Team BKool CycleChat
- Thread starter Peteaud
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
bobinski
Legendary Member
- Location
- Tulse Hill
OK. Had a bit of a rant to the USA Bkool guy and got the following response:
Hi Richard. That response does sound like a language problem. I'll take it up with HQ today. The other problems may be related to the big overhaul that's going on. The new simulator app is supposed to hit tomorrow. I tested a beta version and it has a number of features and fixes you will like. I know that every available resource has been focused on the new simulator. It's a big change.
sounds interesting!
Sure does Rick.
Re your other post, I love Zwifts training features and unlike you I DO find them taxing. I suspect real life riding has seen your fitness come on leaps and bounds. Well done
I think it's more to do with Zwift not having my correct FTP yet as I haven't done the proper test for it. It's just estimating it from the race the other day!Sure does Rick.
Re your other post, I love Zwifts training features and unlike you I DO find them taxing. I suspect real life riding has seen your fitness come on leaps and bounds. Well done
Bit too much zone 2 work in the one I was doing. I cut out a couple of sections to save 20 minutes and it still took the guts of an hour to complete. Must try making a custom one. By the sounds of it the new Bkool sim will have more training options... We shall see.....
Hang on - it sounds like you've had a logical sounding response from someone at Bkool???!!OK. Had a bit of a rant to the USA Bkool guy and got the following response:
Hi Richard. That response does sound like a language problem. I'll take it up with HQ today. The other problems may be related to the big overhaul that's going on. The new simulator app is supposed to hit tomorrow. I tested a beta version and it has a number of features and fixes you will like. I know that every available resource has been focused on the new simulator. It's a big change.
Keep this guys contact details safe Rick! I am currently on a 10 email exchange with Bkool trying to explain the simple fact that past or future stages are no longer showing in leagues and they are further away from understanding my query than when I started, let alone fixing it!
I really wish Bkool would get their act together - it's one of those systems that gets more rather than less frustrating the more you use it!
Craig Harrison's the name - the USA Bkool rep. Caught up with him on Facebook last year and anytime I get in touch with him he's more than helpful.
Here's hoping the new app turns things round - sounds like they are pretty much ignoring faults (or at best doing temporary fixes) on the current SIM in the hope that all is well when they launch the new one.
Invite him onto this forum Rick!
theboxers
TheBoxers on Cycle Sim sw
- Location
- OTC (on the couch)
I have had a similar issue when trying to set up interval sessions. Editing and saving at the moment are hit and miss. The setting up of the sessions intervals is relatively easy, once you work out the best way to do it. The frustration is that it does not save sometimesJust started using Zwift this week as it happens I get two free months for being on Strava Premium.
It's very slick and the app is a nice touch too. The training programmes seem excellent - tried one last night and although it wasnt that taxing I can see huge potential. Everything just works and is very well thought through.
Jumped off it onto Bkool to do a session I'd created which give me 5 x 30 second intervals at 6% separated by 1:30 of flat. That was tougher but no real motivation to hit certain Watts a la Zwift. Tried to create a more refined version with more intervals and less rest and of course it fails to save it with no explanation as to what was wrong.I really feel like giving up on bkool at the minute as the main appeal is the racing and I'm not getting to do much of it these days.
.When using power, as the target, the erg mode works very well, as my legs can atest
.Bkool need to get to a similar position as zwift in terms of site reliability and usability. It's maybe 95% there but the 5% is the bit that would make it better than zwift, alright 90%, ok 80%. See the biggest issue is that they 'fix' an bug and seemingly create 2 more
.I prefer bkool due to the number and variety of Videos it has, most quite good quality. You can almost do a virtual tour to see the sights. The 3D version is, to me, like playing a game. That means sitting on/in a sofa with a game controller eating pizza and drinking beer, the very reason I need to get on the bike
.Anyway I'm on a recovery day today
in prep for the chaingang tomorrow 
.
bobinski
Legendary Member
- Location
- Tulse Hill
bobinski
Legendary Member
- Location
- Tulse Hill
I have had a similar issue when trying to set up interval sessions. Editing and saving at the moment are hit and miss. The setting up of the sessions intervals is relatively easy, once you work out the best way to do it. The frustration is that it does not save sometimes
When using power, as the target, the erg mode works very well, as my legs can atest
Bkool need to get to a similar position as zwift in terms of site reliability and usability. It's maybe 95% there but the 5% is the bit that would make it better than zwift, alright 90%, ok 80%. See the biggest issue is that they 'fix' an bug and seemingly create 2 more
I prefer bkool due to the number and variety of Videos it has, most quite good quality. You can almost do a virtual tour to see the sights. The 3D version is, to me, like playing a game. That means sitting on/in a sofa with a game controller eating pizza and drinking beer, the very reason I need to get on the bike
Anyway I'm on a recovery day today
Its the community around bkools lackluster software that keeps me here using bkool
Apart from you lot,and access to lots of routes, too many as Rick says, with no quality control, I struggle to log on and do routes or training in preference to Zwift. Its gamey but accurate, coming under the scrutiny of 10's of 000's of users who have access to a forum for complaints etc and where the developers will eventually respond. Part of the attraction is the gamification of a dull activity, allowing interaction with other riders, giving of kudo's , sending messages, integration with teamspeak, seamless integration of phone and pc allowing use of both at the same time to do all the above. Being able to click on a rider on your phone and be suddenly following them on screen whilst still riding yourself is strangely gratifying!
I am looking forward to bkool's overhaul of the sim and bringing some of the above into play and perhaps other things too. Its silly running and paying for 2 lots of software. I am on strava premium too and so Zwift is free for me until january a month before my annual payment to bkool will have to be made. Fingers crossed bkool make it an easy choice for me then
Pretty sure he's been on here before as I shared a link to it last year. I don't think we go unnoticed by Bkool!
theboxers
TheBoxers on Cycle Sim sw
- Location
- OTC (on the couch)
I am sure he has as well, we may have just scared him off with our enthusiasm for their productPretty sure he's been on here before as I shared a link to it last year. I don't think we go unnoticed by Bkool!
Part of the frustration, for me, is that most complaints about the site/software/firmware are due to updates with unintended consequences. These 'fixes' then take months, in some cases, to be recognised and corrected
.Still onwards and upwards with screaming legs
AAAC 76C
Large Member
- Location
- LIVING THE DREAM
That is what frustrates me.
In aviation, because f safety and the integrated nature of modern avionics systems, most SW/FW changes undergo rigourous ground testing by running test scripts of all expected/possible external inputs before they go anywhere near flight.
I don't expect this level of testing for Trainer SW/FW because of cost and risk etc but you would at least expect some initial testing that does run through general tasks as well at actual simulation.
If these test oncover undesired features but the benefits of the change outweigh them then at least publish the test results in an observations and !imitations document so that users are aware that you are aware and are striving to correct them. They could even be tabled with a priority so the user would have some idea as to when or if they are going to be fixed as a low priority may be left until the file that it resides in is being reviewed for more major issues.
In aviation, because f safety and the integrated nature of modern avionics systems, most SW/FW changes undergo rigourous ground testing by running test scripts of all expected/possible external inputs before they go anywhere near flight.
I don't expect this level of testing for Trainer SW/FW because of cost and risk etc but you would at least expect some initial testing that does run through general tasks as well at actual simulation.
If these test oncover undesired features but the benefits of the change outweigh them then at least publish the test results in an observations and !imitations document so that users are aware that you are aware and are striving to correct them. They could even be tabled with a priority so the user would have some idea as to when or if they are going to be fixed as a low priority may be left until the file that it resides in is being reviewed for more major issues.
AAAC 76C
Large Member
- Location
- LIVING THE DREAM
I once tried the BKool Training Programme. Talk about sleeping on a bike. I did however do some research and many coaches were bigging up slower is better but unfortunately it just did not hold my interest so I sacked training for 'fun and pains'.
bobinski
Legendary Member
- Location
- Tulse Hill
I may summon up the energy for a goat session at 6ish tonight. No fireworks just a long slow trudge...
