small gap in the left crankset

Hi everyone,

I received the tacx neo bike smart 2 weeks and been having the following issue. On every pedal stroke, there is a feeling on the left side as if there was a little gap coming from the crankarm and it was very slightly moving. It is happening on every rotation and that's the only thing I can think about (drives me crazy). It happens less if I am being really careful with my pedaling technique and making really nice circles...

I made a video that shows that the left crankarm is moving slightly from approx 135 to 235 degrees (check for the sound when moving the arm left/right)

https://1drv.ms/v/s!Ahs6UdVC8zZBn3fwG9qYm_yf5s4x

I did check the screw already and it is tight.

Anyone experienced this issue?

I bought the bike from Tredz, and waiting for TNT to pick up the parcel for warranty/exchange/refund but wanted to check in here in the meantime if there is an easy fix...

Thank you!

Benjamin

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0 AndyWaz over 3 years ago

I just received my Neo bike a week ago. Not sure if it’s the same problem, but the left crank does seem to have some looseness in the pedal stroke. Everything is tight by way of set screws. As you say, it feels like there’s a slight slip/knock on every pedal stroke on the left side. I’d love to hear from Garmin/Tacx as to how to fix this.

0 STONY667 over 3 years ago in reply to AndyWaz

I got the same issue feels with every stroke

0 Morten-Rosenkvist over 3 years ago

It sounds like a general problem, because my 5 weeks old Tacx NEO Bike has the exacte same issue.

Please Garmin, what to doo?

Kind Regards

Morten R.

0 4666088 over 3 years ago in reply to Morten-Rosenkvist

You can try to tighten the black (with star shape) bolt with the biggest allen key that comes with the NEO Bike

And tighten down the bolt on the left crank with 22 Nm

0 Morten-Rosenkvist over 3 years ago in reply to 4666088

Thanks for the fast reply.

Already done that - Tighten the Star shape bolt (made of plastic) as much I felt it could handel.

Looked at it yesterday, and perhaps it is the crank bearing, because right pedal has the same issue. Is there something else I can try?

Kind Regards Morten R.

0 5382224 over 3 years ago

I think i fixes the

0 5382224 over 3 years ago

The crank is most likely loose, same on my bike. Remove the star bolt, undo the crank bolt on left side. Slide the crank out and remove ecsess grease, realign the splines and then put back the crank. Them tight the star bolt until no play, tight the crank bolt.

0 dangerousmadcow over 3 years ago

Exactly the same thing with mine Benjamin - did you find a solution?

0 3882554 over 3 years ago in reply to dangerousmadcow

I contacted both Tredz (retailer in the UK) and Garmin at the same time. Garmin originally asked me for my bank details and to organize and pay for the transport from my home to their warehouse. I was obviously pretty angry at it for a brand new £2300 bike. On the other hand, Tredz did organize everything to pick up the parcel from my home.

In between, I told Garmin I was pretty angry about that and they realized (without apologizing) that they sent me an automated out of warranty email...

A few days later, Tredz told me that they received the replacement unit from Garmin.. which was actually a refurbished one! Completely unacceptable once again (my bike was brand new, 2 weeks old, used twice only). Tredz agreed to send me a brand new unit (I'm supposed to receive it today) instead.

Quick conclusion: instead of trying to fix it, they just send you another (refurbished, not new) whole main unit, which sounds completely crazy to me. And my first contact with Garmin has been awful. If the new bike has any kind of issue again, I will send it back and immediately ask for a refund, don't want to deal with Garmin warranty team

0 dangerousmadcow over 3 years ago in reply to 3882554

Thanks for letting me know....that doesn't sound right. They should not be able to replace with a refurbished unit - you bought a new one....I would take up that point with them - Not sure on UK law here but they will not be able to do that in Australia....maybe worth discussing further! Thanks again