Experience with importing smart trainers- too much maintenance?

[DehanL]

I am visiting Europe in a few weeks, and was looking to use the trip to pick up a Elite Direto smart trainer. They are just so darn expensive here (literally double the price).

 

My question is this- are smart trainers generally high maintenance and thus warrants buying local for the warranty?

 

My only experience with trainers is my Tacx Satori which I bought second hand. The thing is going on 5 years, and I only ride indoors. Bulletproof, but admittedly not nearly as complex as the smart guys

 

I look forward to some stories on how well smart trainers age

 

 

[V12man]

The tech changes faster than you can wear them out with the quality brands - and you DO need a local support from time to time (not all that much, but an overseas backup team will be a pain and might result in extended downtime - that said my cycleops Pro has never needed a repair, but I have had questions)

 

https://www.bicyclepower.co.za/product-category/cycleops/trainers-rollers/ - take a look at the Hammer or Magnus trainers - both bulletproof and brilliantly supported by the local team

[DjCyclist]

I am visiting Europe in a few weeks, and was looking to use the trip to pick up a Elite Direto smart trainer. They are just so darn expensive here (literally double the price).

 

My question is this- are smart trainers generally high maintenance and thus warrants buying local for the warranty?

 

My only experience with trainers is my Tacx Satori which I bought second hand. The thing is going on 5 years, and I only ride indoors. Bulletproof, but admittedly not nearly as complex as the smart guys

 

I look forward to some stories on how well smart trainers age

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/307565-elite-direto-never-used/

[Schnavel]

I know lots of people who have bought them overseas with no issues.

 

The local pricing on the Elite Direto is crazy - you can have a unit landed here for under R11k, yet locally they are charging R18000.

If it was my money, I would definitly be spending it overseas.

[RocketGirlZA]

They have come down in price to R15999 retail. Buying locally gives you local support. If you buy from international and anything goes wrong then you need to contact them should you need spare parts or if anything goes wrong.

[Pusher]

I bought my Direto from bike24.com and although I had a problem with it the support from Elite was great.

[Rocket-Boy]

The tech changes faster than you can wear them out with the quality brands - and you DO need a local support from time to time (not all that much, but an overseas backup team will be a pain and might result in extended downtime - that said my cycleops Pro has never needed a repair, but I have had questions)

 

https://www.bicyclepower.co.za/product-category/cycleops/trainers-rollers/ - take a look at the Hammer or Magnus trainers - both bulletproof and brilliantly supported by the local team

When I look at getting a new smart trainer it will be from cycleops purely because of how good the local support it.

[Grease_Monkey]

There is always the off chance something goes wrong. I bought a CycleOps which had a faulty power reading (pedaling myself into the red and showing 50W). Amyway, it was replaced under warranty and has been bullet proof since then. So you may buy an excellent brand, but nothing is perfect, so on the off chance something does go wrong it's going to be an expensive mistake.

[Rideallday]

if you Guys are looking for an Elite Direto, we have a special on them at the moment . http://www.reformcycling.co.za/product/elite-direto/

They are awesome units, with great backup from the local importers.

[Schnavel]

if you Guys are looking for an Elite Direto, we have a special on them at the moment . http://www.reformcycling.co.za/product/elite-direto/

They are awesome units, with great backup from the local importers.

 

How is that a special? I can import a brand new unit for under R11k.

 

It's no wonder everyone shops online - we get screwed locally on everything bicycle related.

[Mongoose!]

How is that a special? I can import a brand new unit for under R11k.

 

It's no wonder everyone shops online - we get screwed locally on everything bicycle related.

 

Including VAT and duties?

[Schnavel]

Including VAT and duties?

 

Yup, landed cost with all VAT, duties, shipping etc.

[shaper]

Yup, landed cost with all VAT, duties, shipping etc.

Do you have one and if so how you find it, accurate, quiet?

[Tomik]

I have one. Bought locally. Evobikes has them for R14999 now.

 

Yes, very accurate (has an actual power meter built-in). One small problem: It doesn't work with Zwift with a PC-Android-Bluetooth setup. In other words, you need an ANT+ dongle if you're trying to use Zwift to control it with that setup. Works fine with Apple devices I hear.

 

Other than that, perfect. Quiet, stable, good feel. No downhill simulation (like Tacx Neo which is double the price) but doesn't really matter.

 

Talk about being ripped off. Wahoo charges R959 for an ANT+ mini USB stick....which cost $10 on Amazon.

[shaper]

I have one. Bought locally. Evobikes has them for R14999 now.

 

Yes, very accurate (has an actual power meter built-in). One small problem: It doesn't work with Zwift with a PC-Android-Bluetooth setup. In other words, you need an ANT+ dongle if you're trying to use Zwift to control it with that setup. Works fine with Apple devices I hear.

 

Other than that, perfect. Quiet, stable, good feel. No downhill simulation (like Tacx Neo which is double the price) but doesn't really matter.

 

Talk about being ripped off. Wahoo charges R959 for an ANT+ mini USB stick....which cost $10 on Amazon.

http://www.sportsworld.co.za/51-ant-dongle

[Mongoose!]

 

 

Talk about being ripped off. Wahoo charges R959 for an ANT+ mini USB stick....which cost $10 on Amazon.

 

aero shape?