I have a couple updates on the Tacx Neo issues. No updates on the Flux yet, still waiting on Shane Miller's third unit to arrive for destruction testing.
First being some good news for those that have the metal clunking sort of noise. It's either some extra epoxy or more likely some extra solder or something that's stuck itself to one of the magnets. The fix is very easy, only takes a few minutes, but requires a special puller tool to get at the magnets. All service centers have this puller tool and they're making more and getting them out there so the units can be fixed easily in the field.
Here is an unlisted video by Tacx showing how quick and easy the repair is:
The second is for those like me, who killed their units. Tacx isn't being so public or forthcoming about this one. Because we can't confirm anything, because they won't share anything yet, I can't say for sure, but it's almost certainly melted wires.
If you are like how I was, your unit is in trouble. If you ride the unit hard and put it away wet, which means unplugging it right after jumping off and putting it away hot, your unit may just not work one day. This goes for all generations, versions and whatever of the Neo. The problem is shown in the picture below, it's in the very thin gauge wires they use.
And just for giggles, this is what the PCB looks like:
All I can say about this problem is that they're on top of the replacements finally. A month and a half after returning my new but dead unit, I got a refurbished one in the mail. It was clearly refurbished and not brand new, but I don't care. It works fine.
Currently I leave the unit plugged in, so the internal cooling fans can work, until the unit is no longer warm to the touch on the non drive side metal. In addition to that, after I jump off and while I'm in the shower and doing laundry, I leave my big fan on and move it over to the Neo and have it aid in cooling the unit down. It usually takes the unit a full half hour or 45 minutes to cool down after I jump off.
