Tacx NEO 3M vs Wahoo KICKR CORE (1st gen)
Quick answer
Both the Tacx NEO 3M and the Wahoo KICKR CORE (1st gen) are direct-drive trainers that accept the common road and MTB axles. The Tacx NEO 3M (2200 W, ±1%, $1999.99) offers Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide), SRAM XD Driver Body, SRAM XDR Driver Body and Campagnolo; the Wahoo KICKR CORE (1st gen) (1800 W, ±2%, $899) offers Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide), SRAM XD Driver Body, SRAM XDR Driver Body and Campagnolo. Use the checker below to see which fits your exact bike.
Specs side by side
| Tacx NEO 3M | Wahoo KICKR CORE (1st gen) | |
|---|---|---|
| Drive type | Direct drive | Direct drive |
| Factory model code | 010-02808 | — |
| Axle standards | 130 mm quick-release, 135 mm quick-release, 12 × 142 mm thru-axle and 12 × 148 mm Boost thru-axle | 130 mm quick-release, 135 mm quick-release, 12 × 142 mm thru-axle and 12 × 148 mm Boost thru-axle |
| Thru-axle adapter | Included | Included |
| Freehub (in box) | Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide) | Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide) |
| Freehub options | Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide), SRAM XD Driver Body, SRAM XDR Driver Body and Campagnolo | Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide), SRAM XD Driver Body, SRAM XDR Driver Body and Campagnolo |
| Cassette | Shimano/SRAM HG 11-speed (11-28T) pre-installed | Sold separately |
| Max cassette speed | 12-speed | 12-speed |
| Virtual shifting | Yes | No |
| Protocols | ANT+PLUS, ANT+FEC, BLUETOOTH | ANT+PLUS, ANT+FEC, BLUETOOTH |
| Power accuracy | ±1% | ±2% |
| Max power | 2200 W | 1800 W |
| Max gradient | 25% | 16% |
| Flywheel | Electromagnetic (no flywheel) | 5.4 kg |
| MSRP | $1999.99 | $899 |
| Status | Current | Discontinued |
Which fits your bike — Tacx NEO 3M or Wahoo KICKR CORE (1st gen)?
29Drops straight in3Fits with parts1Not supported
- Elite AvantiDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Elite Direto XRDrops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Elite JustoDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Elite Justo 2Drops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Elite RivoDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Elite Suito-TDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Elite TuoDrops straight in
- • Wheel-on — it clamps your rear axle and uses your existing wheel and cassette.
- Elite ZumoDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- JetBlack VictoryDrops straight in
- • Ships with the Zwift Cog — virtual shifting means no cassette to match.
- JetBlack VOLT V2Drops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- JetBlack WhisperDrive SmartDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Kinetic R1Drops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Saris H2Drops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Saris H3Drops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Tacx Flux 2 SmartDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Tacx NEO 2Drops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Tacx NEO 2TDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Tacx NEO 3MDrops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Van Rysel D100Drops straight in
- • Ships with the Zwift Cog — virtual shifting means no cassette to match.
- Van Rysel D500Drops straight in
- • Ships with the Zwift Cog — virtual shifting means no cassette to match.
- Van Rysel RCRDrops straight in
- • Ships with the Zwift Cog — virtual shifting means no cassette to match.
- Wahoo KICKR CORE (1st gen)Drops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Wahoo KICKR CORE 2Drops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Wahoo KICKR MOVEDrops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Wahoo KICKR V5 (2020)Drops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Wahoo KICKR V6 (2022)Drops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Xplova Noza SDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Zwift Hub (classic)Drops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Zwift Hub OneDrops straight in
- • Ships with the Zwift Cog — virtual shifting means no cassette to match.
- Magene T300Fits with parts
- • Needs a thru-axle adapter (sold separately).
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- Tacx Flux S SmartFits with parts
- • Needs a thru-axle adapter (sold separately).
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- Wahoo KICKR SNAPFits with parts
- • Needs a thru-axle adapter (sold separately).
- Tacx Flow SmartNot supported
No support for your 12 × 142 mm thru-axle axle on this trainer.
Frequently asked questions
Both accept the same common road and MTB axles, so the deciding factor is the freehub for your cassette: the Tacx NEO 3M offers Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide), SRAM XD Driver Body, SRAM XDR Driver Body and Campagnolo, while the Wahoo KICKR CORE (1st gen) offers Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide), SRAM XD Driver Body, SRAM XDR Driver Body and Campagnolo. Run your drivetrain through the checker to see which is a clean drop-in.