Getting Started With Zwift

[Fisheh]

@Paddy I'm sure you will like it :-)
@2old I like strava for the social aspect and gaining motivation, I think it's good to see how much other people do when you don't have much experience like me and you can see your improvements . It is free as well paying does not give much extra.
As for planning rides etc have you ever used this
http://labs.strava.com/heatmap/#6/-120.90000/38.36000/blue/bike
It's great when going on strange ground , when I go away I use that to plan my runs, it's good to see where people use the most.
Then you have strava segments, I love it but you do have to watch it at our age :-)

 

[2oldnslow]

@Fisheh "but you do have to watch it at our age :-)" sad but very very true and thanks for pointing out that there's a free Strava option I wasn't aware of that. Silly not to give it a go in that case.

 

[Ian193]

@Fisheh "but you do have to watch it at our age :-)" sad but very very true and thanks for pointing out that there's a free Strava option I wasn't aware of that. Silly not to give it a go in that case.

You only need the free Strava I've been using it for years with no problems

 

[gillian]

Can Zwift be run on a tablet? I'd like to give it a try but not sure if I need a full pc as everything refers to PCs or laptop?

 

[Fisheh]

Not at the moment, there is an app that you use to give you chat and other controls on your bike but the program itself only runs on a pc.
If you listen to rumours they are not far off releasing an app for tablets like the bkool one so that you don't need a pc.
But for now it's pc only.

 

[one_legged_rider]

Does the Bkool classic trainer work with zwift?

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Does the Bkool classic trainer work with zwift?

If it was made after August 2014 yes

https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/articles/206332985--Setting-up-a-Bkool-trainer-with-ANT-FE-C

 

[Breedon]

If it was made after August 2014 yes

https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/articles/206332985--Setting-up-a-Bkool-trainer-with-ANT-FE-C

That's me buggered then had it since 2012-2013

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

That's me buggered then had it since 2012-2013

I got a new laptop in order to run zwift and I don't like it. That may not help you feel any better

 

[one_legged_rider]

If it was made after August 2014 yes

https://support.zwift.com/hc/en-us/articles/206332985--Setting-up-a-Bkool-trainer-with-ANT-FE-C

I only 'purchased' the trainer two or three weeks ago, but that doesn't mean it hasn't sat on a shelf for 12+ months. How do I find out when the trainer was manufactured.

I had to do a few updates when I got it, but i've never been given the option of a ant+ fe-c (whatever that is!) , so i'm presuming I haven't got the necessary kit?

I have got to upgrade my pc to a 64bit version of windows if I want to run zwift (currently on win 10 32 bit) I'm wondering if its worth the trouble and cost of upgrading.

 

[g00se]

I only 'purchased' the trainer two or three weeks ago, but that doesn't mean it hasn't sat on a shelf for 12+ months. How do I find out when the trainer was manufactured.

I had to do a few updates when I got it, but i've never been given the option of a ant+ fe-c (whatever that is!) , so i'm presuming I haven't got the necessary kit?

I have got to upgrade my pc to a 64bit version of windows if I want to run zwift (currently on win 10 32 bit) I'm wondering if its worth the trouble and cost of upgrading.

Info is here:

http://support.trainerroad.com/hc/en-us/articles/201697324-Bkool-Electronic-Trainers

I think all Bkool Pros are OK - it's the classic that can be old. One hint is where the resistance unit on the Classic has a USB socket - that's the old version. The newer version has just the power socket and the LED.

 

[one_legged_rider]

Info is here:

http://support.trainerroad.com/hc/en-us/articles/201697324-Bkool-Electronic-Trainers

I think all Bkool Pros are OK - it's the classic that can be old. One hint is where the resistance unit on the Classic has a USB socket - that's the old version. The newer version has just the power socket and the LED.

lol, i've got a classic with a usb port. So it looks like i've got the old type.
FYI, the i've never actually seen the LED do anything. (Although I can't actually see it while i'm riding.)

 

[g00se]

lol, i've got a classic with a usb port. So it looks like i've got the old type.
FYI, the i've never actually seen the LED do anything. (Although I can't actually see it while i'm riding.)

Bkool have said they'll update the older version to allow FE-C but it's going to take longer that the later version

 

[g00se]

Best check with Bkool about their progress on the older version:

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/08/announces-software-available.html#comment-1325510

 

[one_legged_rider]

Taken from the above link....

The ANT+ FE-C adoption for these Classic trainers manufactured before Aug 14′ will happen through a firmware update. No button will be shown on the pairing screen in this case, the trainers will be ANT+ FE-C right after the update. This firmware update will also include the inertia simulation, which is a feature that has always been included in the Bkool Pro and “new” Classic trainers.

No button will display after the update. Perhaps I already have this ANT+ FE-C ??

I'm now wondering if my trainer got the inertia simulation. The trainer seems smooth enough on gradient changes so I'm happy enough with it as it is.