Team BKool CycleChat

[berty bassett]

I would like to add if the gradient was constant then after the initial start of it where you lose out then it settles down and gets back to normal , but on a rolling course forget it

 

[bobinski]

But a power meter at £500 or a new trainer at £900 plus £200 from selling the bkool unit second hand and there is only one real option!

https://www.sigmasports.com/item/4i...8oUFlOJCJJzMUZ54RUhoCieQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

£350 if single sided good enough.

 

[theboxers]

I haven't done a velodrome ride on bkool with the kickr. I may have a giggle/ on there tonight to see where/how it is in relation to other platforms. I'm not looking forward to the experience

 

[JuhaL]

I think power readings are more accurate when climbing at a consistent incline, such as stage 2 of the June CG... Rather than the rolling roads that we can hammer out the Watts on. Thanks @BILL S that was rather torturous stage, then I mistakenly looked at stage 4 where the route comments are:
"Actually not ridiculously difficult. Terrain: 4/5, Cat 1, smooth gradient transitions with some 5%-6% "rest" areas"
I think you may be taking the p1ss whoever said that...

That is true, probably because there is more torque in chains where powermeter response better. Sometimes Bkool readings are bigger or at least same in ascent and decline, especially with the Bkool Sim i have noticed that.

 

[Del C]

Unless we all have turbos other than the pro then you can’t compete on bkool. Try a little test yourself on a short course with both trainers. The difference is staggering Not just the start , but every hill you encounter you will get left behind , not because your not kicking out watts but I found it more to do with bkool having a hissy and saying “ this is the speed you should be doing “ , taking you down to that speed , no matter what you do , then slowly increasing it to match watts like a reverse slingshot
I like bkool and think that 3D world is just what I want like a closed race between us all but brvr does the video thing much better and Zwift does cartoon world more professional- if Zwift starts closed races that we could arrange between ourselves the I will say bkool would lose everyone

I think you're right.

I like Bkool and I've enjoyed the league rides and especially the handicaps.

With the variety of rides available it should be a leader in the world of cycling Sims, but it doesn't look like it will turn out that way.

In the end, I've decided moving to a direct drive turbo is what I want to do. I'm definitely going to try some Bkool video and 3D rides to see what the difference is. Once I experience it, then maybe I'll understand the negative comments from people who've made that same switch a bit better.

 

[Del C]

I think power readings are more accurate when climbing at a consistent incline, such as stage 2 of the June CG... Rather than the rolling roads that we can hammer out the Watts on. Thanks @BILL S that was rather torturous stage, then I mistakenly looked at stage 4 where the route comments are:
"Actually not ridiculously difficult. Terrain: 4/5, Cat 1, smooth gradient transitions with some 5%-6% "rest" areas"
I think you may be taking the p1ss whoever said that...

Agree with this.

Stage 2 was a long steady ramp and my power readings stayed fairly constant throughout out the ride.

It felt nice and even and somewhat like a steeper FTP test.

 

[theboxers]

I think you're right.

I like Bkool and I've enjoyed the league rides and especially the handicaps.

With the variety of rides available it should be a leader in the world of cycling Sims, but it doesn't look like it will turn out that way.

In the end, I've decided moving to a direct drive turbo is what I want to do. I'm definitely going to try some Bkool video and 3D rides to see what the difference is. Once I experience it, then maybe I'll understand the negative comments from people who've made that same switch a bit better.

A lot of bkool's negatives are in relation to leagues where non bkool trainers are used and are at a severe disadvantage. The variance in power readings could be lived with if the way the non bkool trainer behaved was the same as bkool ones.

Bkool trainers appear to have significant advantage with regard to apparent momentum maintenance. So no matter how much you put out power wise, on your non bkool trainer, you will lose ground on a bkool user, especially when transitioning in to an up slope.

 

[Daddy Pig]

It felt nice and even and somewhat like a steeper FTP test.

Nice!
Nice is a cool beer on a hot summers day... That climb was pure torture!

 

[Del C]

Nice!
Nice is a cool beer on a hot summers day... That climb was pure torture!

Er.......... yeah!

I see your point!

 

[JuhaL]

Just open and drink 1 bottle of beer i will underwrite that .

edit. next something stronger malt product.

 

[AAAC 76C]

Might be back on the bike within the week. Is the chain gang still being contested or is BKool finally loosing?

 

[Brusgaard]

Might be back on the bike within the week. Is the chain gang still being contested or is BKool finally loosing?

Great to see you back on the forum @AAAC 76C!
I can only speak for myself, but Bkool is loosing, not because of Zwift but due to exceptionally hot weather (at least here in Denmark). With the temps hovering around 25-30c outside almost every day since mid May, it is simply too hot for me in the shed. I actually feel physically bad after every session, probably due to dehydration. I do the Danish "Spring league", but even there, I'm a few stages behind, so it is always a catchup before the stages close.

 

[<Tommy>]

Great to see you back on the forum @AAAC 76C!
I can only speak for myself, but Bkool is loosing, not because of Zwift but due to exceptionally hot weather (at least here in Denmark). With the temps hovering around 25-30c outside almost every day since mid May, it is simply too hot for me in the shed. I actually feel physically bad after every session, probably due to dehydration. I do the Danish "Spring league", but even there, I'm a few stages behind, so it is always a catchup before the stages close.

Agreed! Glad you’re on the mend @aaac. Great to see @Daddy Pig back in the mix too!

I think bruusgard you’re right it’s always quieter in the summer. But... I also think there is a bit of a shift coming.

Personally I still like things about Bkool. But next winter I’m just hoping we’re all racing against each other again on the same platforms.

 

[Daddy Pig]

Might be back on the bike within the week. Is the chain gang still being contested or is BKool finally loosing?

Glad to hear the "boys" are on the mend...
After three days of rides this week and first rides got quite sometime I feel like mine have regressed back to childhood somewhat...

 

[Brusgaard]

I think bruusgard you’re right it’s always quieter in the summer. But... I also think there is a bit of a shift coming.

Personally I still like things about Bkool. But next winter I’m just hoping we’re all racing against each other again on the same platforms.

Of course it is quieter in the summer, but to put things in perspective, last year we had 11 (eleven) summerdays (defined as a day with above 25C somewhere) in Denmark all in all. Today I think we passed day 23 or so already.

I pay for Zwift as well, but haven't used it (and my Direto) for at least two months. With Zwiftpower down for weeks as well, I see no point in racing on Zwift. Zwift themselves should have done a proper ranking system etc. a long time ago with all the money pouring into their pockets. If only training, I'd rather go outside, than ride around the same 3D world again and again in Zwift.

You can setup a (closed) race in Bkool within minutes and at any time you want, where on Zwift you have to wait for one of your liking to start. And you can of course ride whatever part of the world you want. The diversity and simplicity of Bkool is what I like, and my only real problem is the difference between trainers, meaning you loose on anything but a Bkool-trainer. If they (want to) crack that nut, I'll still be Bkoolin' only this winter as well. Zwift is entirely too expensive compared to what Bkool offer. Yes Bkool has bugs, but they are less annoying than the bugs you face (eat) out in the real world.

Winning a pair of sunglasses and other prizes on Bkool own featured races is a bonus as well, and you get to race some of the same people weekly (like in the Chaingang) which is always funnier. In Zwift I rarely, if ever, raced against the same people.