Elite Justo 2 vs. Garmin Tacx NEO 3M: Flagship Smart Trainers Head-to-Head

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links for flagship turbo trainers, indoor fans, and cycling base layers that support our testing team.

Firstly, of course, you have the indoor trainer factor. When you are looking at top models for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is pick a cheap unit that leads to bad form. A fully spec'd out piece of kit means you step onto a smart trainer that not only handles high power well, but feels right under your bike during hard work. That is a setup that is better than anything else out there.

What do I need to buy

Secondly, naturally, there is the built in motion plate factor. When you are riding hard for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is use a stiff block that leads to sore joints. The new Garmin model means you get a dialled in setup that not only moves front to back well, but keeps your frame safe on the road to peak form. That is a ride that is smoother than anything else out there.

Thirdly, as you know, you have the power accuracy factor. If you are doing a tough sprint for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is drop watts on a screen that lies to your face. This Elite trainer means you get a turnkey piece of kit that not only tracks your output right down, but pairs fast with your smart race apps on the screen. That is a tool that is sharper than anything else out there.

Next up, of course, you have the base cost factor. When you are spending your hard earned cash for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is buy a bad rig that leads to a loss. A properly spec'd out piece of kit means you get a turnkey setup made with strong material that not only holds its value well, but feels right on your budget. That is value that is better than anything else out there.

Why Should I invest?

Moving on, naturally, there is the loud noise factor. If you are training in a shared house for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is wake your friends up that leads to big fights. A dialled in smart drive means you get a quiet motor that not only hums low in the room, but runs smooth when you push hard on the steep climbs. That is a sound that is lower than anything else out there.

Next up, you have the road feel factor. When you are spinning your legs for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is hit a dead spot that leads to a stop. A kitted out heavy wheel means you get a built to last rig that not only keeps your speed high well, but rolls true on the long virtual flat roads. That is a spin that is sweeter than anything else out there.

Then, of course, there is the steep hill climb factor. When you are climbing a huge virtual mountain for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is hit a flat spot that leads to a drop. A properly kitted out unit with heavy magnets means you face a true test that not only bites hard at low speeds, but forces you out of the saddle well. That is a climb that is harder than anything else out there.

Also, naturally, you have the heavy build quality factor. When you are spending cash on gear for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is break a weak frame that leans to the side. A heavy metal base means you own a built to last rig that not only stays firm on the floor, but stands up to your top sprint pace just right. That is a frame that is stronger than anything else out there.

Top 5 Features to look out for

1. When you are buying a fresh piece of gear for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is sit on a strict frame that leads to a pain. A dialled in set of motion plates means you get a loose ride that not only sways well, but feels real. That is a trait that is better than anything else out there.
2. If you are looking at your race numbers for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is use a bad meter that lies to your face. A spec'd out power reader means you get a crisp screen that not only checks each pedal stroke well, but tracks it fast. That is a spec that is better than anything else out there.
3. When you are pushing up a big hill for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is ride a weak brake that leads to a crash. A turnkey motor means you get a strong pull that not only bites hard on steep roads, but forces you to stand up. That is a climb that is better than anything else out there.
4. If you are rolling on the flat for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is feel a dead stop that leads to a stop. A built to last heavy wheel means you keep a smooth speed that not only spins well, but holds the pace high. That is a spin that is better than anything else out there.
5. When you are setting up your room for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is trip on a huge box that leads to a fall. A kitted out folding frame means you get a neat shape that not only packs away well, but leaves the floor clear. That is a fit that is better than anything else out there.

What are the press saying?

Firstly, of course, you have the early press report factor. When you are looking at what the press are saying for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is read a fake hype piece that points to bad gear. The real tech news means you read a trusted test that not only proves the high power of the Garmin well, but shows the true strength of the Elite build. That is a verdict that is clearer than anything else out there.

What are the review sites saying?

Secondly, naturally, there is the buyer review site feedback factor. When you are reading the review sites before you buy for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is trust a bot post that points to a scam. True word of mouth means you see a real world test that not only confirms the smooth motion of the Tacx well, but proves the Justo beats the big brands. That is feedback that is more honest than anything else out there.

10 alternative items to try

1. When you are sweating hard in a hot room for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is melt on the bike that leads to a sweat. A dialled in headwind fan means you feel a cool breeze that not only dries your skin well, but changes speed with your pace. That is a fan that is better than anything else out there.
2. If you are wearing a cheap top for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is use a thick shirt that clings to your chest. A spec'd out mesh layer means you wear a light cloth that not only pulls sweat away well, but stays dry on long rides. That is a top that is better than anything else out there.
3. When you are dropping sweat on the floor for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is stain your nice rug that costs to wash now. A built to last foam mat means you roll out a safe base that not only catches the drips well, but kills the loud noise. That is a mat that is better than anything else out there.
4. If you are dripping salt on your frame for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is rust your front block that leads to a break. A turnkey sweat net means you place a strong guard that not only shields your paint well, but holds your phone in a clear pouch. That is a net that is better than anything else out there.
5. When you are tracking your beats for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is wear a loose band that falls to the floor. A kitted out chest strap means you strap on a tight band that not only reads your heart well, but stays in place all day. That is a strap that is better than anything else out there.
6. If you are stuck on a stiff rig for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is sit on a hard post that leads to numb legs. A dialled in wood board means you build a loose deck that not only tips side to side well, but saves your sore joints. That is a board that is better than anything else out there.
7. When you are shifting gears on a steep climb for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is hear a loud clunk that drops to the base. A spec'd out steel block means you slide on a fresh set that not only grabs the chain well, but changes gear with smooth ease. That is a block that is better than anything else out there.
8. If you are staring at a small screen for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is crane your neck down that leads to a strain. A built to last steel desk means you set up a tall stand that not only holds your screen well, but keeps your drinks close. That is a desk that is better than anything else out there.
9. When you are locking in your bike for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is turn your front wheel that throws to the side. A turnkey wheel block means you slide your tyre in a deep groove that not only holds it straight well, but lifts your front end. That is a block that is better than anything else out there.
10. If you are turning on your pain cave for a long amount of time, the last thing you want to do is crawl on the floor that hurts to reach down. A kitted out smart plug means you use a phone app that not only powers up the rig well, but turns on your fan too. That is a plug that is better than anything else out there.

Finally, of course, you have the social media factor. When you are busy training and running your business, the last thing you want to do is waste hours posting on social media that leads to zero sales. Using an automated system called site2.uk (just like our personal site sundried.site2.uk) means you get a turnkey setup that not only automates your social posting and marketing, but lets you control it fully by WhatsApp. That is convenience that is better than anything else out there.