Tacx Flux Smart Trainer (Updated 2018 Version) Max 1500 Watts, 10% Slope, ANT+, Bluetooth, Magnetic, Shimano/Sram Freehub Body, Model T2900

I waited 6 weeks and about 1k miles of riding to leave a review as the flux had a rough start and some bad reviews. I picked it up for $600 in early December and began the relationship with the trainer with some pessimism. Based on my experience, all the issues appear to be in the rear view mirror.I find the Tacx Flux to be a great value at its price point for a direct drive trainer. There is nothing that costs less that will provide the same experience and you will have to spend at least $100 more fore the Elito or $200+ for the Wahoo Core (which appears to be a great trainer).A little about me first. I’m a masters cat 4 roadie who rides over 5k miles/year of which 2k/year is inside (life in the north). FTP is 3.5w/kg with peak sprint at just under 1,200 watts.As for the experience... I have a stages left side crank for my power to compare. The Tacx Flux reads power on the low slide for your initial push, or when sprinting as it is calculated versus measured (Stages is an actual strain gauge). When working in steady state efforts, like Zwift, it works really well. I really find the ERG mode to be helpful, most of the time. On longer VO2 Max or FTP efforts, I do find the ERG makes it more difficult, so I turn it off. I also revert back to the Stages if my legs are tired and I need to complete a difficult workout. It’s kind of like cheating. I can tell my legs have gotten stronger over the last six months and I’m looking forward to a higher FTP as a result.Connecting the Flux to my iPad and Zwift is really easy. I think the flux runs super quiet. The fans and shifting are the only real noises. Coming from a Kurt kinetic rock and roll, I do miss the side to side movements. I hope this review helps. It’s my first on amazon.

Purchased this as a replacement for my Tacx Vortex. Probably should have waited to sell the Vortex.From the beginning, there were issues: The included hub (Edco universal, which begs the question as to whether or not this is genuinely the updated model; updated models were supposed to include Shimano/SRAM hub and have a sticker on the box, and mine had neither) was actually not compatible with neither my existing Campagnolo cassette nor the more up-to-date model purchased for the trainer. Had to wait a week (and shell out another $75) for the hub to come in from Germany since no one state-side had stock. Once here, the cassette slid right on but generates a grinding noise under any sort of tension. The trainer is currently at my local bike shop to be checked out.Overall, I like the feel of the Flux Smart versus the Vortex, especially for time trial and out-of-the-saddle efforts. If I could just get a more noise-free riding experience (to say nothing of actually having the trainer in my house and not the LBS), the rating on this would be much higher.

Perfect, just what my research indicated it would be. I’d seen all the reviews talking about the early failures, but rather than scaring me away I dug a little deeper. For the most part the failures were in the first batch leaving the factory and from what I could tell TACX was addressing the problem. I took that to be a good sign, TACX wasn’t abandoning the product.I watched Shane Millers and DC Rainmakers YouTube reviews and again they didn’t discourage me. Again, TACX could be seen as addressing the problem.The Flux is an entry level direct drive trainer, and at the price point that I could afford. The local shops all seemed to have the Cycleops trainers which didn’t excite me. I’m not sure why but I didn’t feel good about them, the price point was just out of reach for me as well.The setup was easy, unbox, slide the legs on and bolt them in place. The hardest part was putting the cassette on, but only because I used the 12T connector instead of the 11T one. Both came with the Flux.I’d reached out to the seller prior to placing the order and had received an immediate answer. Another good sign as far as I was concerned.My first ride with the Flux on Zwift told me I’d made a good decision. The first hill, I saw it coming and just like real life as I moved into attack position the resistance went up and I started the climb. I find I love attacking the rollers around the city in Zwift and have climbed Leath hill 3 times in the last two days. One of my goals this winter was to get better at climbing hills, this trainer is going to make that goal a lot easier to achieve.I’d definitely recommend the Flux to other cyclists, and already have. I took it with me to the studio at the request of the guys I ride with. They all liked what they saw.

Owned for over a month, and now something inside has broken, when climbing and putting more pressure down, it starts slipping, changed bike and same issue

First ride was tonight. Had trouble syncing via bluetooth to my laptop in Zwift but ultimately it worked. Instructions in Zwift aren't so clear (not Tacx's fault). I think you really need the ANT+ dongle to use this effectively with your laptop, and I didn't know that until after I ordered the Flux. Also once in Zwift the program thought I was moving slower than I would have thought, maybe calibration will help (couldn't quickly figure out how to do that in Zwift). So still working out the kinks but it's only day 1. Overall happy so far and am hoping this will make me want to ride a trainer more. I'll update if I'm more or less impressed in a couple weeks.