Team BKool CycleChat

[kipster]

Bill, take a look at bigringvr, only video rides but you can add in other riders who have completed rides. They are working on races but this next bit will appeal to you as a Scot, it's free at the moment.

 

[Whorty]

I've just done another ride on Zwift but it hasn't warmed me to it any further. The graphics may be more detailed than bkool but I wouldn't say more pleasing. The riders don't look as good and the female riders definitely don't look as good. The feel is less realistic IMO and the position indicator is rubbish compared to bkools even if it does show more riders than bkools. The profile indicator is poor compared to bkools and you really don't know where you are or what is coming up.

I had a go tonight too and I found it easier than BKool, most probably because the gradients just didn't hurt as much. The 2-4% inclines I powered up compared to others I was riding with, not sure if that is being being stronger, or the BKool trainer not recognising the gradient and the resistence staying the same.

It was nice having a lot of riders on the course, and as I wasn't racing it didn't make much difference that i knew where I was on the course. Had it been a race though I'd have been as confused as you like! Had no idea what was going on

With a BKool do you need a power meter? What do you gain/lose by not having one?

Might have another go over the weekend as i have the free trial - fancy trying the climb (Watopia?). Just need to work out how to plan a route before the ride starts as I can't reach the laptop keyboard so once i'm on the bike I'm at the mercy of the software.

 

[AAAC 76C]

By jingo I was right that is exactly what it is!
A very special outfit it says.
TYPICAL BKOOL FU

Looking at the kit they gave us its reminiscent of the FDJ kit a couple of seasons ago.
So in fact they have given us a French kit which is a total insult!

 

[Whorty]

My readings from ZWift tonight ... eat your heart out Daddy Pig .... apparently i can push out 3400 watts LOL Maybe ZWift is not as accurate as BKool after all

 

[AAAC 76C]

I had a go tonight too and I found it easier than BKool, most probably because the gradients just didn't hurt as much. The 2-4% inclines I powered up compared to others I was riding with, not sure if that is being being stronger, or the BKool trainer not recognising the gradient and the resistence staying the same.

It was nice having a lot of riders on the course, and as I wasn't racing it didn't make much difference that i knew where I was on the course. Had it been a race though I'd have been as confused as you like! Had no idea what was going on

With a BKool do you need a power meter? What do you gain/lose by not having one?

Might have another go over the weekend as i have the free trial - fancy trying the climb (Watopia?). Just need to work out how to plan a route before the ride starts as I can't reach the laptop keyboard so once i'm on the bike I'm at the mercy of the software.

Pretty soon it will be me and Bill racing each other.

 

[CXRAndy]

I had a go tonight too and I found it easier than BKool, most probably because the gradients just didn't hurt as much. The 2-4% inclines I powered up compared to others I was riding with, not sure if that is being being stronger, or the BKool trainer not recognising the gradient and the resistence staying the same.

It was nice having a lot of riders on the course, and as I wasn't racing it didn't make much difference that i knew where I was on the course. Had it been a race though I'd have been as confused as you like! Had no idea what was going on

With a BKool do you need a power meter? What do you gain/lose by not having one?

Might have another go over the weekend as i have the free trial - fancy trying the climb (Watopia?). Just need to work out how to plan a route before the ride starts as I can't reach the laptop keyboard so once i'm on the bike I'm at the mercy of the software.

The advantage to having a power meter is if you have a road power meter you can use training figures and apply to road riding. Bkool doesn't quite match up with its estimated power. I've just looked at my rides which have been stored on Strava and uploaded to Bkool. Bkool has recalibrated my power figures and over estimated my average power by nearly 50 Watts. My peak power shows me develop 750Watts, bkool said over a 1000 Watts. I can't use bkools figures for the likes of TT events.

When using My kickr on Bkool it read power accurately and speed but it was disadvantaged against a pro unit. I don't miss the sudden dead stops which blight the hilly races. Zwift offers me on my kickr to compete against other riders and not the fight against hardware

 

[bobinski]

There's also Road Grand tours and this teaser for Ventoux looks very promising.

 

[Whorty]

Pretty soon it will be me and Bill racing each other.

To be fair, I don't race you guys anyway ... i'm just a spectator further down the road

 

[bobinski]

My readings from ZWift tonight ... eat your heart out Daddy Pig .... apparently i can push out 3400 watts LOL Maybe ZWift is not as accurate as BKool after all

View attachment 341764

Ha! That's bkool - get the same thing. Upload it to Strava or training peaks.

 

[Randyberlin]

Bill, take a look at bigringvr, only video rides but you can add in other riders who have completed rides. They are working on races but this next bit will appeal to you as a Scot, it's free at the moment.

With my new Bkool pro I thought it seems to output less watts on the flats so I rode 5 miles in Swift a d 5 miles in the VRbig ring. The bigri g VR video is nice. They are both OK but I really still prefer Bkool. I think Geoff and paulf's videos are great for solo video rides. I plan on still using all 3 just like the Bkool best.

 

[bobinski]

I've just done another ride on Zwift but it hasn't warmed me to it any further. The graphics may be more detailed than bkool but I wouldn't say more pleasing. The riders don't look as good and the female riders definitely don't look as good. The feel is less realistic IMO and the position indicator is rubbish compared to bkools even if it does show more riders than bkools. The profile indicator is poor compared to bkools and you really don't know where you are or what is coming up. I do like the squawking though. When you ride close to the sea you hear a lot of seagull squawking which is a nice touch.
So even if I were to spend £1000 on a Neo or Kickr or £500 on a power meter I'm pretty sure I'll still want to do my serious rides on Bkool. I'm therefore not going to pay $10/month for Zwift, which is actually more expensive than bkool by a £ or two.

You have given it a go bill and that's all that matters. If it's not for you then I am disappointed because I was hoping the banter and competitiveness we have enjoyed here could continue on Zwift. But that's just me being selfish. I think you make some good points and I recognise some of what you say but don't agree with all of it. Certainly not the graphic of the riders. Perhaps your view would be different if a bunch of us had ridden together, especially on Watopia rather than Richmond where you rode today. Watopia is the more balanced course and more suitable to your riding style Who knows but if you fancy another go sometime let us know.
I am out of bkool now. I think they have an approach that reflects a contempt for thier user base despite an exclusionary approach to other trainers which suggests to me they are doomed. BRVR or RGT will likely get any money I would have put into bsim. It has been great fun riding with you all and I hope to see you and some () of the others on the dark side at some point.
Ride on

 

[<Tommy>]

Pretty soon it will be me and Bill racing each other.

I'll be sticking with bkool for a while at least. I'd be highly surprised at this point if bkool manages to compete long term but it suits me for now. I can see why others are going to zwift, particulay those with direct drive drive trainers who were struggling to compete on bkool with their set ups. But I enjoy the races still, and I enjoy the variety of courses. And when the weathers good I'll be out on the road so if I do make the change it'll probably be next winter.

As a side note I am a bit bored with pages of zwift talk. That could just be me so if I'm in the minority please ignore me and carry on. I am aware that we have a great community here and I'm not suggesting people split into different fragments as it would be a real shame. You only have to look at other forums to appreciate this one we've made is quite unique. But it seems bkool is on its knees quite honestly. And from my point of view I want as many people to join the races as possible. This thread seems to be a place for people to discover and then join and contribute to the leagues. But anyone looking at this thread recently will struggle to find the content they came here originally looking for...

Just my two pennies worth...

 

[bobinski]

I'll be sticking with bkool for a while at least. I'd be highly surprised at this point if bkool manages to compete long term but it suits me for now. I can see why others are going to zwift, particulay those with direct drive drive trainers who were struggling to compete on bkool with their set ups. But I enjoy the races still, and I enjoy the variety of courses. And when the weathers good I'll be out on the road so if I do make the change it'll probably be next winter.

As a side note I am a bit bored with pages of zwift talk. That could just be me so if I'm in the minority please ignore me and carry on. I am aware that we have a great community here and I'm not suggesting people split into different fragments as it would be a real shame. You only have to look at other forums to appreciate this one we've made is quite unique. But it seems bkool is on its knees quite honestly. And from my point of view I want as many people to join the races as possible. This thread seems to be a place for people to discover and then join and contribute to the leagues. But anyone looking at this thread recently will struggle to find the content they came here originally looking for...

Just my two pennies worth...

Noted TT .

 

[JLaw]

I've just done another ride on Zwift but it hasn't warmed me to it any further. The graphics may be more detailed than bkool but I wouldn't say more pleasing. The riders don't look as good and the female riders definitely don't look as good. The feel is less realistic IMO and the position indicator is rubbish compared to bkools even if it does show more riders than bkools. The profile indicator is poor compared to bkools and you really don't know where you are or what is coming up. I do like the squawking though. When you ride close to the sea you hear a lot of seagull squawking which is a nice touch.
So even if I were to spend £1000 on a Neo or Kickr or £500 on a power meter I'm pretty sure I'll still want to do my serious rides on Bkool. I'm therefore not going to pay $10/month for Zwift, which is actually more expensive than bkool by a £ or two.

Certainly can't disagree with the map/profile indicator stuff. I'm not sure why they can't do a better job on that. I suspect that I'll either end up printing a map or ultimately learning my around the areas where I ride regularly.

 

[<Tommy>]

Noted TT .

I'm not saying never mention the 'z' word bud, just not every other sentence! . When we're in Wales sharing a room and you're sleep talking about riding around watopia, I promise I won't put a pillow over your head