Im struggling with resistance changes during custom made interval workouts. For example a 3min interval at 280 watts. Half way through i’ll just start spinning like I’m free wheeling downhill. Also the pedal stroke isn’t smooth, feels like I’m going over a cobble every turn of the crank. I’ve tried multiple custom workouts and these symptoms do it on all of them. But if i do a zwift workout it’s fine. Can anyone help? Im using a Tacx neo2 and a macbook. Thanks
How are you creating your workouts? And how are you getting them into Zwift, if you’re using an external workout creator?
I’m creating them in Zwift. I go to workouts, then custom and create workout. I don’t use a third party to make them.
Would you be able to post a screenshot of one of the workouts you have created? (A screenshot from the workout builder, not from a ride.)
When it happens have you checked the status lights on the side of the Neo? Mine was doing this and was because it was overheating, it basically shuts down the resistance until it’s cooled down and then it will work normally again. Also mine also feels like the pedal stroke isn’t smooth, like something is broken inside it.
I did have an issue last year where something broke inside, but thats sorted now. I did think it was the trainer at first until I tried a Zwift workout and it works fine. Thats what makes me think its a Zwift issue. But I may be wrong
How did you cure your issue?
Yes, that’s exactly what I was looking for. Everything looks like it’s set up well in the workout (though, personally, I would reverse the order of the effort/recovery for each of the intervals).
Have you checked to make sure that your Neo isn’t overheating, as David suggested? If you have a fan, you might try pointing it at the Neo while you’re riding to see if that solves the issue.
For some of the grinding/rough pedal stroke I bought another nut from https://www.reaxle.com/ which helped, but didn’t cure it fully and was probably getting worse again over time.
For the overheating I 3D printed a fan holder (Tacx Neo additional Fan by Martin L. | Download free STL model | Printables.com) and attached it to the Neo. This helped, but it still overheated, but I just needed to put out more power to get it to overheat. From memory I needed to do 1-2 minute efforts probably around the 300W mark.
My final cure was to buy another trainer (Jet Black Victory) which I’ve had some issues with, but are hopefully resolved now. Now I have the second trainer I may take the Neo apart to see if an internal fan is broken and could be replaced (I have seen some guides on doing this on the internet) and see if there is something loose/broken inside causing the rough pedal stroke.
I haven’t no. Because when I do an interval session that Zwift has made I’m not getting these issues.
I’ll have another go tomorrow and see if I can see any lights on the neo.
It’s not random though every pedal stroke feels like I’m loosing traction or going over a cobble. It’s hard to explain. It’s just not smooth. I’m convinced it’s the program though.
So tried again last night. Im convinced the erg isn’t working properly.
I updated the firmware on the tacx. It’s still doing it. I even did a Zwift workout not my own and I feel like the ERG isn’t working properly. So from 100w to 190w it changed the resistance but then when it went to 240w and 265w it didn’t add resistance, I kept having to change gear. I even tried turning ERG on and off by the blue menu bar at the bottom during the ride but I didn’t really change anything.
So if you don’t change gear does your power just stay below the target?
Is the Neo new, ie still under warranty? If so maybe contact garmin.
Yes I essentially just spin out trying to reach that target wattage.
I have contacted Zwift technical and they have advised to do a firmware update on the tacx which I’ve done, now another guy there has told me to do the following,
No it’s out of warranty now, I think it’s 5 years old or so.
Since you appear to be in the UK, this is the repair guy for an out of warranty Tacx Neo