Test of the Elite Direto XR home trainer

Third version of the line of Smart Trainers Direto from Elite, the Direto XR is now the most high-end model of the Italian brand. Stable, quiet and responsive, it now simulates slopes up to 24% incline, has a very accurate power meter and comes with an 11-speed cassette already installed. On Zwift, It offers a very realistic experience.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: @3Bikes.fr

Presented this summer, the Direto XR succeeds the Direto and Direto X benefiting from several improvements, such as a maximum slope simulation that increases from 18 to 24%, a flywheel that increases from 4,2 to 5,1 kg and a new algorithm for the ERG mode. It now comes with an 11-speed cassette already installed, and does not require any montagand when you take it out of the box. Offered at €849, it also replaces the Drivo II, which was until then the most high-end model at Elite, but sold almost €500 more expensive at the time of its release. Moreover, Elite is taking the opportunity to simplify its range among interactive home trainers, with now the Direto XR, the Suito around €670 and the Tuo around €450.

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Power data accuracy is ensured by the OTS (Optical Torsion Sensor), which allows output power to be measured with an accuracy of +/- 1,5%., which is half a point better than the Direto, and which is comparable to the accuracy of most power meters used on the route.

Compared to its predecessors, the Direto XR can be used in less than five minutes upon receipt., avoiding the tedious montages of the feet and the cassette. Simply unfold the feet, adjust their angle if necessary if your floor is not completely even by turning a small wheel by hand, and install the bike by removing the rear wheel. The home trainer is compatible with different types of axles thanks to adapter sets: traditional quick release 130 x 5 mm or 135 x 5 mm, or for through axle of 135 x 12 mm, 142 x 12 mm and 148 x 12 mm. It is then necessary to connect the power cord to a power outlet, and the start-up is indicated by a diode on the front of the device. Oddly, the wire is also connected to the front rather than being released towards the rear. This is a detail but the opposite would have been more practical in our opinion. Finally, the Direto XR comes with a front wheel support, which allows the bike to be placed horizontally relative to the ground. Note that after training, storage is made easier by the two folding side feet, an accessible handle and a reasonable weight of 16 kg.

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Compatible with all training software

The Direto XR communicates with other connected devices (computer, smartphone or tablet) via ANT+FE-C and Bluetooth working with IOS, Android and Windows. It is of course compatible with the Elite My E-Training software (and comes with a free 12-month subscription) and other applications like Zwift, TrainerRoad, The Sufferfest, Bkool, Kinomap etc.

On Zwift, the most popular platform at the moment, connection is super simple with a Mac via Bluetooth. On the app login page, the Direto XR with its serial number appears in the boxes dedicated to the power source, the pedaling cadence measurement and the speed measurement. An icon with a small key appears next to the power source, which allows you to perform a quick calibration of the device. It must first have been used for about ten minutes as a warm-up, then the app suggests you increase the speed to 37 km/h, then stop pedaling to measure the time needed to stop. Zwift recommends doing this about once a week in case of intensive use, but logically if the home trainer is not subject to frequent temperature changes (for example if it is stored in the garage and used in an apartment, or vice versa) there is no reason for the calibration to be changed so often.

The Direto XR can be used in two modes : Default SIM (Simulation, i.e. it is the application that varies the resistance according to the difficulty of the virtual course, with a simulated slope of up to 24%) or ERG (setting a specific power level sent by the application, to follow structured training). With this last setting, the home trainer can offer a resistance of 2300 watts at 40 km/h, which, in reality, remains inaccessible to most of us anyway.

Regarding the maximum slope simulation of 24% (while the first Direto was capped at “only” 14%), you should know that on Zwift you will never find this type of difficulty (15% maximum). But above all, you have to go to the menu to adjust the difficulty of the device in the application, set by default to 50%. This means that a virtual slope of 10% will only be transmitted at a height of 5% in this case. Be careful, this is not a way to cheat on the performances on Zwift, because these are dependent on the power actually developed. The difficulty setting of the device corresponds in a way to a change in the development range of the bike. For our part, we found the best compromise between realism and use of the entire 11-28 cassette provided on the Direto XR with a difficulty setting of 75%. So, what could be the interest of such an increase in maximum power? This is justified above all in terms of precision for the heaviest sizes, and when simulating more accurately a high resistance with a lower virtual travel speed.

Almost realistic sensations

Before starting, you should never forget that the sensations felt on a home trainer are never completely the same as outdoors, and that any comparison must be made under the same conditions of use. On Zwift, the average speed is generally more optimistic than on the route, mainly because of the lack of wind and of course the bends that can be taken without braking, not to mention the absence of traffic or other signs. On a home trainer, we also generally produce less power than on the route (of the order of 10%) for the same perception of effort. Because there is less friction. For our part, this gap has been verified several times during different tests, whether for the measurement of the famous FTP or the PMA.

However, improving or maintaining physical condition depends on several cumulative factors., and it is now accepted that a good home trainer training program could at least partially compensate for the lack of possibility of riding on the route. The advancetagThe purpose of a comprehensive app like Zwift is to offer courses of varying difficulty or solid training plans that avoid boredom.

Unlike competing models that are priced between €350 and €450 more, such as the Tacx Neo 2T or the Wahoo Kikr, the Direto XR has a lighter flywheel, and does not have a motor to simulate descents like the Tacx. These two elements influence the degree of realism during slope variations. Nevertheless, the XR is already superior in this area to the first Direto, providing finer sensations in false flats or other "slides". It reacts more quickly to the instructions sent by the application, and pedaling seems more "round", especially when riding at low to medium intensities. Overall, the Direto XR seems very qualitative and perfectly fluid in terms of its operation, without feeling constantly caught as is the case with entry-level devices. 

Its plastic frame resting on metal feet is perfectly stable., while ensuring a very slight lateral flexibility (of the order of 2 or 3°) which avoids applying too much stress to the bike during heavy use. A very slight deformation which also limits the risks of tendon injuries which could occur with a necessarily more fixed position than on the route.

The lack of a motor to simulate descents means that you can't increase your gear while turning your legs in the downhill sections of the app, and you have to work hard to keep up with other Tacx-equipped Zwifters. This doesn't change anything in terms of virtual speed in the game, but let's just say that it limits the possibilities for muscle relaxation during group rides (Meetups or Social Rides) or during races.

For the rest, we appreciate the relative silence of the device, even at high intensity. You can almost only hear the transmission, and the fan (essential for good indoor training) is much louder. The Direto XR produces little or no vibration, and with a mat it is quite possible to train late at night in an apartment without disturbing the neighbors. Here too, the difference is noticeable with entry-level devices.

And the power accuracy?

To judge the accuracy of the power, we had to equip ourselves with a crankset with a power meter on the bike, to compare the file delivered by Zwift (connected to the home trainer) and that provided by the Garmin meter (connected to the Quarq pedal set) of several more or less difficult training sessions. Overall, whether for the average power of the session or on more precise sequences, we note a constant difference of five watts between the two devices, in favor of the Direto XR. Nevertheless, this gap falls within the precision range of the two power sensors, both claimed at +/- 1,5%. On a short sprint with a power peak, it is on the contrary the pedal set which proves to be the most favorable by around forty watts, but this may be the consequence of the location of the sensor, more reactive because it does not take into account the efficiency losses linked to the transmission.

While the pedaling cadence displayed on the meter is very stable and easy to maintain, it is not the same on Zwift with the Direto XR. The latter fluctuates often and seems to struggle to stabilize. However, by decrypting the files, we realize that the average and maximum cadences of each file are strictly identical. However, if this capricious display does not pose any problem in SIM mode, it seems to cause stability problems in ERG mode, where it is relatively difficult to maintain a stable power throughout an exercise. The solution to get around this difficulty was brought to us on a discussion forum, where we were advised to put ourselves on the small chainring and on a large sprocket to perform these exercises, in order to better control the speed of the flywheel.

In terms of responsiveness in this ERG mode, it takes about three seconds to switch from one resistance to another, which is overall very good and allows for optimal time spent in the ideal work area.

The time of maturity

Compared to all home trainers from competing companies and the market in general, Elite's offering has always been positioned in the mid/high end, with specifications and prices equivalent to this product range. Which was the case with the Direto and Direto X compared to the more advanced, but also more expensive, Tacx and Wahoo devices.

With the XR evolution, the Direto gains in power and precision (even if the ERG mode is not yet totally perfect from our point of view), but also silently and smoothly. It is a hyper stable device and ready to use when taking it out of the box, with its cassette provided, while still being offered at a relatively reasonable price compared to the competition.

The Direto XR provides the essentials for serious and diligent use on Zwift or other applications. It is a more than interesting complement to training and maintaining physical capacities during periods of confinement or when external conditions are too difficult, while remaining fun and pleasant to use. It's a mature device, at the right price, that we recommend without hesitation.

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