Bkool Smart Go Indoor Trainer Thoughts.
Bkool Smart Go Indoor Trainer Thoughts.
So you want to start Zwifting and your looking for a value for money smart trainer?
Well that’s how I ended up buying the Bkool Smart Go trainer, which was the cheaper of the Bkool Smart trainers.
So what is it? It’s a “wheel on” indoor cycling trainer that has electronic “smarts”.
So you put your bike on it, hook up the USB sensor to your comp, run some simulator software and ride, ride and ride some more.
The electronic smarts will adjust the resistance on the wheel as the simulator goes up a hill etc.
brilliant idea and great fun … in a fitness sort of fun.
What are the good points?
.1. I like that the frame isn't a full A-frame, it has a hinged frame, which means that other size wheeled bikes can use the indoor trainer as well. For example, we have a kids flat bar road bike which has 20" road wheels - so they can set it up on this trainer ok.
.2. Smarts - when connected to the cycling simulator software, ie, Zwift or Bkools own - with the USB ANT+ dongle connected to the computer, the roller adjusts to the resistance that the simulator is putting out.
.3. Noise - this trainer isn't the quietest on the market, but it is a lot quieter than my older magnetic trainer, which means I am able to use the trainer early in the morning or late at night without waking the whole neighbourhood.
.4. Flat pack up - as mentioned above, the frame is moveable or hinged, the cross frame ends extend out when using the trainer and can be pushed back in to make it smaller - so it is very easy to fold down flat which allows for easy storage in a cupboard if required.
.5. ANT+ & Bluetooth - it supports both protocols which is good, but doesn't necessarily mean it supports everything. I can use Zwift over Bluetooth with an iPad, but the resistance of the roller doesn't work quite right. ANT+ works very well when connecting the USB ANT+ dongle to a computer though.
.6. No Pressure on the rear wheel when not being used - With my old trainer which had a full A-Frame, when you got off the trainer the wheel was still being pressed onto the roller. You could unwind the trainer roller, but in the case of this hinged frame, when you get off the weight is no longer on the roller so the wheel isn't being presses onto the roller. There is heat though, so I usually lift the rear wheel off of the roller and place a piece of rubber or foam in between so the hot roller doesn't damage the tyre.
So what about bad points?
.1. As I mentioned the hinged frame is good for different wheels and packing up, it isn't real good if you want to get out of the seat and do some sprinting, or putting in some quick power watt bombs. The way the frame works is your weight keeps the wheel on the roller, so if you stand up on the peddles, the wheel can jump on the roller a bit. Could be just me, but I've found if I want to do some sprinting, I have to slowly build the speed up, which isn't what I would do on the road.
.2. The Bkool Smart Go Supports Bluetooth as well as ANT+ which is a good thing, but it doesn't connect to me Magellan Cyclo 505 which also supports ANT+ - this would have been great to be able to connect the trainer to my bike computer, and ride and record speed, power etc. Could be an issue with the Cyclo's compatibility as well, but this was something that would have been good. I know the Cyclo supports some other trainers though.
.3. Width / Stability. As mentioned above, the Bkool Smart Go can packup relatively small which is good, the cross frame ends extend out for better stability when using the trainer - but not enough. If you stand up to put in some extra watts, or just give your butt a break, it feels a little unstable.
Pro Tip:
Buy a rear tyre which is specifically designed for Indoor Trainers and get a dedicated rear wheel for it. Originally I was using an old wheel with an old tyre and sometimes when putting in effort the tyre would slip. Eventually I replaced the rear tyre with a Schwalbe Insider tyre and it made a big difference to the traction of the tyre.
Virtual Ride Simulators.
I have used this trainer with a few different simulators. The main one being Zwift. Zwift works really well and would be my favourite if connected using ANT+. Others that work well are the Bkool Cycling simulator and also the RGT (Road Grand Tours).
I have yet to try FulGas, TrainerRoad or BigRingVR.
Thoughts.
Overall it has been a good trainer. I have put in many kilometres on it, and it is definitely better than riding outside in the rain.
Having a "smart" trainer which adjusts the resistance to match the hill your are climbing or descending makes the ride more realistic (close to real - it will never be truly like riding on the road).
Is it worth it?
To me the bet way to work out if a 'fitness' device was worth its purchase price is to find out how many times you have used it and divide it by the purchase price.
I payed $700 AUD (online) - and have used it at least 100 times = $7 a go. I think that is good value, without comparing it to other products.
There are better trainers out there that cost a lot more, but for this price range - this trainer is suitable for someone a beginner or intermediate level who is just starting out, or just interested in putting in some Kms indoors.
If you are a pro, or are very fit who can do massive watt bombs, then I would suggest getting one of the higher end "wheel off" trainers like the Wahoo Kickr - in AUD they are $1000 more than what I payed though.
Would I buy it again?
Probably Not - If I was going to buy a similar spec trainer at a similar price range I would go for the Wahoo Kickr Snap - which retails for $750 at my local bike shop, there is a lot more support for the Wahoo products, like my Magellan Cyclo 505 or even the Wahoo bike computers etc.
From what I understand - Bkool aren't making trainers anymore anyway - they are focusing on their simulator software. Rainmaker article here
Thankyou for reading through and I hope you got some info.
Cheers,
Smac
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