The virtual worlds of Zwift and the like undoubtedly make winter indoor training more attractive. Unfortunately, getting started is often not cheap, as you can't do it without a so-called smart roller trainer with power measurement and an internet connection. Many recommendable devices currently cost between 800 and 1000 euros.
Elite is now offering the new Suito for 599 euros. The Elite Suito communicates with all common apps and portals via Bluetooth and ANT+. The roller trainer from the Italians comes with a mounted 11-speed cassette, which is remarkable. A good carrying handle and a back-friendly weight of 15.4 kilos make it very easy to handle. Folded up, the Elite Suito measures just 15 centimetres at its widest point, so the roller trainer can easily be pushed into the narrow space behind the sofa for storage.
Unrivalled practical handling of the Elite roller trainer
The folding mechanism is also good - better than the more expensive Elite devices. When unfolded, the legs span 75 centimetres and provide a secure stand. In terms of handling, the Elite Suito is unrivalled in its practicality. The flywheel mass is smaller than that of the top devices (3.5 kilos), but even this is enough to simulate 15 per cent inclines and, if the speed is high enough, to slow you down more than most legs can pedal. Elite specifies 1900 watts at 40 km/h as the possible braking power. The fact that we only got up to 1000 watts was due to our own (too weak) legs.
How the Elite Suito performs in terms of ride feel and accuracy
The ride feel is good, the smaller flywheel mass is noticeable compared to heavier devices, but not a major limitation. In ergometer mode with the Elite app, the brake reacts very slowly: the power overshoots by ten seconds, but is adjusted after 20 to 30 seconds. It is not possible to say to what extent this is due to the device or the software. Our standard test on Zwift failed due to the ANT+ connection, which did not provide any data - the cause is unclear, as the device could be paired. The Elite Suito's power display is not very accurate.
After calibration in a warm state, the device showed a fairly constant 17 watts too little between 150 and 350 watts of pedalling power compared to the SRM reference power meter. However, the 2.5 per cent accuracy that Elite promises is also unrealistic, as the device does not measure the power, but determines it indirectly. In this respect, the more expensive Elite Direto clearly better. With 39/51/67 decibels at 27/40/66 km/h, the Elite Suito is one of the quietest roller trainers.
Technical data for the Elite Suito roller trainer
- Weight: 15.4 kilogrammes
- Footprint W x L: 75 x 58 cm
- Storage dimensions W x L x H: 15 x 58 x 50 cm
- Max. Power: 1900 watts
- Max. Gradient: 15 per cent
- Volume at 27/40/66 km/h: 39/51/67 decibels
- Average deviation: 17 watts
- Price: 599 Euro
Test summary of the Elite Suito
- PLUS: quiet, favourable
- MINUS: Inaccurate power display, slow control with Elite app
How TOUR tests roller trainers & smart trainers
We used all smart trainers in a normally furnished living room of just under 20 square metres. Firstly, the manufacturer-specific app was set up on a Samsung S7 under Android, if available, and the firmware of the roller trainer was updated to the latest version. The app was then used to carry out a calibration ride ("spindown") after warming up. We used the app in ergometer mode with Bluetooth to complete an interval programme. We also checked the accuracy of the power display.
An SRM system was used as a reference, which in turn was synchronised with other power meters. We limited ourselves to endurance performances in the range of 150 to 350 watts and also tested the control speed of the roller trainers during power jumps in interval mode.
Finally, we completed various undulating courses on Zwift and tested the response behaviour of the brakes - the reaction time to changes in terrain - and evaluated the ride feel. We used ANT+ as the connection to the PC. The sound level was measured at a distance of one metre from the Smarttrainer at three speeds: 27, 40 and 66 km/h; at pedalling frequencies between 90 and 120 rpm. It should be noted that the sound level has a logarithmic scale. An increase of ten decibels corresponds to a doubling of the perceived volume. Low frequencies are not adequately recorded by the level measurement, which is why we also describe these in the text.
