An in-depth review of the new Elite Justo Smart Trainer – Triathlete

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Elite is a lesser-known smart trainer company in the US, but that doesn’t mean their products are lacking. In fact, it’s just the opposite. The recently released Elite Justo is heavy on the metrics, light on the sound and rivals other industry leading trainers.

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Elite Justo specifications

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Elite Justo: What we like

Justo is easy to like. A common theme across the smart trainer market this year is that manufacturers have clearly invested in making their products quieter. Justo came in at about 70db while running at 250 watts. This isn’t the quietest trainer we’ve tested (the Zwift Hub takes the podium), but it’s significantly quieter than other direct-drive trainers from years past.

In terms of connectivity, Justo offers standard ANT+ and/or Bluetooth capabilities. The Justo even has an Ethernet cable port if you want to make sure you don’t have any data interruptions during your trip. Justo also offers bridging technology if you exceed the two Bluetooth channels, meaning you can use both an external heart rate monitor and cadence sensor (versus the built-in cadence sensor on the Justo) and ‘bridge’ these connections via FE-C ANT+ or FTMS Bluetooth protocols . Basically, you can utilize multiple external sensors without worrying about maxing out the two Bluetooth channels.

As for how well the Justo simulates the road, we give it a solid passing grade. The flywheel on the Justo weighs about three pounds less than the KICKR, but still weighs enough to ground the trainer and bike and create that “real” feel. Justo also has its proprietary “flex feet” that come standard with every trainer.

The flexible feet are squishy but sturdy foam feet that noticeably, well, squeeze as you ride, creating a more realistic outdoor sensation. This gentle wave from each side as you ride will also help your lower back and hips from tiring equally during long indoor rides. The movement to each side was definitely noticeable and may be enough to replace a rocker plate, but maybe not pretty be there yet. If squishy feet aren’t your thing, you can replace them with a pair of smaller mobile feet that come with each trainer.

We also like that Justo has what Elite calls “Standalone Mode.” This allows a rider to use Justo even when it’s not connected to an app like Zwift or when a power outlet isn’t available. While cycling without a connection isn’t nearly as much fun, a rider can adjust the trainer’s resistance without power via the Elite app and use the Justo that way. Again, not nearly as fun, but now you never have a technology-related excuse for not training the trainer.

This is pretty standard across the board these days, but the Justo is capable of connecting to almost every virtual riding app out there: Zwift, Ful Gaz, Rouvy – you take your pick.

Finally, we can appreciate that the Justo was created with sustainability in mind (although it was packed in styrofoam, so there’s definitely room for improvement), sourcing plastic components from “environmentally responsible processing” and utilizing a circular production model that limits the Elite’s use of raw materials and tries to reuse existing plastics.

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Elite Justo: What is just OK

There is not much to dislike about Justo. It’s a solid trainer that will turn heads once it’s released in the US.

The biggest drawback is that the Elite Justo does not come with a cartridge, and there is no option to buy one with the trainer. Although learning how to install a cassette is a very simple cycling skill, it does require you to purchase your own cassette and the few tools needed to mount it. Not ideal, but not a crisis.

The Justo’s stability isn’t quite as comfortable as a Wahoo Kickr, which consistently ranks high for stability. The Justo’s kickstand sits at 180 degrees compared to the Kickr, which sits at a much smaller angle, meaning there’s plenty of room to sway sideways while on the bike. This can be a good thing in terms of flex feet, but at times the bike felt a bit tippy, especially when digging into a tough interval.

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Elite Justo Extended Review: Conclusions

Elite Justo is a coach to watch. It competes with industry leaders like the Wahoo KICKR and is poised to quickly become a favorite among triathletes thanks to its spot-on calculations, creative connectivity options and ease of use from unboxing to first ride. Justo is perfect for the computer-heavy triathlete who wants a fairly realistic road feel and the ability to utilize several sensors during their rides.

It’s hard to find much to criticize about the Justo, but what stands out the most is that there is no cassette included in the purchase. This is a small detail, but one that some may find frustrating – and an added expense – when purchasing.

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