Elite Direto XR Smart Trainer Review // Details, Tested, Accuracy
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- čas přidán 4. 07. 2024
- In-Depth Review: www.dcrainmaker.com/2020/07/e...
The Elite Direto XR is Elite's newest and highest end trainer in their lineup. It features an increase from 18% to 24% grade resistance, plus includes a cassette built-in. But how does it handle accuracy wise and ERG mode? Is it more stable than years past? I dive in on the full in-depth review.
Here's the complete list of new features:
- Cassette now included (11-speed Shimano/SRAM compatible)
- Increased grade simulation from 18% to 24%
- Increased flywheel from 4.2KG/9.2lbs to 4.5KG/9.9lbs
- New ERG mode algorithm with increased responsiveness/stability
- Trainer is now fully assembled out of box (no attaching legs or cassette anymore)
- Now includes 1-month Zwift coupon
0:00 What's new
0:18 Axle/Cassette Compatibility
1:54 Unboxing
2:52 Legs, status light, basics
3:52 App Compatibility
5:23 Zwift ride feel (on bike)
6:00 Noise levels
8:10 ERG Mode (TrainerRoad)
9:23 Power Accuracy
10:43 Summary
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Hey folks - thanks for watching! Don't forget even more accuracy details and related are all here in the full written review: dcra.in/EliteDiretoXR
Dit you try the egr mode in combination with Zwift? It fluctuates al lot, no steady wattage. Any idee?
im confuse about when Im using my garmin 530 what is the correct circumference and how to calibrate? thank you
Mine has just arrived, thanks!
Great review! Big thanks from Brazil.
Great review. This thing actually looks pretty good. And also, good job on all of the cycling you've been doing lately! Seriously impressive.
Great review mate !!!
I changed the casete to 11/32 and it's pretty good. Not that loud. Oiling stick points is important to.
Great device 👍 and thank you for great information
Thanks!
So technically is best buy for beginner like me (i buy my 1st road bike 3 month ago in my 49 age), not to expensive and all stuff working like much expensive stuff out there. Only minus of this that it's not have rocking side to side, but obviously need to learn ride bike without that, only legs (not much aero, with my stomach it's big disadvantage for that anyway :-P ). Thanks for the review, i will buy this tomorrow :)
I have the original Direto. Actually, the flywheel is a metal disc hidden inside the unit. The large plastic disc you pointed out at 1:00 provides the direct connection to the bike. It is connected to the flywheel via a belt and is used to enhance its inertia effect due to the belt drive ratio.
Great review, thank you. You talk about the ride feel not being $1200 good but then go on to talk about it feeling natural etc. Please can you explain what differences youd expect between the direto xr and a more expensive trainer? Thanks.
I have had my Direto X since April and I have really liked it. I do Hope the firmware update the XR has makes its way to the X to help fix some of the erg mode stability problems.
Hi Tony. It's been a year since your comment. How are you finding the Direto X? Did the firmware update for the XR find its way to the X in the end?
@@WrathOfVaz Still loving it and happy with my purchase. I have not seen the XR firmware update find its way to the X which makes me sad
Apart from the housing around the flywheel this looks so much like the zumo unit (elites cheapest direct drive trainers). A unit which ive used since Christmas with zero issues.
Yup, we saw the Zumo borrow from the Direto a few years back. All pretty similiar design aspects externally.
Hi Ray. Another great review. Looks like a solid trainer. I am looking to upgrade from an Elite Zumo, I’m looking for better ride feel and improved ERG mode. I use it once a week in the summer and a fair bit more in the winter, never for more than two hours in one go though. If it were your money, would you go for the Direto XR-T at £664, Kickr Core for £700 or worth paying the extra for a refurbished Kickr for £850. Or…….. is the Neo 2 really that good that I should spend even more money? I could however get the Core and a power meter for my outside bike for that money. Interested to hear your thoughts. Keep up the great reviews. Cheers
Another great video Ray, I do you know if Elite have released a shipping date yet?
Hi, thanks for the video! If the choice is between elite direto xr (750 euro) or wahoo kickr core (799 euro)
What do you recommend?
As far as I understand that it is only in the output values. What about the quality and time of service?
Ray - Thanks for the great videos and reviews! Long time follower, maybe one of the few left who knows what DC actually stands for and when the blog was more of a tri blog than review site.
My wife and I both have Trek road bikes, but my is a standard quick release road bike and her's is newer with disc brakes and a 142 x12 thru axle. I am looking for a smart interactive trainer for the two of us to share this winter so we can both use Zwift. Ideally, I'd like a direct drive unit. I'm just wondering, in your experience moving number bikes across countless trainers, is there a trainer that is easier and move reliable (i.e., fewer pieces to switch) you'd recommend looking at? Thanks! Jon
Love my direto. a little louder than others. but in a good frekvens area. that and no firmware upgrades is the only low points. the erg is okay. but could respont a little quicker :) got it delievered last black friday for under 600$
Great review. Now my original Direto seems so dated
You should ask Elite if they will ever produce a Shimano Microspline freehub for their trainers! They promised one in February and still nothing in the accessories options on their website. Since then I have asked repeatedly and keep getting the ‘it is coming soon reply’! I love the Direto X, but not their lack of microspline support. Please, please give them a big push! Thank you 🙏.
But isn’t that already available? That should be the XDR hub?
Hey, Ray! Tuning in because I may be in the market again - please look into & possibly release a note on the Wahoo Core not being compatible with all frames. According to Wahoo's online tool, my bike is compatible with the Core, but I just realized that part of my seat stay brake mount (post mount disc brake) was rubbing on the very thick NDS support leg. It rubbed away all the paint & part of the metal in that location, if you need I can send photos. Hopefully I caught it in time before it destroyed my frame.... I feel like it's a good thing to reach out to your audience about! This was not an issue on either the Elite Drivo I or Elite Zumo. Thanks for what you do.
You need the spacers that are provided with the Wahoo
@@domesp4943 of course I am using the Wahoo provided spacers. I have spoken to wahoo support & the conclusion was simply that my frame is not compatible with their trainer. I am using my other bike atm but like the look of the Elite.
I’m in the market for a new direct drive trainer so my wife can have my old tacx satori.Would you recommend this over the Kickr core ?
Could you please comment if and how the rizer works in ERG mode?
Thanks! - great review!
I would like to know if you think these direct drive trainers could be more durable and reliable (and quieter) if the drive side were supported at the extremity of the axle (e.g. QR skewer nut) with an external frame, like on the conventional wheel-on trainers. A lot of these direct drive models like Tacx Neo 2T have no bearing on the drive side that is supported by the frame. The flyweel and cassette spin on an axle held in place on the non-drive side (and of course, the bike frame). However the bike frame itself flexes from side to side, as it is not resting on spokes or the floor. As a result, the main axle can easily flex and create premature bearing wear, making for a noisy trainer.
Like it 👍
I would like to hear more in your tests on reducing the harmful refractions that some manufacturers apparently did not even understand exist. It is not natural for the bike to sit completely motionless in the back. And it is absolutely most comfortable to cycle outside, so why not try to imitate this ... It feels as if only a few have understood this and then the angle of the bike should come in the right place. Not like on the Tacx Neo2 where the plastic happens to give in a little. Good for the frame but probably not meant to be so.
And how are they to keep clean and service...are there any spare parts? Quality impression.
What would be your choice between wahoo kickr core and elite director xr??
I have the direto a friend the wahoo, i have problems, he good training sessions so take the wahoo.
@@Neilz911 what problems have you experienced if I might ask?
@@attilaforintos1941 it doesn't work with my wahoo head unit after i tried that, i had to download a file to fix an internal problem and at the moment of the comment i thought the erg Mode does not work. After trying a lot i found out that you have to use a very small gear than its okay.
And its working fine now but not with the wahoo.
Seeing as it appears that you were able to calibrate your XR with either Zwift or Elite’s MyETraining app, would you be able to confirm how? And also, what overall impact does it have on the user experience if one is unable to do so?
Hi Ray, as usual, very informative video!
I got the Direto XR in Canada. Have done around 6 rides on Zwift. For ERG mode, I found the 3rd or 4th cog from the top of the cassette as the sweetspot for ERG workouts. How do we enable power smoothing for the XR?
are you in the big or small front ring? i am trying to find that sweet spot as well
Small ring at the front.
What do you think of this type of trainer vs a spin bike like the Kaiser?
Have you ever considered building a rig to test the max power claims? Like you did for water pressure.
Hmm... I've considered a rig for power meter accuracy, but over time the longer I do this the more I've found that these rigs are great at simulating a machine, but horrible at simulating a human (the nuances of pedal strokes). So essentially it'd be the same rig.
Hi there, what is the power cable entry like? I have a drivo and have issues with not being a sturdy fit. Thanks John
I just got this unit and tell me if you calibrated it with the Elite app, does that really matter or just calibrate it with Zwift?
How quickly does it respond to gradient changes on Zwift? I tested the Drivo 2 and it went too hard when the gradient increased, and then took around 5 seconds to settle down.
Holy shit, that's loud!
Hello what do you prefer to buy ¿Elite direto xr or wahoo kick core?
Thanks for review... but my experience is that's all nice till you they got broken, then nightmare begins. In particular, I am still waiting more than 6 months to get serviced. They should license somehow local bike shops to do some fixing otherwise it's a fragile toy product.
Elite customer service is horrible. I own a Direto. I discovered that my Direto report too much power compared to my Stages PM. It happened on their software and on TR as well. I reached out to customer service and the average response time is over a week. They sent some basic calibration instructions. I followed. Everything was the same. They blamed that the Stages PM is not accurate. My FTP was looking good on the trainer. I went out to the same climb I did before with the same FTP. I was almost two minutes slower(300W vs 265W) on a 20 mins climb. I advise to stay away from this company. My trainer is just sitting in the garage. Don't even want to look at it.
@@makihungary you can use your stages power meter for power on the dr.
will it connect to my garmin edge 1030 without issue?
FORZA ITALIA !!!!!!!!
Now can you use the Direto XR without plugging it in?
I'd be really interested to see the results of testing in erg mode with someone with a low ftp. My wife weighs 50kg and although she puts out nearly 3w/kg, that's still not that much. We have both a Direto and a Drivo II and although the Drivo is a bit better, it's still not good at tracking when the output is under 100w
Put it in first gear on low power outputs. That way the trainer can react better for it.
What would the quietest trainer be that you have tested?
Improved ERG mode? That must be just firmware stuff. Bring to my old Direto please (still on the initial FW)!
Yep. Feel your pain. Not gonna happen seems like
I think this guy needs a bikefit
Ray, mixing up left and right? :D (In German, we even have a word for that...)
"In German, we even have a word for that...)" - It's called Monday. :)
Can I use an 8 speed bike on this trainer, without changing the cassette or should I change it? Seems an 8 cog cassette doesn’t work, but if I put on a 9 cog, can I use my 8 speed.
You can mount cassette 8. If you don't change cassette, you have to change at least the chain, because chain 8 is too wide. Similarly, the chain 10 runs on 11, but the drive makes too much noise.
Your saddle is too high. Thanks for the review 👍
I just bought this trainer. I rode it this morning for the first time. Shifting was clunky. Has anyone experienced this! Also I just had some maintenance done with a new chain. Mine didn’t come with a cassette so I put a Shimano 105 11spd cassette which I use Ultegra.
If shifting is weird, it might be that you've either got an extra spacer in there, or, need an extra spacer. That's 99% of the time why shifting is weird and not matching your bike's rear wheel (assuming that both bike and trainer have the same speed cassette).
2:46 timeline what is that blue card for? that looks like a cassette and oil.
Lubricate the chain, do not spin dry;)
Does it make any sense to buy it if I have 1x11 bike?
After 2 years using the Elite Directo XR I'm having an issue with the Direct XR that seems to be afecting a lot of users. It's doing a very annoying noise, kind of a creaking sound... I won't buy Elite trainers again.
which one is quieter, suito or direto xr
which one is quieter, suito or direto xr?
Hi DC Rainmaker!!!! I'm from Brazil and we have a national company (Cyclotronics) that is building a smart trainer. They say it can reach 20% hill incline, 2000W power with incorporated power meter (high precision) - 1% accurary level, and if you do I direct conversion (R$ to dollar, for exemplo) it will cost $1,100.00. But this price is not real, because we have a lot of taxes. For example, Elite Suito costs more than $2,000.00 in Brazil . But I really don't know about this Brazilian product and would like to know from you (a very respected professional) if it is what they say it is. I will send a email to them too, asking to make contact with you. I hope it happens. Thank you!
Thanks for your video. I have a 10 v cassette. And the elito direto xr comes with 11v. Do i have to change the cassette of the home trainer to comply with my bike ?
Thank you
Hi, what did you do with this problem? I am facing the same question.
You will need to change the cassette. My Direto came with a 105 11sp. cassette in 11-28t. Sell the 105 cassette, buy a new 10 speed cassette for your bike and put the old cassette on the trainer.
How can I do quadruple thumbs up? 🤔
Is the ERG stuff coming to the Direto X via firmware update?
I haven't heard yet, but I'll ask!
Would love to see this come to the X as an update!
Hi DC, I bought a direto few weeks ago. During workout session in normal mode, the Power fluctuate every second, within a range of around 30watts (I try ti keep a steady 270 watts, but the power vary from about 255 to 285). Is that normal? Thanks
Did you calibrated it with the app?
@@domesp4943 yep...and the value was exactly the same of the one beneath the trainer..
this unit seem to have issue after 1 year? so better off buy Tacx or Wahoo for better quality ? anyone
Another great review and you beat GP Lama by a few minutes on his review on you tube 👍
I don’t understand why an included cassette is so important.
First the supplied cassette didn’t worked with my long cage derailleur properly. Then I bought an extra cassette.
This obviously worked but in the end I would recommend to buy tools for a cassette change and use the one from the bike. Swapping the cassette is easy and fast and not worth buying a second cassette from my point of view.
Hmm, that's odd - I wouldn't expect the cassette to matter for the longer cage, unless you're talking a 1x type setup/12sp/etc... I think ultimately though, the vast majority of people just want a trainer they pull out of the box and go (which, is the feedback I hear). Up until the last year or so the vast majority of people buying trainers have been on 11sp bikes, so it wasn't really an issue. However, with 12sp now becoming more common at the higher end, we'll eventually see a shift. If one remembers from when the Wahoo KICKR was first introduced, you could actually buy either a 10sp or 11sp unit. In fact, my original KICKR was a 10sp for my Cervelo TT bike.
@@Dcrainmaker If I remember correctly my Kickr came with a 25 cassette (11-speed) and it didn't work with my long cage setup for 32 (11spd). Shifting into large cogs didn't work properly. When I put on my cassette everything was fine.
Hello there! I recently bought my first smart trainer a Directo Elite XR I’m using the cassette it came with. I set up my rouvy and synced them together but it will not pedal forward. It let me pedal backwards to get my chain in put it will not go forward. I thought i had to have a workout running so I started a rouvy program but it still won’t pedal forward. Anybody know what I’m doing wrong?
Same problem it’s really hard to start it, before opening rouvy pedal it and put it in a low gear
kalibrering af watt ?
Why can’t you use a HG 31 8 speed with it
You can Just add spacer first
Make it rain
While it is nice to see 3 power meters basically agree, the nerd in me is wondering how do you “certify”one power meter as being the standard to compare the trainer to?
Between Elite Direto XR-T and Wahoo Kikr Core, which one would you choose?
For me the big problem of any Elite trainer is that if you don't pay some subscription you have an a nice decoration peace with no use at all. You pay the trainer and then you have to pay to train
Nonsense. The Elite app is optional. Anyway, with the trainer you have a code for the annual subscription. You can use any other: Zwift, Trainerroad, Garmin Edge, Wahoo Bolt etc.
@@LeszekProzorowicz and after 1 year what free app you have to use and control the trainer?
@@joaoalvesdasilva151 e.g. Android play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pl.shmoo.powerpeaks, PC: GoldenCheetah, Garmin 1030 or Wahoo Bolt.
@@LeszekProzorowicz going to give a look thanks
@@LeszekProzorowicz RGT looks promising too
No Garmin video? such low hanging fruit..... then again maybe they wouldn't send more HR straps
This trainer is awful. A nightmare. After less than 1 year the resistance stopped working, the support is terrible. They have sent a new board for me to do their job, it took several weeks to arrive, I exchanged the electronic board myself and now the power meter is completelly off, by 50 to 70% and the support team is refusing to solve the problem. They even have several videos on their website explaining the typical problem that these trainers.
Shite product. Don’t buy it. Horrible software and support wasn’t able to resolve major issues I started having after a year of service. Worked with support for over 6 months without resolving issues. Made me loose hundreds of hours of time conducting diagnostics etc.
If you really want to help and make your videos worth spreading, you might consider speaking an English understandable for non-native speakers. Just if that helps!😉