Team BKool CycleChat

[RickB]

Mines the same...

Don't think you can. Was wondering this myself a while back but couldn't find a way to do it. Seems silly that you can't.

 

[BILL S]

My new bkool pro is on its way. Wiggle insisted on sending the complete thing instead of just the resistance unit. Old one being picked up by their courier tomorrow. I'm now very curious if it'll feel or display any different from the old one and whether it'll come with the latest firmware.

 

[BILL S]

Completed my 4th stage tonight in the bkool summer league, but I've missed Titch Hill stage - can I still do the stage and have it count in the summer league if it's not in the league sessions.

I just challenged my own Titch Hill ride and this made it appear under the Leagues tab. You can challenge anyone's ride under the race results and it should appear under your leagues tab.

 

[Hazie]

You'll get there Hazie. Most of us started off with low power output. It only improves with regular bkool sessions. Just make sure you think about recovery and that you are resting in between sessions. Anything over an hour think about protein/carbs to aid muscle soreness and recovery. My faves are chocolate milk from any supermarket or milk and bran flakes. Others here will have different recommendations.

Hazie, as Bob says, we were all making a lot less power when we got our bkool but regular sessions and especially competitions have made a massive difference. I always get off my bike drenched and shattered too, and I think that is the key. You will get to our times if you keep it up and you'll be well up on your 150 -200 average. You could try doing the same ride every week or two and you'll be able to see your power increase almost linearly. I've completed Alpe d' Huez 20 times since October (not including 30 min bail-outs) and I can see a very linear improvement since then.

Thanks for the info guys, I'll defo try and get on the bkool trainer as often as I can. I'll find a route on there that I like and will try and complete it every week to see if theres an improvement as you say. It's Difficult to use the trainer on days like this tho when the suns out. Got a feeling I'll be on it very regularly at winter.

 

[LBHIFI]

My new bkool pro is on its way. Wiggle insisted on sending the complete thing instead of just the resistance unit. Old one being picked up by their courier tomorrow. I'm now very curious if it'll feel or display any different from the old one and whether it'll come with the latest firmware.

My Bkool Pro is on the same firmware as yours (I think), but I was told that the reason for not receiving any updates was because it was not needed for mine specific version of the Pro. To be honest, it seems to work fine, appart for the slightly generous watt/speed numbers, but that goes for everyone (although some seem to have Bkool trainers which loves their owners more than others ).
It will be very interesting to hear about improvements/worsenings.

 

[bobinski]

..., appart for the slightly generous watt/speed numbers, but that goes for everyone (although some seem to have Bkool trainers which loves their owners more than others ).

How very dare you! I just know how to look after my Bkool and keep her happy. Mind you i am spending a fortune in massage lotion

 

[BILL S]

Apparently the new one is arriving today so with any luck I'll be revisiting Hindeloopen to try for an improvement. If I get a sense that it's any different in the watts department I'll carry out an FTP test in the next day or two and anything better than Pro1 and I'll know the new bkool loves me more than the last one. Any less than Active 10 and I'll know that swapping out my trainer was a very bad idea

 

[RickB]

Apparently the new one is arriving today so with any luck I'll be revisiting Hindeloopen to try for an improvement. If I get a sense that it's any different in the watts department I'll carry out an FTP test in the next day or two and anything better than Pro1 and I'll know the new bkool loves me more than the last one. Any less than Active 10 and I'll know that swapping out my trainer was a very bad idea

Mine seems to be very very similar (as in I didnt notice any performance advantage or disadvantage)

 

[BILL S]

Mine seems to be very very similar (as in I didnt notice any performance advantage or disadvantage)

Mine is identical to the last except the cover makes a loud rubbing noise at high speed now. I thought about keeping the good cover from my old unit but didn't. Also it didn't update to the latest firmware and still has the same version as my old one.
Did bkool send wiggle all their duffers I wonder?

 

[RickB]

Mine is identical to the last except the cover makes a loud rubbing noise at high speed now. I thought about keeping the good cover from my old unit but didn't. Also it didn't update to the latest firmware and still has the same version as my old one.
Did bkool send wiggle all their duffers I wonder?

Oh no!! Never considered the fact that Wiggle were exchanging it for you - mine came straight from Spain so was fully sorted.

 

[Whorty]

How do you check the firmware version on the unit? I bought mine off Wiggle but can't recall it doing a firmware update when I first used it.

Also, how the heck do you guys get those watt values????? I get off drenched with a power value bordering on 100 How bad must I be ?!?

 

[Hazie]

My trainer started making a clicking noise when going uphill at around the 9% or above gradient today. I'm not sure if this is a bad thing not, Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[RickB]

Heads up all: I know there's been cadence problems with quite a few and I was speaking the Craig Harrison the USA rep form Bkool who has given the following info:

The cadence thing isn't usually hardware, BTW -- it was a firmware problem that is considerably better with the last update (v.3.6). If anyone with a black Pro trainer hasn't gotten a prompt to update their firmware in the past 2 months, they can check their firmware by going to settings in the simulator once it's paired to the trainer, scroll down to "About Bkool Indoor" and click on it. Under "ANT+ INFORMATION," it should show the trainer and a firmware version number. If it reads "0.0" just close and re-open "About Bkool Indoor" until it refreshes. If they have an older version, they should email info@bkool.com -- they can cc me at supportusa@bkool.com and I'll keep tabs on their response from here.

Unfortunately I'm on version 3.2 so mine isnt updating.

How do you check the firmware version on the unit? I bought mine off Wiggle but can't recall it doing a firmware update when I first used it.

Also, how the heck do you guys get those watt values????? I get off drenched with a power value bordering on 100 How bad must I be ?!?

Instructions above for checking firmware version Whorty. Don't worry about your power levels. We've all been slowly improving over time and had to start somewhere.

 

[Monte]

The first time in ages my session froze and I lost my ride, has anyone else experienced this recently ??? gutted as I two attempt's at a stage in the summer league.

 

[Alfonzo]

Well done Bill S on improving your time on Hindeloopen on your new trainer,
You or the trainer??? Joking, I'm sure it was your input of effort that did it, I'm
just jealous you took even more time out of me!!!
I am curious how the power works out, can anyone explain it in simple terms,
after doing the Hineloopen course I looked at the rankings and saw that Olvin
did a time of 32:58 with a power output of 258 watts , 3.3w/kg, I did a time of
39:26 with a higher power output of 268 watts and 3.2w/kg , Im not
doubting anyone's efforts or times, Im just confused as to why a higher watts
output with a similar w/kg gives such a massive time difference.