Team BKool CycleChat

[RickB]

From Bkool support ...



Not the most helpful response I could have gotten ...

So far they have asked me to check my weight, told me ONLY Bkool Trainers do this, then that Elite trainers ALSO do it ... and that my request has therefore been solved.

I have tried again ... I just got a response in Spanish to say my problem is being managed.

Geoff

They don't seem to be grasping what the issue here do they?

 

[gbrown]

They don't seem to be grasping what the issue here do they?

No, I would say not, so I just sent them a third email today!

I found the following on their help for the simulator (updated this february)

http://www.bkool.com/help/viewArticle?categoryId=3182&articleId=3336&sectionName=simulator

Using the simulator with trainers from other brands and stationary bikes
2015-02-05

You can now enjoy the Bkool simulator on trainers from other brands and on stationary bikes. These devices come in two types:

Wahoo KICKR, Elite (RealAxiom, RealPower, Real E-motion and RealTour) and standard ANT+ trainers. Bkool controls the resistance of these trainers. Your experience will be very similar to that with the Bkool trainer.

Information shown on the simulator
The data shown on the simulator will depend on the data you input to it:

Power (power meter). Your actual power and estimated virtual speed are constantly updated.​

Hopefully they will pass it to the developers and a fix will be forthcoming ...

Geoff

 

[gbrown]

Looks like the 3D generation is still progressing, they've done another of my 100 climbs, Exmoor Forest ...

http://www.bkool.com/profile/detail/576964?durationType=DISTANCE&lapCount=1

Will appear in a future Chain Gang, I would guess ...

Geoff

 

[Add]

Newcomer to using BKool....only got it on Sunday and three sessions so far.

I'm 58, slightly over-weight though I still do a bit of cycling. Most of the year I'll do about three or four rides a week, around 25 miles or so each time and pretty flattish though I can do a few hills if I want. And I try not to push myself too much....conscious of my age, I suppose!

When I get back from one of my cycles I feel absolutely fine; not saying I could necessarily do another 25 straight off but feel generally good. However, I have to say that even on flat routes I'm finding this trainer a bit like wading through treacle. I imported one of the rides which I did from my Garmin and this particular one, only 23km, I can do without any difficulty but on the BKool it was absolute purgatory. Even going up the slightest incline I was having to drop down gears; nothing like the gears I use out on the road even though I was using the same bike.

Apart from going back to 1995 and shedding 20 years from my age (and probably 20 pounds from my weight!) does anyone have any thoughts? I'm just hoping that my expectancy in buying this, that it would replicate my experience out on the road and help me get fitter,was not misplaced!

Hi there. I think we all found the BKool somewhat harder than our RL bike experiences.
If it is ludicrously hard, even on supposedly level terrain, it is not unheard of for BKool to have sent out miscalibrated machines.
In which case contact them, wait 'patiently' (they are not renowned for their speedy responses) and they will sort it.
Alternatively, embrace the extra hardship, tell yourself that it will only make your real cycling quicker and stronger.
For the money, it is a fantastic piece of kit, and you will become quite engaged to it I'm sure, but just bear in mind it's not top of the range.
If you are going to ride it regularly, join one or both of our leagues. There is a range of ability and it's bloody good fun! But be warned, the Goats League can be pretty brutal, if flat is your thing, you might wish to let that 'monster' sleep.

 

[uncle_adolph]

Hi there. I think we all found the BKool somewhat harder than our RL bike experiences.
If it is ludicrously hard, even on supposedly level terrain, it is not unheard of for BKool to have sent out miscalibrated machines.
In which case contact them, wait 'patiently' (they are not renowned for their speedy responses) and they will sort it.
Alternatively, embrace the extra hardship, tell yourself that it will only make your real cycling quicker and stronger.
For the money, it is a fantastic piece of kit, and you will become quite engaged to it I'm sure, but just bear in mind it's not top of the range.
If you are going to ride it regularly, join one or both of our leagues. There is a range of ability and it's bloody good fun! But be warned, the Goats League can be pretty brutal, if flat is your thing, you might wish to let that 'monster' sleep.

Thanks for the response.

I suppose if most people find it harder than real life at first then that's not too bad.....hopefully I'll eventually catch up! Anyhow, I will obviously keep plugging away and see what happens. I have a gentle (I hope) 18 miler set for tomorrow.

Think I better pass on the league just for the mo.....

 

[Richylad]

Newcomer to using BKool....only got it on Sunday and three sessions so far.

I'm 58, slightly over-weight though I still do a bit of cycling. Most of the year I'll do about three or four rides a week, around 25 miles or so each time and pretty flattish though I can do a few hills if I want. And I try not to push myself too much....conscious of my age, I suppose!

When I get back from one of my cycles I feel absolutely fine; not saying I could necessarily do another 25 straight off but feel generally good. However, I have to say that even on flat routes I'm finding this trainer a bit like wading through treacle. I imported one of the rides which I did from my Garmin and this particular one, only 23km, I can do without any difficulty but on the BKool it was absolute purgatory. Even going up the slightest incline I was having to drop down gears; nothing like the gears I use out on the road even though I was using the same bike.

Apart from going back to 1995 and shedding 20 years from my age (and probably 20 pounds from my weight!) does anyone have any thoughts? I'm just hoping that my expectancy in buying this, that it would replicate my experience out on the road and help me get fitter,was not misplaced!

Hi there,

You find out on the road that you get chance to freewheel, relax and put the power down when YOU want, where as bkool is resistance from the off till the finish, if the resistance on Bkool is making the ride tougher than when your out on the road I would take that as a good thing for when you are out on the road. may be worth riding slower on bkool till you get used to it, also are you using a fan to cool yourself ?

 

[Richylad]

Just in case anyone may be interested,

This guy (Steve Abraham) in the UK, is attempting to cycle over 75,000 Miles in one year, 01.01.15 till 31.12.15, averaging over 205Miles EVERYDAY !!

if you follow this link you can see his live location and follow him on Strava

http://oneyeartimetrial.org.uk/

impressive stuff

 

[kipster]

Joined the 30 minute club, I wasn't convinced I was going to achieve the sub 1 hour target up Alpe d'Huez, plus I was disillusioned when someone joined 2 minutes after I started and had finished by the time I got to the half way point. Fair play to him, he was quick but it knocked the stuffing out of me. Decided to target a fitness upgrade and ended up 0.84 w of Active 4. So I guess my 1 hour 1 minute from Feb still stands as my time.

This is the session for the bloke that flew past me : http://www.bkool.com/bkoolSessionHistory/showSessionSummary/1120448 - 574 watts average Mind you he is an Elite 10

I might have another crack at it tomorrow evening and do the chain gang ride on Friday morning, or have I got the timings all wrong?

 

[Add]

Joined the 30 minute club, I wasn't convinced I was going to achieve the sub 1 hour target up Alpe d'Huez, plus I was disillusioned when someone joined 2 minutes after I started and had finished by the time I got to the half way point. Fair play to him, he was quick but it knocked the stuffing out of me. Decided to target a fitness upgrade and ended up 0.84 w of Active 4. So I guess my 1 hour 1 minute from Feb still stands as my time.

This is the session for the bloke that flew past me : http://www.bkool.com/bkoolSessionHistory/showSessionSummary/1120448 - 574 watts average Mind you he is an Elite 10

I might have another crack at it tomorrow evening and do the chain gang ride on Friday morning, or have I got the timings all wrong?

That scary, and makes me feel extremely pitiful. He achieved that wattage, with an average HR of 151!?!?! His average power is about what I get for my max power reading!

And Bill....he is NOT joining the Goats League!

 

[Monte]

Not sure if there is a cycle chat ride tomorrow evening or not but I've agreed to ride with a mate tomorrow - is there any plans for a ride over the weekend ?

 

[BILL S]

Don't know about you Kip but I generally need a days break between fast rides even if its just a slower ride in between. I think the D'Huez ride is sill available on Friday or Saturday perhaps.
That elite riders ride doesn't seem possible at 9 watts/kg. Is that not even above a TDF riders performance which I thought was more like 6 watts/kg?

edit: to avoid confusion

 

[Paulf1566]

My time for Alpe d'Huez does not seem to be showing in the Mountain Goats League?

 

[BILL S]

That scary, and makes me feel extremely pitiful. He achieved that wattage, with an average HR of 151!?!?! His average power is about what I get for my max power reading!

And Bill....he is NOT joining the Goats League!

If he doesn't post here, he won't be joining the league. I thnk 9 watts/kg especially at HR of 151 is a bit sus.

 

[Add]

My time for Alpe d'Huez does not seem to be showing in the Mountain Goats League?

As long as you entered the session through the League tab, it should appear Paul. Sometimes it gets lost in the ether for a while.

 

[Add]

If he doesn't post here, he won't be joining the league. I thnk 9 watts/kg especially at HR of 151 is a bit sus.

He's either a Marvel character or on a moped! One of those obviously being significantly cooler than the other!