Elite Square smart frame review: A serious alternative to the Zwift Ride

Elite unveiled the Square at Eurobike in July 2024 and put it on sale in Europe in March 2025.

The Square is Elite's 'smart frame' offering, that being an adjustable indoor-specific bike used on a compatible trainer, instead of a bike.

For me, it remains one of the strongest alternatives to the Zwift Ride. Although both products combine a dedicated indoor frame with a smart trainer, their approaches are quite different

At the time of writing, the Square costs $1,990 / €1,049.99 / £1,099. Those prices are for the frame; don't forget you'll also need a compatible trainer.

I've been using one since September 2025, putting it through months of regular indoor riding across different trainers and platforms.

Design and aesthetics

The design of the Elite Square is, unsurprisingly, what gives it its name. I like the angular aesthetic, partly because I have always liked this type of design and still consider the early Volkswagen Golf and Polo among the most strikingly designed cars.

However, I appreciate that the angular design isn't going to appeal to everyone and doesn't necessarily follow the design language of a modern road bike. The Square features a clean, functional design built specifically for indoor riding, rather than attempting to mimic a traditional road bike.

Putting the aesthetic merits to one side, from a construction point of view, the frame is made from steel, powder-coated black and feels extremely solid. The detachable front support provides a solid base, while the rear of the frame connects directly to a smart trainer. Although the front support ensures great stability, it does bring the total weight of the product to 23kg.

At 23 kg, however, the Square isn't something you'll casually drag around the house. Moving it into position was cumbersome, and mounting it to the trainer was much easier with a second person. I did wonder whether wheels on the front support would make positioning easier, although adding them would inevitably add complexity and weight. The other major design feature is the belt drive, which replaces the conventional chain and cassette.

Elite's virtual shifting system manages gearing electronically and can be configured to replicate various drivetrain combinations, including 1x, 2x, and 3x setups, allowing for personalised gearing preferences.

The gear shifters are part of the well-padded handlebars, which measure 42cm and feel similar to SRAM's in the sense that one lever changes the virtual gear up on one side and down on the other. There are brakes, but on platforms like Zwift, they are not utilised.

The hoods have buttons to control your avatar and navigate menu systems, and Elite has worked hard to ensure that these function with major platforms like Zwift, ROUVY, and TrainingPeaks Virtual.

The handlebars connect via Bluetooth and use replaceable CR2032 batteries rather than a rechargeable battery. Elite quotes up to 80 hours of battery life. They are functional and practical, and the shifting feels very similar to what you would expect from a conventional road bike.

In addition, Elite notes that the handlebars interact with their fan, Aria. Practical details have also been considered. The Square includes an Elite T-Race bottle cage, though a second cage or a dedicated accessory holder would have been a welcome addition. Space for items like a phone or towel is limited, requiring users to plan their placement during long indoor sessions.

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Setting up the Square is relatively straightforward but not a quick undertaking, and there are aspects where having an extra pair of hands is almost a necessity.

Elite has provided a series of videos that take you through the set-up process, and there are QR codes on the outside packaging that lead to the instructions.

Unfortunately for me, these were covered by shipping labels, so I reverted to using the manual. The manual is interesting in the sense that there are illustrations at the front; then you have to find your required language in the document, and it requires a lot of back-and-forth looking at the pictures, then reading what it means.

The most challenging part of the assembly was removing the cassette from the smart trainer and installing the one that comes packaged with the Square. This is specifically for the belt drive.

Elite provides the relevant tools to install the cassette. Installing the front support was the most challenging aspect for me. I initially struggled to get the bolts to thread fully. I eventually managed to secure the support, but this was the point at which having a second person was most useful.

Once the front support is installed, you will need to mount the frame onto the trainer. To do this, ensure that the drive belt is loose. There is a tensioner near the seat post that needs to be loosened by pulling it down. When the belt is slackened, you can install it on the trainer.

To tighten it, push the tensioner up; this will secure the belt in place on the newly installed cassette. When the frame is mounted to the trainer, you will need to attach the handlebars and optimise their position. The Square does come with a sizing guide that will help dial in your requirements, and there is a key that sits in the rear of the saddle that helps change the position of things like the saddle.

In summary, it is an involved but straightforward process. Fortunately, this is something you only have to do once.

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Adjustability is one of Square's biggest advantages over a conventional indoor bike: it isn't built around a single rider.

The Square is designed to accommodate a wide range of riders and can be adjusted to provide a more personalised riding position. Elite states that it is suitable for riders from 152cm to 198cm tall, covering sizes from XS through to XL. There are multiple adjustment points. The saddle can be adjusted for both height and setback, while the handlebars can be adjusted for height and reach.

This allows the Square to be configured to closely replicate the position of your outdoor bike. A nice feature is the fact that the cranks can be positioned to your desired length. In total, there are five adjustable crank lengths: 165 mm, 167.5 mm, 170 mm, 172.5 mm, and 175 mm.

To change these, you loosen the bolt at the base of the crank arm and change the position of the pedal. It's not difficult and is far simpler than swapping cranks. The Square comes with a front support that provides a stable base and helps align the frame with the trainer, and can be set to different heights when installed.

The frame can also be used directly with Elite's Rizer system, which replaces the standard front support and adds gradient simulation and steering functionality. With this level of adjustability, the Square can be fine-tuned to suit individual riders, making it practical for households where more than one person wants to use the same indoor bike

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The Elite Square app is primarily used to configure and manage the Square rather than as a training app in its own right. It allows you to connect the Square to the Elite smart trainer, configure the virtual drivetrain, and create individual rider profiles. You can replicate Shimano, SRAM, or Campagnolo gearing, or select from several preset options designed for flat, hilly, or mountainous riding.

Up to five rider profiles can be stored, which is particularly useful if the Square is being shared between several users, as each rider can have their own preferred gearing setup.

After the Square has been configured, you can use it with your preferred training platform, including Zwift and other cycling apps. The app also provides useful information such as battery level, trainer connection, and current gearing. If you don't want to use a training app, the Square can also be used in standalone mode, with resistance controlled directly from the handlebars.

The belt drive is one of the Square's unique features and sets it apart. Unlike a conventional chain and cassette, the Square uses a belt to transfer power to the smart trainer, resulting in a smooth, quiet pedal stroke free from the noise or vibration of a traditional drivetrain.

Gearing is handled electronically through the Square's virtual shifting system, allowing you to replicate your outdoor bike's gearing without a derailleur or cassette. Virtual shifting via bespoke handlebars: The Square doesn't use a conventional cassette and rear derailleur. Instead, its virtual drivetrain can be configured to replicate Shimano, SRAM, or Campagnolo gearing.

You can customise the number of cassette speeds, sprocket sizes, and chainring sizes, or select preset gearing profiles. There is also a sequential shifting mode with resistance adjustable from 5–24 levels. Shifting is controlled from the handlebars, which are fundamental to the product. Elite have crafted them to have the functionality for indoor cycling but with the same styling and feel as the setup for a bike you would use outside.

In terms of applications, the Elite Square is one of the most compatible dedicated indoor bike frames currently available. The Bluetooth handlebars have been refined so that they sync seamlessly with Zwift, and the virtual gearing is on a par with the Zwift Ride, which is something I can testify to, having provided feedback to Elite regarding the compatibility.

It also works with ROUVY as well as TrainingPeaks Virtual, which makes the Square particularly attractive if you use multiple indoor cycling platforms. In terms of hardware, the Square is optimised for Elite trainers, and these include the following: Avanti, Avanti Cog & Click, all Direto home trainers (Direto, Direto X, Direto XR, Direto XR-T, Direto XR Team, Direto XRCog & Click), Justo, Justo 2, Justo 2 Cog & Click. Rivo, Rivo Cog & Click, Suito and Suito-T.

The Square is at its most straightforward when paired with an Elite trainer, but I also tested it with a Tacx NEO 2T. The experience is slightly different because the Square becomes responsible for the virtual shifting connection rather than relying on the Elite trainer ecosystem.

I connected the Square to the Justo 2, creating a fully integrated Elite system that worked seamlessly. When connecting through Zwift, you simply select "SQUARE" in the Controls pairing section, and virtual gear works.

In the other pairing screens, I selected “JUSTO 2.” The Elite Square is also compatible with Elite's Rizer and comes with a bracket that replaces the front support and connects to the Rizer, creating the ultimate integrated system. In contrast, when used with the Tacx NEO 2T, when pairing in Zwift, you need to ensure "SQUARE" is selected in the Power Source, Resistance, and Cadence pairing screens.

One important point to note is that it is necessary to replace the cassette on your smart trainer with the Square-specific cassette. Tools and instructions to complete this task are supplied by Elite to install the bespoke cassette and may require a chain whip and cassette tool. There is an important caveat with Rizer. Elite says Square and Rizer should only be used with compatible trainers that support rear-carriage rotation and gradient simulation. Using Rizer with an incompatible trainer can cause severe and irreparable damage to the Square frame. Check Elite's current compatibility list before connecting the two.

Performance

The Square is very stable, thanks in part to the front support, which provides a solid base. Whether you are out of the saddle putting down the power in a sprint or standing on the pedals as you tackle a steep climb, the Square provides a stable and reassuring platform.

At the same time, because it is connected to a smart trainer, there is enough "give" to provide a natural riding experience. The belt drive gives the Square a noticeably different feel from a conventional bike. The first thing you notice is how quiet it is. There is no chain moving across a cassette and no mechanical clunk when changing gear; instead, the resistance changes almost instantaneously as you shift.

The belt drive does provide a different feel to riding with a chain; it’s noticeably smoother. I did experience one issue during testing. When putting out high power, particularly during hard climbs and sprints, I noticed a clunking noise from the bottom bracket.

Elite confirmed that this had been identified on some early models, including mine, and said improvements had been made to address it. The noise did not impact performance.

Other points to note include practical things such as the bottle cage. The bottle cage held my bottles securely, although a second cage would have been useful. The problem, however, is finding somewhere to put it.

I would also like to see an accessory holder included as standard rather than as an optional extra. There is nowhere obvious to put a phone or towel, leaving you to drape a towel over the handlebars and find somewhere else for your phone, which is particularly inconvenient.

Ultimately, the Square delivers a convincing indoor riding experience that feels much closer to riding a real bike than a conventional indoor trainer. Its stable platform, smooth belt drive, and virtual shifting all combine to make it a capable and enjoyable option for serious indoor riding.

The fact that your outdoor bike remains free and ready to ride is a bonus, particularly for riders who don't want to switch their bike between indoor and outdoor use

Value

At €1349, £1,299, or $1,799.99 USD, this unit isn't cheap, particularly as you still need a compatible smart trainer to go on top.

There are far cheaper ways to train with a smart trainer. You don't need one of these. And if you are considering investing in a 'frame' option, you are probably fairly serious about riding indoors.

In terms of 'smart frame' offerings, The Square is a good one, but you will need to pay for it. It's a luxury; you don't need one, but if it means your whole family can ride indoors and you minimise wear and tear on your bike, the value offering starts to look a bit more attractive.

Verdict

After several months with the Square, I still consider it the strongest alternative to Zwift's Ride.

It isn't a copy of the Ride and, in many respects, that is its biggest strength. The belt drive, virtual shifting, extensive adjustability and broad platform compatibility make it a more flexible proposition, particularly for riders who use more than one indoor cycling platform.

It isn't perfect. At 23kg, it is heavy to move, initial setup is more involved than it should be, and there is limited space for essentials such as a phone and towel. My early-model unit also developed a clunk from the bottom bracket under high power, although Elite has confirmed this was addressed in subsequent models.

Those issues aside, the Square delivers where it matters. It is stable, quiet, comfortable, and can be configured to closely replicate your outdoor bike. Add compatibility with Zwift, ROUVY, TrainingPeaks Virtual, and MyWhoosh along with the option of Elite's Rizer, and it becomes a genuinely versatile indoor cycling system.

If you spend a lot of time riding indoors, the Square makes a compelling case. Your outdoor bike stays outside, while the Square provides a dedicated indoor setup that is ready to ride whenever you are.