Garmin unveils new Tacx NEO 3M smart trainer with a $2,000 price tag

Garmin unveiled its new Tacx Neo 3M on Thursday, and it will come at a ceiling-breaking price tag of $2,000 / £1,750 / €2,000, making it one of the most expensive smart trainers on the market.

Garmin has touted its new smart trainer from its Tacx brand as its "most accurate and powerful direct-drive trainer with multidirectional movement to take riding performance to the next level."

Essentially, Garmin has set out to create the most realistic feeling trainer, which is similar to the goals of the new Wahoo KICKR MOVE smart trainer.

Still, the suggested retail price of the Tacx Neo 3M is $400 more than the Wahoo KICKR MOVE and $1,400 more than the new Zwift Hub One, although the new Zwift offering does not have the built-in dynamism of the other two trainers.

“Our goal is to make indoor training as realistic to their outdoor rides as possible and we’re proud to do just that with the introduction of the Tacx NEO 3M — the only trainer to offer built-in multidirectional movement, a virtual flywheel and a magnet motor,” Dan Bartel, Garmin Vice President of Global Consumer Sales, said in a press release.

“Now, cyclists can take advantage of features and technology they won’t be able to find anywhere else and, as a result, level-up their training like never before.”

Through the base that offers "multidirectional movement", the trainer is touted to be able to simulate the different feelings associated with road surfaces like gravel, cobblestones and tarmac, as well as simulating virtual gradients up to 25%. All of those features can be controlled through app integration with programs like Garmin Connect, Zwift or TrainerRoad.

Additionally, the trainer is built with magnets to minimise vibrations and thus reduce noise, while also having an LED display to show the amount of effort the rider is putting out – effort that is quantified by a power figure that is within a 1% margin of error, which is Garmin’s most accurate power meter to date. Lastly, while many of the features are best served when plugged in, the trainer can also be ridden without an electronic connection.

The Tacx NEO 3M is delivered "ready-to-ride" with a preinstalled 11-speed cassette, a seamless in-app onboarding process via the Tacx Training app and no calibration needed.

Read more:

• Wheel-on, direct-drive or rollers? How to choose the right turbo trainer for you
• GCN's ultimate guide to indoor cycling
• Indoor training apps all cyclists should know about

Garmin

Garmin is a technology company based in Kansas City, USA. The tech giant produces GPS products for cycling and other sports, as well as for the marine, aviation and motor industries. Garmin’s cycling range began with cycling computers and has gradually expanded to include training products such as heart rate monitors, smartwatches and other training equipment.