Team BKool CycleChat

[BILL S]

Anyone have issues with races starting. Sometimes the warm up finishes and everyone else races off and my screen still says stop peddaling to start race despite me sitting still!!!!!!

I used to have that problem until I realised that the roller needs to have stopped for a few seconds so when you stop pedalling (preferably 10 seconds before the start) apply your rear brake and wait until just after the last beep before you start pedalling. Someone usually gets the jump on you but you'll get them back in a few seconds if you're in the right gear.

 

[Runexeter]

Couldn't get near my pr on the Parbold climb so either I'm not as fit or bkool is harder than the real thing.

Me and Richyrich75 think its harder on Bkool Pedro, we have both uploaded rides that we don't use the small ring on BUT as soon as we do them on the trainer we have to use the small ring.
That tells me its harder on hills but take away the fact you don't have to stop at junctions it may level it out a bit, unless you go up Alpe d'Huez like I did this morning

 

[Pedro2015]

I used to have that problem until I realised that the roller needs to have stopped for a few seconds so when you stop pedalling (preferably 10 seconds before the start) apply your rear brake and wait until just after the last beep before you start pedalling. Someone usually gets the jump on you but you'll get them back in a few seconds if you're in the right gear.

I had completely stopped pedaling and my wheel was stationary took about a minute to respond

 

[Pedro2015]

Me and Richyrich75 think its harder on Bkool Pedro, we have both uploaded rides that we don't use the small ring on BUT as soon as we do them on the trainer we have to use the small ring.
That tells me its harder on hills but take away the fact you don't have to stop at junctions it may level it out a bit, unless you go up Alpe d'Huez like I did this morning

All the better for training ;-)

 

[Pedro2015]

Does anyone have an email address for bkool or does everyone contact them through the contact us section on the website? How long do they usually take to respond?

 

[Richylad]

I had completely stopped pedaling and my wheel was stationary took about a minute to respond

If your speed doesn't drop within a few seconds but your wheel HAS stopped, just pedal half a turn gently, bkool will register the lower speed, migh have to do it a couple of times to get to zero, maybe take 10 seconds this way rather than a minute

 

[BILL S]

Does anyone have an email address for bkool or does everyone contact them through the contact us section on the website? How long do they usually take to respond?

info@bkool.com

Seems to take about a week to respond.

Sometimes the response is not very good for example: "Sorry we lost your Mont Ventoux ride. We can't get it back for you".

 

[Pedro2015]

Do you guys have arranged races via your cyclechat group?

 

[BILL S]

Do you guys have arranged races via your cyclechat group?

Yes Pedro. We have real time races with Thursday Night CC Group and Mountain challenge races with The Mountain Goats
They're pretty good if you want to join up. Admin of both groups prefer that its members post here at least occasionally.

 

[BILL S]

unless you go up Alpe d'Huez like I did this morning

Thought you would get altitude sickness up there

 

[Add]

So I finally get my BKool response! 5 days for me! They want to swap my unit!?! I want a refund... Lets see which way it goes. At this rate mind you, the warranty could be up before we conclude negotiations! I can still use it gingerly, but whats the point in that?

 

[Hnease]

Hi guys,
I'm new to bkool and have been reading thru this thread. Thanks for all the info contained herein. Bkool is not the most user friendly software I've used and reading this thread has been very helpful.

I have a (refurb) kickr I got a few weeks ago, and I love it, but am still trying to work out the software. I've been using the bsim software on an ipad 2, mirroring it other appletv. It works great for awhile, but then will suddenly cut out, the app closes and the ride is lost. I think part of it is an unreliable wifi, and I'm working on this, but I was wondering what the experience has been with the ipad app? I've also used the cycleops virtualtraining app, and it seems more stable, but not nearly as cool as the 3d bsim.

Thanks!

Hn

 

[Darryn007]

So I finally get my BKool response! 5 days for me! They want to swap my unit!?! I want a refund... Lets see which way it goes. At this rate mind you, the warranty could be up before we conclude negotiations! I can still use it gingerly, but whats the point in that?

In all honesty I would swap it and see if its better.
When I first got mine I wanted to cover it in petrol and start smoking next to it, but now it is working as it should, it is a great workout. Whether it is comparable to real world rides is in my opinion not really relevant and quite impossible to simulate however expensive your unit is.
On the software side of things they are seriously lacking the skills needed at the moment to achieve what they are claiming they can do in their advertising. But in the end it is all about the workout you are getting, and having a consistent reference point, and for that it does do the job.

 

[gbrown]

Just had a ride show up in classification for stage 1 of the Thursday Night League! Uploaded date was 31st Dec 2014 and it appeared last night for me to accept, so only 12 days after uploading.

It's never too late ...

Geoff

 

[BILL S]

So I finally get my BKool response! 5 days for me! They want to swap my unit!?! I want a refund... Lets see which way it goes. At this rate mind you, the warranty could be up before we conclude negotiations! I can still use it gingerly, but whats the point in that?

You probably should be more gingerly because when it gave up the ghost you were apparently putting 800+ watts through it. I have seen the evidence .

Better hope bkool don't see that as I think in the small print you're only supposed to go up to 300.