Elite Direto-XR T OTS Smart Turbo Trainer

If you are looking to enter into the world of indoor training or to upgrade your ‘dumb-trainer’ to a smart direct-drive trainer, then Elite’s Direto-XR T is an excellent option. Sitting just below Elite’s top-of-the-range model, this is a mid- to upper-tier trainer that offers a respectably smooth ride feel and accurate power data, at a competitive price point. All in all, it’s a trainer that’s hard to beat.

Accurate Power, Smooth Ride Feel

Unlike most trainers on the market, Elite have integrated a power meter to measure power data. This, combined with the company’s proprietary OTS (Optical Torque Sensor) technology, has enabled the company to reach an independently certified accuracy of 1.5%.

To counter the problem of a heavy unrealistic ride feel, common in early and cheaper indoor trainers, Elite uses an oversized gearing wheel to increase the RPM of the flywheel. In do so, this trainer offers a smooth and more realistic feel. Making it that much tolerable to wile away the hours indoors.

For the third generation, the makers have upgraded the drive unit to give the XR the ability to simulate a leg-destroying 24% gradient and produce over 3600 watts of resistance at 60kph. Being more than enough for the likes of Nairo Quintana or Chris Hoy, we’re confident it’ll handle whatever you throw at it!

Set the trainer to erg mode, while training or racing indoors, and it’ll automatically adjust the power and gradients, depending on your current need; leaving you free to let your mind wander. Stable, Compact and Easy to Store

The wide feet used on the Direto make it stable when putting down the power, but they also fold away making the unit easy to store. The feet can also be adjusted to ensure you aren’t rocking about on unstable surfaces.

Compatibility, Connectivity, And Set-Up

To get going, simply take the indoor trainer out of the box, flip out the legs, attach the cassette of your choice, and it’s good to go.

The Direto XR-T comes pre-installed with a Shimano HG11 freehub body, adaptors for 130mm and 135mm QR axles, and 142x12mm thru-axles. This should cover set-up for the majority of people. For this latest version, the company have also adapted the body of the trainer in order to accommodate bigger rear derailleurs used for 1x drivetrains.

As you’d expect from a modern smart trainer, the latest generation of ANT+™ FE-C and Bluetooth connectivity are incorporated, meaning it’s compatible with pretty much any cycling app or software, computer, smartphone, or tablet you’d care to name, and it supports iOS, Android, OSX and Windows. Once connected, log yourself into your chosen platform, choose a workout or race, and the trainer will adjust resistance as required. If you are looking to inject more method to your training — or perhaps more madness in the form of indoor racing — with the interactivity provided all you need do is pedal and the trainer will take care of the rest.

Additionally, the Direto can be managed via the company’s My E-Training software and app (a 12-month free subscription is included).

Product Features

• Upgraded drive unit that can replicate gradients up to 24% and produce over 3600 watts of resistance at 60kph
• 1.5% power accuracy, independently certified
• OTS (Optical Torque Sensor) technology and integrated power meter to ensure accurate and reliable power readings
• Smoother and more realistic ride feel thanks to the oversized gearing wheel, which increases the RPM of the flywheel
• Compact and easy to carry when folded
• Wide legs and adjustable feet make it stable once set-up
• Compatible with bigger rear derailleurs used with 1x drivetrains
• Compatible with 130 and 135mm quick-release frames as well as 142 x 12mm thru-axles, adaptors for Boost 148 x 12mm frames are available separately
• Includes a free 12 month subscription to Elite's My E-training App for Windows, iOS and Android and a 1-month free Zwift subscription
• Custom front-wheel riser block included
• Compatible with 9, 10 and 11-speed Shimano and SRAM cassettes (not included), can be adapted for Campagnolo using adaptor TT14233, SRAM XDR with TT14279 or Shimano MICRO SPLINE using TT14315