Italian cycling brand Elite has launched three new indoor smart trainers including an all-new indoor smart bike with virtual shifting.
Eurobike, one of the world’s largest bicycle trade fairs, takes place this week in Frankfurt, Germany. At the show, brands often bring their latest shiny and exciting products to showcase to the international audience that flocks to the show each year.
Elite seems to have done just that, launching a new budget-focused smart exerciser in the shape of the Avanti, an indoor bike with virtual shifting Square, and the Justo 2 updates the brand’s existing top smart exerciser.
Avanti packs top features into a value package
The brand’s first new trainer is aimed at the value end of the market. The price of smart indoor trainers continues to drop, and Elite will be hoping that the Avanti hits the sweet spot between functionality and price.
For a trainer that comes in at €749, the Avanti boasts a very respectable performance accuracy of +/-1%, something usually reserved for trainers priced over €1,000.
Riders looking to use the Avanti with a virtual training platform like Zwift or Rouvy will be able to simulate climbs of up to 18%. While the more premium Elite trainers exceed this, the Avanti trumps Wahoo’s Kickr Core, which achieve a maximum simulated grade of 16%.
The Avanti includes some other smart features for riders using the Shimano Di2 platform with the ability to adjust the drag and stop brake directly from the gearshift on the bike.
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In order to create a more comfortable and realistic driving experience, Elite equipped the Avanti with black Flex feet. These rubber feet allow up to 4.5º of micro-oscillation, meaning the trainer can move with your pedaling. There is also the option to purchase red Flex Feet, which are softer in their composition and allow up to 7º micro oscillations. Elite says that using Flex Feet increases the efficiency of the muscles in the shoulders, back, glutes and quadriceps.
As standard, the Avanti will come with a free 12-month membership to Elite’s My E-Training indoor training software, as well as a range of trials and discounts for other virtual cycling platforms.
Elite updates its top tier trainer with the Justo 2
The next direct trainer launched at Eurobike comes as an update to one of the existing Elite trainers, the Justo. Priced at €1,099, it includes the same features as the Avanti with increased performance accuracy and maximum simulated slope.
Unlike the Avanti, the Justo 2 is also equipped with a 12-speed Shimano 105 cassette, so it’s usable right out of the box.
The Justo 2 has a claimed performance accuracy of less than +/-1%, making it one of the most accurate indoor trainers available on the market. Compared to the existing Justo trainer, the Justo 2 has an updated flywheel that has increased weight to create a more realistic feel on the road.
The Elite has kept the Justo 2’s maximum simulated gradient at 24%, which should be more than adequate for even the most brutal virtual climbs.
Some additional features over the Avanti include compatibility with the brand’s Rizer Smart Gradient Simulator and Aria Smart Fan, allowing users to create a complete smart training ecosystem.
Like the Avanti, the Justo 2 also comes with Flex Feet for increased muscle efficiency, but in this case softer red versions are included.
As standard, the Justo 2 will come with 36 months of free membership to Elite’s My E-Training software.
Elite launches its first indoor bike with Square
Most notable from Elite is the release of its first indoor smart bike called the Square. Similar to the newly released Zwift Ride, the foundation of the Square revolves around an existing trainer and add-on frame. Notably, the Square drivetrain revolves around virtual shifting, which can be configured to match Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo gears.
Users have the choice of creating their own gear profiles, or they can use the pre-installed configurations, with Shimano 11-30 acting as the default. The ability to customize the gear range is something that could be valuable to riders looking to decide what gearing to fit on their bikes.
The Square’s intentions as a virtual training tool are also evident from the presence of integrated controls on both shifters. These can be used to control virtual training apps as well as the Aria smart ventilator.
Dialing in the perfect bike fit can be something that indoor smart bikes have struggled with in the past, but the Square has seven adjustments to suit a wide range of cyclists.
Seat height, rake and fore-aft position, handlebar height and fore-aft position, down tube length and crank length can all be configured to fit your bike exactly.
Elite says the Square “is a frame designed to replace your bike during training with a smart trainer, eliminating the need to change bikes or mount the one you use outside when you want to train at home.”
In terms of power and gradient simulation, Square uses the Justo 2 resistance unit. As a complete bike, Square also allows riders to use power meter pedals to collect performance data. This is a feature that will please some riders as it allows for complete consistency between indoor and road bike data.
Priced at €1,250, the Square presents itself as the most premium Elite indoor trainer, which is just over €150 more expensive than the Justo 2. The advantage of the Square is that there is no need to mount your bike to the trainer, which also removes the potential for sweat-based corrosion that can affect the bikes of passionate indoor riders.
Both the Avanti and Justo 2 will be available for purchase in late August, the Square will be available for pre-order with expected deliveries in December this year.