You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
So...I’m looking for a smart turbo to replace my dumb one that is also ten years old and knackered. Initially was only planning to spend £350 but then came across this https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductMobileDisplay?catalogId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=312028&productId=1460711&storeId=10001
Reviews seem good and it has loads of good features (most of which I will never use).
Question is, is it really as bargainous as it sounds?
Main motivation for buying is that I have small kids and can rarely get out to ride for longer than an hour and with this I’ll be able to train after they are in bed (at which point I can’t really leave the house)
It’s not a bad price, but the £1200 list was always optimistic. Elite are famed for having very accurate power meters. It’s been superseded and the price points have dropped in the past year. But £500 for a direct drive smart trainer is a good entry price for a better than entry device.
dcrainmaker is the place to go for reviews.
Yep......bargain! I bought my Elite Direto from Halfords for £550. It’s been great so far over this winter. The Drivo is far superior so for that price I wouldn’t hesitate. Use mine for Zwift mind, so depends on how you plan to use it and whether you will utilise everything it offers.
If you are a BC member you should be able to get another £50 off that price.
These are the first generation models and I think there were some issues with connectivity but with Halfords its always easy to return to store if any problems.
I've had a drivo for 3 years now. It's great - nice feel, accurate power (once I'd done a second calibration). If you use it in ERG mode it seems to have a bit of a lag; some others I think are more abrupt, not sure which is best. All I've done is grease the belt about once a year
There's a Drivo2 (and maybe more) these days but I don't think there were massive changes
The Elite software (phone app etc) is a bit shit, would be my only gripe. I think a neo would probably be better from that POV but it's no big deal for me - the thing "just works"
ADD:
Weighs a TON and looks pretty grubby - white plastic next to a chain isn't ever going to be pretty
I've had a Direto for two years.
It opened my eyes to riding by power, albeit I now think the belt needs tightening to get power accuracy back, so right now I'm using my 4iiii for turbo rides too.
There's a bit of lag for gradient changes in free ride and ERG sessions, but I can live with it.
When I bought it for £640 it felt like a massive gamble because I don't have much disposable income and my old basic turbo barely got used. The Direto typically gets used at least 3 (if not closer to 6) days a week in winter.
The Drivo has a bigger gradient emulation, £500 is a deal imo. If I had a bigger budget, I'd seriously consider the Neo2.
Seems like a no brainer then. Will pause on the spare wheels for the gravel bike and spend it on the trainer - it’ll probably get more use!
Is noise an issue after the kids go to bed?
Thankfully I can use it in the garage so I should be ok. Although having listened to the noise it makes on the DCRainmaker review I reckon I could get away with it inside too...
It's not a noisy trainer but don't underestimate how noisy your bike is - that's what dominates in my experience, even with a well-lubed chain that's running true
... then there's the wheezing and grunting
^^ That's what I was going to say.
I've got a kickr Core which is quiet but the actual noise of the bike itself is surprising when indoors.
Ibnchris - did you order one, and if so how is it? What's the 'road feel' like?
I'm hovering over the buy button as want a more direct drive trainer to replace my failing Bkool one.
I'd say the road feel is very good/convincing, though I've not tried loads of other posh trainers