NordicSkier wrote:
I was just offered a good deal on used 1 year old Direto.
Up until now I have been a proud Luddite using only a fluid trainer.
I'm concerned about my ability to just get on and ride with a smart trainer.
Simplicity is nice.... I don't do fancy training as I ski most of the winter.
I'm assuming I can just download the Elite app and control it fine with my smartphone?
Or do I have to hook up a laptop or tablet?
Seems like Ant+ is the way to go, which I doubt I can do from a smartphone?
Is a Direto for me?
If you have a Garmin Edge 520 like I do, then you’re all set. It works great as a remote control to adjust the resistance, and also a display to see your power and cadence. You can also use it to calibrate the direto. If you want to, you can even use it to simulate any outdoor rides that you have saved on your Garmin (i.e. it will adjust resistance automatically to simulate the grades on the ride), though I have never tried that feature. I don’t know what other head units are compatible with the direto, but it may be worth looking into, instead of paying a monthly subscription fee like you would for elite or whatever app. I think you can connect with bluetooth with smartphone, but I’ve never tried it. I think it’s a bit finicky, like you can’t have other bluetooth devices (eg. speakers) connected at the same time.
By the way, you will love the direto even if you’re not interested in the smart features. The road feel is just soo nice -- maybe you could ask for a test ride before you buy it and see for yourself, then you’ll be sold!