Hello,
I am looking for advice as to whether I should buy a smart trainer or an MTB. I race road/cx. I currently have a dumb trainer with a PM for Zwift. I do not have an MTB. I am looking to buy an Elite Direto and there is an MTB +200 of the Direto, so 1050 before tax. What should I buy? Thanks in advance.

Well..

If you want to train indoors for the winter the mtb will suck at that.
However, if you want to ride in the woods the trainer will fail to deliver.

Probably you need to add a bit more info as to why you are struggling with this decision.

Smart trainer obiously . it will give you the option of training anytime and its safe comfy and accurate ...

I use a dumb trainer and power meter for Zwift. I still don't know what a smart trainer would improve in my setup other than ERG mode, and I don't think I need that as I keep to the stated power in both Zwift and The Sufferfest. The only issue I have is that I overshoot the power goals and then go too low to compensate. It doesn't matter on a longer interval but a really short on will be over before I've adjusted. Not worth $1000 or so to me to correct this.

Bike.

beach cruiser

LoL.

I say buy the bike.

One is a ton of fun, an awesome adrenaline rush, builds bike handling skills, and gets you out in the woods.
The other makes riding in your living room a little less miserable.

Up to you, really.

Bike over trainer anytime!

A dumb trainer vs smart really matters in the connection . if you have a direct drive smart trainer its more accurate and no wheel slipp . a wheel on smart trainer will still give you numbers and some data but it wont be accurate. Id say get the trainer first so you can ride anytime any amoint you want . you get stronger and go longer and when you get on the bike be better prepared for the physical strain on your body . if you get the mtb you will just be cold muddy and under trained for your real cx races ..

If you live anywhere near good trails, I'd have to go with MTB!!!

Mountain bike because I doubt the words "I sure had fun on the trainer today" have ever come out of your mouth.

This^^^^

I am trying hard to remember the time I finished a ride on my trainer with an ear-to-ear grin plastered on my face, high-fiving my riding buddies.

I don't know, maybe it happens more with a smart trainer? I just have a dumb one.

That's just not true. A wheel on smart trainer is still plenty accurate. Properly set up you won't have any issues. And besides, is the accuracy of the numbers important or the workout? And if the workout is important, it doesn't matter if it is a smart trainer or not. The OP has a PM and a trainer already and that will provide plenty of feedback. N+1 would be my choice.

Thanks for the responses all. I have decided to get the trainer as I want more structured workouts during the week along with more accuracy. I'm getting an Elite Direto.