Hot or not? Garmin Tacx NEO 3M Smart Trainer On Test

Train indoors as effectively and realistically as you do outdoors? That’s exactly what the Garmin Tacx NEO 3M smart trainer aims to deliver – with multidirectional movement, dynamically-simulated inertia and realistic road feel. But does all that actually make your training better – or just more expensive? We put it to the test to find out.

With the rise of e-sports, online racing and virtual training platforms, indoor cycling has long outgrown its status as a winter stopgap. It’s now a serious training alternative for ambitious riders. Platforms like Zwift and co. provide motivation, structure and a sense of competition – but it’s the right hardware that ultimately determines how realistic the overall experience feels.

This is exactly where Garmin step in with the Tacx NEO 3M. It’s the latest addition to the NEO range and follows the same core principle as the NEO 2T, which has been around since 2019: a direct drive trainer with no belts or gears, generating resistance purely through an electronic magnetic brake. At the heart of the system are 32 individually controlled neodymium magnets, which not only give the trainer its name, but in the case of the NEO 3M, deliver up to 260 N of braking force. That’s enough to simulate virtual gradients of up to 25% – significantly more than most competing models.

Instead of using a heavy mechanical flywheel, Garmin rely on a virtual flywheel for the NEO series. On the NEO 3M, the inertia that would normally come from the rotating mass of a flywheel is simulated via software. The system dynamically calculates the inertia profile based on parameters like rider weight (up to 125 kg) and current speed, constantly adjusting it through an electronically controlled magnetic brake. This allows inertia, deceleration and load changes to be managed more precisely and responsively than would be possible with a traditional physical flywheel.

New on the NEO 3M is its multidirectional movement: in addition to integrated motion plates that allow forward and backward movement along the longitudinal axis, the trainer also introduces a slight but deliberate rotation around the vertical axis for the first time. The goal is to improve comfort, realism and muscle engagement by mimicking the natural motion of riding outdoors. The setup is rounded off by the well-known “Real Road Feel” feature, which simulates up to nine different surface types.

With up to 2,200 watts of rider input, an accuracy rating of under one percent, and retail prices starting at €1,799, the Tacx NEO 3M clearly sits in the high-end segment. But is this premium-level package really the next logical step for dedicated athletes – or more a case of high-tech overkill? That’s exactly what we set out to find in this test.

On test: What Is The Garmin Tacx NEO 3M Really Capable Of?

The Garmin Tacx NEO 3MO makes one thing clear straight out of the box: this smart trainer is no toy – it’s a serious piece of training equipment. Weighing in at 23.6 kg and fitted with wide support legs, this direct drive trainer sits solid and stable on the ground. Thanks to the built-in carry handle and foldable design, it’s still surprisingly easy to lift and can be packed away into a compact shape after each session if needed.

Garmin include a generous range of adapters with the NEO 3M. Whether you’re using quick-release or thru-axles, road, gravel or mountain bikes with different hub standards – pretty much any setup can be mounted without a fuss. The trainer comes standard with an HG freehub and a pre-installed Shimano/SRAM 11-speed cassette (11–28 teeth) for a starting price of €1,799. It’s a nice touch, but a 12-speed cassette would be more in tune with current standards. If you need a different freehub to fit your own cassette, though, be prepared to get your wallet out: SRAM XD/XDR, Shimano MICRO SPLINE and the two Campagnolo options (9–12 or N3W) each come with a hefty €279 surcharge – ouch!

Garmin also offer optional hardware when it comes to connectivity. In addition to wireless pairing via Bluetooth or ANT+, the NEO 3M is compatible with the optional Tacx Smart Network Adapter, which enables a wired data connection. That might be appealing for race scenarios, but Garmin charge an extra €150 for it – or a hefty €349 if you opt for the smart trainer bundled with the HG freehub. In practice, though, most riders won’t need this add-on. Even when running a second smart trainer in the same room during our test, we didn’t experience any connection issues whatsoever.

Initial setup of the Garmin Tacx NEO 3M smart trainer was straightforward in this test, guided through the Garmin Connect app. Firmware updates installed without issue, and pairing worked reliably right from the start. One important detail: if you’re using the trainer with Zwift, you’ll need to disable the “secure Bluetooth connection” setting in the Garmin Connect app. No calibration is required either – unlike many other smart trainers, the NEO 3M is ready to ride straight out of the box.

The moment you start pedalling, the NEO 3M shows its biggest strength: its multidirectional movement. Especially at a steady pace, the system feels noticeably more natural and comfortable than rigid trainers, subtly balancing out the uneven force of each pedal stroke with small, stabilising motions.

When climbing out of the saddle or during full-on sprints, the NEO 3M moves more noticeably along the longitudinal axis. If preferred, you can lock the motion plates in place – useful for structured sprint workouts. That said, we deliberately rode with the motion enabled throughout testing, as both comfort and realism benefit significantly. For the first time, the NEO 3M also allows a slight tilting motion around the vertical axis. It’s not excessive, but clearly noticeable – and genuinely helpful.
The movement experience becomes even more realistic when paired with the Garmin Tacx Alpine gradient simulator, which we reviewed separately and which fully supports the NEO 3M’s multidirectional motion.

In this test, the Garmin Tacx NEO 3M smart trainer impressed with lightning-fast yet smooth resistance changes. Even sudden shifts in pace were handled instantly and without any lag. If you’re chasing that extra bit of responsiveness for race attacks in online events, you can switch the NEO 3M into Race Mode – and channel your inner Pogačar between the sofa and the bookshelf. The trainer’s reactivity is also clear when shifting gears virtually in Zwift. Gear changes are transmitted almost instantly, with a subtle but noticeable jolt that feels surprisingly realistic.

The Garmin Tacx NEO 3M’s virtual flywheel also delivered a highly authentic ride feel during this test. Its biggest advantage becomes clear in transitional moments: if you briefly stop pedalling – for example, on a descent or to catch your breath – the system continues spinning realistically based on the current inertia and resistance. When you start pedalling again, the cadence already matches the simulated riding conditions, making the restart feel smooth and natural.

The virtual flywheel also enables true downhill simulation. On descents, the NEO 3M will maintain speed or even accelerate on its own, with no pedal input required – a feature that not only adds realism, but also brings a noticeable sense of flow and outdoor-like momentum, especially in races and free rides.

For an extra dose of immersion, there’s the so-called Real Road Feel. The Tacx Training app includes a demo workout that lets you ride through all the different simulated surfaces in sequence. Cobblestones, wooden bridges and even ice can be distinctly felt through the trainer. The latter is especially tricky in terms of handling: apply too much torque and you’re instantly “rewarded” with a spinning rear wheel. Traction, it turns out, is something you have to master – even in your living room.

The surface simulation also works in Zwift, adding variety and a stronger sense of immersion. But the feature isn’t without its drawbacks: for one, it only activates while you’re pedalling, and over longer stretches the constant feedback can start to feel a bit tiring. The trainer also becomes noticeably louder when Real Road Feel is active. If you tend to train late at night or have thin walls and sensitive neighbours, it might be worth disabling the feature via the app or directly in Zwift. After all, good hallway relations can be a training goal too. In general, the Garmin Tacx NEO 3M was very low in vibration during testing, but it does get audibly louder under load compared to, say, a Wahoo KICKR Core.

A standout feature of the NEO series is its ability to run without external power. This is made possible by the magnetic motor brake, which can function like a dynamo. Without a power source or connected simulation, the NEO 3M automatically mimics a flat road and generates enough resistance to allow you to train regardless. That makes the NEO 3M ideal for warm-ups at races or for sessions in spaces without easy access to a socket.

Even without a power supply, you can still pair the trainer with platforms like Zwift – though you’ll lose features like downhill simulation and virtual inertia, as these require electricity. When plugged in, however, the NEO 3M’s power consumption remains impressively low: during pedalling, it used just one to two watts in our test. Only when you stop pedalling and the flywheel simulation kicks in does the draw briefly spike to around 40 watts. So if you want to save energy, just keep pedalling – which, let’s be honest, is probably the better training decision anyway. 😉

Who Should Take A Closer Look At The Garmin Tacx NEO 3M?

The Garmin Tacx NEO 3M is aimed at riders who don’t see indoor training as a necessary evil or just a winter fix, but as a serious and committed part of their training routine. If you train indoors regularly, value comfort and are after the most realistic ride feel possible, this is one of the most compelling systems currently available.

Those of us who train with structure, race regularly or spend long hours on the trainer will especially benefit from the natural freedom of movement, precise resistance simulation and high level of immersion – all of which can be taken even further when paired with the compatible Tacx Alpine gradient simulator.

For occasional riders or hobby athletes who only jump on the trainer now and then, the high price of this setup is hard to justify. More affordable smart trainers offer far better value for money in that case. And if you’re after an ultra-quiet system, it’s worth taking a closer look – or considering turning off features like Real Road Feel. After all, maximum immersion inevitably comes with a bit more noise.

Conclusions: Would We Buy The Garmin Tacx NEO 3M?

The Garmin Tacx NEO 3M delivers an indoor training experience that leaves little to be desired. With multidirectional movement, lightning-fast response times, high measurement accuracy and features like Real Road Feel and downhill simulation, it offers a level of realism that few smart trainers can currently match. Its self-powered operation and wide performance range make the NEO 3M equally well suited to structured training, virtual racing and long free rides. Yes, it’s expensive – but if you’re serious about your indoor training, this is one of the most compelling high-end systems on the market.

For more information, visit garmin.com

---

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of GRAN FONDO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more.

Words & Photos: Lars Engmann