Team BKool CycleChat

[Add]

Hmmm.. Interesting. I must admit I'd rather see higher power figures than lower. In reality though I'd like to see everyone on a level playing field the most. I think my unit is typical in the way it's calibrated but it sometimes gives me real trouble with fluctuating power figures. It can sometimes drop 100w without me feeling like I've reduced my effort. FTP tests are a disaster as I just can't make the power I can going up a steep hill and it goes up and down like a yoyo.

Like you Bill, I can't get anywhere near the power figures required on an FTP test to up my ability level, perform much better on a steep incline, even if it is for an extra 10 minutes! I am STILL waiting for a response on my broken trainer! So far all
I am getting is prolonged radio silence!

 

[Add]

Wahoo sell refurbished KICKR's for £800, with usual 12 month warranty. Say they may have a few nicks and scrapes, but so did most of our Bkools, and at least these have been tested individually ...

http://uk.wahoofitness.com/devices/...ished-1.html?gclid=CJ3VrqDti8MCFUvJtAodzn8AjQ

Refurbed Wahoo Kickr......HERE I COME!

 

[Darryn007]

Yeah that is the vertical displacement that falls out of the calculation (gravity) when your doing the standard FTP test as apposed to a simulated BKool mountain session.
I always stick to the policy of if in doubt, train your engine (heart efficiency) in the optimal zone for your goals. I never race endurance using watts as a gauge it can completely destroy your day, as in love follow the heart haha!

Watts for me are just an interesting output of an effort, or to follow progression over a period of time, but never an indication of my fitness at that particular moment in time. i could just be having abad (or great) day out on the road.

 

[BILL S]

Like you Bill, I can't get anywhere near the power figures required on an FTP test to up my ability level, perform much better on a steep incline, even if it is for an extra 10 minutes! I am STILL waiting for a response on my broken trainer! So far all
I am getting is prolonged radio silence!

It's good to know it's not just me or my bkool. It's probably typical even for the guys who managed to reach pro or elite level so hats off to them. I take it you bought direct from bkool so you're t the mercy of their ultra slow customer services? I started out with a classic bkool on a months trial but sent it back because of the noise level. they were so slow to respond that I decided to replace it by buying from wiggle. When I sent tem an email about the cover rubbing they responded immediately. If you do end up getting the Kickr I'll be very interested to know how it feels and performs compared to the bkool pro. Is it a simple plug and play with the bkool software do you think? And can it be calibrated and if so by who?
I don't know if bkool would give you your money back but they should fix it at least so you could ebay it for 2 or 3 hundred to go towards your kickr. I guess the refurbed ones are the ones people returned for some reason so as you said, should be nicely set up at the factory.

 

[Rob3rt]

If you guys are comparing FTP tests on the turbo (following some workout or whatever implemented in Bkool) to tests done on the road, particularly uphill you are already running into problems, before you even start considering the "issues" with the Bkool unit.

 

[gbrown]

If you do end up getting the Kickr I'll be very interested to know how it feels and performs compared to the bkool pro. Is it a simple plug and play with the bkool software do you think? And can it be calibrated and if so by who?

You can calibrate it yourself ... sounds a doddle!

Calibrating Your KICKR

1. Open the Wahoo Fitness Utility App. Select test Bluetooth 4.0 sensors → KICKR → Init Spindown.
2. Pedal until your reach 22 mph, stop pedaling, and coast down to 10 mph. The App will show you results when the Spindown is complete.
   * You can also perform a Spindown in the Wahoo Fitness App

Very tempting, but I'd like to wait for next autumn.

Cheers,

Geoff

 

[BILL S]

Yeah that is the vertical displacement that falls out of the calculation (gravity) when your doing the standard FTP test as apposed to a simulated BKool mountain session.
I always stick to the policy of if in doubt, train your engine (heart efficiency) in the optimal zone for your goals. I never race endurance using watts as a gauge it can completely destroy your day, as in love follow the heart haha!

Watts for me are just an interesting output of an effort, or to follow progression over a period of time, but never an indication of my fitness at that particular moment in time. i could just be having abad (or great) day out on the road.

I must admit I pay little attention to anything but the watts. I'd be keen to get a power meter for my road bike as long as it could plot a power graph at the end of the ride I'd know if my performance was improving. That's for my road riding of course but my endurance mtb riding is a totally different thing. However it still does boil down to average power during the ride even though the figure will be so much lower. At a guess, near the end of a 24 hour ride the rider could be making well under 100 watts. Maybe only 50.

 

[gbrown]

Hmmm.. Interesting. I must admit I'd rather see higher power figures than lower. In reality though I'd like to see everyone on a level playing field the most. I think my unit is typical in the way it's calibrated but it sometimes gives me real trouble with fluctuating power figures. It can sometimes drop 100w without me feeling like I've reduced my effort. FTP tests are a disaster as I just can't make the power I can going up a steep hill and it goes up and down like a yoyo.

If a multiuser virtual world is going to work, they do need a degree of consistency, but I suppose it makes no difference if you are being whooped by someone younger, stronger, better trained or just with a trainer putting out less resistance than yours, you don't know them and they still whooped you! At least you are training and hopefully improving.

A bit like golf (am I allowed to use that word here?), it's best if you are all close together in outcome, even if not in ability, as it makes the rides much more interesting. Perhaps there should be a system of handicaps applied?

Of course, if you just want to train during bad weather, then it would be better if it was as close to reality, and your outdoor training, as possible, otherwise you end up having to adjust training programs (and mind-set) for inside and outside. Personally, I really like the motivation of trying to keep up with you lot, it's nice to win but not that important, the entertainment is the thing, while knowing that burning off fat and training muscle will inevitably improve my ability to keep up with my mates on the road in the better weather.

I'd much rather have the Bkool type of interactive software, and the human interactions, than the best trainer in the world without it.

Geoff

 

[Richylad]

Refurbed Wahoo Kickr......HERE I COME!

Brilliant !!

 

[Richylad]

You can calibrate it yourself ... sounds a doddle!

Calibrating Your KICKR

1. Open the Wahoo Fitness Utility App. Select test Bluetooth 4.0 sensors → KICKR → Init Spindown.
2. Pedal until your reach 22 mph, stop pedaling, and coast down to 10 mph. The App will show you results when the Spindown is complete.
   * You can also perform a Spindown in the Wahoo Fitness App

Very tempting, but I'd like to wait for next autumn.

Cheers,

Geoff

Confirmed did one tonight on my iPhone, painless, and you can use use the apps to train to resistance etc as you wish, and you can use kickr with other (most) training softwAre, I'm hoping bkool get things sorted out before my trial ends.

 

[gbrown]

Shall I go into the league setup and extend the stage so you can all have a good go at him?

No fair!!!

Actually it's a bit embarrassing to be sitting at the top on such a stage, knowing that you and Darryn, if not others, have done it much better than me, and I was happy to have just got up in under 2 hours, which would have been a more realistic time for me, I suspect.

Geoff

 

[Runexeter]

If a multiuser virtual world is going to work, they do need a degree of consistency, but I suppose it makes no difference if you are being whooped by someone younger, stronger, better trained or just with a trainer putting out less resistance than yours, you don't know them and they still whooped you! At least you are training and hopefully improving.

A bit like golf (am I allowed to use that word here?), it's best if you are all close together in outcome, even if not in ability, as it makes the rides much more interesting. Perhaps there should be a system of handicaps applied?

Of course, if you just want to train during bad weather, then it would be better if it was as close to reality, and your outdoor training, as possible, otherwise you end up having to adjust training programs (and mind-set) for inside and outside. Personally, I really like the motivation of trying to keep up with you lot, it's nice to win but not that important, the entertainment is the thing, while knowing that burning off fat and training muscle will inevitably improve my ability to keep up with my mates on the road in the better weather.

I'd much rather have the Bkool type of interactive software, and the human interactions, than the best trainer in the world without it.

Geoff

Here here Geoff, I know watts and power mean a lot to some of you but I take no notice really I just use it as a tool.
I must say though I think the turbo will improve me on the bike big time for when I go on the road again, a lot of you say it's a lot easier on the turbo than on the road.
Me and my mate Richy are the opposite, we have both uploaded rides we have done in which we never even go into the small ring but as soon as you use it on Bkool we both have to use the little ring quite often, so to me it's a lot harder.
Even taking into consideration of not stopping at junctions etc its a harder nut for me.
I'll see come the good weather if I'm flying up and down Salcombe and Peak hill

 

[Darryn007]

Yeah everyone uses their own system I guess.
I only switched to HR on race day (NOT training) after I was doing a race once following watts, so I was maintaining my watts at upper zone4 as per usual but my HR was up in zone 6, it was just an off day

If you guys are comparing FTP tests on the turbo (following some workout or whatever implemented in Bkool) to tests done on the road, particularly uphill you are already running into problems, before you even start considering the "issues" with the Bkool unit.

there is only one real wat to test and be sure you are strong enough! -

 

[Runexeter]

Yeah everyone uses their own system I guess.
I only switched to HR on race day (NOT training) after I was doing a race once following watts, so I was maintaining my watts at upper zone4 as per usual but my HR was up in zone 6, it was just an off day


there is only one real wat to test and be sure you are strong enough! -

Lol that would put Bill on an even keel with us.

 

[gbrown]

I'll see come the good weather if I'm flying up and down Salcombe and Peak hill

Now that I'll have to see!

I am planning on driving over and videoing the Salcombe climb to upload, as it seems to be a popular one, and at the same time I might try and grab Peak Hill on the other side.

It seems to me to be easier on the turbo, even allowing for improvements in training and some weight loss. When I did Salcombe Hill I had probably not warmed up enough (only did a little 6 mile warmup) but I was quite close to my best form and took over 10 minutes, and I gave it everything. If I went and tried again, I'd be very happy to beat 10 minutes and keep a little in reserve.

I think one reason why the steep climbs are easier on the turbo is that you are sat locked into the turbo, so nice and stable, and the bike remains level rather than pointing upwards at 20%, where the front wheel starts to wander.

I've done my c.9 mile Dipford Loop more times than I can count, including killing myself to get below 30 minutes, which I just missed. On Bkool I am faster, but some of this is not having to slow for the constant corners, junctions and traffic and of course, no wind. So a best time of around 25 minutes seems quite reasonable, and suggests it is quite realistic when applied to a rolling course with gradients no more than around 10%, and generally less.

But cutting > 10 minutes on the steep climb down to c. 5 minutes would imply that it struggles to properly recreate the really steep climbs.

But let me know if you get up it for real in half your previous time ...

Geoff