Team BKool CycleChat

[<Tommy>]

I somewhat agree, and will be looking to move once my sub to BKool has finished ... In the meantime, I will continue to upload my videos to Bkool.

That is the one that that BKool does brilliantly (When it works) and give you the option to re ride routes you have done IRL, but BRVR gives that option as well ... and is not quite as picky as BKool about supposed "Zero Speed" Segments. Bkool was a promising start. but never really delivered, and never really moved on properly. From what I've read the only thing Zwift is missing, is the ability to have 'private' races for the CG league, and handicap style races which were a laugh, even if they did involve a serious amount of ITT, trying to catch or stay with you lot on my part

I agree with all of this. Bkool has been such a laugh for me. I was still smoking ciggerettes when I first joined up. Now it’s other people who get smoked . Just kidding... but seriously, lots of good memories. And it still ticks boxes Zwift doesn’t. But honestly I think if we can arrange something simple like all meet up on Tuesday and Thursday at same time like we did on Bkool. Racing in Zwift will be a good laugh too. I think the main thing is all of us racing in the same place. And all taking the piss a little bit after the race. The rest all takes care of itself!

 

[CXRAndy]

Zwift is missing, is the ability to have 'private' races for the CG league, and handicap style races which were a laugh, even if they did involve a serious amount of ITT, trying to catch or stay with you lot on my part

There are the Hare and Hounds races. Which are category race setting off staggered times. The object is to work as best you can within a group to chase down the lower group, whilst trying to outrun the higher group. Pretty much Team handicap racing. I like the format on Zwift

 

[theboxers]

I somewhat agree, and will be looking to move once my sub to BKool has finished ... In the meantime, I will continue to upload my videos to Bkool.

That is the one that that BKool does brilliantly (When it works) and give you the option to re ride routes you have done IRL, but BRVR gives that option as well ... and is not quite as picky as BKool about supposed "Zero Speed" Segments. Bkool was a promising start. but never really delivered, and never really moved on properly. From what I've read the only thing Zwift is missing, is the ability to have 'private' races for the CG league, and handicap style races which were a laugh, even if they did involve a serious amount of ITT, trying to catch or stay with you lot on my part

I sometimes think Bkools issue is the polar opposite to Zwift. Too much choice.

The number of routes available is so vast that finding a particular route is nigh on impossible unless you know the exact spelling and distance bracket it is in. The choices thrown up from a simple word/name search can count in the thousands . Also there is no discrimination when routes are uploaded. There can be many versions of the same route uploaded by different riders most under slightly different names .

Bkool has many advantages over Zwift, IMO. It is a shame that they have not been able or willing to make use of them.

 

[Bored Man]

but it does seem that the exodus from BKool has reached a point that there isn't a critical mass left

I resemble that remark.....

 

[theboxers]

I resemble that remark.....

You'll have my company, at least until

 

[Rod McG]

I'm about to renew my membership as BKool is the best option for me, for various reasons. If those leaving stop posting negative comments then maybe others will join, and numbers build back up. Don't know, but I am looking forward to doing Jim's routes and the occasional chaingang, even if it is an ITT!

 

[Randyberlin]

Bkool has the Aleman, Geoff and Paul f videos. Worth the price alone.

I'll continue to "walk in both worlds". Well, actually ride in both worlds.

 

[theboxers]

I'm about to renew my membership as BKool is the best option for me, for various reasons. If those leaving stop posting negative comments then maybe others will join, and numbers build back up. Don't know, but I am looking forward to doing Jim's routes and the occasional chaingang, even if it is an ITT!

I think Bkool is a good platform for those starting out with indoor riding and not sure what they want. It does a bit of everything training, 3D and video, as well as easy to set up leagues and what not. But others have come in and moved the posts to places Bkool can't or won't go to.

Zwift appears to be more social media aware and has driven their limited route choice well making updates and changes. It now has training plans and several choices of route. It just lacks the IRL video side, the bit I'm most interested in.

BigRingVR is a purely Video platform. No training or 3D. The quality of those videos is significantly better than most of Bkool's library. You can also segment any ride. I've done the Pikes Peak ride in 4 bits.

Each platform has their advantages. We just need to choose the one/s that best suit our needs.

Edit

There are many more platforms than just these 3.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2016/11/trainer-apps-guide.html

 

[Rod McG]

Yet another review of alternatives to Bkool. Thanks!!

 

[theboxers]

Yet another review of alternatives to Bkool. Thanks!!

You're welcome

I've been on Bkool for 4 years now. So it must have something in it.

Just using and looking at alternatives now. Sometimes a change is as good as a rest. I haven't left yet, I'm just looking

 

[Aleman]

I'm about to renew my membership as BKool is the best option for me, for various reasons. If those leaving stop posting negative comments then maybe others will join, and numbers build back up. Don't know, but I am looking forward to doing Jim's routes and the occasional chaingang, even if it is an ITT!

Don't get me wrong I like BKool, I think @theboxers hit the nail on the head about the over proliferation of routes. There is just now QC for it, you even have routes created where someone was obviously on a trainer ... I unlinked BKool, from Connect and Strava so that I could be more selective about my uploads, It's a shame others are not as discriminating ... And yet you try and upload a video which has a 2 second gap somewhere in that 2:21:00 gpx track ... or convert a video route to 3D that is borderline on their 'Acceptable' limits.

I know when you end a subscription Lelia tries to tempt you back with discounts, so it may very well not be the end for me yet ... I like making my rides available to others, and it easy for that despite it's limitations.

 

[Randyberlin]

Don't get me wrong I like BKool, I think @theboxers hit the nail on the head about the over proliferation of routes. There is just now QC for it, you even have routes created where someone was obviously on a trainer ... I unlinked BKool, from Connect and Strava so that I could be more selective about my uploads, It's a shame others are not as discriminating ... And yet you try and upload a video which has a 2 second gap somewhere in that 2:21:00 gpx track ... or convert a video route to 3D that is borderline on their 'Acceptable' limits.

I know when you end a subscription Lelia tries to tempt you back with discounts, so it may very well not be the end for me yet ... I like making my rides available to others, and it easy for that despite it's limitations.

And I really appreciate them. I have ridden the waterfront many times I’m just surprised there aren’t more people there now it’s summer.

 

[<Tommy>]

Yet another review of alternatives to Bkool. Thanks!!

I know what you’re getting at Rod. To be honest it’s grated on me a bit in the past. People who don’t use Bkool coming in this thread to bash it seems a bit unnecessary. Then other times I’ve been guilty of it myself! I think we all have to be honest. I’ve also been vocal about saying it will put new users off. Sometimes I wonder if people here are just sticking with Bkool because they’re sick of Bob banging on about Zwift!

I might be wrong about this. But it just feels like we’re reaching a point where the majority are ready to move over and race on Zwift. Me personally I’d be happier if Bkool could get their shoot together because I like the closed races and I like racing against people I know. But I think that ship has sailed.

 

[bobinski]

I know what you’re getting at Rod. To be honest it’s grated on me a bit in the past. People who don’t use Bkool coming in this thread to bash it seems a bit unnecessary. Then other times I’ve been guilty of it myself! I think we all have to be honest. I’ve also been vocal about saying it will put new users off. Sometimes I wonder if people here are just sticking with Bkool because they’re sick of Bob banging on about Zwift!

I might be wrong about this. But it just feels like we’re reaching a point where the majority are ready to move over and race on Zwift. Me personally I’d be happier if Bkool could get their shoot together because I like the closed races and I like racing against people I know. But I think that ship has sailed.

Not used this in a while....

 

[JuhaL]

I feel lucky. People i know personally they don't use Bkool, so i can do whatever i want, i don't need backup plan yet . But if i ride in Zwift i go hostile water immediate .