko79

Is this difference actually noticeable while driving / racing? or this just a theoretical speed that we do not perceive in reality?

0 Luko79 over 1 year ago in reply to dfrim

here is a video what Shane made comparing the 10HZ mode vs normal mode with Kickr. I think it will explain the difference of higher dataflow clearly.

https://youtu.be/ujsll40kud8?si=yordpGKWFH2Qk2nI

0 GPLama over 1 year ago in reply to Luko79

Ohhhh.. that's very interesting! I hope Garmin/Tacx are working on something to refresh their current line-up with. They're at risk of being seen as the SRM of indoor training if they keep snoozing.

0 Luko79 over 1 year ago in reply to GPLama

You know it much better if something is already "cooked in their kitchen"!