Team BKool CycleChat

[Add]

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.

I am there already! They are slow to respond, but it is only in the detail that they are failing so miserably. They have the foundations of a great product, and a great platform, but I worry they are shying away from the huge initial investment it requires, and are trying to plough forward using only rolling income. A risky strategy if it is going to leave a lot of disgruntled and disappointed patrons in their wake!
When the BSim platform performs, it's all good, I love it! But when it fails, it is nothing short of infuriating. I fear Zwift could blow these guys outta the water, and
I also fear there maybe a Kickr on my horizon!

 

[Richylad]

I just noticed bkool for iPad has a new update if anyone uses it,

Zwift is 3d only so far and whilst their 3d environment is visually better than the bkool, the maps and video content of bkool gives variety and interest, ie, with bkool you can go out with gps camera and record your summer rides and ride them through the winter on the bkool, once bkool has ironed out these problems it will be a brilliant piece of software,

And you never know, Bill might get to log one of his rides then

 

[Darryn007]

Ventoux ridden again tonight. No show in activities or wall. Was 90% expecting it so not as hacked off as the first time.

It has uploaded to their servers Bill, same as mine did, but it isn't showing up on our time lines for some reason? When I try to challenge you from this page it gives an error same as mine did. No idea what has happened, but I have sent a couple of 'very annoyed' mails as well!

 

[Pedro2015]

I have recived the unit and love it so far. Just 2 issues I need to sort and I will be keeping the unit.

Firstly my gpx files are not creating 3d routes. Only one so far has been turned into 3d why is this,.

Secondly on my routes I have created the resistance changes with the gradient shown on screen. However on live streams via the bkool app the unit does not increase the resistance past around 5% this is on all live feeds that I have tried, despite the screen showing a hard gradient.

Any help sorting these problems will be greatly appreciated.

 

[gbrown]

Pedro,

One thing to bear in mind, a lot of features don't work if you have not paid for Premium membership, or at least activated any free trial that came with the trainer (there is usually at least 3 months)

Probably the best thing to do first is to go to your profile on the web site, choose fitness level and schedule an FTP test. Gives a baseline for future training and progress.

Click on the blue FTP test link to schedule a test, if this doesn't work, it is because you have not got a premium subscription.

How do I add routes to my favourites not just schedule them?

Click on the little star to the left of the name ...

How do I search for videos in the uk?

Easiest way is to use the MAP mode in the search, and then zoom in on the areas you are interested in.
After a few seconds, it populates with blue markers, and if you click on a marker it gives you the session details.

How do I get involved in scheduled races?

Just find them on the Live tab in the Simulator (PC or tablet) and start them, preferably during the warm-up so you start with everyone else.

How do I join groups etc?

ON the Bkool web site, under share, you can apply to join any groups. If the group is closed, a moderator will accept or reject your application.

Cheers,

Geoff

 

[gbrown]

I have recived the unit and love it so far. Just 2 issues I need to sort and I will be keeping the unit.

Firstly my gpx files are not creating 3d routes. Only one so far has been turned into 3d why is this,.

Secondly on my routes I have created the resistance changes with the gradient shown on screen. However on live streams via the bkool app the unit does not increase the resistance past around 5% this is on all live feeds that I have tried, despite the screen showing a hard gradient.

Any help sorting these problems will be greatly appreciated.

On the 3D routes, it's up to Bkool which uploads they generate a 3D route for, you don't get to control it. I uploaded 12 and they did 2. They'll get around to the others some time I guess, but they seem to have quite a backlog, as the 3D processing is done on their systems, not yours.

Same with Video, if you upload a video you have to wait for them to check it out and make it live, which can take a few weeks. The one they did for me, they did the 3D at the same time.

Not sure about the resistance, on a Bkool trainer it should be able to go to around 20%, depending on your weight.

Might be worth checking out your firmware version (in Simulator Settings -> About Bkool) and if it's a classic you may have to plug it in with a USB lead to update the firmware.

Geoff

 

[Pedro2015]

Excellent advice cleared everything up thank you.

The resistance issue is a strange one it works perfectly on the ones I've uploaded just not the live ones. I'll try connecting it to the pc

 

[Runexeter]

Excellent advice cleared everything up thank you.

The resistance issue is a strange one it works perfectly on the ones I've uploaded just not the live ones. I'll try connecting it to the pc

Good luck with that Pedro, whenever I plug mine in the computer recognises somethings been plugged in but the Bsim software does nothing.
The thing is Bkool say that the Bsim 'sits in your system tray' and monitors the turbo unit.
I tried many times installing and uninstalling the Bsim but it does not sit in the system tray, its only in my Taskbar because I put it there as a short cut.
So I don't think my Classic has been updated since I have had it, I emailed Bkool but just got the response that Bsim will notify you when the unit needs updating

 

[Pedro2015]

Just looked mine hasn't even got a USB port next to the power port. It's the White classic as well!!!!! What's that about?

 

[BILL S]

I just looked to see what version of BSIM I have and its V2.15
Anyone know what the latest version is?

 

[Darryn007]

Lol, my second run on the 6th jan has finally showed up on my home page! Only 5 days late, lucky I don't use BKool to gauge my training intensity or plan recovery sessions!!
I think they are using final year IT students to program their code or something?

EDIT:
Sorry, yeah Bill I have V2.15 as well.

 

[kipster]

Good luck with that Pedro, whenever I plug mine in the computer recognises somethings been plugged in but the Bsim software does nothing.
The thing is Bkool say that the Bsim 'sits in your system tray' and monitors the turbo unit.
I tried many times installing and uninstalling the Bsim but it does not sit in the system tray, its only in my Taskbar because I put it there as a short cut.
So I don't think my Classic has been updated since I have had it, I emailed Bkool but just got the response that Bsim will notify you when the unit needs updating

I've run mine on 2 different PC's, both the Classic and the Pro, never had a problem with it. The old version of the software used to have a system tray icon, the new BSIM doesn't.

 

[Runexeter]

I've run mine on 2 different PC's, both the Classic and the Pro, never had a problem with it. The old version of the software used to have a system tray icon, the new BSIM doesn't.

Well I have a lead which I plug in but never get a peep from Bsim, ah well it seems to work fine as far as I know...maybe they were sneaky with the late Classic's and they update via the Usb+Ant like the pro

I also have V2.15

 

[kipster]

Think I got the wrong end of the stick, you're talking about updating the turbo firmware......

My old classic had the usb port but there was never an update for it that I was aware of.

 

[Runexeter]

Think I got the wrong end of the stick, you're talking about updating the turbo firmware......

My old classic had the usb port but there was never an update for it that I was aware of.

Cheers for the info Kip.