Team BKool CycleChat

[theedge]

I use handbrake to render (its free to download). The higher the bit rate the better the quality but obviously you risk going through 2.5gb. Bkool use 720p 30 which is 1280x720 at 30 fps, they do not use the audio so strip this from the file. MP4 is the correct container to use and H264 is the best compressor choice to reduce size, maintain quality and compatibility. I have used bit rates of between 2,500 and 4,500 but for short video's you could go higher. You could use multi pass encoding to get the best quality with the lowest bit rate.

 

[Paulf1566]

I use handbrake to render (its free to download). The higher the bit rate the better the quality but obviously you risk going through 2.5gb. Bkool use 720p 30 which is 1280x720 at 30 fps, they do not use the audio so strip this from the file. MP4 is the correct container to use and H264 is the best compressor choice to reduce size, maintain quality and compatibility. I have used bit rates of between 2,500 and 4,500 but for short video's you could go higher. You could use multi pass encoding to get the best quality with the lowest bit rate.

Many thanks for this. What camera do you use and do you actually record at 720p 30fps? Handbrake looks just the job. Do you use the default settings or do you have to dabble in the advanced settings?

Even some of my videos that are less than 2.5Gb still get stopped by the Bkool upload software, even some that are almost 1Gb below the limit!

 

[theedge]

Many thanks for this. What camera do you use and do you actually record at 720p 30fps? Handbrake looks just the job. Do you use the default settings or do you have to dabble in the advanced settings?

Even some of my videos that are less than 2.5Gb still get stopped by the Bkool upload software, even some that are almost 1Gb below the limit!

I have recorded at 1080p30 and 720p60 as my camera doesn't do 720p30. I have an M500 bullet style camera, its just a cheap job. On handbrake and different videos I have used the size settings to change resolution and the setting for frame rate as well as adjusting the bit rate. But after this I have got it to upload.

I have a 3rd video waiting in the approval queue and its got a great hill on it.

 

[jaybeex2]

Still in my trial period for my Bkool Pro and noticed the flywheel is warped and catching the fan as it spins, starting to get bad vibes now ive read about (and noticed) the stability issues. My wheel drifts across the roller more then i would have expected and hence doesnt give me confidence in the strength of it, am i being paranoid or are there issues here?

 

[burndust]

It certainly looks like the new trainer has some issues with build quality

 

[Runexeter]

From the comments coming on the Pro I'm glad I went for the Classic, obviously no consolation for you guys with them.
Maybe if they get enough complaints they may re-design them and do a factory re-call on them.

 

[burndust]

I'm kinda worried as far as bkool is concerned I think by them expanding into other markets their over stretching and its starting to show in their customer service...email responses used to be rapid...now their not even responding it would seem....I to have a classic trainer and havnt had any bother with it fingers crossed it stays that way

 

[Bollo]

I'm kinda worried as far as bkool is concerned I think by them expanding into other markets their over stretching and its starting to show in their customer service...email responses used to be rapid...now their not even responding it would seem....I to have a classic trainer and havnt had any bother with it fingers crossed it stays that way

I've just had a scan of the comments on dcrainmaker's review and there are a few complaints appearing, especially about the fan rubbing issue.

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/08/training-platform-updates.html

Even though I'm only using the software, I really want to like BKOOL. There are a lot of good ideas in there and when some of it works, it's cool. But it's obvious that the bsim software isn't mature and the website is really not even close. The last thing they need now are some serious hardware issues.

I'm not renewing after this month and I'll wait and see how zwift turns out. If it's any good then bkool are in BIG trouble.

 

[burndust]

Where bkool had it won was on price...the software and website has always been a bit ropey but beatable...again back to price....the only other options like the kickr are way more expensive and then you need to add the price of subscriptions to various online platforms etc..

 

[BILL S]

I've just had a scan of the comments on dcrainmaker's review and there are a few complaints appearing, especially about the fan rubbing issue.

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/08/training-platform-updates.html

Even though I'm only using the software, I really want to like BKOOL. There are a lot of good ideas in there and when some of it works, it's cool. But it's obvious that the bsim software isn't mature and the website is really not even close. The last thing they need now are some serious hardware issues.

I'm not renewing after this month and I'll wait and see how zwift turns out. If it's any good then bkool are in BIG trouble.

Someone posted this on your link:

"BKOOL support replied. Here's the update:
That noise is caused by a rub of the resistance unit's fan with the cover, due to a fabrication fail. If you agree, we will send you a new cover to solve the problem. Meanwhile, you can remove the cover to stop the noise.
We would like to warn you about the hazards of removing the cover, because the fan will be unprotected. In case there are any children around, keep them away, they can get hurt if they try to touch it."

This is exactly the issue with mine. I have removed the cover then tie wrapped it to the outside of the casing so it is clear of the fan blades:

 

[Darryn007]

Hi, just looking for some feedback on figures as I'm convinced my unit is not calibrated properly.

Basically I cannot turn the pedals once I hit anything above 10-12% I have used the following as test rides - 'La Vuelta' 2013 E19 and 'Teide'
How am I expected to turn the pedals at 20%+??
I have uploaded a file which is showing a gradient of 50% (triathlon valee des lacs) how I or anyone else could use this file is beyond me!

As a last test I have done the Alpe d'huez tacx version and compared the Bkool version, there is no way I could finish the Bkool ride. They (Bkool) are calling me on Wednesday so hopefully they can sort it out....!

So basically how do the rest of you perceive a 10% gradient climb? For me it is pretty much my max even with a mtb cassette on.

 

[burndust]

tbh I find 10% on the trainer harder than on the road....i run a 50/34 and a 32-11 I find I need to granny gear it a lot of the time not so on the road....In a way it's a good thing for when I hit the roads,....but by god it's hard work

 

[harly]

Hi, just looking for some feedback on figures as I'm convinced my unit is not calibrated properly.

Basically I cannot turn the pedals once I hit anything above 10-12% I have used the following as test rides - 'La Vuelta' 2013 E19 and 'Teide'
How am I expected to turn the pedals at 20%+??
I have uploaded a file which is showing a gradient of 50% (triathlon valee des lacs) how I or anyone else could use this file is beyond me!

As a last test I have done the Alpe d'huez tacx version and compared the Bkool version, there is no way I could finish the Bkool ride. They (Bkool) are calling me on Wednesday so hopefully they can sort it out....!

So basically how do the rest of you perceive a 10% gradient climb? For me it is pretty much my max even with a mtb cassette on.

surely that is depending on what gear set up you have..standard. compact ..semi compact ..what do you have on the back 11/25...12/32....i cant use a standard with a 11/25 on the bkool i d struggle

 

[Asa Post]

Hi, just looking for some feedback on figures as I'm convinced my unit is not calibrated properly.

Basically I cannot turn the pedals once I hit anything above 10-12% I have used the following as test rides - 'La Vuelta' 2013 E19 and 'Teide'
How am I expected to turn the pedals at 20%+??
I have uploaded a file which is showing a gradient of 50% (triathlon valee des lacs) how I or anyone else could use this file is beyond me!

As a last test I have done the Alpe d'huez tacx version and compared the Bkool version, there is no way I could finish the Bkool ride. They (Bkool) are calling me on Wednesday so hopefully they can sort it out....!

So basically how do the rest of you perceive a 10% gradient climb? For me it is pretty much my max even with a mtb cassette on.

My bike has triple chainrings, so my smallest gear is 30-28.
At 10%, I'm in that gear, with a cadence in the mid 50s. It's less than 5 mph, but I can keep it going for 90 minutes.
I find that even steeper slopes make little difference to my pedaling. The software reduces the speed (blue numbers) but seems to leave the resistance untouched.

 

[Darryn007]

surely that is depending on what gear set up you have..standard. compact ..semi compact ..what do you have on the back 11/25...12/32....i cant use a standard with a 11/25 on the bkool i d struggle

I use a 39/53 with 12-25 rear cassette on my home trainer bike, this gets me up the Alpe d'huez tacx version no problem,but the Bkool version the resistance being applied to the electro-brake is just way too hard, I can't even use it for 10mins.
My FTP test done at the university hospital here in Gent in 310, but I tried the FTP test on the BKool, and I was struggling to hold 240watts for only 10-15mins. I assume it is just a calibration issue, as everything else seems to be working fine?
I also find it strange that in one pedal revolution my watts will jump by 50 when there is no gradient or speed increase.

Anyway, I am babbling on and repeating myself again from my previous posts haha
But hopefully they can find the problem Wednesday when the are calling me.. I was just curious if 10-12% gradient was also perceived as very difficult by you guys as I have seen files with 25-50% gradients in them, which I would never get over!