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Tacx Flux VS Kickr Core?

Hi all.

I was hoping to pick up a Kickr Core after Christmas, I currently have a Tacx flow smart which was great at first, however it does send a lot of vibrations through the house so was looking for something quieter- however, I just noticed that Evans don’t accept BTC discount for trainers (which was my original plan)- so that puts the price at £700 RRP.

While shopping around, I noticed the Tacx Flux is going for £450 from Halfords- so with BTC that’ll be almost £400- which seems pretty good value.

Has anyone had a Flux long-term and if so, how quiet is it in the real world? I read DCR’s review and he noted there being a dull hum, whereas the Kickr Core is dam near silent.

Noise isn’t too big a deal, but vibration is (as that's the noise you can hear through the house)- which I’m guessing on a direct drive trainer there wouldn’t be any?

Should I justify the £300 price difference?

Thanks folks.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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8 comments

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cdean | 6 years ago
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I’ve had two Flux from Halfords. The first one was an early one and developed a loud squeaking noise so it went back. The second was a much more recent model, but it developed the same problem. I returned it for a refund (Halfords were really good about this, refunding it to my card in store even though I bought it from their ebay outlet via PayPal) and bought an Elite Direto, which has been great so far. It’s noisier than the Flux, but not so much that I’ve had any complaints from family in the next room, plus it pairs with my laptop much faster (I had some problems with the Flux and ended up buying an Ant+ dongle) and folds away meaning I can store it much more easily – I don’t have the luxury of a dedicated training space. It was considerably more expensive though. I was put off the Core ad it was pricier again and there’s no in built cadence sensor, so as I don’t have one on the bike, it would effectively bump the price up again. I find the cadence information pretty helpful in working out what my most efficient cadence is. 

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beigemaster | 6 years ago
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Thanks for the feedback chaps.

 

I did watch the Shaun Miller vids where he broke two Fluxs- and the subsequent story with Tacx where they changed the spec of the early models because of that error etc.

 

You'd hope that buying a Flux this late in the game would be one where all of bugs had been ironed out.

 

Core is really tempting- but I find it hard to justify the £300 price difference- esepcially when that money could be put towards say a new pair of wheels..... 

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beigemaster | 6 years ago
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Thanks for the feedback chaps.

 

I did watch the Shaun Miller vids where he broke two Fluxs- and the subsequent story with Tacx where they changed the spec of the early models because of that error etc.

 

You'd hope that buying a Flux this late in the game would be one where all of bugs had been ironed out.

 

Core is really tempting- but I find it hard to justify the £300 price difference- esepcially when that money could be put towards say a new pair of wheels..... 

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ibr17xvii | 6 years ago
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I had 2 Fluxs both of which broke within the first month & both with the same problem. Maybe I was just unlucky but obviously it put me right off them.

To balance the argument I've now got a Kickr 18 the 1st of which was faulty straight from the box. Got a replacement which has been fine touch wood.

There have been some reports online of some issues with the Core although I have to say when my Kickr went pear shaped it was a pain in the backside, Wiggle & Wahoo were 1st class.

If if was my money I would go with the Core every time.

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CXR94Di2 | 6 years ago
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Ive just got the Neo 2 to replace my Kickr18.  It is a nice piece of kit.  Im adjusting to its ERG mode after being on Wahoo for 4 years

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longassballs replied to CXR94Di2 | 6 years ago
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CXR94Di2 wrote:

Ive just got the Neo 2 to replace my Kickr18.  It is a nice piece of kit.  Im adjusting to its ERG mode after being on Wahoo for 4 years

May I ask why you switched? The Kickr faults? That's a negative for the Kickr, what were the positives for the Neo 2?

My thinking is...

Neo: Exactly the same performance right now as Neo 2 but £350 cheaper.
Neo2: The best but expensive, however may be ultimately better value for the updated electronics - not for the potential new features but longevity. If it were to last 3 years longer than buying a Neo 1 now then the extra cost would def be worth it. When Wiggle get them back in stock the 12% discount would lessen the difference and could be lucky to coincide with one if their 18% sales.
Kickr 18: Can't see a reason to get this over the Core
Kickr Core Best value trainer, but a Shane Miller aside nags on my mind that it's basically the same as an original 4 year old Kickr, and again longevity is on my mind

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longassballs | 6 years ago
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Also the Flux famously has clearance issues with long cage derailleurs. The Flux S is just a Flux with better clearance. So mind which bike(s) you intend to use.

Got a similar quandary myself (dunno whether to make a new thread) re: Neo vs Neo 2  39 I suppose not 100% ruled out Kickr 18, Kickr Core or Neo 2 either

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CXR94Di2 | 6 years ago
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Wahoo make great products, ive owned a 2014 kickr from new . Having upgraded to the 2018 ,  I have had two develop the same bearing fault, noise and Vibration.  So currently I would wait on buying the core, basically same design.

 

The Flux, make sure its a fully smart version and not an early model.  Get the exact model number to confirm its fully smart

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