Team BKool CycleChat

[bobinski]

From Bike Calculator (Bike 9kg = BKool default bike weight) with clinchers and on hoods:
Rider 75kg and 14% gradient and no wind (forget other conditions for now)
at 450 watts Speed = 7.84 mph
at 400 watts Speed = 7.00 mph
at 350 watts Speed = 6.15 mph
at 300 watts Speed = 5.29 mph
at 250 watts Speed = 4.42 mph
at 200 watts Speed = 3.55 mph

That seems to suggest bkool have got it about right. As my power collapsed ,having misjudged the incline, speed fell too. I am not sure I will ever get over the shock at how quickly it happens but rides are going to demand a bit more planning in future.

 

[CXRAndy]

I held early 300watts up the 14% with my extra bulk would explain my speed. Well it is more realistic. Only this parachute brake affect could be tapered better then it would be real world-nearly.

@RamirezAGC, in the early part of the race I would pass you on the downhill or at the top of climbs only for you to fly by at the bottom of each climb

 

[Soarerv8]

Well if am these updates and science and maths and stuff don't prove that over the last 6m I have actually been the quickest here and it was the physics that were wrong them frankly it is all a load of b***ocks.

 

[bobinski]

I think the changes are pretty much in line with what I have experienced with bkool in Zwift since they implemented ant +fec a few months back. It is almost as if doing so has enabled bkool to rewrite the underlying software to replicate that experience outside of the ant+fec protocol. Perhaps they are now one and the same?
The zwift mountain course was a good indicator. After the main climb there are some abrupt up and downs and the power loss on the incline was always huge and no way could you slingshot any of them.

 

[<Tommy>]

My pre update time up alp d'huez is about 4 mins faster than my only post update time. It suits me because it means I can now use my fastest ghost as a benchmark that I can hopefully slowly reel in over the next few months.

What's become clear is that although the effects of powering into hills is less exaggerated it's still necessary to avoid grinding to a halt and to maintain at least some momentum.

 

[RJKflyer]

I am utterly staggered at how completely useless Bkool has become.

After several months away due to the complete inability to support the KICKR, the iPad or both, I tried it today.

Did it on the MacBook to avoid the crap experience with the iPad.

So, yet another software update. But, goodo, it might just be working now.

Basically with complete connectivity to all the sensors, KICKR included (as a 'Trainer' I might add) - looking forward to "You have selected a compatible trainer, you can now get a true feel for the terrain during the simulation".

Right.

I can ride at a constant 95rpm and 200W going up and down any gradient without any sensation of changing resistance whatsoever. All that happens is that I stay on the big ring and small cog at constant rpm and wattage and the speed goes up and down 'virtually'.

So, Bkool have solved the need for gears at all.

What a complete waste of time. I might as well have set my KICKR to 200W erg mode and ridden it for an hour reading a magazine.

Has anyone got this working PROPERLY with a KICKR, and/or on the Mac? Or iPad?

 

[<Tommy>]

Hey RJKflyer

I too use a MacBook but have the pro trainer rather than a kickr. Did you restart your computer after the latest update? That sorted out the resistance issues for me.

With regards the BKOOL software it can be a bit annoying at times to say the least...but it does have its positives too. One being this forum which, judging by your excellent ranting skills, you should fit right into!

Give it a chance. We all live in hope that it's slowly improving.

 

[CXRAndy]

What's become clear is that although the effects of powering into hills is less exaggerated it's still necessary to avoid grinding to a halt and to maintain at least some momentum.

I am utterly staggered at how completely useless Bkool has become.

After several months away due to the complete inability to support the KICKR, the iPad or both, I tried it today.

Did it on the MacBook to avoid the crap experience with the iPad.

So, yet another software update. But, goodo, it might just be working now.

Basically with complete connectivity to all the sensors, KICKR included (as a 'Trainer' I might add) - looking forward to "You have selected a compatible trainer, you can now get a true feel for the terrain during the simulation".

Right.

I can ride at a constant 95rpm and 200W going up and down any gradient without any sensation of changing resistance whatsoever. All that happens is that I stay on the big ring and small cog at constant rpm and wattage and the speed goes up and down 'virtually'.

So, Bkool have solved the need for gears at all.

What a complete waste of time. I might as well have set my KICKR to 200W erg mode and ridden it for an hour reading a magazine.

Has anyone got this working PROPERLY with a KICKR, and/or on the Mac? Or iPad?

I have a Kickr+Win 10 PC, which had been sidelined for a while(due to earlier Bkool software bug) to use a Bkool Pro trainer, so I could compete in the chaingang events. Unfortunately that broke down last week. This was just about the same time when Bkool released new firmware and software.

I updated my Kickr's firmware to allow ERG mode. I didn't experience directly your problem, quite the opposite. A huge parachute brake affect when coming off a decline into climb from 30+mph to 4mph, followed by an effort to build speed back up.

There is still work to be done by Bkool. It is more realistic but not quite there. I will try non ERG mode constant effort to see if I can replicate your conditions

 

[cyclick62]

I have been using Bkool for about a year now with a Mac Book Air and a Bkool Pro trainer. All usually works fine but i do occasionally get kicked out of the sever. The last firmware / software updates were not good to start with but now seem to be OK. I tried Zwift for about a week but missed the many different routes of Bkool. I have yet to race in Bkool but will do so soon.

 

[Whorty]

I have been using Bkool for about a year now with a Mac Book Air and a Bkool Pro trainer. All usually works fine but i do occasionally get kicked out of the sever. The last firmware / software updates were not good to start with but now seem to be OK. I tried Zwift for about a week but missed the many different routes of Bkool. I have yet to race in Bkool but will do so soon.

Come and join the races and leagues ... it really does help to keep the focus in/on a ride

 

[CXRAndy]

Come and join the races and leagues ... it really does help to keep the focus in/on a ride

We can even talk to whilst racing, ask Kipster nicely

 

[bobinski]

I am utterly staggered at how completely useless Bkool has become.

After several months away due to the complete inability to support the KICKR, the iPad or both, I tried it today.

Did it on the MacBook to avoid the crap experience with the iPad.

So, yet another software update. But, goodo, it might just be working now.

Basically with complete connectivity to all the sensors, KICKR included (as a 'Trainer' I might add) - looking forward to "You have selected a compatible trainer, you can now get a true feel for the terrain during the simulation".

Right.

I can ride at a constant 95rpm and 200W going up and down any gradient without any sensation of changing resistance whatsoever. All that happens is that I stay on the big ring and small cog at constant rpm and wattage and the speed goes up and down 'virtually'.

So, Bkool have solved the need for gears at all.

What a complete waste of time. I might as well have set my KICKR to 200W erg mode and ridden it for an hour reading a magazine.

Has anyone got this working PROPERLY with a KICKR, and/or on the Mac? Or iPad?

silly q perhaps-did you tick the choice of KICKR in the manual choice list?

 

[AAAC 76C]

I have been using Bkool for about a year now with a Mac Book Air and a Bkool Pro trainer. All usually works fine but i do occasionally get kicked out of the sever. The last firmware / software updates were not good to start with but now seem to be OK. I tried Zwift for about a week but missed the many different routes of Bkool. I have yet to race in Bkool but will do so soon.

There you are Mr Cyclic 62, man of many sessions and miles, come join the fun of live racing followed by self critique and banter

 

[AAAC 76C]

That seems to suggest bkool have got it about right. As my power collapsed ,having misjudged the incline, speed fell too. I am not sure I will ever get over the shock at how quickly it happens but rides are going to demand a bit more planning in future.

My posting of that mind boggling formula was as a result of me trying to find deceleration due to height gain and weight . I know the answer but can't remember the math. Basically it's the same acceleration and contains the number 9.81 factored against the gradient I.e. proportional to the slope. Alas all my schoolboy physics has gone. I have no doubt if I had googled acceleration due to gravity instead of calculating bicycle deceleration on a hill I would have found it. Hopefuly Geoff will read this a real of the answer.
Knowing that I could tell you how long it would take for you to slow down to your climbing speed based on your entry velocity and constant power

 

[AAAC 76C]

I am utterly staggered at how completely useless Bkool has become.

After several months away due to the complete inability to support the KICKR, the iPad or both, I tried it today.

Did it on the MacBook to avoid the crap experience with the iPad.

So, yet another software update. But, goodo, it might just be working now.

Basically with complete connectivity to all the sensors, KICKR included (as a 'Trainer' I might add) - looking forward to "You have selected a compatible trainer, you can now get a true feel for the terrain during the simulation".

Right.

I can ride at a constant 95rpm and 200W going up and down any gradient without any sensation of changing resistance whatsoever. All that happens is that I stay on the big ring and small cog at constant rpm and wattage and the speed goes up and down 'virtually'.

So, Bkool have solved the need for gears at all.

What a complete waste of time. I might as well have set my KICKR to 200W erg mode and ridden it for an hour reading a magazine.

Has anyone got this working PROPERLY with a KICKR, and/or on the Mac? Or iPad?

Sounds like you are not fully paired and BKool thinks your on a 'dumb' trainer. It happens to me if I try entering a session without turning on my BKool until it warms me I have no trainer paired. If you don't quit the session it does not connect correctly.