Elite vs Wahoo

[Johnno260]

I have been looking at an indoor smart trainer but wondered if people had opinions on two in particular.

I have been looking at the Wahoo KICKR core, and the Elite Suito-T, I have read reviews on both but wanted to see if people here had some opinions.

From what I can see the Wahoo is more accurate and more robust I think it can handle 1% more gradient as well.

The Elite though is a little lighter and can be stored easier.

I would rather be outside but injuries and family issue factors have played a role this year in a rather underwhelming mileage, and I want to have other options if leaving the house is a factor.

 

[CXRAndy]

The wahoo Kickr core comes with various purchase options. You can get it with a cassette or with a hub.

The cassette version, I understand has 12 months free subscription to Zwift (bought at Zwift online).

The Wahoo hub version (Zwift) allows for virtual shifting .

The cassette version is compatible with the hub, so you can buy the hub separately £80 and enjoy VS.

If you buy the Zwift Play Controllers, you get steering, braking and shifting (Zwift platform only)

The upside to Wahoo Core with cassette is it's also compatible with every other training platform available too.

Elite - no experience

 

[Ridgeway]

I bought an Elite Suito T a few months back. Why i bought it over the others (plenty of other options) ?

1) it was cheaper and I’m a tight wad
2) it’s foldable and i take the turbo to TT events so that was a nice feature
3) Spec was plus/minus enough for me, overall it fitted the bill

It worked within 2mins of getting it out of the box, does what a decent turbo trainer should, easy connection, first time and every time (3 months use so far). I fold one leg so my set up goes against the wall and saves a bit of space in my diminutive office.

What does it potentially miss ? Perhaps some integration with fans and elevation type devices but as i already had a decent fan and wasn’t really fussed about elevation then it seemed a nice simple and not too expensive choice for me.

 

[Ridgeway]

PS re-accuracy: i don’t see this as a thing as basically you’ll only compare yourself to yourself on that same set up. Granted if you start setting up and testing various devices then some will be more accurate than others but in reality what you need is just repeatability, the only variable should be you, your legs and your lungs😉

 

[Johnno260]

PS re-accuracy: i don’t see this as a thing as basically you’ll only compare yourself to yourself on that same set up. Granted if you start setting up and testing various devices then some will be more accurate than others but in reality what you need is just repeatability, the only variable should be you, your legs and your lungs

That’s actually a really good point, I do use Strava but like you said I measure myself against myself so I shouldn’t twigged that so thanks for saying. Also thanks for the post about the Elite as well.

The wahoo Kickr core comes with various purchase options. You can get it with a cassette or with a hub.

The cassette version, I understand has 12 months free subscription to Zwift (bought at Zwift online).

The Wahoo hub version (Zwift) allows for virtual shifting .

The cassette version is compatible with the hub, so you can buy the hub separately £80 and enjoy VS.

If you buy the Zwift Play Controllers, you get steering, braking and shifting (Zwift platform only)

The upside to Wahoo Core with cassette is it's also compatible with every other training platform available too.

Elite - no experience

Thanks, I was planning to try Rouvy as you get a free period with that as well, I could try both and see which platform I prefer.

 

[Ridgeway]

On mine i use Rouvy and have done for around 3yrs now. Overall i prefer to pick routes and use it for work outs.

 

[Legs]

I would steer clear of Elite. I appreciate what @Ridgeway says about comparing your efforts only to yourself, BUT if you were ever to want to compare yourself to others (or to know your own capabilities accurately), accuracy is important as well as repeatability. Elite trainers, particularly Direto models, do not have a good reputation in this respect, and can be liable to ‘sticky watts’ effects on some training platforms.

 

[HLaB]

Ive got the Elite Suito (the previous version with the cassette), it seemed OK price and it was a nice compact/ foldable/ portable unit. I got it in 2019 I think and other than tightening its hub once, touch wood I've not had to adjust. I've subsequently found it doesn't do ERG well with a power meter and although thats got better being a lighter rider I still do most of my workouts in resistance mode. If I was buying again I think I'd still opt for the Suito on the foldability/ portability as I set up in my front hall and need to get in and out my front door when I'm not using it. If I had a dedicated trainer bike and a semi permanent set up I'd probably look around.

 

[Legs]

The majority of my riding is workouts, nearly all of which I do in erg mode, so having a trainer that behaves as poorly as @HLaB ’s would drive me spare.

 

[Johnno260]

I went with a Wahoo KICKR core in the end, I have a 7 day Rouvy trial I’m looking forward to testing.

I found a cheap mat on Planet-X which seems to have good reviews, and some towels to protect the bike.

Any other tips please?

 

[CXRAndy]

I went with a Wahoo KICKR core in the end, I have a 7 day Rouvy trial I’m looking forward to testing.

I found a cheap mat on Planet-X which seems to have good reviews, and some towels to protect the bike.

Any other tips please?

Biggest fan or fans you can get. You will cook without food airflow.

Slightly angle the fans to one side, this will blow the sweat droplets away from the bike frame.

 

[Johnno260]

Biggest fan or fans you can get. You will cook without food airflow.

Slightly angle the fans to one side, this will blow the sweat droplets away from the bike frame.

Thanks I have a tower fan so I was going to try that first.

 

[Legs]

I've got a Sealey rotary-blade fan, in which the bearings are going, and it squeaks dreadfully when on full power. Despite me dropping unsubtle hints, I didn't get a replacement for Christmas.

Mrs M has one of these for her treadmill:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vacmaster-...tParam=true&qid=1736251891&s=telephone&sr=1-4

I'd be tempted to get the remotely-controllable Cardio54 version for 20 notes more.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vacmaster-...tParam=true&qid=1736252806&s=telephone&sr=1-3

 

[CXRAndy]

I've got a Sealey rotary-blade fan, in which the bearings are going, and it squeaks dreadfully when on full

Can you not dismantle and fit new bearings. Bearings will be very cheap. Next best get some oil into the bearings to lubricate

 

[Ridgeway]

I found having a fan with a remote control has been very nice and handy. I always start out quite cool (window open) but warm up super quick, position 3 on the fan is soon reached😂