Bike Fitting With Elite’s New ‘Wheel-On’ Interactive Trainer: TUO

By Rick Schultz

HOT:

• Totally Interactive – replicating terrain features or training to power levels
• ANT+ & BLU Smart protocols – can use with any modern app (Zwift, FulGaz, etc.)
• Slope Simulation: 10%
• Accuracy: +/- 5%
• Power Output: 1300W
• Quick Clamping
• Steel frame, foldable beechwood legs
• Ultra-Quiet, Ultra Smooth, and Stable
• *Unit internals sends power, speed, and cadence data via ANT+, BLU
• New polyurethane-based wheel roller eliminates friction noise by 50% and decreases tire wear by 20%.

NOT:

• Setup a little fiddly
  • Left/right clamps need fine-tuning adjustments. Rear wheel spacing widths are different from bike-type to bike-type (road quick release, MTB quick release, road thru axle, MTB thru axle, Cross/Gravel thru axle, etc.), so if you have only one bike this will work fine, if you are a bike fitter, you will need to readjust for each type of bike that comes into the shop
  • To configure between <28” wheels and >28” wheels, need to disassemble and move base unit. An additional 20 minutes each time.

PRICE: $549.99

AVAILABILITY: On-line bicycle storefronts, many sporting goods stores and of course, your local bicycle shop.

ACCESSORIES: Parts for thru-axle conversion.

HOW OBTAINED: Purchased from Todson

My old Computrainer has been through thousands of bike fits and is still running perfectly but, a recent student that took my bike fit education course wanted to buy it to get started in bike fitting. To help her out, I said OK then I proceeded to start looking for a new trainer.

Since I have had other Elite trainers, that is where I started looking.

Running the Computrainer for the last time, I took note of all functionality needed in support of clients being fit. Namely a video camera and Racer Mate training software. Clients like to see their wattage and comfort increase as we move from step-to-step in the fitting process. Power output from the Computrainer usually shows a minimum of 30w increase during a bike fit.

Elite has 3 basic types of trainers, direct drive (or wheel off), wheel on and rollers. I wanted something that would support all of my client’s bicycles. With a direct drive, I would always be changing cassettes since I do bike fitting for clients that bring in 9-speed, 10-speed, or 11-speed drivetrains and now, soon to be 12-speed. A direct-drive trainer would be too difficult to continually reconfigure the cassette, so this was a no-go. Rollers were also out of the running since I am performing a bike fitting service not a bike handling skills workshop. That left wheel-on trainers. I ended up choosing Elite’s brand new interactive trainer, the TUO.

There are 4 hurdles to setting up this trainer.

1. Getting it out of the box. It is a net-zero fit and it’s easiest to cut up the box for easy removal of the trainer. But I wanted to save the box so I could ship the Computrainer so there was a lot of pulling, twisting, turning, etc., to get the TUO dislodged.
   Note … it was packed very well!
2. Assembling the load motor to the frame. There are two setup options, one for <28” wheels, one for >28” wheels. Now, this should be easy since most will be using only one bicycle on the trainer, but for me, I get in road, TRI, gravel/cross, and MTB’s (in that order) for bike fits. Since I don’t get that many MTB’s in for bike fits, I can use my basic spare trainer to support 29’ers. Otherwise I would need to remove the trainer load motor from the frame and reposition for another wheel size.
3. Setting the left/right clamp spacing. The manual describes a definite order to setting up the unit, but basically, adjust the left side first, then fine-tune the pressure with the right knob.
4. Setting the fore/aft spacing. Once the bike is locked into the trainer, adjust the fore/aft of the polyurethane roller to just skim the tire, then twist the locking ring.

Again, for one bike this a one-time setup, for a bike fitter, numerous setups.

First bike fit with new trainer came in. Client brought in a road bike. As expected, took a little fiddling with both the clamping and wheel tension to get right. After that, it ran quiet and stable. But, right after the fit, I ran down to the local hardware store and bought 2 U-clamps to LOCK-DOWN the trainer to the platform.

Now, all bolted down, it was time to test. A friend came over and wanted a bike fit anyway so what better way.

Bike fit session went perfect but now it’s time to pair the TUO to the My ETraining software.

Simple and easy pairing to My ETraining software. With this software, I can create custom training plans and train to them, I can also do an FTP test, or ride along with Elite-built videos or customer imported videos from around the world. There’s a lot that you can do once you get the trainer.

And, it’s not like training in the 70’s and 80’s where you stared at a wall watching the paint dry. I remember those old days and I could barely get through a 20 minute workout. My mind was numb afterwards.

Now, these training apps are fully interactive, and I have done 2 hours in the saddle on the trainer on a recent climb up Col du Telegraph and Col du Galibier. I was surprised as to how quickly the time flew by.

This trainer works great, has a few small adjustment issues but all-in-all is worth the money!

* For us nerds, here are some links for more information

• ANT+ https://www.thisisant.com
• BLU https://www.bluetooth.com
• FE-C (ANT+ FE-C) Fitness Equipment Protocol
  best for trainers, rowers, treadmills, etc.
• S&C – Speed & Cadence
• PWR – Power

Compatible Software: