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Tacx has revised its Flux roller trainer and given it more flywheel mass. The ride feel of the Flux Smart 2 is good. The indoor training device also works really quietly in low gears. The noise level increases with the speed. The basic noise swells like a hissing fan, resonances can be heard at 40 km/h with a clear rumble. At sprinting speed, it becomes droningly loud. The brakes on the Tacx Flux Smart 2 also reach their limits in low gears, when a higher gear has to be engaged.
Tacx Flux Smart 2: How the roller trainer rides
On Zwift, the Tacx roller trainer needs two to three seconds to translate the distance requirement into the appropriate pedalling resistance. Basically, the roller trainer regulates smoothly, even with the free Tacx app, which is easy to use for ergometer training. However, the wattage values of the Flux Smart 2 deviate more after calibration with the Tacx app than in the previous test of the predecessor model Tacx Flux. Another shortcoming of the Tacx smart trainer is its rigid feet. It cannot be folded away and there is no carrying handle. It is therefore particularly recommended for a permanent stand.
Technical data for the Tacx Flux Smart 2
- Price: 799 euros >> e.g. available here
- Weight: 23.6 kilogrammes
- Footprint W x L: 65 x 66 cm
- Storage dimensions W x L x H: 65 x 66 x 46 cm
- Max. power: 2,000 watts
- max. gradient: 16 per cent
- Volume at 27/40/66 km/h: 38/57/81 decibels
- Average deviation: 15 watts
Test summary of the Tacx Flux Smart 2
- PLUS: Moderate sound, usable app
- MINUS: moderately accurate display, rigid feet
How TOUR tests roller trainers & smart trainers
We all used the roller trainers in a normally furnished living room measuring just under 20 square metres. Firstly, the manufacturer-specific app was set up on a Samsung S7 under Android, if available, and the trainer firmware was updated to the latest version. A calibration ride ("spindown") was then carried out using the app after warming up. We used the app in ergometer mode with Bluetooth to complete an interval programme. We also checked the accuracy of the power display.
An SRM system was used as a reference, which in turn was synchronised with other power meters. We limited ourselves to endurance performances in the range of 150 to 350 watts and also tested the control speed of the trainers during power jumps in interval mode.
Finally, we completed various courses on Zwift and tested the response behaviour of the brakes - the reaction time to changes in terrain - and evaluated the ride feel. We used ANT+ as the connection to the PC. The sound level was measured at a distance of one metre from the device at three speeds: 27, 40 and 66 km/h; at pedalling frequencies between 90 and 120 rpm. It should be noted that the sound level has a logarithmic scale. An increase of 10 decibels corresponds to a doubling of the perceived volume. Low frequencies are not adequately recorded by the level measurement, which is why we also describe these in the text.
