Team BKool CycleChat

[bobinski]

Yes it did mention Bluetooth - something like "smart Bluetooth" I think

Ummh, so it might have bluetooth built in after all. If so may be possible to use an ipad without the ant+ connectors.

 

[bridgy]

Bkool have a blog, Facebook and twitter accounts, and even an occasional presence on here via @Bkool . It would be nice if they gave some details about software and firmware updates like these SOMEWHERE! I can't find any info and there's obviously a fair bit of confusion about what these updates are exactly doing!

As we all know by now though, this is sadly typical of Bkool!

 

[CXRAndy]

It looks like the Bkool pro has bitten the dust, I suspect its the stepper motor for the magnets has packed up. Trying to break the bad news to Brother in law. Is there a decent repair system? What is the normal warranty on this item? I could fit a motor myself, if I could get one

Looks like there is a two year warranty

http://static.bkool.com/static/manuals/trainer_EN.pdf

 

[gbrown]

Bridgy, if it presents you with a box saying what has changed can you look to see if it mentions bluetooth support. I am pretty sure mine did before disappearing but i cannot see any recognition of bluetooth in the software.

Bkool Indoor v. 2.65

News:

- You can now connect your Bkool Pro using Bluetooth Smart.
- Interval training by power now available (ERG mode).
- New split arch design in the 3D World.
- Dutch: New language available in the simulator.

 

[gbrown]

Did I hear mumurings of a handicap event this evening? I might see if I can hop in, as it's at 8pm. Work has been just relentless of late, which is good, but not conducive to anything approaching a social life or any good for my cycling. I've got a big endurance event coming up in a few weeks, and I haven't swum or cycled in ages.
The firmware update sounds a bit scary, so I've polished my green hat in preparation for handing it back.

Yep, there's another handicap run up Haytor Vale tonight at 8pm BST, with tweaked handicap weights from the previous run!

It will be interesting to see the effect of the new firmware/software. Perhaps people should post what firmware they are using at the end?

I'll post details shortly...

 

[CXRAndy]

Well its been an eventful lunchtime, one broken Bkool Pro, one pulled back and one installed Kickr.

Now the Kickr with the new software seems like its old self, from early testing the lag off the start line has virtually gone . So much so I think I could probably get on the back of the front 3. Flat and inclines seem much harder to generate power, but speed is faster when you keep a very high power level. Descents, again, like it used to be, you have to keep pedaling hard to keep speed up ( slightly easier on Kickr with bigger flywheel). It will make an interesting evening, if I make it now with a stiff lower back

 

[gbrown]

Tonight's Handicap Chase is a special Handicap Climb with adjusted rider weights to equalize Watts/Kg

Session is password protected, password is chase (type h twice if help screen appears)

Course is Haytor Vale - http://www.bkool.com/profile/detail/576391?durationType=DISTANCE&lapCount=1

I will start the warm-up close to 8:00pm BST (UTC+1) to ensure the race starts around 8:10pm BST (UTC+1).

Everyone taking part should adjust their weight to the allocated value before entering the warm up, preferably with at least 5 minutes to go.

Weights are generally reduced, in some cases considerably, to achieve the target Watts/Kg, so speeds should be higher than usual. The main part of the session should not take more than around 20 minutes, and in any case less than 30 minutes, to avoid changing Fitness Levels. Anyone taking longer than 30 minutes would be advised to discard their session without saving.

The Start (for everyone) should be between 8:05 and 8:10, when the warm-up ends.

Once underway, there is a short neutralized zone (0.15 miles or 0.24 km) to avoid taking advantage of the lowered resistance at start, where no-one is allowed to overtake @JLaw (or if he is not present, you must gradually increase speed to a maximum of 20 mph (32 kph) until you pass the 0.15 (0.24 km) point.

If anyone else wants to take part, please can you let us know here and we can work out a weight Handicap from your FTP power value or similar.

 

[gbrown]

They've fixed the problem where if you type "h" in the filter it would give the help screen, but bizarrely they've not fixed it in the password field, so you still need a double "h"!

 

[gbrown]

Now the Kickr with the new software seems like its old self, from early testing the lag off the start line has virtually gone . So much so I think I could probably get on the back of the front 3. Flat and inclines seem much harder to generate power, but speed is faster when you keep a very high power level. Descents, again, like it used to be, you have to keep pedaling hard to keep speed up ( slightly easier on Kickr with bigger flywheel). It will make an interesting evening, if I make it now with a stiff lower back

Interesting, thanks.
I've just tried a quick test on a downhill course and it still seems to freewheel well (blue numbers) when the gradient gets more negative, but if you stop pedalling it rather strangely slows down, even at large negative gradients where in real life you would freewheel at great speed without pedalling. However, if you just soft pedal, turning over the pedals with hardly any effort (I just turned the cranks by hand) the speeds pick right back up again, so I suggest the usual tactic of soft pedalling on steep descents would be best.

Again, interestingly, if you stopped pedalling while freewheeling, it did not ask if you wanted to stop the session, it just started to slow down, and would only ask when the speed reached zero.

Although the slowing down on a steep descent when not pedalling is not realistic, from what I saw this version of the simulator looks to be an improvement on the previous one, especially if the weird starts have been eliminated.

If the firmware changes on the bkool pro eliminate or reduce most of the "super powers" it should provide a more level playing field with the KICKR.

Geoff

 

[<Tommy>]

Tonight's Handicap Chase is a special Handicap Climb with adjusted rider weights to equalize Watts/Kg

Session is password protected, password is chase (type h twice if help screen appears)

Course is Haytor Vale - http://www.bkool.com/profile/detail/576391?durationType=DISTANCE&lapCount=1

I will start the warm-up close to 8:00pm BST (UTC+1) to ensure the race starts around 8:10pm BST (UTC+1).

Everyone taking part should adjust their weight to the allocated value before entering the warm up, preferably with at least 5 minutes to go.

Weights are generally reduced, in some cases considerably, to achieve the target Watts/Kg, so speeds should be higher than usual. The main part of the session should not take more than around 20 minutes, and in any case less than 30 minutes, to avoid changing Fitness Levels. Anyone taking longer than 30 minutes would be advised to discard their session without saving.

The Start (for everyone) should be between 8:05 and 8:10, when the warm-up ends.

Once underway, there is a short neutralized zone (0.15 miles or 0.24 km) to avoid taking advantage of the lowered resistance at start, where no-one is allowed to overtake @JLaw (or if he is not present, you must gradually increase speed to a maximum of 20 mph (32 kph) until you pass the 0.15 (0.24 km) point.

If anyone else wants to take part, please can you let us know here and we can work out a weight Handicap from your FTP power value or similar.

Thanks as always Geoff

With regards the handicap my weight is now 91kg rather than the 95 I originally gave you. Cheers mate

 

[CXRAndy]

Thanks as always Geoff

With regards the handicap my weight is now 91kg rather than the 95 I originally gave you. Cheers mate

You've been a good boy



That or a bout of dysentery

 

[bobinski]

Thanks as always Geoff

With regards the handicap my weight is now 91kg rather than the 95 I originally gave you. Cheers mate

Show off..

 

[<Tommy>]

Sod the pair of you!

To be honest though I'm not convinced I've lost much weight...I just bit the bullet and bought a set of digital scales.

 

[Soarerv8]

Thanks as always Geoff

With regards the handicap my weight is now 91kg rather than the 95 I originally gave you. Cheers mate

If you are looking for where you left that 4kg think I have found it, you are welcome to have it back.

 

[LBHIFI]

Tonight's Handicap Chase is a special Handicap Climb with adjusted rider weights to equalize Watts/Kg

Session is password protected, password is chase (type h twice if help screen appears)

Course is Haytor Vale - http://www.bkool.com/profile/detail/576391?durationType=DISTANCE&lapCount=1

I will start the warm-up close to 8:00pm BST (UTC+1) to ensure the race starts around 8:10pm BST (UTC+1).

Everyone taking part should adjust their weight to the allocated value before entering the warm up, preferably with at least 5 minutes to go.

Weights are generally reduced, in some cases considerably, to achieve the target Watts/Kg, so speeds should be higher than usual. The main part of the session should not take more than around 20 minutes, and in any case less than 30 minutes, to avoid changing Fitness Levels. Anyone taking longer than 30 minutes would be advised to discard their session without saving.

The Start (for everyone) should be between 8:05 and 8:10, when the warm-up ends.

Once underway, there is a short neutralized zone (0.15 miles or 0.24 km) to avoid taking advantage of the lowered resistance at start, where no-one is allowed to overtake @JLaw (or if he is not present, you must gradually increase speed to a maximum of 20 mph (32 kph) until you pass the 0.15 (0.24 km) point.

If anyone else wants to take part, please can you let us know here and we can work out a weight Handicap from your FTP power value or similar.

I'll be there tonight.
I was supposed to do a real life race this evening, but the weather has turned too bad for my liking.
Should be interesting to see the effect of the new firmware.