Elite Trainers Buyer's Guide - There's a Trainer for Everyone

Our general buyer’s guide for bike trainers explains the options you have when it comes to brake systems or training possibilities. This buyer’s guide focusses solely on the Elite-specific features and options, and hopefully helps you in making the right choice. In doubt between an Elite or Tacx trainer? Why not check out our Tacx Trainers Buyer’s Guide!

Novo Force: the Advantage of Simplicity

Elite trainers come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from basic to some of the most advanced machines out there. The Elite Novo Force belongs in the former category: an Elite trainer with no frills. Just get on, and ride. All you have to adjust during your ride is the resistance using the bar-mounted lever. Simplicity has its advantages! The magnetic brake of the Elite Novo Force offers 5 different levels of resistance. Simply push the elastogel roller against the tyre using the lever to engage the brake. Elastogel has the advantage of wearing out the roller less quickly, and you don’t necessarily need to use a trainer tyre. It’s better to do so anyway, however! An indoor tyre reduces the chance of overheating, as well as considerably lowering the amount of noise produced by the trainer. The Novo Force is a sturdy trainer with a powerful brake.

Elite trainers: Qubo serie

Then there’s the Elite Qubo range. Compared to the Elite Novo Force, the Qubo trainers are considerably more advanced. Training on a Qubo provides you with a much more natural cycling feel. It uses your bodyweight to press the rear tyre onto the elastogel roller, allowing the bike to move forward or backward a little. Within the Qubo range, the Elite Qubo Power Smart B+ has the most options. It uses Bluetooth to pair with the Elite My E-training app. The magnetic brake is adjusted with a bar-mounted lever.

The Elite Qubo Digital Smart B+ is even more luxurious. The Qubo Digital is paired to your tablet or smartphone using ANT+, connecting with the My E-training app. This app doesn’t just show you various data screens, it’s also used to adjust the resistance of the electronic brake system of the trainer. 

Looking for a quiet Elite trainer? The Elite Qubo Power Fluid might just be it for you! A fluid-filled flywheel provides you with drag rather than a magnetic or electronic brake. Compared to a magnetic brake, a fluid brake will provide you with more resistance, less noise, and above all: a more realistic cycling feel. The downside: you can’t adjust the resistance manually. If you want more resistance, you’ll have to change up a few gears, like you would on the road or in the woods.

Elite Muin range

The Elite Turbo Muin was added to the Elite family about two years ago. It’s a trainer we put to the test virtually on the day it came out. The most striking feature of the two Turbo Muin trainers has to be the direct drive system. Rather than placing your rear wheel onto the trainer, you simply attach your bike to the trainer. This makes cycling on it feel even more natural. The resistance of the quiet fluid brake is impressive at 3600 Watts but, like with the Qubo Power Fluid, isn’t adjustable. Want to know your current power output? Simply use a Misuro sensor and pair it to the My E-training app.

Then we have the Elite Drivo Muin; the most advanced Elite Muin in the range. Pair the Drivo to your laptop, tablet, or smartphone and use the Real Software, My E-training app, or even third-party options for your work-out. The Drivo Muin has both a fluid- and magnetic brake system which automatically adjusts using the Real software or manually with the My E-training app.

Elite Rampa Smart B+

The Elite Rampa Smart B+ uses an electronically adjustable magnet brake system. This provides you with a sensation highly similar to being out on the open road. The resistance can be increased incrementally, simulating climbs of up to 10%. The Elite Rampa trainer uses ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart to pair with external devices.

My E-training app and My Real Video software

The Elite My E-Training app turns your Elite trainer into a truly efficient powerhouse. With the app, you can run standard training programs, or create your own based on heart rate, power, or time. You can also adjust the resistance of your trainer, provided it supports this function of course. Want to determine your threshold value? Not a problem: the Elite My E-training app is your personal assistant during the Conconi test. Pairing your trainer to the My E-training app is done via Bluetooth or ANT+. Using ANT+ is only possible when you’re using an ANT+ dongle however.

The Elite My E-training app provides you with important information on your training, but Elite’s Real Software makes indoor training fun! This software enables you to experience video rides, and offers you two options: Real Video and My Real Video. With Real Video, you’re able to relive a ride, which you can purchase for around 10 to 20 GBP. If you’re reliving one of the epic climbs (Stelvio, Alpe d’Huez) and if you own a trainer with an electronically controlled brake, then the resistance will be adjusted accordingly. With My Real Video, you can upload your own rides, or relive the rides of others by downloading them.

Want to check whether the Elite trainer you’re looking at is compatible with the Elite E-training app or Real Software? Check the configurator by Elite. This is an app available from the App store or Play store.

Elite trainers – Plenty of Choice

Power Fluid or the Elite Muin trainers. Want a little extra entertainment? Then get a trainer compatible with the Real Software like the Real Turbo Muin or Drive Muin. Really, it’s all down to what you want and how much you wish to spend!

Last update: 7 October 2016