Editor’s note: There is a new Elite Tuo available, the FE-C Mag, which ups the wattage max to 2050 watts and maximum speed of 60 kph as well as improved accuracy going up to +/-3 per cent, in line with the Wahoo Kickr Snap. However it is not available on sale and is up to £475 now.
Founded 40 years ago by Amerigo Sartore, Elite and has been producing cutting edge cycling products ever since. The Italian brand is perhaps best known for their bottle cages and bottles, which are used by a large percentage of the professional peloton.
Elite also has a strong arm in rollers and turbo trainers, with some of the best smart turbo trainers being their latest in a line of innovations. The Tuo slots into the range as an upmarket wheel-on model – aiming to deliver better performance than entry-level models, as well as a better aesthetic.
Elite Tuo smart trainer: construction
(Image credit: Andy Turner)
The Tuo is quite light for a smart turbo, at just 10.3kg, and with the wooden legs it looks a little more at home in many living rooms than more plasticy models. It broadcasts data using both ANT+ and BLE, allowing you to connect to most bike computers and the best indoor training apps such as Zwift, TrainerRoad and Wahoo SYSTM. Thru axle converters are included, as well as a comprehensive guide on how to set up your bike and get the elastomer in correct contact with the rear wheel.
Power accuracy is a claimed +/-5 per cent – which is good for a wheel on but lags behind the Wahoo Kickr Snap and most direct drive trainers. Simulated gradient is +/-10 per cent which is good for this style of trainer, but not exceptional. The 1,300 watts max resistance is more than enough for most people, but if you are a particularly gifted sprinter then a direct drive is likely your only option.
A nice feature is that the trainer folds up very small, so if you live in a smaller building and have to put away the trainer after each use, this is nice and easy. Plus the light weight makes it easier to move around.
Elite Tuo smart trainer: the ride
(Image credit: Andy Turner)
I had a few issues on the first attempt at getting everything set up, but a quick email to the manufacturer and some online tutorials on their website helped a lot. Using the Elite apps (myEtraining and Upgrado) I was able to connect and calibrate the trainer properly, as well as updating the firmware to the latest version. After this, calibration was easy and I linked…