You can trust Cyclingnews
Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.
Image 1 of 7
The Elite Qubo Digital Smart B+ is the most inexpensive smart trainer on the market(Image credit: Allen Krughoff / Immediate Media)
The Elite Qubo Digital Smart B+ is the most inexpensive smart trainer on the market(Image credit: Allen Krughoff / Immediate Media)
An electric motor controls the resistance, which is in turn controlled wirelessly by third party apps such as Zwift or TrainerRoad(Image credit: Allen Krughoff / Immediate Media)
Although not as accurate as a more expensive smart trainer, the Elite Qubo Digital Smart B+ is much lighter and easier to store and transport(Image credit: Allen Krughoff / Immediate Media)
When looking at the big picture, the Qubo power measurement is pretty good. For this ride, the Qubo (in boldface) tracks roughly along with Garmin Vector 3 and Pioneer power meters, with average power being just a few watts off(Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
Hard accelerations such as sprints (the big spikes in the two, fainter green lines of the Pioneer and Garmin) really underscore how the Qubo isn't a perfect power meter(Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
But when you look more closely at the Qubo, the power measurement (in boldface) misses the nuanced measurement of actual power meters (Image credit: Ben Delaney/Immediate Media)
Highs: Most inexpensive smart trainer on the market; lightweight; folds for storage and transport
Lows: Inaccurate power measurement; noisy; short power cord
Buy if: You want to get into the virtual riding game without spending a fortune
Perhaps the best smart-trainer bargain, the Elite QuboDigital Smart B+ delivers great value — and you can usually find it even lower than the list price on Wiggle and Performance.
Elite QuboDigital Smart B+ overview
Electric-motor resistance controlled by Zwift, TrainerRoad or other apps
Can only do ANT+ or Bluetooth, but not both simultaneously
Light and folds down
Relies on rider weight for tire/roller contact
Power measurement decent at steady state but poor during surges
Noisy (80dB at 200w/80rpm; 91dB max)
Elite QuboDigital Smart B+ set up and ride impressions
To use the Qubo, you just clamp your rear axle in and — after plugging in the trainer and pairing it to your favorite app — start pedaling.
Unlike most wheel-on trainers, the Qubo does not have any mechanics for securely tightening the roller against your rear tire. Instead, it relies on your bike and body weight for the connection.
An electric motor controls the resistance, which is in turn controlled wirelessly by third party apps such as Zwift or TrainerRoad
For such a relatively light trainer with no screw-down tire connection, the Qubo is fairly stable to use when seated.
When you stand up, though, the pressure on the roller changes and so does the power measurement.
When seated and riding virtually in Zwift, the Qubo does a good job of quickly adjusting resistance to mimic hills and big drafts.
Without a large flywheel or sophisticated programming, the ride feel isn't quite as good as a high-end trainer.
But — and this is the big but — the trainer costs a fraction of most other smart trainers. And as such, the Qubo is a good tool for the price.
Elite QuboDigital Smart B+ power comparisons
When looking at the big picture, the Qubo power measurement is pretty good. For this ride, the Qubo (in boldface) tracks roughly along with Garmin Vector 3 and Pioneer power meters, with average power being just a few watts off
I tested the Qubo and nine other smart trainers with pairs of power meters.
If you just look at average power for any given ride compared to power meters, the Qubo isn't bad.
It doesn't handle changes in pace or power very well, though, being very slow to respond to increases and decreases. Also, it reads high at lower power and low at high power.
But when you look more closely at the Qubo, the power measurement (in boldface) misses the nuanced measurement of actual power meters
Elite QuboDigital Smart B+ ride impressions
The Qubo is light and super easy to set up.
It is the cheapest smart trainer out there. (Some non-interactive trainers are branded smart if they measure and transmit power data; I don't count these.)
The main trade-offs for the great price are power accuracy and noise.
If you want to use a smart trainer for short interval training, I wouldn't recommend this one. But if you want a smart trainer that delivers the virtual experience of changing resistance to mirror virtual undulations, the Qubo is a great value option.
Although not as accurate as a more expensive smart trainer, the Elite Qubo Digital Smart B+ is much lighter and easier to store and transport
BikeRadar verdict - 3.5/5
"Affordable power measurement combined with a good ride feel"
Specification
Name: Qubo wireless digitial turbo trainer (12)
Built by: Elite
Price: £399.99 / US$554.99 / AU$629.99
Features *electronically driven trainer, *SPRINT TO STANDSTILL: 34 secs *SET-UP TIME: 15 mins *NOISE: Medium
