Team BKool CycleChat

[333]

Hi guys

I don't mean to pollute your thread with questions (sorry) but I was originally looking at the Tacx Genius but having read their forums it seems its full of issues like horror stories of units blowing up and being replaced several times over, so the Tacx idea is in the bin.

I'm now looking at the BKOOL TT and EliteRealTour Elastogel Trainer, what do you guys think of the BKOOL in terms of a training aid? for example can I run 2x20 mins sessions on it like you can a standard TT, will my ANT+ HRM work with it? How about if I bought one of the mountain videos / stages would this actually aid my climbing? Or am I better off with a boring standard souless turbo trainer?

Thanks

 

[Asa Post]

what do you guys think of the BKOOL in terms of a training aid?

I like it. I can do just about anything I want to on it.

for example can I run 2x20 mins sessions on it like you can a standard TT

I do 2 x 20s on mine. Sometimes flat, sometimes with a fixed slope, sometimes with a variable slope.

will my ANT+ HRM work with it?

Yes. All ANT+ devices will work except power meters. The BKool's power figures are generated by its software so an external power meter will probably give different readings.

How about if I bought one of the mountain videos / stages would this actually aid my climbing?

If you buy a subscription all the videos are included in the price. I've done some of the big climbs on it, and they hurt. It has improved my endurance and power, though.

Or am I better off with a boring standard souless turbo trainer?

You'd be better off in financial terms, because a standard turbo is cheaper. But you'd not have anything like as much fun .

To balance my positive opinion, @Snaily had trouble with his unit and finally sent it back for a refund. I occasionally can't get Google Earth to display my ride (as an alternative to using a video) but I haven't had any major problems.

 

[333]

Thanks for answering my questions! I also had a look around the web and the reviews are really good!

I've got one ordered, picking it up on Sunday!

 

[Asa Post]

Thanks for answering my questions! I also had a look around the web and the reviews are really good!

I've got one ordered, picking it up on Sunday!

Are you joining the group, then?
http://www.bkool.com/group/show/49114

 

[333]

Yep thanks - just joined now.

EDIT: So in the videos what happens if you stop pedalling or slow down, does the video slow down / stop with you or is it always a constant pace? I know its not realtime / VR based so you can't for example overtake at will, but just wondered how interactive it was. Also anyone had any issues with the magnets failing after a while? I saw that on a couple of posts on the DC Rainmaker review.

 

[harly]

You stop pedalling the video stops you pedall fast the video speeds up , theres 100s of videos , plenty to choose from , as well as google earth were you can cycle your local rides or not so local rides plenty there to go threw , i couldnt go back to a normal turbo after useing the bkool , theres allso various tournaments going on to join in if you want to compete with other riders , all videos are free .. With the monthly subscription , new videos going on all the time some new ones from england and a couple from america just been put on , going to have to get a camera and try this

 

[333]

It all sounds good harly thanks, but what about build quality of the unit and does it actually benefit you on the road as much if not more than a standard turbo? I know how boring standard turbos are as I spent a good part of my youth on them in the garage infront of the must have fans when I was cycling full time (thought I'd give it a shot), it would be nice if I could get the same intense workout but with some visual motivation as well like a long climb etc I'm worred about the build quality of the magnets on this thing though having read a few failures in the forums.

 

[Asa Post]

what about build quality of the unit and does it actually benefit you on the road as much if not more than a standard turbo? I know how boring standard turbos are as I spent a good part of my youth on them in the garage infront of the must have fans when I was cycling full time (thought I'd give it a shot), it would be nice if I could get the same intense workout but with some visual motivation as well like a long climb etc I'm worred about the build quality of the magnets on this thing though having read a few failures in the forums.

I've done over 2000 miles on mine, and there's nothing wrong with my magnets. The build quality seems to be excellent, though the important bits are out of sight so the only guide to their condition is "Do they still work?". Yes, they do.
The quibble I have with the magnets is that when it gets really steep (which for me is over 8%) the resistance on the Bkool feels higher than the resistance when riding a similar gradient on the road. That's purely subjective, and might be related to something as silly as the bike still being horizontal - so my senses are telling me I'm on a flat while my legs muscles are insisting that I'm not.
The benefits to be gained depend on the effort you are prepared to put in, but I find it easier to make myself keep going when I have a "road" in front of me instead of a blank wall. If you ride against a virtual opponent you also have the motivation to try and beat him, which is a great incentive to give it all you have. I also believe I benefit from the facility to practice "riding uphill" when I can't get out for a proper ride. It's damned hilly round Sheffield, and rides on a normal turbo don't have much in common with what's outside the door.

 

[333]

Thanks guys for your feedback, so I've bought one of these but not set it up yet add off to Swansea tomorrow for work annoyingly! Anyway noticed it has a speed and cadence sensor but I've got already my garmin sensor on the frame so not entirely sure where I'm going to put the bkool sensor!

Really looking forward to trying this out though as finally got my road bike as well!

 

[kipster]

Thanks guys for your feedback, so I've bought one of these but not set it up yet add off to Swansea tomorrow for work annoyingly! Anyway noticed it has a speed and cadence sensor but I've got already my garmin sensor on the frame so not entirely sure where I'm going to put the bkool sensor!

Your Garmin sensor will work with the Bkool, keep the Bkool one as a spare for n+1.

To echo Asa Post, the Bkool has made me much stronger on the hills, I did a turbo ride this week with the last 2k ish at about 10% average incline, then on the Saturday group ride I smashed my pb on a Strava segment that is 3 miles at 2%, and for that segment I was on my own. And when I say smashed I mean by over 2 and a half minutes. Not all of the improvement is down to the turbo, but it has helped. My average speed on a 60 mile ride is now 17mph, in the autumn of last year is was 15.5, I got the Bkool at christmas.

The worst thing with the Bkool is people add you as an opponent and beat you! For me this is normally if I've been training at a heart rate level. I will go back and beat them one day.

 

[333]

Hey guys

So I finally got back from Swansea tonight (nice 3.5 hour drive in torrential rain getting home at 9pm after a full day of work) to my new bike and non-used Bkool TT, anyway I've been itching to try it and since it was still chucking it down thought I'd see what effect it had on my knee (thought it was patella but its actually medial, or to the right of the knee near the medial ligament, just seems inflamed) that I successfully irritated again by going for a run Tuesday night..... thats me and running finished for now, so all bike in the future if I can.

Setting it up was very easy, no problems at all - Kipster thanks for the pointers around my Garmin sensor, they all work perfectly with the Bkool off the bat, my Garmin HRM, Cadeance / Speed sensor, no problems at all pairing up with any of those devices!

Anyway I picked a flatish course (200m climb, 1% gradient for 15miles) and did half an hour of the course to see how my leg was, apart from my new bike position issues (first time I've sat on it and used clipless pedals for 16 years!!) that I need to sort out I was massively impressed with the Bkool TT, it is so quiet compared to what they used to sound like - I also took advice from ^^^ and put towels all over the bike to keep it dry.

I didn't try a video ride, but I've booked one in for tomorrow lol only really short but I'm hoping if I take it easy my leg can get better and I can stay reasonably fit at the same time, once my legs sorted I'm dying to try one of those Alpine climbs!

Thanks for the recommendations guys, I'm really enjoying it so far and I can see how you can use it to perform just about any workout you want, intervals, 2 x20's on varied simulated terrain or massive climbs, its really good! I need to drop some weight, not too much though and hopefully I can boost my speeds, power etc ready for Novembers attack of the Teide Climb in Tenerife. I was going to do a Duathlon but thats out of the window now as I'm tired of running messing up my legs! so maybe in time I can work up to a road race, but work is a pain taking up a lot of time...

 

[Snaily]

Its been nearly a month now since I have returned my BKOOL to Wiggle, I'm still awaiting a refund and still undecided what to get next.

I was thinking Elite Realtour FF but after posting on the Elite forums asking for users views and opinions and after nearly a week with no reply I have nearly decided against it, although I could just take a chance and try it as I have found it cheaper on Ribble by at least £100. Issues with the Elite judging by the not so active forums seem to be the same with any VR trainer with resistance not adjusting. Ruled out the Tacx Flow for same reasons. I do like the look of the Tacx Bushido Tablet but unfortunately that would mean shelling out for an iPad 3 or newer as the iPad 2 isn't compatible

I'm still swinging towards the Kurt Kinetic as I could use with Trainerroad, Sufferfest and many more including VR rides but have to change gears for resistance

I still haven't written off the BKOOL, as their support has been excellent and just wished I had returned the BKOOL via BKOOL themselves instead of returning to Wiggle. When I read DC Rainmakers review of the BKOOL back in December there were comments that BKOOL were going to make communication to the trainer ANT+ instead of the private ANT they are using allowing for more 3rd party software options like Trainerroad. Has anyone have any idea when this will be happening?

 

[333]

Well so far I am very impressed with this piece of kit, I am just hoping it will hold out in terms of build quality!

It was chucking it down today so I decided to start my climbing program ready for Novembers hit on the Tenerife Teide (from sea level to crater), I had a go at the Col De Lilla (1,333ft of climbing) - finished with no problems, didn't stop etc but wow it was an eye opener my legs are in ruin today and its nowhere near on the scale of those alpine climbs! I thoroughly "enjoyed" it, brilliant but tough! I've worked out a schedule where I tackle these climbs every couple of weeks gradually increasing the ascents until I am ready to have a go at an alpine climb a short while before the real thing.

There is no hill in my area where I can climb with a consistant resistance like I did today for 40 or so mins non stop, so the Bkool is for sure extremely valuable for training!

Has anyone here used it to train for a massive (real) climb? what was your experience in how that training translated to the actual climb itself in real life?

 

[Snaily]

Well so far I am very impressed with this piece of kit, I am just hoping it will hold out in terms of build quality!

It was chucking it down today so I decided to start my climbing program ready for Novembers hit on the Tenerife Teide (from sea level to crater), I had a go at the Col De Lilla (1,333ft of climbing) - finished with no problems, didn't stop etc but wow it was an eye opener my legs are in ruin today and its nowhere near on the scale of those alpine climbs! I thoroughly "enjoyed" it, brilliant but tough! I've worked out a schedule where I tackle these climbs every couple of weeks gradually increasing the ascents until I am ready to have a go at an alpine climb a short while before the real thing.

There is no hill in my area where I can climb with a consistant resistance like I did today for 40 or so mins non stop, so the Bkool is for sure extremely valuable for training!

Has anyone here used it to train for a massive (real) climb? what was your experience in how that training translated to the actual climb itself in real life?

Feature wise I was impressed with the bkool although finding video routes was bit of a chore at times due to lack of a search function, not sure if this has changed at all. I guess hardware wise there will be issues with some people who are unlucky, it's the same for any product on the market.

As for hills, try Col du Mollard-Croix de Fer or Mont Ventoux video routes, nice steady rides that are easy on the legs, you'll enjoy them two

Comparing hills in real life and on the trainer, some people say they are slightly harder on the trainer compared to real life.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

My Bkool seems to start whenever my laptop fires up causing my fan to go into warp drive.
It running in the background when I dont want it.
How do I stop it from running in the background?
I see the liitle black icon appear bottom right of my screen, I right click it and exit but nothing seems to change as next time i re boot it starts again
Many thanks if anybody can assist.