Elite Volare Mag Lite Trainer (09) | $178.18
BikeRadar verdict
"Great value and solid performance. Suitable for occasional sessions"
The Elite Volare Mag Lite is a minor faff to set up, requiring the use of an additional socket to complement the supplied Allen key.
It isn't expensive, but the build quality, although appearing a tad flimsy, is nonetheless good. Even with our tester’s 6ft 3in and 13 stone frame, it coped admirably with only a minimal amount of flexing.
You probably wouldn’t want to be doing out-of-the-saddle sprints on it, but if they form part of your training then you’d probably be spending a bit more on a trainer anyway. As with all of the Elite trainers, it whirrs away with a pleasantly quiet purr and at lower resistance levels feels silky smooth.
We couldn’t really see the point of non-remote adjustable resistance and couldn’t imagine clambering on and off mid-workout to adjust it. We reckon, as it did also suffer slightly from magnetic stickiness at the top of the range, you’d simply leave it set on a low-mid resistance and use your gears.
With this in mind, Elite could surely simply ditch the adjustment and produce a gem of a trainer for under £100. A couple of years ago, a trainer costing this little would have been a noisy and flimsy horror, but the Elite is amazingly good. Unsurprisingly for such a budget model there's no training feedback.
About BikeRadar reviews: Our review scoring system has changed in 2010. Therefore recent reviews may have comparatively lower scores than past reviews. Click here for a full explanation of our ratings.
Manufacturers description
Elite's entry level trainer, with adjustable magnetic resistance this trainer is an ideal 'first' turbo.Compatable with both 26" Mtb wheeled bikes and 700c road bikes, with a 5 level magnetic resistance unit and durable aluminium roller this unit offers versatility at a low price point. It folds away neatly for storage, or can be taken to events to warm up or down on.
Shopping partners
Specification
- Name:
- Volare Mag Lite Trainer (09)
- Built by:
- Elite
- Price:
- $178.18
- Features:
- * Screw adjustment for resistance unit * Standard hub clamp assembly * Fully assembled * Resistance: Magnetic * Adjustable Resistance: Yes * Wheel Sizes: 26", 650c, 700c * Noise Level: Quiet * PC Required: No
- Trainer Level Adjust:
- 5 Level
- Turbo Trainer Type:
- Magnetic
Shopping partners
Related links
Also on BikeRadar
Racing

Kona Mash-Up 2010 details announced
Mountain bike event with...
Fitness

Nutrition: Keep joint pain at bay
Don't let joint problems ruin...
News

Top 8 new cycling images on Google Street View
Have you been snapped by...
News

Just in: Latest body armour from Fox
New pads and jacket
News

Inside Google Maps' new cycling features
Interview with spokeswoman...
Blogs

Identiti Krisis?
Look what just landed........







Post this story to: