Team BKool CycleChat

[gbrown]

Spare evenings will have to be spent repeating this run I think.
See if I can build up some of the right stuff!

I am happy to give this run another go when you can too. It would be nice to build up power and stamina to hopefully get nearer Bill and Geoff and Kip.

I'd be more than happy to accompany you, but you have demonstrated quite clearly that you are way faster than me on this terrain.
Drop a message in here if you decide to go back there, and I 'll do the same.

I was running late and didn't get a chance to top up the tyre so suspect it's at about 100 psi, or a bit less, rather than the 120 it should be. I might try the ride again with a bit more air in the tyre.

Don't forget the re-run on Saturday at 5pm!

Geoff

 

[Add]

Don't forget the re-run on Saturday at 5pm!

Geoff

I'll be there! Family obligations permitting!

 

[BILL S]

just need to get off my lazy ass and do it.

 

[BILL S]

Bill, I sent a message to Chris to join. He is a new cyclechat user and is waiting for his intro message to be approved then we should see him post in here.

Thanks KIp. Chris is now a goat member.

 

[gbrown]

The cassette at the back. What are the ratios?

It's an 11-32 as standard, with 50/34 compact on the front, so 34/32 for climbing, and 50/11 for descents. I've got the same on my powertap for the hills, but an 11-28 on my other wheels.

The 32 is useful for those who like to sit and spin when it gets steep, but probably pointless if you prefer to stand, as you'd have to change up.

Looks like a really nice bike, supposed to be very comfortable.

Would be nice to arrange a West Country ride when the weather gets reliable, we often ride down to Sidmouth, Exeter or Teignmouth. Double locks for lunch?

Geoff

 

[BILL S]

Mmm, I didn't look at the power really tbh, with this new tyre. I wonder if it was a bit more consistent? It's a good point. I've only been cycling for one season, and as soon as I got the BKool I fell in with the hill climbing crowd...i.e. You lol! And that's all I've really done. My limited real life biking has always been VERY hilly, ?I live in Wales, hills are kind of a geographical certainty.
If I focus on my flat work for a few months, it should improve substantially, just need to get off my lazy ass and do it.

It'll be interesting to see how you progress going forward then as you're fairly new to cycling. I've done about 3 years road riding and 10 years mountain biking before that. Not nearly as intensive training as the bkool though. Can't wait to get out on the road and see what the garmin has to say about it.
Flat or Hilly, as long as you're on the power both should be as effective as the other.

 

[LBHIFI]

Hi

I was wondering if I could join in for some race. I was watching your “flat race” yesterday and actually shut down the TV and watched it to the end.
Not sure which league (you have two?), but I would probably only be able to race weekends.

Thanks
Lars B.

 

[kipster]

It's an 11-32 as standard, with 50/34 compact on the front, so 34/32 for climbing, and 50/11 for descents. I've got the same on my powertap for the hills, but an 11-28 on my other wheels.

The 32 is useful for those who like to sit and spin when it gets steep, but probably pointless if you prefer to stand, as you'd have to change up.

Looks like a really nice bike, supposed to be very comfortable.

Would be nice to arrange a West Country ride when the weather gets reliable, we often ride down to Sidmouth, Exeter or Teignmouth. Double locks for lunch?

Geoff

I guess I have it easy in Hampshire, my roadie is a 50-34 with a 12-25. I like to spin on hills and only get out of the saddle on the steep stuff (15%+). The only hill I have failed on with it was 25%

I'm questioning my setup for Velothon Wales which has a couple of proper hills, The Tumble and Caerphilly Mountain.

The club are doing a ride on good Friday, taking in cheddar gorge so I'll see how my gears and legs cope with that.

The Synapse is a great looking bike, I really like that colour.

 

[BILL S]

Hi

I was wondering if I could join in for some race. I was watching your “flat race” yesterday and actually shut down the TV and watched it to the end.
Not sure which league (you have two?), but I would probably only be able to race weekends.

Thanks
Lars B.

Hi Lars.
If you want to join the Mountain Goats just put in the request through bkool to join the group. Because you've posted here I will accept it straight away so you'll be able to ride the league stages. With the Mountain Goats it tends to be just whenever you want to do the ride between the dates that it's open. With the Chain Gang we try to meet up twice a week to race live.

 

[Runexeter]

It's an 11-32 as standard, with 50/34 compact on the front, so 34/32 for climbing, and 50/11 for descents. I've got the same on my powertap for the hills, but an 11-28 on my other wheels.

The 32 is useful for those who like to sit and spin when it gets steep, but probably pointless if you prefer to stand, as you'd have to change up.

Looks like a really nice bike, supposed to be very comfortable.

Would be nice to arrange a West Country ride when the weather gets reliable, we often ride down to Sidmouth, Exeter or Teignmouth. Double locks for lunch?

Geoff

1) Sorry Kip I meant to get back to you but got side tracked, but as always the good old wealth of knowledge stepped in and saved me writing it all.
2) Yes it definitely would be good to meet up in the summer some time whether its down here or up there, I go up to Tiverton a fair bit but may go onto Taunton, I will be doing parts of this course a bit, if not all of it before the day.

I do like the way they have made the course in the shape of Britain...sort of.

When I had the bike fit it felt really comfy, I think those 700x28c tyres are going to be plush on the roads around here, and yes I loved the colour as it stands out, a head turner.
I had to go to Triuk in Yeovil to get it as the only Cannondale stockist in Exeter had sold his few and said they were not giving him anymore, don't know if you have been in Triuk Geoff but talk about kid in a sweet shop, I never seen so many different bikes!

 

[gbrown]

Does anyone know if you can start a route part way through, I uploaded the Fred Whitton Challenge however I want to do it in segments and not start from the beginning each time. Thanks, Chris

I'm afraid not, you'd have to split the gpx up and upload separately.

Geoff

 

[Runexeter]

I guess I have it easy in Hampshire, my roadie is a 50-34 with a 12-25. I like to spin on hills and only get out of the saddle on the steep stuff (15%+). The only hill I have failed on with it was 25%

I'm questioning my setup for Velothon Wales which has a couple of proper hills, The Tumble and Caerphilly Mountain.

The club are doing a ride on good Friday, taking in cheddar gorge so I'll see how my gears and legs cope with that.

The Synapse is a great looking bike, I really like that colour.

Where in Hampshire are you Kip? I'm from Pompey originally and still have family there and in Scumhampton.

 

[parsonsjchris]

I'm afraid not, you'd have to split the gpx up and upload separately.

Geoff

Thanks Geoff, that's a little annoying.

 

[BILL S]

Hi I'm Chris, new to the site, been using my BKool for a month or two now - liking it although sometimes get a loud noise from the trainer on some descents - BKool helpdesk said to remove the fan cover and they would send me a new one - seems to have made it better but not perfect - anyone else experienced similar? Anyway, will join some of the groups on BKool. Cheers

Yes, this was a minor design flaw in the bkool pro's. Mine had the same so I ran it without the cover until bkool sent the new one. No problems really. Different tyres and pressures can also affect the noise in my experience.

 

[parsonsjchris]

Yes, this was a minor design flaw in the bkool pro's. Mine had the same so I ran it without the cover until bkool sent the new one. No problems really. Different tyres and pressures can also affect the noise in my experience.

Ok thanks Bill - I'm running my usual Conti GP 4000s II - would you suggest a different tyre for the BKool and if so what? I prefer climbing rather than just hammering flats etc. Also seems tyre pressure makes a difference too. Thanks