I've had the new Tacx trainer tyre on this week and I'm quite unsure about it. It is quieter and it does allow me to stand on the pedals no matter how slow and steep, but I am a bit concerned that it may be higher friction than the road tyre I had on before which was a Continental Ultra Sport. Not done Alpe d'Huez on the new one yet though, so that might be the ultimate test for me. I'll be able to get up out of the saddle but will this outweigh any additional friction? Tyre friction seems to manifest as lower power readout on the bkool and hence slower times, in my experience.
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- Thread starter Peteaud
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gbrown
Geoff on Bkool
- Location
- South Somerset
As if having you pacing me for the first half and Adam bearing down on me in the second half wasn't enough to encourage me to try harder ...
I think the variations in effort are partly due to the different gradients and the way the trainers simulate them. You have always said you find it hard to get the higher power figures on the lower gradients so it is unlikely that you would match an FTP set on a steep 30 minute climb when riding a gentle slope like last nights session.
Equally, I find it very hard to maintain power on the KICKR as the gradient rises above around 10%, easily as hard as in real life as my rides up the Merry Harriers in the last two weeks have shown me, so I would struggle to get 100% of my FTP on such a long high gradient. But last night I got 105% effort.
You both still whupped me mind!
Geoff
gbrown
Geoff on Bkool
- Location
- South Somerset
I would say get a KICKR and stop worrying about tyres, friction and resistance, but actually I can't recommend them to anyone for Bkool unless they fix the Virtual Speed downhill!
Mind you, I'm not sure you go down hill very much ...
It was a full on effort I admit and can't think of any way I could have done it quicker with my present fitness. The Alpe d'Huez is the best ride I've found that suits my setup for weight, endurance, tyre and any other factors. I was able to make 325 watts for the first half hour when I went up a level, but for the full ride it was 320 watts. And I know that had I kept going after the 325 watts effort the overall for the full ride would have been way less than 320.
I would say get a KICKR and stop worrying about tyres, friction and resistance, but actually I can't recommend them to anyone for Bkool unless they fix the Virtual Speed downhill!
Mind you, I'm not sure you go down hill very much ...
I may end up with a KICKR but have to wait until my mrs forgets how much I spent on bikes last year (which was an exceptional year). However at least I was in full compliance with rule #25.
It'd be good if all the gremlins got sorted out first as well.
Add
Guru
- Location
- Powys, Wales
I can see that the Kickr is a far superior piece of kit, but realistically the BKool ticks all my boxes! Although I get tonnes of rubber on the floor behind my trainer, the tyres still seem to last a good while. The one I've got now is like bloody Blu-Tack mind you, might just go back to a road tyre tbh.
Add
Guru
- Location
- Powys, Wales
Look under your League tab in the simulator. If it's there, you can still get a time in.
Hi Monte. Looks like Alpe d'Huez is still live today but will probably close later tonight. You've got time to do it I'm sure . If for some reason it's not under leagues just go to the league results and challenge someone you'd like to race against and that way you'll have their ghost for company. Enjoy!
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Add
Guru
- Location
- Powys, Wales
Mines the same, once I've done a stage it disappears from my League tab. So I just challenge someone from the league and it appears.
Ciderrider
Senior Member
- Location
- NorthPetherton
Probably a total n00bie question. Do you all have wind turned on..... On the simulator that is
I'm struggling to generate any power on a flat. But that's kinda like real life.
I'm struggling to generate any power on a flat. But that's kinda like real life.
gbrown
Geoff on Bkool
- Location
- South Somerset
I think I can safely say that the majority of us DO NOT have wind turned on most of the time. 
I tried it once, and all it did was add variability to the ride. It would be great if we could turn it off when riding outside ...
I tried it once, and all it did was add variability to the ride. It would be great if we could turn it off when riding outside ...
Vertego
Just reflecting on the meaning of life.
- Location
- North Hampshire
Currently riding Specialized Pro shoes. Excellent, especially as they were 'cheap' when I bought them (Specialized rarely discount anything until new year's models released and then you can usually find a bargain). I do have an old pair of Shimano R131s gathering dust in the bottom of the wardrobe too.
Pedals are currently Look Max 2 Carbon (again bought on a special offer price) but these are coming off any day as I've decided to go for some Speedplays (guess what - at a discount).
Will have to get active with eBay to claw back some of my outgoings before too many questions get asked
gbrown
Geoff on Bkool
- Location
- South Somerset
Anyone up for the 5pm re-run today?
I'll start the warm-up as usual at 5:00 and end the countdown with just under 2 mins left on the clock, so make sure you have stopped pedalling by then!
Look in live tab just after 5:00 pm; Session is called Vuelta 2012 E15 and will be marked CycleChat Chain Gang March 2015
If you can't see it in Live tab, use advanced filter and look for "Chain" or "Gang"
When you join the session make sure you see "Geoff" in the list of riders ...
See you there ...
I'll start the warm-up as usual at 5:00 and end the countdown with just under 2 mins left on the clock, so make sure you have stopped pedalling by then!
Look in live tab just after 5:00 pm; Session is called Vuelta 2012 E15 and will be marked CycleChat Chain Gang March 2015
If you can't see it in Live tab, use advanced filter and look for "Chain" or "Gang"
When you join the session make sure you see "Geoff" in the list of riders ...
See you there ...
