Team BKool CycleChat

[LSpringett]

Hi, Hopefully this will help people that have been in the same situation as me with a Pre-August 2014 Classic Micro-USB Model. trying to do the ANT+ FE-C update.

My setup is based on using Windows 7 64bit and couldn't get it to work in OS X.
What You Need:
- Trainer
- Ant+ USB Dongle
- USB Extension cable to get within 5cm of Trainer
- Solid internet connection
- Latest version of BKool Software (With keiran velodrome game)
- USB to Micro-USB Cable (Might new a couple as one worked for me while the other didn't despite appearing to fully work with other things iv'e connected used it for, strange)

1: Power up you PC no trainer of ANT+ connected.
2: Once booted, connect ANT+ dongle to PC using extension cable and place close to trainer.
3: Plug trainer into wall socket to has power.
4: Plug in the Micro-usb cable to the PC then the trainer.
5: If working you should get the usual "de-da" sound.
6: Check down in the bottom right of the task bar (maybe click the up icon) and there should be an icon indicated that its attempting to install USB driver.
7: Leave it (mine took about 15 minutes to find the driver, download and install). It should install a USB/Serial Driver and request a reset.
8: Reset the PC leaving the trainer and ANT+ plugged into.
9: Once loaded, boot up BKool simulator and it should offer the firmware upgrade (2.04).
10: Once that is installed you need to manually re-pair to use.

Mine didn't then let me click to apply to ANT+ FE-C update after that but then tested on other program (ZWift) and was detected and worked apparent from the known under-estimation of power.

Hope it helps

 

[gbrown]

Bill/Rick,

Just my preference, but after seeing Kipsters pics, you might like to consider your options when you start a league ride for multiple users.

I always went into setup and disabled real weather, as it soon gets tiresome to always be riding in the (virtual) dark and rain.
The whole point of using the trainer in winter was to see some sunshine!

I also disabled bots before then clicking start. You can disable Ghosts or not, but bots are a pain in a multi-user race, as they get in the way.

Cheers,

Geoff

 

[theboxers]

Hi, Hopefully this will help people that have been in the same situation as me with a Pre-August 2014 Classic Micro-USB Model. trying to do the ANT+ FE-C

What You Need:
- USB to Micro-USB Cable (Might new a couple as one worked for me while the other didn't despite appearing to fully work with other things iv'e connected used it for, strange)

Hope it helps

I am on win 8.1. I have gone through this whole list a few times, both before your post and now again after. All attempts to update have failed. The system says it is updating, then reports it has failed.

The only thing I have not tried is another usb to mini usb lead. I'll have to have a dig around for a different one and try again. Where did you get your lead from?

 

[LSpringett]

Hi,

It was the official one I got with my garmin. It's the only one that lets me browse my garmin when connected, when use any other it just charges so there seems to be some subtle difference.

Other thing to try to run Bsim in compatibility mode so it thinks it an older os (right click, properties on icon)

Good luck

 

[theboxers]

Bkool W/Kg ratings

I know these have been posted before, but the links appear to have broken. Here is another link.

http://bkoolers.es/valores-wkg-de-cada-nivel-en-bkool/

I have dl'd the images.

Men Ratings

Women Ratings

I am now depressed due to the need to generate 265w to go to am2

 

[LBHIFI]

Doesn't look promising for my new unit (firmware 3.06). Cadence on the flat sections seems good, but sometime it is very low on ascends (like half what it should be).Also, it's like it doesn't always catch the gradient shifts, e.g. I was in the mountain gear working on a 5% gradient, and it shifted to a long 2% section where I would normally grind away using the big chainring. But there was no change in resistance and I had to stay in the mountain gear.

 

[Monte]

Doesn't look promising for my new unit (firmware 3.06). Cadence on the flat sections seems good, but sometime it is very low on ascends (like half what it should be).Also, it's like it doesn't always catch the gradient shifts, e.g. I was in the mountain gear working on a 5% gradient, and it shifted to a long 2% section where I would normally grind away using the big chainring. But there was no change in resistance and I had to stay in the mountain gear.

Out of interest, did your replacement trainer have 'UK Edition' sticker on the side ? I had a few similar issues, after several emails to Bkool they did a remote dial in, they loaded a piece of software that could check the trainer, calibrations etc...there was an issue with my download, removed & reloaded & checked and now I'm back in action. There are a few of us that have had a replacement trainer recently and we are all in agreement that it's feels a lot harder, but it's probably a lot more realistic.

 

[LBHIFI]

No, didn't notice any sticker.

 

[LSpringett]

Hi,

Has anyone ran Bsim and Zwift at the same time (think you need 2 ant+ sticks) on a classic and checked how close the power outputs match? On ZWift there is a difficulty slider which can kinda adjust things a little which might help get a balance but I can't check as only have one dongle.

Thaks

 

[kipster]

Had a week off the bike and wasn't going out with the club this morning so went on the turbo for a goat stage. It felt so hard to hold the power, I gave up after 15 minutes, then I remembered I had forgotten to pump up the tyre, it was down to 90psi. I'll try again tomorrow with a bit more air in the tyre.

 

[bobinski]

Can I make use of the cyclechat bkool hivemind?
I have have had a strange issue with my right knee ever since chain jammed and with sufficient force to bend derailleur hanger a couple of weeks ago. I don't have pain as such, no twinges but a feeling something is not quite right. It's as if it's swollen, a little sensitive but as I say, no pain. I cannot generate as much power as I can the left. This is noticeable when walking up stairs. I am concious of having to push with my foot to get the same power and movement as the left. I get the odd click but not sure any more than before. Because there is no pain or actual discomfort I have been wary about taking myself to a GP. Rested yesterday and probably will today. Anyone experienced anything similar?

 

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

How do you remove a scheduled ride?

 

[LBHIFI]

There are a few of us that have had a replacement trainer recently and we are all in agreement that it's feels a lot harder, but it's probably a lot more realistic.

Agree, I think I'm doing 30-50 watt less now. Think I'll have to work on my weight to have a chance against the likes of Guy and Bill. In the mountains I'll never have a chance against the real mountain goats like Ryan. A good rule of thumb on a climb like the Alpe, is that for each 3 kg less weight you will go 2 minutes faster. So that like giving Ryan a 10 minutes head start.

 

[LBHIFI]

How do you remove a scheduled ride?

As far as I know, you can't. The system does regular cleanups, and It will be removed automatically at some time.

 

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

As far as I know, you can't. The system does regular cleanups, and It will be removed automatically at some time.

Oh ok I was tinkering pre purchase of a new turbo (tacx vortex smart) Like the look of bkool but not the lack of deleting!