Problems with ERG mode on the Tacx NEO Bike

Hi, I was wondering if others have had problems with the Tacx NEO bike in ERG mode? I first noticed the problem using Trainer Road. I'd increase the cadence and the watts would go up rather than staying the same. If I entered into a recovery phase the watts would be about 20 to 30% higher than prescribed in the program. I've had Kickr products and the concordance was always great. The trainer followed the program watts within less than 1%. If I increased my cadence, wattage would stay the same. I'm 65 years old so I don't have the FTP of someone 20 and maybe this is just an old guy problem, but I don't think so. I'm using the latest version of Tacx firmware (really they need to come up with a different numbering scheme--- 0.0.39 doesn't inspire a lot of confidence....but then the product does feel very beta), and the latest version of Trainer Road on an iPhone 11 with the latest version of the software. I've also tried it with the Tacx software and Zwift with a similar problem. I know the problem has been described before, first in a September 2019 review by DC Rainmaker and then on the Trainer Road forums. I guess I thought Tacx/Garmin would have had a solution before now. Thanks

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0 7042651 over 5 years ago in reply to rob_risberg

Any updates on this?

I'm experiencing the same issue

0 Former Member over 5 years ago

Erg mode is awful on my Neo Bike. Power over/undershoots power targets by up to 100w with cadence changes, needs 250w at start to get it spinning and even with a steady cadence is up and down by 10-20w. Its also over reporting power by 15%. Will be returned shortly if the firmware update isn't available soon

0 MarekBns over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

He he, are you saying the producer/owner (whatever you wish to call Garmin and Tacx) do not have to distribute? Or are you saying the Garmin/Tacx are distributing and all the shops worldwide decided not to deliver to end customers? I personally really think that GArmin/Tacx are not distributing the Neo Bike to re-sellers, shops, e-shops. To anybody. MAybe I am wrong, may be. I hope there are more users like you, getting to bike replaced with no delays. I am unfortunately not one of those.

0 Former Member over 5 years ago

I am having lots of issues with EGR mode as well. The power wont stabilise and is much higher than the target power. The only way I can control it is to reduce RPM which I am then told to increase. I have sent TCX files to Tacx for them to review.

0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to MarekBns

The issue is they are having production delays so there are none to sell right now. They should be available again shortly.

+1 Garmin-Patrick over 5 years ago

Hi Everyone - Garmin and Tacx are aware of the issues being reporting while riding Neo Bike in ERG mode and we are hard at work on improvements! At this point we don’t have a timeframe that we can share, but know that these improvements are a top priority for our teams.

0 siwaelti over 5 years ago in reply to Garmin-Patrick

good day!! I have heard this answer since the beginning of December! I think until the new firmware is there, my Neo Bike is back at the dealer and I get the money back !!

0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to Garmin-Patrick

It is unacceptable that a high-end (and expensive) smart trainer is sold with a completely broken ERG mode. I have been in contact with Garmin support since December and I have been told that the firmware update is coming *in a few weeks*. It has been 4 months!?!?!

Sometimes, the support persons answering my emails, claim that the ERG mode is not broken and will not be fixed. Please educate your support personnel about this issue.

I just had a replacement unit (for a different problem on my old Neo Bike) and it has the same exact ERG mode issue. It is pretty clear that this problem is on all bikes.

0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

I hated doing it, but I sent mine back. "This month" turned into "soon" turned into "in the future". To me that means there is no easy fix, which means there may never be a fix. Maybe we'll try version two next winter. Off to ride!

0 TL@ over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

In Zwift the problem seems less then in the Tacx app.
Last night I could easy spin with 90rpm at 120W. The Tacx app craps out at 80rpm and 150W (still OK for me, not for the misses)