Team BKool CycleChat

[CXRAndy]

Im sorry, I really shouldn't, but I can't help it

New indoor tyre. My tyre was creating too mutch static energy according the helpdesk.

 

[berty bassett]

I've bought a Bkool Go a couple of weeks ago and have some issue with it. The support desk is trying to be supportive, but haven't solved the issue yet. This seems to be the only active thread / forum so I'd thought I'd ask here.

Every now and then my speed / power gets stuck at a certain number. The simulator still simulates resistance, but doesn't register my actuall speed anymore. The "virtual speed" text dissapears and the speed / power will be stuck no matter what I do. I'd might cycle twice as fast or stop peddling at all, it doesn't care. Sometimes it all of sudden starts registering speed / power for a couple of seconds again, but usually falls back to the stuck values shortly.

This might sound usefull if you're stuck at 500watts, but it mostly is stuck < 80 watts. It's frustrating when you're in a competition and gave it your best and in the end everyone passes you the last mile because the power is stuck at 40 watts. It's even more frustrating if it's stuck at 0 watts, because the software will kick you out before even finishing.

What I tried:
- New indoor tyre. My tyre was creating too mutch static energy according the helpdesk.
- ANT+ extension cable. The dongle is now 1mm from the trainer.
- Cable instead of wifi (I am on 1gbps). I also turned BT, Wifi, Firewall and Virusscanner off.
- Reinstalled the software
- BT instead of ANT+, but still the same problem

Anyone every had simular issues? I like Bkool and their competitions, but so far about half my rides have issues.

PS: Might be the wrong thread... Sorry if it's better off in the FAQ-thread.

is this happening in bkool or zwift ? if its bkool then have you tried zwift , or the other way round
if it happens in both platforms and you have tried different tyre (?) and making sure things are properly plugged in , nothing interfering with signal ( i hear the thing that talks to garmin on computer sometimes sends things wonky - turn off in computer)
i would look on facebook to see if anyone else has the problem - if it is known then follow the advice
if you live near the bkool office i would send a strongly worded letter wrapped round a brick through the window - they may give you a better answer than wrong kind of tyre
failing that send back as not fit for purpose ? / too heavy to go through window ?
when it works bkool is a bloody good format but they do tend to let themselves down a lot
if you have hair , i should comb and caress it as much as you can because by the end of winter you will have pulled it all out !

 

[Aleman]

Second the advice about trying a different platform. Garmin connect is notorious for grabbing and hanging on to the ANT+ channel, so prevent that from loading on startup.

 

[Brusgaard]

Second the advice about trying a different platform. Garmin connect is notorious for grabbing and hanging on to the ANT+ channel, so prevent that from loading on startup.

Garmin Express you mean, right ?

 

[Aleman]

Garmin Express you mean, right ?

Is that what they are calling it now??? If using an android device then it's connect, and I always make sure it's disabled when I go to the pain cave with my mobile, even though I run my Sims on windows laptops

 

[Brusgaard]

Is that what they are calling it now??? If using an android device then it's connect, and I always make sure it's disabled when I go to the pain cave with my mobile, even though I run my Sims on windows laptops

Garmin Express is the program on the PC that sometimes messes up Bkool. Garmin Connect is the app on the phone (and the website). Only a “few” Androids do ANT+, and no iPhones.

 

[CXRAndy]

Garmin Express is the program on the PC that sometimes messes up Bkool. Garmin Connect is the app on the phone (and the website). Only a “few” Androids do ANT+, and no iPhones.

I thought that's what differentiated Android from Ios, .Android does everything

 

[Brusgaard]

I thought that's what differentiated Android from Ios, .Android does everything

But not all Androids do ANT+, typically it is only available on high(er) end models. I’m sure the iPhones could do ANT+, if Apple wanted to, as the communications chipset may well be the same as in some of the Androids. The same goes for NFC, which has been in iPhones for years, but not accessible for third party apps.

 

[keithaitch]

@BILL S just wondering if November's league will be starting on Tuesday /Wednesday. I'm off to our house in France on Wednesday evening for 5 days and the forecast isn't brilliant. So if the league is starting this week I'll take the BKool with me and hopefully ride Thursday and Saturday. If the league isn't starting I'll just sit around and watch the rain with a beer in hand

 

[BILL S]

@BILL S just wondering if November's league will be starting on Tuesday /Wednesday. I'm off to our house in France on Wednesday evening for 5 days and the forecast isn't brilliant. So if the league is starting this week I'll take the BKool with me and hopefully ride Thursday and Saturday. If the league isn't starting I'll just sit around and watch the rain with a beer in hand

Keith, I will start the new league as soon as the old one runs out. I'll probably set it up tomorrow and wait until its possible to publish it. The system only allows one league per group at a time.

 

[ic3d]

Thanks for all replies, it's appreciated!

I'll try the suggestions you guys gave. BKool also offered to "log in" my trainer, I'd have to make an appointment for that. If none of that helps, I'll return the trainer. I know I bought a low-end product, but I it should work as advertised.

@CXRAndy I have a feeling only 2 people are working there...

@berty bassett I haven't tried Zwift yet. I bought a BKool subscription for a year, but actually prefer training outside. So far I couldn't be bothered to also pay for another service. I will try it though. If it works I'll leave the BKool software and I'll try to get my money back.
I turned all my devices off btw. I was having resistance issues (15% down, going with 7mph and heartrate 180) the first few days and turning off everything helped.

 

[Whorty]

Thanks for all replies, it's appreciated!

I'll try the suggestions you guys gave. BKool also offered to "log in" my trainer, I'd have to make an appointment for that. If none of that helps, I'll return the trainer. I know I bought a low-end product, but I it should work as advertised.

@CXRAndy I have a feeling only 2 people are working there...

@berty bassett I haven't tried Zwift yet. I bought a BKool subscription for a year, but actually prefer training outside. So far I couldn't be bothered to also pay for another service. I will try it though. If it works I'll leave the BKool software and I'll try to get my money back.
I turned all my devices off btw. I was having resistance issues (15% down, going with 7mph and heartrate 180) the first few days and turning off everything helped.

I think you can do a 7 day free trial with Zwift (at least you used to be able to) - if that's still available it may give you the chance to do a couple of test rides.

 

[Aleman]

I've recently had a 7 day free trial with zwift, also BigRingVR does a 7 day trial as well.

Neither of them require you to enter your credit card details in advance

 

[perswe]

Hmm, seems my calculations were wrong, as I’m now 6 seconds ahead of @perswe. I would have to have another go at stage 1 otherwise.

Last time I was racing with you (april league) you beat me by two seconds in total. So 6 seconds is quite a distance. If this stagation continues l’ll be at least 18 seconds off your pace before summer! We can’t have that . Must train more. Must go faster.

 

[CXRAndy]

Is there a race organised tomorrow ?