Elite Direto XR vs Tacx Flux S Smart
Quick answer
Both the Elite Direto XR and the Tacx Flux S Smart are direct-drive trainers that accept the common road and MTB axles. The Elite Direto XR (2300 W, ±1.5%, $999.99) offers Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide), SRAM XD Driver Body, SRAM XDR Driver Body, Shimano Micro Spline and Campagnolo; the Tacx Flux S Smart (1500 W, ±3%, $749) offers Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide), SRAM XD Driver Body, SRAM XDR Driver Body, Campagnolo and Shimano Micro Spline. Use the checker below to see which fits your exact bike.
Specs side by side
| Elite Direto XR | Tacx Flux S Smart | |
|---|---|---|
| Drive type | Direct drive | Direct drive |
| Factory model code | — | T2900S |
| Axle standards | 130 mm quick-release, 135 mm quick-release, 12 × 142 mm thru-axle, 12 × 148 mm Boost thru-axle, 12 × 135 mm thru-axle and 10 × 135 mm thru-axle | 130 mm quick-release, 135 mm quick-release, 12 × 142 mm thru-axle and 12 × 148 mm Boost thru-axle |
| Thru-axle adapter | 130 mm quick-release, 135 mm quick-release and 12 × 142 mm in the box · 12 × 148 mm Boost, 12 × 135 mm and 10 × 135 mm separately | 130 mm quick-release and 135 mm quick-release in the box · 12 × 142 mm and 12 × 148 mm Boost separately |
| Freehub (in box) | Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide) | Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide) |
| Freehub options | Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide), SRAM XD Driver Body, SRAM XDR Driver Body, Shimano Micro Spline and Campagnolo | Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide), SRAM XD Driver Body, SRAM XDR Driver Body, Campagnolo and Shimano Micro Spline |
| Cassette | Shimano 11-speed cassette pre-installed | Sold separately |
| Max cassette speed | 12-speed | 12-speed |
| Virtual shifting | Yes | No |
| Protocols | ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, Bluetooth | ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, Bluetooth |
| Power accuracy | ±1.5% | ±3% |
| Max power | 2300 W | 1500 W |
| Max gradient | 24% | 10% |
| Flywheel | 5.1 kg | 6.7 kg |
| MSRP | $999.99 | $749 |
| Status | Current | Current |
Which fits your bike — Elite Direto XR or Tacx Flux S Smart?
29Drops straight in3Fits with parts1Not supported
- Elite AvantiDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Elite Direto XRDrops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Elite JustoDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Elite Justo 2Drops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Elite RivoDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Elite Suito-TDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Elite TuoDrops straight in
- • Wheel-on — it clamps your rear axle and uses your existing wheel and cassette.
- Elite ZumoDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- JetBlack VictoryDrops straight in
- • Ships with the Zwift Cog — virtual shifting means no cassette to match.
- JetBlack VOLT V2Drops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- JetBlack WhisperDrive SmartDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Kinetic R1Drops straight in
- • The trainer takes this axle, but we could not verify which adapters ship in its box.
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Saris H2Drops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Saris H3Drops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Tacx Flux 2 SmartDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Tacx NEO 2Drops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Tacx NEO 2TDrops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Tacx NEO 3MDrops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Van Rysel D100Drops straight in
- • Ships with the Zwift Cog — virtual shifting means no cassette to match.
- Van Rysel D500Drops straight in
- • Ships with the Zwift Cog — virtual shifting means no cassette to match.
- Van Rysel RCRDrops straight in
- • Ships with the Zwift Cog — virtual shifting means no cassette to match.
- Wahoo KICKR CORE (1st gen)Drops straight in
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Wahoo KICKR CORE 2Drops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Wahoo KICKR MOVEDrops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Wahoo KICKR V5 (2020)Drops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Wahoo KICKR V6 (2022)Drops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Xplova Noza SDrops straight in
- • The trainer takes this axle, but we could not verify which adapters ship in its box.
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Zwift Hub (classic)Drops straight in
- • Drops straight in — adapter and freehub are covered out of the box.
- Zwift Hub OneDrops straight in
- • Ships with the Zwift Cog — virtual shifting means no cassette to match.
- Magene T300Fits with parts
- • Needs a thru-axle adapter (sold separately).
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- Tacx Flux S SmartFits with parts
- • Needs a thru-axle adapter (sold separately).
- • You’ll fit your own cassette (or buy a matching one).
- Wahoo KICKR SNAPFits with parts
- • Needs a thru-axle adapter (sold separately).
- Tacx Flow SmartNot supported
No support for your 12 × 142 mm thru-axle axle on this trainer.
Frequently asked questions
Both accept the same common road and MTB axles, so the deciding factor is the freehub for your cassette: the Elite Direto XR offers Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide), SRAM XD Driver Body, SRAM XDR Driver Body, Shimano Micro Spline and Campagnolo, while the Tacx Flux S Smart offers Shimano/SRAM HG (HyperGlide), SRAM XD Driver Body, SRAM XDR Driver Body, Campagnolo and Shimano Micro Spline. Run your drivetrain through the checker to see which is a clean drop-in.
The Elite Direto XR: Shimano 11-speed cassette pre-installed. The Tacx Flux S Smart: Sold separately.
At launch the Elite Direto XR is $999.99 and the Tacx Flux S Smart is $749 — check current retail prices, which often differ.
Yes — both the Elite Direto XR and the Tacx Flux S Smart accept 12×142 and 12×148 thru-axle bikes with their adapters, plus 130/135 quick-release. Check each trainer’s adapter note for any sub-model caveat.
Beyond fit, they differ on power and price — the Elite Direto XR (2300 W, ±1.5%, $999.99) vs the Tacx Flux S Smart (1500 W, ±3%, $749). See the full table above.