Wanted to start a thread for Elite Direto owners to discuss their experiences.
I received my Direto a few days ago (coming from a Kickr). Overall, I like it, especially for the price, but I have noticed a few “quirks†as compared to the Kickr.
(1) Whereas in erg mode the Kickr used to keep actual power precisely at the target power (or at least the actual power reading), the Direto bounces around +/- 20 watts throughout the ride (example of a Direto ride from earlier today). I imagine this is actually more accurate than the Kickr’s way of displaying power, since I find it hard to believe the Kickr actually kept actual power precisely aligned to target (example of a Kickr ride from a few days ago).
(2) Bigger issue is that it seems that you really have to select the right gear even in erg mode, i.e., there seems to be a minimum power for each gear selection and cadence. If I’m on the big chainring, it’s just not possible for me to spin at lower than 130 watts such as during warm-up / recovery. Some combos are impossible to achieve, namely high wattage but low cadence. For example, during a Sufferfest ride earlier today, one of the drills called for 120% FTP @ 50 rpm. Even after shifting into the most difficult gear combination, there was no way I could get above 200 watts @ 50 rpm.
(3) My bike seems to flex a lot on the Direto, whereas on the Kickr it would be more or less rigid. Not sure if this is a good or bad thing - I’ve read conflicting viewpoints on Slowtwitch.
Are fellow Direto owners experiencing the same quirks? How are you liking your trainer overall?
Wanted to start a thread for Elite Direto owners to discuss their experiences.
I received my Direto a few days ago (coming from a Kickr). Overall, I like it, especially for the price, but I have noticed a few “quirks†as compared to the Kickr.
(1) Whereas in erg mode the Kickr used to keep actual power precisely at the target power (or at least the actual power reading), the Direto bounces around +/- 20 watts throughout the ride (example of a Direto ride from earlier today). I imagine this is actually more accurate than the Kickr’s way of displaying power, since I find it hard to believe the Kickr actually kept actual power precisely aligned to target (example of a Kickr ride from a few days ago).
(2) Bigger issue is that it seems that you really have to select the right gear even in erg mode, i.e., there seems to be a minimum power for each gear selection and cadence. If I’m on the big chainring, it’s just not possible for me to spin at lower than 130 watts such as during warm-up / recovery. Some combos are impossible to achieve, namely high wattage but low cadence. For example, during a Sufferfest ride earlier today, one of the drills called for 120% FTP @ 50 rpm. Even after shifting into the most difficult gear combination, there was no way I could get above 200 watts @ 50 rpm.
(3) My bike seems to flex a lot on the Direto, whereas on the Kickr it would be more or less rigid. Not sure if this is a good or bad thing - I’ve read conflicting viewpoints on Slowtwitch.
Are fellow Direto owners experiencing the same quirks? How are you liking your trainer overall?
I’ve had mine since October. I’ve never used ERG mode because I I don’t get a machine to manage my power output when I’m riding outside so I don’t use it inside.
As for point 2, I don’t see that at all. I am often in the big ring and under 100 watts during recoveries or cooldowns. I don’t ever do 50rpm on purpose, but I’ve often been in the 280w range at 70.
That said I have found that the trainer seems to “like” higher wattages in the little ring more than the big for some reason.
so it does seem like you need to hit specific speeds(?) to get the power. I presume that it means at 10kmh, your cadence will dictate you will get 32Watt or 216 Watt
@ marklemcd - if you’re never gonna use ERG mode, may I know why you chose the direto instead of the Kura for instance. The Kura is as good as (i think) and the power accuracy is +/-1% but doesn’t do ERG mode.
I’m debating a new trainer (coming from a B60R) and while I would like ERG mode, I’m thinking if I’m able to “survive” on it judging on how poor my form is and not being able to hold the wattages in an interval. There’s NO bail switch unlike a dumb trainer. (i’m assuming since I’ve never actually ridden a erg mode trainer)
so it does seem like you need to hit specific speeds(?) to get the power. I presume that it means at 10kmh, your cadence will dictate you will get 32Watt or 216 Watt
@ marklemcd - if you’re never gonna use ERG mode, may I know why you chose the direto instead of the Kura for instance. The Kura is as good as (i think) and the power accuracy is +/-1% but doesn’t do ERG mode.
I’m debating a new trainer (coming from a B60R) and while I would like ERG mode, I’m thinking if I’m able to “survive” on it judging on how poor my form is and not being able to hold the wattages in an interval. There’s NO bail switch unlike a dumb trainer. (i’m assuming since I’ve never actually ridden a erg mode trainer)
Really just came down to reading dcrainmakers review and I couldn’t tell whether the kurno would adjust resistance automatically if I did zwift.
the power readings are artificial because of the smoothing. If anything, the Direto numbers probably reflects a better look on reality than the kickr in erg mode.
i’ve had no issues with erg. I do almost everything on the small front chainring and keep it in the middle on the cassette. Only had to make a big gear change when doing a ftp test when TR automaticly shifts to the resistance mode
only had a ‘wobbling’ issue after moving the direto around with the bike still attached. Easily fixed by leveling the direto out using the big round knobs on the bottom side of the legs.
I understand the Kickr broadcasts target power, not actual power output, hence the super smooth graphs.
That’s what I suspected as well. If that’s the case, then I much prefer the Direto’s methodology, even if it looks less smooth.
the power readings are artificial because of the smoothing. If anything, the Direto numbers probably reflects a better look on reality than the kickr in erg mode.
i’ve had no issues with erg. I do almost everything on the small front chainring and keep it in the middle on the cassette. Only had to make a big gear change when doing a ftp test when TR automaticly shifts to the resistance mode
only had a ‘wobbling’ issue after moving the direto around with the bike still attached. Easily fixed by leveling the direto out using the big round knobs on the bottom side of the legs.
Very interesting. It’s not wobbling that I’m experiencing on the Direto (the actual legs seem perfectly stable), but actual flex in the bike frame, namely the seatstays where it’s connected to the Direto. Is anybody else experiencing frame flex?
Mine flexes too. I cannot figure out why. I try standing behind the trainer and wobbling the bike back and forth to see where it’s coming from, and like you I came to the conclusion that it is not the trainer that is flexing, it seems to be the bike, but I don’t know why. It seems to be securely anchored. Could it be the cheap skewer that’s flexing?
I think it depends on the bike. My old Cannondale X-Cross aluminum frame is silly solid on the Direto, but my Slice is super flexy. I think that’s because the Slice is flexy on purpose, and you don’t ride with the rear-wheel attached vertically outside fortunately. I’m imagining that the flexy part is directly related to the stiffness of the bike, which I can attest are not all the same.
Am using direto with zwift mostly. Training And online racing. Great experience and really enjoying it.
anyone have any experience with left right balance? I get the figures when I upload to training peaks. Direto/training peaks says I am close to 50, usually, but I am a little skeptical, using my bmc roadbike with no power meter. On my Kuota tri bike and p2max and Kurt kinetic, I am 46/54 split. Anyone have any ideas on why it seems off/ inconsistent?
also why does Garmin Connect software not show the power balance graph when riding the direto, but training peaks does?
one more mild issue, even though the trainer sits on garage floor that is flat, it tends to inch forward. After an hour it’s crawled forward by 12-16 inches. Any ideas for a fix?
On the L/R, the Direto has no way of knowing, it is just taking surges and estimating based on that where your pedal stroke is. I would take that with a grain of salt.
As far as moving forward, I notice that too, especially with a lot of climbing. I’ll just sling it back once or twice during a ride. I’m on a pretty slick laminate surface though.
one more mild issue, even though the trainer sits on garage floor that is flat, it tends to inch forward. After an hour it’s crawled forward by 12-16 inches. Any ideas for a fix?
Steve
On concrete garage floor, it does not move at all.
Perhaps something underneath the contact points? (Cut up an old wetsuit?)
Or brace something in front of the legs?
Tie an old tube to the handle and anchor that to something behind you?
Just replying to the latest thread and not necessarily responding to what you wrote.
I just picked up a Direto and finally set it up today. What I’d like to know is how do you guys adjust the rear derailleur while it is setup on the Direto? The resistance is hard to pedal by hand at a dead stop. I noticed it is slightly off compared to the trainer wheel I was using and getting a bit of a rubbing noise on the cassette like it isn’t well alignment. I do have the bike it in the big chainring currently.
Haven’t had a chance to run a calibration yet as but did would like to soon to see how well it matches up with my Power2Max Type S.
Is it rubbing throughout the cassette or just on the high or low sprocket?
Did you check that the cassette matches your RD? If 10sp, is the spacer on there correctly? Are all the sprockets spaced correctly (all have the correct spacers installed)?
If all of that is good, then put it on the small ring and unplug it. Can you spin by hand now? If not, try turning it back on into resistance mode and reducing resistance to minimum. (I’m not sure whether OFF is harder/easier than minimum.)
It seems odd that it would be off enough to rub from a bike to the trainer unless there is some spacer missing, so definitely start there first.
Rubbing through the cassette a bit like it wants to shift but quite can’t get there. Everything is installed correctly and I do know my way around cassette and derailleur setup. Just the tension seemed high to try and turn it by hand that is all. I tried messing with resistance mode and turning it to none in the Elite app but it didn’t seem to help much. Maybe I’m just too used to adjusting the derailleur with the rear wheel free hanging like in a stand.
And no it isn’t odd when switching wheels because not all hubs are built to the exactly the same spacing tolerances between all the brands. Just minor differences that require a little barrel adjuster turn to get it right.
I think it was slightly easier to spin. I mean I could do it but it wasn’t a fast cadence like in work stand. But I got it adjusted now and it was about a 1/2 turn of the barrel adjuster did the trick it wasn’t a horrible rub but I definitely could hear it when I did a test spin real quick.
I admittedly spent more time than I probably should messing with the leveling knobs on the side arms than I should have. Tough to elminate all wobble when the trainer is on top of a mat which in turn on top of carpet. Eventually just went with good enough.
Looking forward to my first erg workout on this thing (probably tomorrow morning unfortunately as I’m little off health wise today to be able to slug through Trainnerroad VO2 Max workout for my next one in the plan).
Not directed at anyone in particular, just a general question. Anyone coming from a Computrainer to a Direto? I’ve used a Computrainer since 1998 and ride quite a bit indoors. Usually 5-6 days a week when the weather sucks, which is about 8 months of the year here in Cleveland, and 3-5 days a week even in the summer. So I log about 80% of my annual mileage of 5-6K indoors. I’d really like to upgrade to a Direct Drive, though there isn’t anything wrong with my Computrainer. That said, I belong to the Direto FB group, and I know the purpose of the page is to post issues and get assistance, but the number of problems seems to be endless. I often wonder if Elite has a Quality Control department. My darn Computrainer just works…every day, as it has for years. Perhaps ignorance is bliss. So if you do have a Computrainer to Direto migration experience, I’d love to hear about it. Comparable noise levels, thoughts on power meter accuracy, response to grade changes in Course mode, and response to load changes in ERG mode. I only use ERG mode occasionally, usually for shorter intervals (3-5min type stuff). For 2x20 min I manage the wattage myself, because as someone said previously, when you ride outside, nothing manages your wattage for you. Thanks in advance.
