Elite Direto XR Smart Trainer: Details // Ride Review // Lama Lab Test
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- čas přidán 16. 07. 2024
- Elite this week introduces the Direto XR smart trainer as their top model indoor cycle trainer. This video covers all the details and I give my take on how it performed in the Lama Lab for my training and Lama Lab Tests over the last few weeks.
Direto XR Full Specifications:
- Direct Drive Interactive Smart Trainer (Rear wheel off)
- Bike compatibility: Quick Release 130/135. Native Thru-Axle 12x142.
- Cassette Pre-Installed: Shimano/SRAM Compatible 11spd.
- Freehub Shimano/SRAM HG. (Aftermarket options: XD/XDR, MicroSpline, Campagnolo)
- Supported connections ANT+ (Pwr/Spd/Cad), ANT+ FE-C, Bluetooth Smart FTMS.
- Power Accuracy: ±1.5 OTS (Optical Torque Sensor) power meter.- Calibration: Spindown via MyETraining App.
- Grade simulation: 24%
- Max wattage: 2300W (@40km/h)
- Flywheel size/weight: 5.1kg (*Updated details from Elite post video publication!)
- Noise Level: Quiet... not silent.
- Power Source: Mains Power.
- Firmware Upgrades via Elite Upgrado App. - Front Wheel Riser Block- Extras: 12 months Elite MyETraining app // 1 Month Zwift
THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE DIRETO XR:
1 - The Direto has hidden levelling adjustment on the feet!
2 - If you're pairing over ANT+ for speed/distance: Use 173mm for wheel size!
3 - Direto XR actually substitutes two models - the Direto X and Drivo II
Video Index:
0:00 Intro
0:46 What's New - Direto Model Comparisons
1:46 Technical Specifications
3:03 Pricing
3:15 Unbox, Build, Firmware check
5:00 Ride Discussion
6:14 Power Data Comparison
12:16 Summary
12:28 Three Things To Know
13:34 Wrap Up
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#cycling #elite #smarttrainer - Sport
You make this videos sooo easy to watch! great work pal
This is going to be my next trainer. Such great feedback and the price point.
Always an excellent review and analysis. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for the in-depth review. I've been looking to upgrade from my fluid trainer to a smart trainer and found a deal on the Direto XR so I jumped in. Can't wait to test it out!
Me too!….I’ve been using a dumb fluid trainer, works fine but limitations of sensors and wheel changes is pushing towards the ‘Interactive wheel off Trainer’…..Diretto XR (T) looking favourite!….
Thanks for help. I bought Direto and first impressions are really good.
I ended up buying this because of your review. I wanted the SUITO but it was out of stock. I don't really have anything to compare it to but riding on Max difficulty on Swift is 10 times a better experience than using my power pedals and dumb trainer.
Thanks again!
Thanks for yet another review!!. I hqve been eying the suito for quite a while now until i saw the new review on the Direto xr... Just ordered one for 760 euros on bike24.. i hope i’ll like it this winter when too dark or too wet outside!!
Thanks Shane, very useful!
Its a pleasure watching your videos, very detailed. Bought Direto XR as soon as i watched this video, got it on sale for 1199.99$ in Canada.
Thanks Andrew. Keep me posted on how things go with the XR. It's always good to hear from others on their experience too.
If you don't mind me asking, where did you find it on sale? Everywhere I go (at least the places that have any stock) want $1300 for it.
@@jspaceman71 I bought it from bicicletta.cc/
It was on sale(100$ off) as soon as it was announced. Price went back up a month later or so.
Had to wait for a while to receive though, I guess it had to be shipped from Europe. All in I paid 1360$ canadian (after taxes and 5$ for shipping)
I’ve just bought a tacx flow smart trainer and considering moving to direct train. Loving the videos but still undecided if to buy one or not 🤷♂️
@@gplama had an issue with my trainer. After about 300 km of riding resistance stopped adjusting. Was just stuck somewhere in the middle. Couple troubleshooting emails with someone at Elite - they sent me a replacement motherboard. Issues gone now.
Awesome stuff. Thanks
Good job on the review mate. This convinced me to put Direto XR #1 price/performance wise. I've been a Tacx neo 2 user.
I'm researching direct drive trainers and really looking into the Neo 2/2T, besides price why would you change?
@@jlatnyc I sold my neo 2 a year ago (which I regreted) so I'm looking for a replacement. The direto xr is cheaper plus it is accurate.
Ive got a XR and its brilliant. No problems whatsoever and its bloody quick to respond to gradients in Zwift. Sometimes quicker than Zwift itself (whats showing on screen)
Looks really good. My direto is now 4 years old and only the ANT power control is still working. Think I need to start saving up :-)
Bought a used Direto this weekend for $300 and super happy with my first 2 rides on it. Hard to find this brand in the U.S. everything is Kickr and TACX here
Coming from a dumb trainer was very torn between the core and the XR but getting the XR For 731€ sealed the deal for me. Using it for a week now mostly in zwift it’s very responsive and power is really on par with my assioma duos...I have noticed cadence was not very accurate, but I have been using the assioma for that.
Very good review
The step up was probably as much economic than strategic. Drivo a consequence of the success of the Direto/X & Suito. Sales probably drove the change. Not a bad move. A bit like Saris reducing the price on the H3. That level just below top is the real breadwinner.
After watching plenty of your video reviews on indoor trainers I went for the Direto X at the beginning of the year. I couldn’t be happier. It works brilliantly with Zwift. Had no issues and it’s nice and quiet 🤫. I think for the extras that the XR give you I don’t think it’s worth the extra price hike even if it does come with a cassette. Highly recommend Elite Direto 👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you Andrew! you made our day :-)
Thx for your additional feedback with experiences.
I was looking for trainer a couple of months ago but nothing to expensive and found XR-T which is the same trainer as the one tested here but without a casette, I choosed that one because I wanted the same casette that my new bike has and I there for wanted to get a good picture of which gears I will use in the diffrent terrains when I finnaly get outside.. It s winter in Sweden so it is about at the best 3 months to ride on my trainer left..... I found that the price Elite XR was about the same as for example Tacx midrange sort of trainer which does for example has much lower max gradient. My thought was that Elite XR was sort of best for the buck among direct trainers on the market at least compared to Tacx and Wahoo. This test as I see it something that just makes this belief a bit stronger. I am new too cycling indoor and this trainer was really good to ride on. I have ridden most only Zwift but also on Bkool and RGT and it works fine on all these three platforms. Just learned that I must calibrate the trainer from time to time. I saw that Wahoo and Tacx top dogs is doing that automatically but that feature certainly is not a one must have especially given the diffrence in price. And it also seemed quite easy to do it. All in all the Elite Direto XR and XRt is a really good buy. And thanks also to a very good review it was the best that I have seen and that is not only because the tested model is the one I have and like. It learned me alot about how direct trainers work in general
Good review 👍. I wish someone would make a smart trainer with these specs in the $500 price range. All the good trainers are in the $1000 price range.
Won't happen.... not any time soon. Look at the lower end of the power meter scene. Riddled with broken promises and companies going out of business.
@@gplama Just buy used. Plenty of great barely used trainers collecting dust in the basements of dentists and divorcees to be had around $500-600.
STill using the 2018 version of the Direto. Working good so far with Zwift level 41 and 13.000 km indoor
Same here! Bought one of the first available in the Netherlands. Level 36 and 11.000 indoor km and still going strong :-)
I had 2 2018 Direto’s - the first had a belt failure after 6 months and was replaced under warranty and the second went back 4 weeks ago for another fault. Got a refund and went for a Tacx Neo 2T so hoping for more luck...
Works great for gaming in Zwift. Has frustrating long delays in Erg reaction soeed though :(
A few months until it’s that time of year again where we are all looking at Zwift and a fancy trainer
Are you and DCR synchronising uploads now? Awesome!
If you have 3D glasses you can watch both side by side at the same time! hahah!
May of found my new Christmas present to myself. Currently using Tacx Bushido on-wheel trainer, it’s been great but looking to upgrade, this might be it.
Then I be able to had down TB to my wife who can start riding with me.
It's Christmas in July! :)
we're pretty sure she will ask for a Direto XR soon!
Great turbo this
Thanks for the video Shane. Do you have a timeline when you are doing the route badges? And which ones you have left I have noticed on strava we often seem to do the same ones a day or so apart. I should also say thanks for the zwift hub tip that has made it so much easier.
I hope to have them knocked over by the time summer rolls around.... No real schedule... although... I have to test something to the maximum very soon... so I should get into the longer ones. (That does mean much longer livestreams though) :)
@@gplama whilst the lockdown was on in the UK it was the most social way to ride, using discord for voice chat. So I will likely get the longer ones done in UK winter especially if there is a second wave
Can you please do a review of the Xplova Noza S by Acer? :)
Good review, if you have a chance, can you also review Elite Suite?
Love my Direto X. Cadence can be wonky, or maybe that’s me.
Is there anything to [service/maintain/grease/give some love to] before the trainer gets stored away for summer? We have used it quite a bit since december but now it gets time to ride outdoors again. Any suggestions, @Shane Miller?
Nice video Shane. The big question is can you use the climb with this trainer
In manual mode... yeah, I guess.
And I'm still waiting on an Direto X... Dang it. Oh well, the X will take of everything I need it to anyway.
The original Direto is still in rotation in the Lama Lab.
Feel your pain, I ordered a direto x and two weeks later the suito came out. I am still happy with my purchase, does everything I want it to except dealing with 30t chainring & 32/36t cogs. Once I get down there my cadence readings are just a fraction of what my cadence sensor tells me. Mentally crushing on the radio tower climb.
@@gplama Sorry to bother you, Shane, but hoping you can answer a question for me regarding the XR vs. original Direto. I have the Original, and I find that for general workouts and group rides, it's more than adequate. For Zwift racing though, is there a compelling reason to upgrade to the XR? (I don't come close to approaching the max power limits of the original Direto).
@@simonforman593 For me the real benefit of the XR was a better experience in ERG. Races are in SIM, so I don't see any major reason to switch up for racing.
@@gplama Thanks. That info saves me about $1300 CAD.
You were right!, again!…..bought 2 x from Zwift direct £575 each, cassettes from Bike-Inn, got sterzos while we were at it!, all good, much quieter than expected, much smoother than expected, for the first time we actually feel the hills, not just a lower speed like our dumb trainers, it’s like riding into a lake of treacle at the foot of the hill, but very realistic. Your guidance on set up and top-tips more useful than Elites!. So that means I’ve got a question for you?….can you change the name of the trainer when it pops up on the Zwift log in page?, we’re never sure which is which?. Thanks again, great stuff!
Shane - do you think this is suitable for a low power rider?! Or is there an alternative you think I should look at? I’d like to switch to a direct drive from a wheel on trainer - a Vortex Smart - bought following a review of yours a few years back....
Hi I just bought an Elite Suito and I have a general question. This is my first direct drive trainer and I have an 11/40 cassette. The Suito comes with a 105 11/30. Should I get an 11/40 or can I use the 11/30? Cheers
Got a XR-T (without cassette) for 500€ new. Includes 1 month zwift. 100€ less than the kickr core, can't argue with that
Initial performance reported as good. But what about the known belt/tensioner problems that have really impacted the Direto longevity. So many reports of belt failures within the Direto community it would be good to hear that Elite have addressed this fault. The belt in my Direto shredded after just 3 months.
Ciao Mark, you're right. It's been a problem we have faced but we can guarantee it represents a tiny percentage compared to the units we sold. We always aim to offer flawless products of course. At the same time we are quite responsive in fixing the issue ;-)
Been really pleased with my Direto 2 since I got it last year. Would be interested in trying the XR though to check out the ride feel, you sometimes get little fluctuations in resistance through the pedals when holding constant Watts (in ERG mode) on mine.
Another great video Shane, the only thing I would say is DC Rainmaker beat you to first revised review on you tube. 😄
It’s not a race. Of all the things going on in the world. That isn’t something anyone should care about. We don’t.
@@gplama totally agree. I only mentioned it as ive never noticed him post a review before yours. Plain and simple.
Pefer a Lama review when it comes to trainers. Nice one Shane 👏🏻
Elite should start producing pedal power meters :)
Easier for them to buy Favero which is just up the road from them. :)
It´s great fun with this trainer. But I like it even better, using Apps - like Zwif or WattChallenge (only 6 Euro). My daughters make races with them all day long :-)
Hi Shane,
Unlike the media PR direto XR you received there's lots of issues with them. I wished I checked Elite's online forum before I made my purchase as there are too many issues/complaints.
Where to start. Cadence is all over the place but mostly 50% of my actual RPM. No matter the Watt output it's off. I slow my cadence so it converges and then speed my cadence back up but the sensor bounces back to 50% of actual RPM. The power sensor is underestimating my Watts output too. I did the XR software update with no relief.
I tried configuring the sensors via myEliteTrainer but the APP won't connect via Bluetooth or Ant+! Apparently older Elite trainers automatically connected to Bluetooth but the XR didn't for me. The APP read the Trainer Serial # but can't read serial #s for Power or Cadence sensors.
I've tried to create an account on Elite's online forum but no one responds back to approve my account.
I try to do the Zwift pairing power calibration count down but it never stops, it gives no indication how much longer it will be, or if it's even getting any closer to being calibrated. All the while I'm holding 40kmh.
What is the deal and where does one turn? Any recommendations?
Thanks for letting me vent. :)
I'm across the forum posts (and I also can't register to contribute over there....). There's a few people who are pissed off at me for this review.... but my experience is my experience. To report anything else is ironically what they believe they're pissed off at me for. I present my experience and leave it at that. The Lama Lab test protocol/methods and equipment used are all published for anyone to replicate.
The reality is Elite trainers have a few quirks. Firstly you need to have a super smooth pedal stroke to keep ERG and the cadence estimation happy. Next is the flywheel size setting that appears to trip up Zwift calibration (spin up to 54kph not the listed 37kph and it's happy). I have a ticket in with Zwift and Elite on this one..... given you're encountering this issue then you're across how the response to my ticket is going....
Bluetooth.... where to start? My experience has been fine with IOS devices and a new HP Omen PC purchased around 12 months ago. New equipment. Mrs Lama's MS Surface PC doesn't have the same success, so she's using ANT+.
Where to from here? Keep it simple. If a product doesn't do what they say it does, return it.
@@gplama No worries Shane. I know you don't pull any punches with your reviews. It's sad Elite played the media like that. Fortunately I purchased mine through Amazon and will be returning it.
Great video Shane, do you know if Elite released a shipping date for the XR yet?
I believe it’s right away... but will depend where you are in the world.
Shane Miller - GPLama Great thanks, I’m in the UK
Ciao Scott, Direto XR are being shipped. Contact Madison Cycles
5 Roebuck Way, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes MK5 8HL (GB) -
+44 (0)1908326032
customercare@madison.co.uk
www.madison.co.uk/
great video ;)
I have a question: What settings did you use with your Dirt XR and ERG-Mode in Zwift. In Elite Forum a lot of riders complain about ERG-Mode not working since months and Elite it seems Elite can't handle that issue. Even my Dirt XR does not set constant power. I use my Dirto XR with an ANT+-Dongle for power connection and cadence (as recommended by Zwift) and also with an USB cable to place the dongle right next to my Dirt XR. The Dirto has newest firmware and is calibrated.
Thx in advance ;)
Default settings. BLE to Windows 10 for the connection with my test setup. I'm across the lengthy thread on the Elite forums and other posts regarding ERG stability. The XR is a lot more stable in holding the correct watts in ERG than other Elite trainers, for me, as shown in this video.
@@gplama wow thx for that fast response. I will try BLE too next time. In Eilte Forum there are lot of essays describing issues. Didn't find solutions so far ^^ because I could not read all those comments - puh ...
I have an Update:
Yesterday Zwift Made an Update. Now ERG suddenly works in Zwift. In Elite MyETraining in MacOS it worked from beginning when i bought it end of Nov2020.
Still paired with ANT+. Didnt change Andy settings. Sound magic 😉
Awesome video any idea on when it will be released in Australia
It should be within weeks. Ping Cassons (the local importer) for exact dates.
@@gplama thanks
@@fabianrojas3548
+610288821900
enquiries@cassons.com.au
www.cassons.com.au
I have a Direto(original). In one of your slides, you note about a Fan. The fan I have is a plastic blade attached to the flywheel shaft. What kind of fan does the gen 3 have?
I have the 2019 Direto X.
... and are you happy with this unit?
Been using a tacx vortex these past few years, which has pretty much served me well. Major down sides are tyre wear, tyre squeal, slow ramping of power-- noticeable in Titans Grove --- noise, and occasionally maxing out the power(950w I think) . So going to commit to something for the coming winter (UK). At this price point they are all looking pretty much the same. Ffor a guy that needs a general fitness tool for winter rather than competing in Zwift races I am struggling to see the the need to pay out any more than this. If I remember correctly, this seems to have better power tracking than the new neoT2 that you reviewed. Build quality is probably a bigger part of the purchase equation for me. This reveiw has very few or no negatives , has Elite quietly built a classic trainer here? Is there that much difference in feel with the trainers with the bigger flywheels ? ( I don't need ambient lighting to tell me how hard I am pedalling either)
The Direto is a good design across all three generations. I guess a downside is the stepper motor resistance unit... but performs very well with the XR. Something with a massive flywheel will feel smoother on the pedals, especially in ERG (See the Saris H3 review for how that performs). I'm just happy to come across a trainer I didn't have to ummmm and ahhhhh with trying not to hurt the feelings of the company who made it... and get myself shitlisted in the process :)
@@gplama ha ha, what you don't say is just as important as what you say..... and you can't be accountable for that in your reviews.. Coming from a vortex I am sure this wil lbe more than fine, I will check out the H3 though.
@@gplama So after a bit of a wait, I unboxed my new XR today. Bit late in the day so will ride on it tomorrow, plus I had to change the cassette as my turbo bike is 10 speed. I did offer up the 11 speed and spun it up though, felt good but it hadn't warmed up... I'll try out the Grove tomorrow!! Huge thanks for your channel.
Hi friend!! Big fan your job. Me and a lot of elite clients are having problems with erg mode at this trainer. power readouts ranging over 40 watts up and down and the death spiral before you even begin your zwift workout! Would be interesting your opinion! Would be a question of a new firmware update? P.S. You make a great job at your reviewsI am a big fan!!
Best send these queries to Elite Support.
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 🙏
I have an Elite branded Shimano Microspline freehub sitting on the desk with me now. Code 1014315 It's on their site here: bit.ly/2Q0818t
Hi Shane, is there any other parts to buy if I need to replace the cassette for a 10 Speeds or is everything in the box already ?
Great video, Thank you !
I believe there's a 10spd spacer included, so you should be good do go when replacing the cassette to 10spd.
@@gplama thank you for the info.
Cheers Shane, I am awaiting the delivery of a Elite Suito Smart Trainer, have you done a review of one of these by chance ?
No, I haven’t.
Good pick!
@@elitecycling It will be when it is in stock and I get it :)
Hi Shane,
I was considering getting the neo2t but this seems like a pretty decent unit. What does this do better/worse than the neo 2t? Is it just the noise factor?
Included cassette and lower price point are positives for me.
The 2T has less moving parts (eg, no belt). You can't really go wrong with either. Test ride if you can before purchase.
What do you think of the Suito?
Wondering where they're going to go with the Drivo series with specs like these on the Direto.
Also the subtle shade thrown at the Wattbike Atom.
Watch the video....all the way..... :)
@@gplama Hah. 14 minuttes, I just finished!
RE: Shade. Data is data. It's also an interesting comparison as they both have stepper motor designs.
Drivo will be discontinued
Hi Shane, first of your channel is great. It's very rare to find a place with all the information that you gan give with your video. That said I've bought a brand new Direto XR 2 weeks ago. I've used it in SIM mode with Zwift with no issue (I'm new to this world, but everything's gone ok). Problems started when I first tried to use it in ERG mode... Both in zwift and rouvy, when starting a workout in ERG mode, the pedals seem blocked. Really, cannot move them, not for a lack of power, but because they're really blocked. Some times in Zwift the pedlas can move, but it seems to me that the power values I see are completely out. Very scattering and it's quite impossible to mantain a steady power value, even with a very stable cadence. Did you experience some similar behavior or do you have some hints to solve this? Calibrations, connection and all this stuff are correct. Thanks a lot!!
Hmmm.... Check my video on ERG and make sure you're not hitting the 'Spiral of Death'. czcams.com/video/LbeliW8uObk/video.html
@@gplama Thanks for your quick help! I'll give it a try by following your suggestion... the strange thing is that, in Rouvy, I cannot even start pedaling when I start a workout, even if the first level is 100W. I will try to start a workout when I'm already pedaling and check the results. Thanks again!!
Shane , would you choose this over a 2.1 Flux or a Neo ?
I bought Direto 2.5 years ago after your review but I really regret it. In steady state ERG, the power is very variables. Interval training is very frustrating, it takes 10 seconds to increase power. I am thinking of moving back to Kickr now.
So you've already said on the other video. If you're unhappy with the product, take it back or sell it and move to something else. You'll note in this video the ERG performance is a lot better in my testing.
Agreed about consistent, frustrating Erg mode lags of up to 10-12 seconds on the "on" side ... and 5-10 second lags on the "off" side. Sucks for intrevals of under 30 seconds. Must use manual mode instead of Erg to bypass this issue. Game mode on Zwift is no problem though. Mine is the original Direto btw. Not willing to give them another chance by throwing a bunch of money at the XR ... only to keep the old one as a doorstop.
A change in the Lama Lab? I did notice a different screen size on the installed TV’s on your Lama Cave. I recall you and Von had similar sized televisions. Just minor upgrade or other reason/explanation?
I switched one side to a 50 inch 4K TV when I upgraded the PC a few months back. I should loop back and cover that upgrade on here soon.
I purchased the Direto XR in Canada and it is too hard to get nowadays. Did 3 rides on it in 2 days. Good feel ERG mode is good too. All set for the winter. Any idea how to enable the power smoothing on the Direto?
Elite have had it in the past within the MyETraining app/config.
@@gplama thanks Shane.
I was wondering if you had any experiences with the Aussie-owned JetBlack Volt. I've seen that you have reviewed the Whisper, which, when compared to the Direto XR, achieved poorly. Is there any possibility of reviewing the Volt?
No sign of a final production units in the wild yet.
Hey Shane any chance you'll give the revised flux 2 a go?
It's in a box here.... somewhere.... when I get the chance I will.
Hi Shane,hesitant to move away from Lemond Revolution but which would you go for?2nd hand direto or suito?thanks!
Direto
Hi Shane, do you think that the stability of the XR is an important factor comparing to the CORE which seems to have some instability issues? Thanks
Physical stability of the Core isn’t an issue for me. You have to be riding pretty wildly indoors to tip a Core. Maybe a good use case for a rocker plate that secures the unit down.
Wahoo kickr core vs Elite Direto XR: which one should i pick? @Shane Miller
Either.
@@gplama which one, if i have to pick one
Hi Shane, anyone know the power cable length (ie can you run it neatly to the front of the bike under a mat now?) and does the cable adaptor stick out at the back - my Qubo Digital B+ does - always worried about kicking/catching (snapping) when walking behind the bike. Cheers, another great review.
iirc it's 6 feet long. Elite might have details somewhere on their site. The connection port is on the inside, so it'll be very hard to knock it out.
Cheers Shane!
I've been.impressed with elite for small.parts so I'll consider a new elite smart trainer shortly. I'd love to buy an Australian produced trainer but alas.
we are not Australian but we love Australia! :-)
How is the XR for noise? Is it as quiet as the new Kickr v5 and Neo 2T?
Its quiet. The only sound I hear is the sound of my gears and cassette.
Mine is quiet. Too quiet. I can hear all the little things I need to adjust on my bike.
The Suito and Direto X are of the same price now here in Australia. Which one would you suggest while there are still some Direto X still in stocks?
Your call. There's no real major differentiating feature between the two.
How does one calibrate this unit. Can you explain ERG mode.
With the Elite MyETraining app. ERG mode explained in this video: czcams.com/video/LbeliW8uObk/video.html
Hi Shane.
Really appreciate your to the point need to know videos.
I was wondering if you could help me with a decision??
I’m considering purchasing a new Elite Direto. $1150 NZ. I’m an average Road / MTB rider and I’m looking for a trainer to give a good Zwift experience and keep my fitness up or improve over winter. After watching this video I’m wondering if it’s worth forking out an extra $500 ish for a Direto X or a bit more for an XR???
I'd go the XR. That's their flagship trainer now that performs well in my tests.
@@gplama thanks Shane. I was thinking that too.
I see there’s another model, XR T
Do you know what difference there is between them??
@@camdunnage6214 The 'T' models from Elite are identical trainers to the standard named ones but don't come with a cassette.
CAN IT WORK WITH 8 SPEED HG31
Yes. You can certainly hack that for 8 speed. You'll need to add a spacer between the 8 speed cassette and Direto first, and then slide on the cassette on the hub body.
It works great
Is this going to battle directly with the Kickr Core, and which to go for when buying a new smart trainer (and the first one ever :) )?
LeMond Revolution still wins everything for training for me. It's not a smart trainer though... so nobody likes that answer.
@@gplama Well, I don't think I can get that one in Denmark, besides I am going to use it for Zwift, to have a bit of fun and purpose during the winter and when the weather is not so nice.. A mid-range direct drive trainer durable and consistent in readings.
I have a suito coming in a few weeks. It was on back order for $679. I'm coming from a wheel on kinetic. Should I spend the extra $250-$300 on the XR? I don't put out much power, FTP is about 215. Thanks
Entirely your call.
I am on a Direto XR trainer now for a couple of weeks, based partly on your favorable review. I'm riding Zwift every day but wondering whether I should exchange this for a Kickr? When I'm about to hit an uphill grade and Zwift is going from 0 to 1% slope, the Direto really bogs down and I often am standing putting all my energy just to turn the cranks? If I anticipate the climb even more and am already standing the pressure is reduced a bit but not by much. It's a killer for my knees but I can take it but only so much? I've calibrated the trainer with Zwift with no change. I figure you might have an idea? Thanks.
It shouldn't bog down from 0% to 1%. That's more what happens from 0% to 10%. Best I can suggest is to test ride a Kickr to see if that meets expectations.
I have the same turbo and when Im in Zwift I notice the power going on from 0% to 1% ever so slighrly eaelier than what it shows on Zwift but not to the point I have to stand on the pedals. Maybe you need to recalibrate it? Mines been perfect. In fact I often know the gradients are about to kick in quicker on the turbo than on Zwift because its so fast to respond to changes.
Interesting. So if you crowning it as a new king, that means it is became more responsive than drivo2, maybe in same ballpark as neo2/kickr? Here older diretoX always costed less than more praised core, and the new version seems just stomped it. Does xr still cannot pair both bluetooth+ant+ simultaneously?
*Elite crowing it as the new king. Meaning they're sunsetting both Direto X and Drivo II. I've been connecting to it via BLE (Zwift) and recording the power data (ANT+) at the same time.
@@gplama nice, so finally elite seems made a product with about similar price as current core which does not have exclusive dual pairing anymore they always were proud of:) For what is worth it seems it became top dog of all hiend trainers but which cost 300-500 eur less:)
Want to upgrade from my snap and the two trainers I’m looking at are the core and this one which would you recommend? (I know both are pro as out of stock everywhere but willing to wait if needed)
Entirely your call. And most likely comes down to what's available.
@10:09 no names given...I mean there's a photo of it and the name is right next to my head but I'm not saying it. 🤣
The last time I mentioned them on a forum it ended in a few emails and a conference call. So.... I best not mention them. 😉
Shane Miller - GPLama These companies should channel some of their sensitivity toward critiques of their products to sensitivity about the quality of their engineering. Sheesh.
Hello Shane, what would you pick? A Direto XR or a tacx Flux 2 (assuming prices being the same )
I'm not the greatest fan of any Flux unit.
@@gplama got the hint;)
Just bought the XR having borrowed an X for a few months and noticed there’s no red fan wheel in the XR, makes me slightly concerned as how the system will get sufficient air flow through the case to prevent overheating. Any thoughts?
One for Elite support. If they're confident in the design and have tested it, it shouldn't be a problem.
So with Drivo "gone (????)" from range...are they essentially trying to undercut the market vs. the Kickr/Neo types?
The price and features are similar to those now, so there isn’t much undercutting.
have you done the Elite Suito review?
No
Explains why drivo now on sale for less than £600 in UK. Then
You mean drivo 2? Old drivo always was discounted becausd its inferiority...
@@TheUnrevealer not sure just Googled it, half decideing to up grade the muin, which does what I need. But zwift calling. 😁
Bought this turbo based off this review. Just confused to where I change the wheel size to 173. Is it in zwift?
Only if you’re recording data with a Garmin GPS or similar. Nothing required if you’re only using Zwift.
I'm considering buying the Elite Direto XR or Wahoo Kickr Core. Which one would you recommend? There's a great deal on the Direto XR in Europe right now, making it 50€ cheaper than the Kickr Core
XR has better power numbers by a small margin if accuracy/etc is super important. Other than that, they're both solid units that'll do the job.
@@gplama Thanks for your prompt response :) Noise level and portability are not that interesting for me, I find accuracy more important. So XR it will be
Hi Shane, i have to make a choice between the XR, Kickr Core, and Tacx Flux 2s, which do you recommend?
I rarely do straight up recommendations. I'd stay clear of the Flux. My history with those is rocky.
@@gplama no worries, it reduces my choices..think its a tough call to decide between the XR and Kickr core though. Appreciate your fast response though. Thanks
Is it possible to use Direto XR only as a speed sensor on Garmin Edge devices somehow? I’m using mainly Trainerroad Android App over BT to control trainer, but want to use Garmin for recording workouts as well (for training status). I could connect Direto as Smart Trainer to the Garmin, but I fear it would mess the ERG mode if Trainerroad and Garmin start to compete over the control for the trainer… :-)
Yes
Any recommendations Shane on Aus purchases for this and the classic Direto? Did buy one a few days back, but the companies stock was incorrect and it was sold out (the classic that is).
Somewhere local that has your back for any after sales support required. Cassons (iirc) is the importer here to check with.
@@gplama Thanks Shane, I've been searching high and low. They are a hot commodity at the minute down here.
Please, as shane suggested, contact Cassons. It's been a crazy (but positive) year for us and the whole indoor training sector. We are supplying all the shops with many trainers right now.
@@elitecycling Will do! Thanks for your reply directly Elite. I'll give them a call today to try to get a new smart trainer.
24%? 2400W? Who needs that? I have been using the Direto X for 10 months now and that has worked great. If you ever feel that your legs are out-doing your trainer, just ride longer, or do a couple more intervals. Gets you everytime, I promise! So if you have to re-start after failing mid-interval, the 1800W of the Direto X are plenty. You have a *hard time* getting even that 4.2kg flywheel spinning again from a full stop when your app tries to get the average back to 300+W by what feels like throwing the anchor. What _can_ be a problem with the Diretos appears to be the "Clicking Noise" thing. I had that too, not sure why, and it has gone away again after a while. I have a feeling it'll come back, and it's not a show-stopper for me. Overall, the sound level is good, as stated, with the drivetrain contributing most. I found the electronics to be very reliable, and power accuracy is fine (personally, I do not care about a few Watts up or down).
Nobody needs 24%/2300W but it does indicate what kind of resistance the unit is capable of, even at short bursts with massive torque. ALL of the higher rated trainers are up in this area for specs. From a marketing point of view, they needed to match the Drivo II before killing it off.
also if your feeling spunky you can be all real world and add the weight of your bike to your total weight .. Just something in thinking about things bike weight is missed variable in the entire world of indoor cycling simulation.. I mean they give you virtual frame choices etc in zwift, but actual bike weight seems to be amiss in the equation.. And it is a legit variable especially when climbing .. big difference in a 15 lb bike and a 25 lb bike when going up hills.
@@makeitpunk6716 I'd check the ANT+ FE-C spec for that. I'm sure bike weight is something that's set... and likely always just defaulted to 7.5kg or similar.... but.... thisisant.com is having major issues right now for me (no coincidence it's a Garmin owned site!)
There are plenty of real world climbs with short, steep sections. If you want to simulate that, you need a trainer that can do it. And it can be important, especially if you run a narrow range road cassette (i.e. you probably have no easier gear to shift into). Those sections can break you. Adding a couple of intervals to your training won't prepare you for it. And it's not just physically challenging (forcing you to dig deep and apply a lot of force - which can cause you to blow up), or physiologically (recovering from that massacre while still pushing hard), it's also psychologically challenging.
Direto X won't give you 1800 W from standstill. For one, Direto X is rated for 2100 W IIRC, not 1800 W, and it's at 40 km/h (and over 3 kW at 60 km/h). Power rating of a trainer isn't really related to peak power produced by a rider. They're not making 2+ kW trainers because there are people who put out 2+ kW and need to train at those levels. It's simply a consequence of laws of physics (power being a function of angular velocity). And oversimplification by marketing departments. The number is just indicative of how much resistance the trainer can provide. If there is going to be a problem, it's going to be at low speeds. Higher power resistance unit should provide more torque, more resistance even at low speeds. What you really should be looking at is the power/ speed graph. Not the useless headline numbers. For example, the original Direto was rated for something like 1400 W at 40 km/h. That seems alright. However, at 10 km/h, it was, I believe, only capable of something like 200 W (that's not a typo - two hundred). And this ties into gradient simulation. Is it possible to produce 300 W and still ride only at 10 km/h? If you're heavy enough, or the climb is steep enough, sure. It's those steep sections that push you into red and your speed still falls through the floor where the resistance unit truly struggles. Who cares if it's rated for 10 kW at 100 km/h. It's probably just junk marketing and it would melt. This is also where the trainer difficulty, as Zwift calls it, comes in (it's really gradient scaling). If you have the difficulty set to, say, 20 % (e.g. 15 % gradient will be simulated as only 3 % gradient), it's not going to be a problem for you (the "wheel speed" of the trainer is going to be fairly high because of the low gradient simulation). If you're heavy (and you're honest about it in the software) and have it set to 100 %, it's going to be a different story. Because the gradient simulation will force the trainer into the low speeds where it will struggle. Notice that this is not just about the simulation of extreme inclines, it's also about rider's weight. If a heavy person wants decent gradient simulation, the trainer is going to need much more grunt than mine does with my 66 kg.
I was considering the suito but it appears to be riddled with bugs and issues on the zwift forums :(
Leslie Alldridge Initially, I had heard good things about the Suito. I was really happy when I managed to find one during lock down but I sent it back within 72hours. The gear changing was really clunky and loud. I greased it like GPLama said, and although better, it wasn’t great. To my surprise though, the cassette wasn’t even properly fixed on the hub and I could just pull it off!! The watts were crazy, even after doing several spin downs in Zwift and the Elite app, it was just jumping around all over. In Zwift workouts nothing would stabilise and I was forever being told ´more power’, or ´less power’, it was sooooo frustrating. In the end I got myself a Kickr Core and at about 150€ more, (although you do need to find a cassette as well), it just feels so much better : the feeling, the accuracy and it’s got great software too. Wahoo makes fine trainers that are really hard to beat and I for one can’t recommend them enough!
@@moi7748 awesome thanks so much for the review, I'll definitely go kickr core once they're back in stock locally!
Trust the Suito too ;-). Jokes aside, the first batch had some issues. Right now it works flawless
@@elitecycling I just got a Direto XR and it seems really buggy. It has all the issues I read about with your earlier trainers. If there isn't a resolution, I'll be returning it.
Do you think a second gen of the kickr core is coming out?
Not any time soon.
With no update support to original Drivo owners, I'd caution people considering purchasing a Direto to consider if they will receive update support in the future. It seems once you have purchase their product, you are forgotten.
So which one is better for beginner direto x/xr or suito? On one hand suito is cheaper and offers enough as for the first trainer to buy, but on the other hand direto seems to be a choice for longer as it is more advanced.
Entirely your call.
ok it wasn't a good question. I should rather ask: Do you think there any features ambitious amateurs may miss choosing suito in comparison to direto (except the road feel)?
@@dobryuser No. At the end of they day they both provide a good workout/training session.
@@gplama thanks, it's really helpful (I put the names of trainers in the wrong order comment above, but
corrected already)
Mines just arrived. Do I need to grease the qr skewer before I put it in the trainer?
Not necessary. You can if you like.
Good night GPLama.
I need a Big help, my Elite Direto XR-T is always making a resistance below 20% of the request by the rouvy program but the power read is correct comparing with my Assioma Duo... It is really a lack of resistance which could be the problem? Have you ever had reports of something similar? Is there a way to do a factory reset?
Thanks
Is this in ERG mode? What gear/chainring combination are you using?
@@gplama thanks for the answer... Yes the problem happens in erg mode... i have sram so i use 35-14 or 35-35... Small platter in the middle of the cassette.
@@edgaralves6904 Small ring on the front and mid cassette should be fine for ERG. Best contact Elite Support on this one.
In your opinion how does it compare to the kickr core? 😁
It does, yes.
Kickr Core???? This compares to the top of the range Kickr. Blows the core out of the water. This turbo is up there with the Tacx Neo and Saris H3. Easily as good as all of them if not better. Dont let the slightly reduced price put you off, its top notch.
Hi just got my dirto xr i have set it up and in the calibration it gave me some numbers 6399 can you tell me what that is for please . My last trainer was a tacx
That's your offset number, if you look under your trainer you'll find a four digit code, if it matches the code from the spindown test you can ride. If it's out then you need to adjust the tension screw to achieve the offset number on the sticker on the bottom of the trainer, that way your trainer will be accurate. I literally did it today. follow the instructions on the Elite website and use the allen key supplied by them.
Is it worth the 100 euro extra cost for direto XR or should I just buy the older normal direto. 525 euro vs 625
Yes!
did you get to keep this unit and have you used it at all since?
I try to hold on to the latest offerings to cover firmware updates/etc. I still have this unit here.
What's The Difference Between The Direto-XR & The Direto XR-T ?
The T models ship without a cassette.
Where do you buy such home trainers. In belgium they seems to sell some older models in decathlon store only.
Best contact Elite Support who can point you in the right direction there.
SHIMANO BELGIUM N.V.
Zandvoorstraat 21, Mechelen (BE) - 2800
+3215209480
+3215209410
salessbx@shimano-eu.com
www.shimano-eu.com
By the way you can also visit our dealers area on our website. There's a list of shops if you filter by Belgium (www.elite-it.com/en/distributors)