When it comes to riding indoors, we usually prefer Zwift for entertainment and structure. However, if you get a Kickr Snap, you’ll need to buy the USB stick separately it’s not included with the unit, as it is with the Rampa. Wahoo includes a front wheel block with its trainer, while Elite does not. Wahoo claims the Kickr Snap can ramp you up to 12 percent and handles 1,500 watts max. Elite says the Rampa’s maximum simulated gradient is 10 percent, and it tops out at 800 watts. In terms of performance, the two are fairly comparable, though the Kickr is a bit more compact, and set-up is easier. The latter is usually priced at $700, $50 more than the Rampa, but currently, Wahoo has it on sale for $600. If you’re inclined to do some comparison-shopping, the Elite Rampa’s closest competitor is a Wahoo Kickr Snap. For a rider without a coach, wanting some guidance while training through the winter, this app might be a nice option. When you buy the trainer, a free one-year subscription to My E-Training is included. You can also use Google Maps to create courses to virtually ride indoors. The trainer connects to your phone or tablet, and the app offers a variety of workouts, fitness tests, and optional add-on purchases, like videos of famous European climbs. In addition to those apps, Elite has one of its own, My E-Training, which lets you manage heart rate, power, distance, and time. We took it for a spin on Zwift Island and were pleasantly surprised to find no appreciable jerky resistance that sometimes comes with a tire-mounted trainer. It also can use the ANT+ communication protocol and the trainer comes with the corresponding USB stick required to connect to most popular smart trainer programs. The Bluetooth-enabled Rampa is compatible with both Zwift and TrainerRoad, two of the most popular smart-trainer apps. Though the trainer frame’s white legs are pretty beefy, we found the unit to be a little tippy when sprinting. This is perhaps attributed to that red roller, made of what Elite calls “elastogel,” which is essentially a plastic polymer, not metal. Once we started pedaling, the Rampa provided smooth, quiet resistance, certainly better than most tire-mounted trainers. Like most trainers, it fits a variety of wheel sizes but requires an adaptor to play nice with thru-axles. The legs fold up, but the resistance unit protrudes, so it’s tricky to stuff this behind a couch. To assemble the Rampa, we needed a couple Allen keys (provided), a wrench, and about 30 minutes of time. Out of the box, set-up was a bit more involved than some trainers we have tested. But is the Rampa’s performance exceptional? We found it was a good, functional smart trainer, but it is not perfect. If you’re like me, a trainer becomes part of your home décor in the winter months, so this stylish flair might be a good look for your second bedroom, or wherever you choose to sweat. With its distinctive white color and red accents, Elite’s Rampa trainer stands apart. Don't miss a moment from Paris-Roubaix and Unbound Gravel, to the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, Vuelta a España, and everything in between when you
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