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Setting up a NEO or NEO 2 Smart Trainer
This FAQ will cover the installation process for setting up your Tacx® NEO Smart or Tacx® NEO 2 Smart trainer, including compatibility questions regarding axles, cassettes, and bicycles. Photos and videos in this article will show a Tacx NEO, however, the same will apply to the NEO 2.
WARNING: Always follow the manual instructions to ensure that the rear axle of your bicycle is properly affixed to the trainer and that your bicycle frame is not touching the trainer housing. Failure to properly attach the bicycle to the trainer may lead to property damage or personal injury. Garmin is not responsible for any property damage or personal injury due to incorrect mounting of your bicycle to the trainer.
Out of Box and Installation
The following video will show you the unboxing process and how to install your cassette, install the axle, mount your bike to the trainer and explain what the different LED lights mean.
NOTE: When installing your cassette make sure that you tighten the lock-ring down to the manufacturer's recommended torque specification.
Tacx Trainer Setup:
Axle Compatibility
NOTE: Rapid Axle Technology (R.A.T.) systems are not compatible with the NEO and NEO 2 Smart trainers.
Tacx NEO trainers come set up for a standard 5 mm quick release axle (type 1). Tacx NEO 2 come set up for either a standard 5 mm quick release axle or 12 mm thru axle (type 2). To determine if your NEO 2 is a type 1 or 2, refer to Which Type of Axle Do I Have on My Tacx Trainer?. If your bike requires a different axle, we offer the following:
Type 1 Trainers: 010-13143-00 Axle Adapter Kit for Tacx FLUX and NEO Trainers
The thru-axle adapter kit is for bikes with a 12 mm thru-axle. The axle adapter is required to couple the rear stay with the thru-axle mount on a Tacx NEO type 1 Smart trainer.
Type 2 Trainers: T2840 Direct Drive Quick Release With Adapter Set 135 x 10 mm (Included With NEO 2)
Suitable for bikes with axle skewer attachment 135 x 10 mm
Type 1
Select your bike's axle size below.
130mm Quick Release
No additional set up needed. The trainer is set up for bikes with 130mm spacing out of the box. After placing your bike on the trainer, use the included Tacx Universal quick release skewer to fasten.
12 x 142 - 148mm Thru Axle
NOTE: Bikes with a SRAM UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger) are not compatible with type 1 trainers. Refer to your bike manufacturer to see if your bike uses this component.
The Axle Adapter Kit for Tacx FLUX and NEO (Part# 010-13143-00) is needed for Type 1 trainers for bikes with a 12mm thru-axle. The axle adapter kit is required to couple the rear stay with the thru-axle mount on a Tacx FLUX or NEO Smart trainer.
Remove both the drive side and non-drive side quick release end caps pre-installed on the trainer.
Install the 12mm drive side end cap.
Install the 12mm non-drive side end cap for 12x142mm spacing. For 12x148mm spacing, install the included 5mm spacer on the threaded portion of the end cap.
Place the bike frame on the trainer.
Install the non-drive side adapter appropriate for your bike frame. There are two options: Conical and Flat. If you are not sure which to use, compare the two adapters to the thru axle from your bike and choose the one that looks most similar in shape.
Install the appropriate drive side adapter for your bike depending on the thread pattern of your frame's rear drive side drop out. There are three options: 12x1.0, 12x1.5, and 12x1.75. If you are not sure which to use, compare the threads on the adapter to the threads of the thru axle on your bike. They should match perfectly.
Install the included Tacx quick release skewer for thru-axle bikes (the longer of the two quick release skewers) to fasten your bike to the trainer and start training!
135mm Thru Axle (Less Common)
NOTE: If your bike features a 12x135mm rear thru axle, it is not compatible with a Type 1 NEO 2 series trainer. It is compatible with a Type 2 NEO 2 series trainer.
10x135mm: If your bike features a 10x135mm rear thru axle, you can purchase the Tacx Direct Drive Quick Release End Cap Set, 135 x 10mm (Part# T2840) through an online retailer.
Remove both the drive side and non-drive side quick release end caps pre-installed on the trainer.
Install the 10mm drive side end cap.
Install the 10mm non-drive side end cap.
Place your bike on the trainer.
Install the non-drive side adapter in the non-drive side drop out on your bike frame. This allows the quick release to be installed.
Install the drive side adapter and the quick release.
Fasten the quick release and then start training!
135mm Quick Release
Remove the non-drive side (NDS) axle end cap.
Place the included 5mm spacer on the end cap.
Replace the adapter on the trainer axle.
Place your bike on your trainer and install the Tacx Universal quick release skewer to fasten and start training!
Type 2
Select your bike's axle size below.
130mm Quick Release
No additional set up needed. The trainer is set up for bikes with 130mm spacing out of the box. After placing your bike on the trainer, use the included Tacx Universal quick release to fasten and start training!
12 x 142 - 148mm Thru Axle
The Type 2 NEO 2 trainers can fit a 12mm thru axle because they have a larger axle opening than the Type 1 NEO series trainers.
Remove both the drive side and non-drive side quick release end caps pre-installed on the trainer.
Install the 12mm drive side (12 DS) end cap on the drive side of the trainer axle.
Install the 12x142 or 12x148 non-drive side end cap, depending on your bike's rear spacing, on the non-drive side of the trainer axle.
Place your bike on the trainer and install your bike's rear thru axle to fasten and start training!
135mm Thru Axle (Less Common)
The Type 2 NEO 2 trainers can fit a 12mm thru axle because they have a larger axle opening than the Type 1 NEO series trainers. If your bike features a 10x135mm or 12x135mm rear thru axle, you can purchase this end cap set to make your bike compatible with your Type 2 NEO 2 series trainer: Thru Axle End Cap Set, 10x135 and 12x135
Remove both the drive side and non-drive side quick release end caps pre-installed on the trainer.
Install the 10mm drive side end cap (10 x 135 DS) or the 12mm drive side (12 DS) end cap (included with your trainer) depending on your bike's rear axle diameter.
Install the 10x135 or 12x135 non-drive side end cap depending on your bike's rear axle diameter.
Place your bike on the trainer and install your bike's rear thru axle to fasten and start training!
135mm Quick Release
If your bike features a 135mm rear quick release axle, use the included 135mm quick release end cap (QR x 135 NDS pictured below).
Remove the QR x 130 NDS (non-drive side) end cap pre-installed on your FLUX trainer. Do not remove the DS (Drive Side) end cap.
Replace the QR x130 NDS end cap with the QR x 135 NDS end cap.
Place your bike on your trainer and install the Tacx Universal quick release skewer to fasten and start training!
How to Install an Adapter Set on Your NEO or NEO 2 Type 1 Trainer:
How to Install a Thru Axle Bike on a NEO 2 Type 2 Trainer:
Cassette Compatibility
Bike cassettes are not included with the NEO Smart trainers and must be purchased separately. We recommend a new cassette and preferably a new chain to reduce noise levels, ensure good shifting, and improve your cycling experience.
NEO Smart Trainers Come Equipped With One of Two Different Cassette Bodies:
Shimano/SRAM Cassette Body (2018 trainers and newer)
This is a standard Shimano/SRAM cassette body. Any 8 to 11 speed Shimano or SRAM cassette can be placed on this cassette body.
Additionally, a standard lockring can be used in combination with this Shimano/SRAM cassette body.
Trainers manufactured after January 2018 will have a reference on the packaging placed just above the barcode, saying: "2018".
A reference could also have been placed on the front that says: "Shimano/SRAM body".
EDCO Mutisys Cassette Body (2017 trainers and older)
The EDCO multisys cassette body is compatible with all Shimano and SRAM cassettes from 9 to 11 speed.
Most Campagnolo cassettes will fit, however, there are a few exceptions: Centaur 9,10, and 11 speed (2009-2011) and Veloce 10 speed.
Trainers manufactured after June 2016 will have a reference on the packaging placed next to the decal with the serial code, saying: "W2017".
What if I Need a Different Cassette Body?
Additional bodies can be purchased through Garmin:
The Disc Brake Caliper on My Bike Is Making Contact With the Trainer
The 2.7mm axle spacer provided in the NEO 2 assembly kit will eliminate contact between the disc brake caliper of your bike and trainer. This spacer fits over the threaded portion of the non-drive side (NDS) end cap before it is secured onto the trainer axle.
Bicycle Compatibility
The NEO Series Smart trainers are compatible with most bike frames.
NOTE: The Campagnolo Potenza disc brake calipers do not fit the NEO series trainers. It will hit the NEO on the non-drive side. The only solution is to remove the Campagnolo Potenza disc brake caliper from the bicycle.
