ADVICE ON PUSH BIKE AND TRAINER PLEASE

[GeoffCapes]

I thought setting up a trainer was a simple task how wrong was I.

As did I!

I guess it is if you know what you are doing.....

 

[rockits]

I bought a spare identical cassette to do exactly that Mark. Just makes the changes much easier/quicker and just leave the bike cassette on the bike.

I thought setting up a smart trainer would be simple as well. Main reason is Tacx and their stupid leg design. They have obviously acknowledged the issue as this was the Tacx Flux the original unit for last 2 years which is likely why it is discounted. There is now a Tacx Flux 2 & Tacx Flux S which surprise surpise both have a revised leg design that is much lower and will fit a long derailleur perfectly fine.

Seems like Flux (1, not called one just called Flux but easier to differentiate) effectively will be replaced by Flux S so same spec as original Flux but with revised leg design. With similar £549 RRP. Then the Flux 2 has revised leg design but also improved spec.

Flux (1) - Accuracy: +/- 3%, Max Wattage: 1,500 watts resistance, Max Incline: 10% simulated incline. £549
Flux S - Accuracy: +/- 3%, Max Wattage: 1,500 watts resistance, Max Incline: 10% simulated incline, Revised leg design. £549 RRP
Flux 2 - Accuracy: +/- 2.5%, Max Wattage: 2000 watts resistance, Max Incline: 16% simulated incline, Revised leg design. £699 RRP

For anyone who hasn't lost the will to live here is a quick side by side pic to show all 3:

 

[rockits]

As did I!

I guess it is if you know what you are doing.....

I know what you mean but Tacx are to blame as well as Halfords and the retailers selling it. Know your products or don't sell them....or deal with the numerous after sales issues afterwards!

 

[rockits]

I should have been told this before buying then there are no issues. Sorry sir you can't buy that bike with that trainer as it will foul. You need a different bike or a Flux S or Flux 2. That is what I do every day of the week in my job. If I worked in Halfords I would know all this stuff.

 

[rockits]

I am doing Tacx and Halfords jobs here and spent hours doing it! The funniest thing ever in Halfords yesterday is the guy looked on his phone to Google and see if this was a common issue. Where do you think he ended up and found this info? Yup......right here!

 

[zagatoes30]

I should have been told this before buying then there are no issues. Sorry sir you can't buy that bike with that trainer as it will foul. You need a different bike or a Flux S or Flux 2. That is what I do every day of the week in my job. If I worked in Halfords I would know all this stuff.

Sadly product knowledge in retail is extremely difficult especially as the number of products and the rate of change both in products and staff in most retail stores is enormous. The best you can expect is subject matter experts but once again having these available to cover the ever increasing trading hours is difficult.

In this case the manufacturer should highlight a known issue more clearly than just tucking it away in the detailed technical specifications.

 

[CatmanV2]

If I worked in Halfords I would know all this stuff.

Almost by definition this is false......

C

 

[rockits]

Agreed and I understand Halfords position as they do sell so many products. I guess they just have to accept they will get a % of returns and issues to deal with after sales. I think 90% of the blame should be directed and burdened by Tacx here. They designed the product poorly in the first place. Then failed to make their retailers and staff aware. It is not WELL publicised on their site IMHO. It is there but should be massively obvious and clear. Also there should be a clear massive sticker on the box.

The amount of time it has cost me in research is immense. Who is going to pay for that?! Hopefully this does appear on Google and others see it pre-sales. If my hours of research can benefit just one person it will be worthwhile....sort of

Question is now that I either pay more for the Flux S or Flux 2 or get a different bike. I am going to speak to Halfords customer service and leave it for them to decide what they want to do.

 

[rockits]

Almost by definition this is false......

C

Which bit? That I would work in Halfords or would know this stuff?

 

[CatmanV2]

Which bit? That I would work in Halfords or would know this stuff?

The combination. It you worked in Halfords you almost certainly wouldn't know this stuff because Halfords are not going to train you at that level. Of course *you* might know it, but pounds to pennies it'd be only because of your own research.

C

 

[rockits]

Agreed

 

[GeoffCapes]

Agreed and I understand Halfords position as they do sell so many products. I guess they just have to accept they will get a % of returns and issues to deal with after sales. I think 90% of the blame should be directed and burdened by Tacx here. They designed the product poorly in the first place. Then failed to make their retailers and staff aware. It is not WELL publicised on their site IMHO. It is there but should be massively obvious and clear. Also there should be a clear massive sticker on the box.

The amount of time it has cost me in research is immense. Who is going to pay for that?! Hopefully this does appear on Google and others see it pre-sales. If my hours of research can benefit just one person it will be worthwhile....sort of

Question is now that I either pay more for the Flux S or Flux 2 or get a different bike. I am going to speak to Halfords customer service and leave it for them to decide what they want to do.

Having had a look, I'm going to take mine back and get a Flux S. If I am going to use something a lot, it will become annoying the times that I will need the lower gears.
Have ordered it, and have ordered a new cassette for when I want to go out on the bike.

 

[rockits]

This is my quandary. Is it an extra £150 for the S then an extra £400 to get to a 2?

Glad I've helped someone

 

[GeoffCapes]

This is my quandary. Is it an extra £150 for the S then an extra £400 to get to a 2?

Glad I've helped someone

I saw a review, the S is the same (wish) as the standard Flux, the 2 is a load of internal differences and you can climb at a 16% gradient as opposed to 10% on the S.
Theres a quick Youtube review of the two side by side.

 

[rockits]

Did you swap your Flux for a Flux S Mark?

 

[Ebenezer]

Capacitor?
Eb

 

[GeoffCapes]

Did you swap your Flux for a Flux S Mark?

I will do. My Flux S gets to my local Halfords on Thursday.
Did the click and collect thing.
I boxed up the flux to take back tonight.

 

[JonW]

Looking forward to seeing you both in Zwift.... I’ve just done an hour this morning, cycling around a futuristic Central Park in NYC...

 

[rockits]

Very nice...good work. I'm looking forward to some exercise

I'm just waiting to hear back from Customer Services today after they have spoken to both stores again to find a solution.

I spoke to CS yesterday even after I sent a massive email with tons of detail, linked to this thread and mentioned Flux S and 2 were redesigned so would resolve the issue. Initial feedback from stores were that Flux S and 2 would still hit and have the same problems so a bike change is most likely. A bit worrying as we all know now that a Flux S and 2 have specifically been redesigned to resolve this issue!

 

[GeoffCapes]

I ordered the Flux S as it solves my long tail derailleur issue.

I've got everything else set up. Even ordered a new cassette so all I have to did is take the back wheel off my bike and I'm good to go!

Get them both tomorrow, so will report back then!