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Ultimate Guide
Article: Elite - The Quietest Trainers On The Market
Author: Art Penz
Elite may not be the best known cycling company, but if you take
a closer look you will see that this Italian company may well be
the best kept secret in the cycling world.
Elite was founded by Amerigo Sartoretoward the end of the
1970's. He started by designing training rollers and cycle racks
for cars. By the 80's, Elite had expanded the product line to
incorporate high tech water bottles. This line included the
world's first leak-proof bottle. Its unique cap was designed to
prevent the contents from leaking out, even if it was upside
down, or crushed. It was called the Unicaand its specially
designed cap not only kept the water in, it's bent top allowed
the riders to see the road while refreshing themselves. By the
90's they continued their water bottle line to include extended
thermal qualities that now are up to four hours of thermal
insulation, even in the hot sun. While their advancements in
water bottle technology are notable, the Elite products we tend
to navigate toward are their advanced trainers.
In case you haven't heard about the coolness of the Elite
Cronoframe, let us give you the scoop. One of the Elite series
of trainers is called the Cronoline. Initially when you get on
any of the Elite Crono trainers, like the Elite Crono Fluid, you
will notice how amazingly quiet it is. The astounding silence is
due to the fluid resistance unit and the high tech rollers that
Elite is famous for.
The high tech rollers found in the Elite Crono Fluid, the Elite
Crono Hydromag and the Elite Crono InOut trainers benefitted by
the development of a substance called Elastogel. Aside from the
supersonic name, ElastoGeloffers significantly less noise and
much more resistance than your typical trainer. But the
Elastogel is only partially responsible for making elite
trainers the quietest trainers on the market. The second part of
this equation is the fluid found in the Elite Crono Fluid, the
Elite Crono InOut and the Elite CronoWireless Fluid Trainer. The
redesigned fluid resistance unit found on the Elite Cronoseries
has an 'in board' flywheel to allow for a wider roller (33% -
50% wider) and since all the moving parts are in fluid, the
units are so silent your downstairs neighbor might buy you one
for their own serenity. As an added bonus, the larger rollers
improve the tire grip as well as reduce wear and vibration. With
the combination of ElastoGeland the hydrodynamic resistance
unit, you get incredibly slick shifting and velvety smooth pedal
action in any of the Elite models that sport this winning
combination.
Not all the Elite Trainers are fluid trainers, some are magnetic
trainers. Like the Elite Crono Mag trainers which have five
position resistance adjusters so you get a better workout
regardless of whether you're warming up or climbing hard. The
resistance adjusters work by a simple twist action that is
mounted on your handlebars for fast and easy access. It's just
like shifting gears. The resistance unit on the Elite Crono
Maguses powerful magnets that are placed on the flywheel with
two discs that cross its magnetic field.
Another cool feature of the Elite Cronos series is that you
don't have to regulate the pressure of the roller or the
resistance unit on the tire and you don't have to connect or
disconnect the unit before or after the training either. The
Cronoframe uses the rider's weight to ensure there is constant
contact with the roller with no bolt or spring plate to adjust.
This flexible system reduces the effect on your bike's frame and
simulates the feeling of a real road ride.
Year in and year out, Elite continues to make strides in the
Engineering and Mechanics of great trainers that not only give
you a good workout session; they keep you interested in training
by providing you with the most realistic feel you can get on an
indoor trainer.
About the author:
For info about Elite Trainers and Bicycle Trainers, visit us today.
Marietjie
Email: marietjie@imaginet.co.za
