Team BKool CycleChat

[johnny2names]

View attachment 76410 Hi guys, missed the velodrome, as I got home from work late, but did have an unfair crack at Salcombe, before breaking my Turbo on Ventoux! It got really hot, and the then the metal fly wheel must have distorted slightly, and started scoring itself against the electromagnet! Making a horrible noise! I abandoned the ride, and when it cooled down, it ran freely again! Mmm, very 'uncool' BKool!
How long will this take to resolve I wonder...and then, do I upgrade, or stick with BKool?!?

disaster! Which one do you have? and how long have you had it? tis all a bit of a worry. Maybe we're supposed to only pootle at 100 Watts on these things...

 

[gbrown]

And although I now have my rides showing, apparently I didn't take part in the league ride, not showing up on league table?!?

I had three rides to approve, due to the usual bug where previous weight is showing as "not checked", even though I setup the league to not care about the weight.

Anyway you're now showing up, and not much between the top four (after allowing for Bill's mysterious exclusion).

Geoff

 

[Add]

Had it since beginning of October. But I wasn't going nuts on it, not this time anyway. I certainly haven't inflicted the levels of stress on it that Bill will have exerted on his. Bill is living proof that BKool can build a pretty indestructible unit.

 

[gbrown]

I see the Tacx iGenius multiplayer is now £679 at Wiggle! I'm tempted. Geoff, in your expert opinion, which trainer would you switch to if you were going to defect? I like the idea of the no tyre wear or slip concept of the Wahoo, but also like the price tag of the TacX.
I would stay with the BKool software I think, I quite like that.

KICKR without any doubt! The amount we are using these things, no point in messing around, just get the best. The TacX is not exactly cheap, after all.

I've got a Wiggle price of £836 for the KICKR.

I love the idea of the direct drive (no tyre wear, slippage or wear on the wheel bearings) and it's automatically the correct height so no front block needed and no struggle getting my leg over!

Having said that, I'd be very jealous ...

 

[kipster]

KICKR without any doubt! The amount we are using these things, no point in messing around, just get the best. The TacX is not exactly cheap, after all.

I've got a Wiggle price of £836 for the KICKR.

I love the idea of the direct drive (no tyre wear, slippage or wear on the wheel bearings) and it's automatically the correct height so no front block needed and no struggle getting my leg over!

Having said that, I'd be very jealous ...

I like the look of the kickr as well, just annoyed that they don't provide a Campagnolo freehub as standard and that with 11 speed Campag you can't use the largest cog

 

[RickB]

@Blueface great time on Salcombe, what gradient resistance does the Elite RealTour simulate

Ignore my time. Was interested to see how it simulates the bigger gradients but it doesn't seem to compensate for anything over 6 or 7% so basically I cheated my way up the hill.

Guess I stick to lower gradients in order to be fair!! good machine though as the wheel is clamped to the gel roller plus the feet have adjustable springs in them (optional) so you can sort of get out of the saddle.

Can someone please disqualify me from this round?

 

[kipster]

I

Ignore my time. Was interested to see how it simulates the bigger gradients but it doesn't seem to compensate for anything over 6 or 7% so basically I cheated my way up the hill.

Guess I stick to lower gradients in order to be fair!! good machine though as the wheel is clamped to the gel roller plus the feet have adjustable springs in them (optional) so you can sort of get out of the saddle.

Stay on the league rides, hills or no hills, it's more fun with more people.
It's a valid time, I wasn't questioning the effort, just curious about the difference with the Bkool.

 

[RickB]

I


Stay on the league rides, hills or no hills, it's more fun with more people.
It's a valid time, I wasn't questioning the effort, just curious about the difference with the Bkool.

Definitely not a valid time though!! Happy to stick about but just be warned that I may I have an advantage on occasion!!! I am one of the back markers usually.

 

[gbrown]

Definitely not a valid time though!! Happy to stick about but just be warned that I may I have an advantage on occasion!!! I am one of the back markers usually.

Can I borrow your machine for Mont Ventoux ...

 

[johnny2names]

I had three rides to approve, due to the usual bug where previous weight is showing as "not checked", even though I setup the league to not care about the weight.

Anyway you're now showing up, and not much between the top four (after allowing for Bill's mysterious exclusion).

Geoff

Ah ok, my apologies to Bkool in that case! Although as you say still bugging on the weight- which I haven't changed since purchase anyway! Thanks for organising, I'm off to cry myself to sleep now, after my shameful performance today
I'll have 3 rounds of special EPO toast in the morn, that should sort me out for the next round...

 

[BILL S]

Had it since beginning of October. But I wasn't going nuts on it, not this time anyway. I certainly haven't inflicted the levels of stress on it that Bill will have exerted on his. Bill is living proof that BKool can build a pretty indestructible unit.

LOL Thanks Adam. If only it were true. When I look at some of the pro and elite rider power graphs I think my bkool unit is having a very easy time. Some of these guys are sitting at 400w for an hour.

Must admit I like the kickr too and will probably upgrade in a year or so or whenever my bkool breaks out of warranty. Also like the bkool software until something obviously better comes out. However I guess it would be possible to completely fall out with bkool and never want to use them again.

 

[BILL S]

So we've had two sessions in the League so far, both of which Bill has won comfortably (especially Salcombe Hill), and he's nowhere to be seen in the League Table ...

You woz robbed ...

I hope Bkool get to the bottom of it.

Geoff

Not a big deal and I'll not be throwing my toys out of the pram just yet.
My focus is slowly but surely moving over to the 24 hour mtb race I have in only 8 days time. Still loads to do in preparation of my bikes. Its north of Inverness so got a long drive there and back and the weather conditions there are any ones guess.
Unfortunately I'm going to have to take it easy next week and not spend much time on the bkool. My knees need to recover. I'll not be at next Thursdays ride as I'll be in a Travel Lodge half way up the M6.

The following Thursday I'm expecting to come last on the evenings ride, that is if I can muster the energy to join you guys.

 

[gbrown]

I'm off to cry myself to sleep now, after my shameful performance today
I'll have 3 rounds of special EPO toast in the morn, that should sort me out for the next round...

Considering you weigh 25% more than us, you weren't that far behind on a very steep climb!

Geoff

 

[gbrown]

Thinking about it, none of the trainers are calibrated so we have no idea how level a playing field we are on.

One trainer may be putting out much more resistance than another.

I guess like they say for power meters, you can't compare with others, just your own progress.

Still good fun when you've got others to play with!

Geoff

 

[BILL S]

Early days for this technology so hopefully soon bkool or others will improve the playing field levelness.

But in the mean time I'll just assume all those pro and elite riders have low resistance trainers .

I get far too many of these for my liking:

Scotty Swissman has beaten your time by 06:06 in Col de la Bonette Using Bkool Trainer Pro