Tacx Neo Motion Plates Review

To handle trainer duties at the office, we’re using the same trainers used by pro riders at the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships — the Garmin Tacx Neo 2T. This is Garmin’s top-of-the-line Tacx Trainer, so I expected it to feel pretty good. The road feel is excellent and the resistance adjustment is instant. But what really surprised me was how good it felt after adding the Tacx Neo Motion Plates. In fact, I think it comes close to rivaling the ride feel of my Saris MP1 nfinity platform, which is super impressive because these motion plates are a fraction of the price.    

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What are Tacx Neo Motion Plates?

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As indoor cycling has exploded in popularity, so too have gadgets that seek to improve comfort and ride feel. For many riders, indoor cycling is unnatural and hard on the body. Being stuck in one position for extended periods can lead to discomfort, numbness, and pain in sensitive areas. It’s a big reason some indoor cyclists end up abandoning their trainers.  

This is where “rocker plates” come in. These are platforms that can tilt, allowing the bike to rock side-to-side while pedaling. This extra bit of movement is usually enough to engage your body and alleviate discomfort, massively improving the indoor riding experience. To me, the pinnacle of this concept is Saris’s MP1 nfinity platform. It takes things to the next level by adding fore-aft movement in addition to side-to-side movement. This fore-aft movement is what actually provides the most natural ride feel and comfort. In fact, I credit the impressive feel of MP1 nfinity for transforming me from an indoor cycling hater to an indoor cycling addict. 

As much as I love my MP1 nfinity, it has two major downsides — cost and size. At $950 (formerly $1200), the MP1 nfinity is the most expensive rocker plate/trainer platform on the market. It also has a very large footprint, so you need a lot of space to house it. 

This is where the Tacx Neo Motions Plates start to make a lot of sense. They provide the comfy fore-aft movement I’m looking for, are more affordable, and don’t take up any more space than the Tacx Neo trainer itself. For me, this made it the perfect solution for adding an additional smart trainer setup to my trainer dungeon. 

There are a couple more things to know. First, the Tacx Neo Motion Plates will only work with the Tacx Neo trainer. Fortunately, they will work with any generation Tacx Neo from the original to the current Neo 2T. Second, they provide no side-to-side movement. That second point actually isn’t a dealbreaker for me, and after riding the Tacx Neo Motion Plates and Saris MP1 nfinity back to back, I don’t think most riders will miss it (more on that later). 

Installing Tacx Neo Motion Plates

The Tacx Neo Motion Plates are super simple. In the box, you get the two motion plates, which are left right specific, and a front wheel block. Installation literally takes less than a minute. You flip your Tacx Neo trainer over, remove the rubber feet and stick them in the motion plates, then stick the motion plates onto the trainer. They’re magnetic and snap right into place. Turn the trainer back over, make sure the plates are centered, and you’re done. The motion plates can be used with or without the front wheel block, which has a long channel that allows the front wheel to roll back and forth. It will work just the same with the front wheel on the ground if you prefer. 

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Tacx Neo Motion Plates vs. the competition

In the table above, I’ve listed the three top rocker plate options that provide fore-aft movement. Fore-aft movement is the key to maximizing comfort on the trainer and producing the most natural ride feel. For long sessions and ERG-mode workouts, it makes a massive difference in comfort and engagement. 

As I’ve said already, I consider the Saris MP1 nfinity the gold standard for trainer platforms. Nothing else I’ve tried matches its comfort, ride feel, ease of use, and refinement. But that isn’t surprising, considering it’s the most expensive. Its main competitor, the KOM Cycling RPV2 Full Motion Rocker Platform is cheaper, but still costs $800, it’s nowhere near as quiet, and since the uses flat tracks with springs to provide resistance, the fore-aft feel isn’t as smooth. 

What has impressed me the most about the Tacx Neo Motion Plates is how similar it feels to the Saris. In fact, I’d say the fore-aft movement is superior to the KOM Cycling RPV2 because it moves on U-shaped tracks similar to what the Saris MP1 uses. This means your body weight provides natural resistance, which leads to a more natural ride feel. I also don’t really miss the side-to-side movement. The Tacx Neo trainer already provides a bit of side-to-side flex, especially if you use it on a squishy trainer mat, and I’ve found that’s more than enough. While the Saris is definitely still the best in terms of ride feel, the Tacx gets impressively close. 

The Tacx Motion Plates do have several inches less fore-aft travel than the Saris and KOM Cycling platforms. But I still rarely hit the end of the travel. It’s usually only during all-out sprints, and even then, it doesn’t feel bad or harsh when you bottom out. The U-shaped tracks do an excellent job of keeping you in the sweet spot for the majority of riding situations. 

What about the InsideRide KICKR E-Flex? Well, obviously it only works with Wahoo Kickr trainers while the Tacx Motion Plates only work with Tacx Neo trainers. The InsideRide KICKR E-Flex has the most side-to-side movement of any of the platforms here. While riding it, I’ve actually managed to tip over and fall off my bike when not paying attention. Again though, I feel that the Tacx Motion Plates have the superior fore-aft feel, largely due to the more natural feel of the U-shaped tracks, and that’s the movement I value most.   

Compared to every option I’m aware of, the Tacx Neo Motion Plates also has the smallest footprint. If your space is limited, they will be the easiest to live with.     

Are Tacx Neo Motion Plates worth it?

We're loving the Tacx Neo Motion Plates at the office. 

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At $300, the Tacx Neo Motion Plates aren’t exactly cheap but compared to its competitors, it’s a steal. It is possible to find cheaper rocker plates, but they usually only offer side-to-side tilt. To get that fore-aft movement I covet so much, you need to pay to play. The fact that the $300 Tacx Motion Plates can provide the nearly same comfort as my Saris MP1 is mind-blowing to me.   

The biggest catch though is that you need a Tacx Neo to use them. If you already own one, then it’s a no-brainer. Put the Motion Plates on your wish list right now! But if you don’t own a Tacx Neo, it changes the cost equation quite a lot since it is one of the most expensive trainers on the market. You could buy a Saris MP1 and a budget smart trainer for around the same price. 

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For me, I went with a new Tacx Neo 2T and the Motion Plates in my own home because I have limited space and I specifically wanted to use the Tacx Neo 2T trainer. I think it’s one of the best feeling trainers on the market, and I wanted the accuracy, steep grade simulation, and high max power for Zwift racing. If I had the space and money, I’d put the Tacx Neo 2T on a Saris MP1 nfinity, but that’s just a dream (for now). The Tacx Neo Motion Plates get dang close, and since they’re able to do so much for so little, I’m extremely happy with them. 

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Photos courtesy of Garmin and Saris.