Elite Direto smart turbo trainer review

The Elite Directo is accurate, reliable and won’t break the bank – we test the mid-market option

Elite Direto

The Elite Directo is a great mid-market option

Cycling Weekly Verdict

An essential bit of kit for anyone starting out their indoor training, without paying out for the top line. Improvements could be made in reducing the noise output and making the Direto easier to pack away, but the weight does add a reassuring stability. The accuracy and reliability are surely the biggest assets for the Elite, which make it a worthwhile investment for those looking for a turbo trainer.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Reasonably priced

  • +

    Accuracy

  • +

    Stability

  • +

    Reliability

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Size

  • -

    Noise

  • -

    Weight

  • -

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

The Elite Direto is the mid-market option from the Italian accessory brand, and is has quickly become the weapon of choice for pro teams and amateurs alike.

With virtual cycling and indoor training only growing in popularity, Elite has cemented position in the cycling world by embedding the Direto in every corner. Having been used as a warm-up tool for the likes of Mark Cavendish, the Elite Direto was also used to launch the Zwift Kiss Super League earlier this year.

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Alex Ballinger

Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers.  Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.