Training rollers: a guide to choosing between roller trainers and dire – RaceIt.cc

At RaceIt, we have eight trainer options: six models from two very different types, rollers and direct-drive smart trainers.

With autumn here and the afternoons getting shorter, it's a good time to decide. This guide explains what each model does, who it's right for, and what to look for before you buy.

Two types: rollers and direct-drive

The practical difference is how the bike is supported and who controls the resistance.

Rollers (free roller trainer). The bike rests on three rollers and isn't fixed in place: you maintain your own balance. They're lightweight and foldable, and are useful for working on pedaling technique, balance, and warming up.
Direct-drive (smart trainer). The rear wheel is removed and the bike is mounted directly on the trainer. The training app controls resistance, provides power data, and simulates gradients.

Rollers: Elite Arion and Elite Arion Mag

If you want to warm up before a race or refine your technique, rollers are the simplest and lightest option. Both are compatible with road bikes and MTB.

Elite Arion

The basic model: three parabolic rollers (85 mm in the center and 100 mm at the ends) that help keep the wheel centered. It weighs about 7 kg, has a glass-fiber-reinforced polyamide frame, and folds up. Includes an integrated platform for getting on and off the bike. It has no resistance unit. With compatible ANT+ or Bluetooth sensors (not included), you can track your data in the My E-Training app.

Elite Arion Mag

The same idea, with manually adjustable magnetic resistance in three levels, so you can move from recovery or warm-up to more demanding intervals. Monocoque thermoplastic frame (7.8 kg according to the manufacturer), PVC rollers with sealed bearings, and one-motion folding. Includes one month of My E-Training.

Direct-drive: four smart trainers

This is where connected training comes in: automatic resistance, power data, and simulated gradients. The four models, ordered from lowest to highest price:

Elite Rivo

The lightest of the four and designed for getting started with a smart trainer. It has folding legs, an integrated handle and automatic resistance. It connects via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Zwift Protocol BLE, with dual-channel Bluetooth and Bridge function: it sends data from a heart rate monitor or cadence sensor to the app using a single connection. Includes 12 months of My E-Training. Cassette not included.

Magene T200

The alternative at the same price, with a belt drive and electromagnetic actuation to reduce noise: 56 dB measured at 1.5 m and 25 km/h. It works with ANT+ and Bluetooth (FTMS and FE-C) and is compatible with Zwift, TrainerRoad, ROUVY, Wahoo RGT, FulGaz, Kinomap, BKOOL and Onelap, among others. It supports MTB bikes with 26" to 29" wheels and 700C road bikes.

Elite Avanti

Precision gets a boost: integrated power meter with ±1% accuracy. Flex Feet allow 4.5° of lateral micro-movement to follow the bike's motion. It also features enhanced ERG mode, automatic calibration, 10 Hz data transmission, Wi-Fi, ANT+ FE-C and Bluetooth, plus two standalone operating modes. It has a 4 kg flywheel and does not include a cassette.

Elite Justo 2

The top-of-the-range model: according to Elite, WorldTour teams use it to prepare for races and training. Includes a 12-speed Shimano cassette and two sets of Flex Feet. Its Shimano Di2 compatibility lets you adjust resistance or pause the trainer using the buttons on compatible electronic systems. It retains Wi-Fi, ANT+ FE-C and Bluetooth, with data at 10 Hz.

Quick comparison

Model	Weight	Power accuracy	Max. gradient	Max. power
Elite Rivo	10 kg	±2.5%	18%	2000 W at 40 km/h
Magene T200	13.6 kg	±2.5%	15%	1800 W
Elite Avanti	13 kg	±1%	18%	2100 W at 40 km/h
Elite Justo 2	17 kg	Under 1%	24%	2300 W at 40 km/h

Zwift Cog and Click: virtual shifting for Zwift

Rivo and Avanti are also sold as a bundle with Zwift Cog and Click: Elite Rivo with Zwift Cog and Click (€399) and Elite Avanti with Zwift Cog and Click (€515).

The Cog replaces the cassette and supports 8- to 12-speed drivetrains with the rear derailleur fixed in place. Shifting is done virtually in Zwift with the Click, a wireless handlebar controller with 24 virtual gears. It includes a 2-month Zwift promotion, subject to activation and Zwift’s terms.

If you later want to use other apps with mechanical shifting, you can replace the Cog with a compatible cassette, sold separately.

Which one to choose based on how you train

Warm up and work on your technique or balance: Elite Arion, o Elite Arion Mag if you want to vary the intensity with three resistance levels.
Getting started with a smart trainer: Elite Rivo if you prioritize low weight and compactness; Magene T200 if you prefer belt drive and a wide range of compatible apps.
For more precise power-based training: Elite Avanti, with ±1%.
For demanding workouts and gradients of up to 24%: Elite Justo 2.
Mostly riding on Zwift: Rivo or Avanti bundles with Zwift Cog and Click.

Before you buy: cassette, axle and space

Three checks can help you avoid surprises with a direct-drive trainer:

Cassette. The Rivo and Avanti don’t include one; the Justo 2 comes with a 12-speed Shimano cassette; bundles with Cog use the Cog. The Rivo, Avanti and Justo 2 have a freehub body compatible with Shimano/SRAM 9/10/11-speed, Shimano road 12-speed and SRAM SX/NX 12-speed; other freehub bodies are sold separately. The Magene T200 supports 8- to 11-speed Shimano/SRAM and 12-speed Shimano; for 12-speed SRAM XDR, it needs a separate freehub.
Frame axle. The Rivo, Avanti and Justo 2 include adapters for 130/135 mm quick release and 12×142 mm thru-axles. The T200 supports 130/135 mm quick release and 12×142 and 12×148 mm thru-axles.
Space and maximum weight. All models fold up; the Avanti measures 580 × 210 × 520 mm and the Justo 2 measures 570 × 195 × 520 mm. The maximum load is 110 kg for the Avanti and Justo 2, and 100 kg for the T200.

With rollers, all that matters is whether the bike is a road bike or MTB. Arion and Arion Mag sensors are optional and sold separately.