Smart trainers and software

[g-boaf]

Bit suspicious my Kickr Core is on the way out.

It's getting awfully noisy, and there was a smoky smell after a virtual KOM today. Not surprising really, it's up around 20,000km now.

Might explain the power decrease recently as well, which seems to be limited to indoor only. I was blaming the heat but if there's a bit of belt slip it might explain it as well. Will start saving for a smart bike I think!

That sounds like it's about to go bang - when you get those smells. I would recommend not using it when that happens.

[jasonc]

up to level 47 now. still a while to go till I get those damn fire socks

[g-boaf]

Rolla App is available to download now:

https://www.rolla.app/downloads

I have only just started it downloading so I have no idea what it is like.

Edit: I have installed it now on Mac and with the companion app on iOS (iphone). It doesn't work. You cannot start a ride at all if the companion app cannot detect the computer running the Rolla World app. Mine are both on same network and it won't connect. So it's pretty much a waste of time.

Edit 2: Argh, you have to disable mobile connection on the phone! Why...

Edit 3: Now it won't connect at all despite seeing my desktop computer.

Edit 4: It seems to work after you disable the MacOS firewall or open particular ports:

https://feedback.rolla.app/p/rolla-one- ... connecting

[jasonc]

well my wahoo kickr bike trainer has bricked itself. logged a call with wahoo.

[g-boaf]

well my wahoo kickr bike trainer has bricked itself. logged a call with wahoo.

How?

Was it the flashing light on the power brick?

[jasonc]

well my wahoo kickr bike trainer has bricked itself. logged a call with wahoo.

How?

Was it the flashing light on the power brick?

i turned the power on. power brick has power (single light on the power brick and it's on solid). but no lights on the bike (wifi/BT). unplugged stuff, plugged it back it, tried a different power board. nothing
the wahoo app/BT sees it as "DFU". click upgrade firmware and the app shuts down

[g-boaf]

Similar:

https://www.reddit.com/r/wahoofitness/c ... _kickr_v6/

[jasonc]

Similar:

https://www.reddit.com/r/wahoofitness/c ... _kickr_v6/

yeah that's the one i found this morning

[g-boaf]

In the wahoo app if you tap the bike/trainer icon multiple times rapidly (you have to do it really fast) you can get other firmware versions.

Can you try seeing if it can install those?

[jasonc]

In the wahoo app if you tap the bike/trainer icon multiple times rapidly (you have to do it really fast) you can get other firmware versions.

Can you try seeing if it can install those?

will have another look tonight. hopped on the bike and rode to work. just wanted to do a trainer session before coming to work damn it

[jasonc]

had another look. tried the firmware upgrade trick but it kept saying disconnected. waiting for wahoo

[warthog1]

I am back at work at the moment and did another Zwift session whilst on a rest break.
What is it people like about using the trainer I am wondering?
Is it the convenience and comparative safety?
It is time efficient too. Are there other reasons?
I note some spend significant money on equipment to do virtual rides, so must find it appealing. Perhaps it is a function of living in the city and having to battle more significant traffic and congestion on real rides?
I am still struggling to see the attraction

[jasonc]

had another look. tried the firmware upgrade trick but it kept saying disconnected. waiting for wahoo

got a response overnight with some things to try. will give them a shot this afternoon

warthog - it's time efficiency thing. i can smash myself on the trainer in an hour. the same might take 2 hours outside
also good when the weather is crappy

[g-boaf]

I am back at work at the moment and did another Zwift session whilst on a rest break.
What is it people like about using the trainer I am wondering?
Is it the convenience and comparative safety?
It is time efficient too. Are there other reasons?
I note some spend significant money on equipment to do virtual rides, so must find it appealing. Perhaps it is a function of living in the city and having to battle more significant traffic and congestion on real rides?
I am still struggling to see the attraction

Not enough time to go outside often. You might have to urgently stop and deal with something in a hurry. If you are outside 1 hour away from home you can not do that.

Or the weather is frequently crap.

It’s the difference between riding or not riding then unfit.

[warthog1]

Not enough time to go outside often. You might have to urgently stop and deal with something in a hurry. If you are outside 1 hour away from home you can not do that.

Or the weather is frequently crap.

It’s the difference between riding or not riding then unfit.

warthog - it's time efficiency thing. i can smash myself on the trainer in an hour. the same might take 2 hours outside
also good when the weather is crappy

Makes sense.
Thanks

[Mr Purple]

Time efficiency on the trainer is the thing. Tuesday through Thursday I have approximately 45 minutes to an hour before I have to get to work. That translates to a solid 20km+ on the trainer and somehow 10km outdoors.

I also use it as my competitive outlet (apart from KOM segments). Though that frequently gets frustrating, it at least pushes me to go further.

Have started doing some filming for Fulgaz this week. Did a 27km loop to Cleveland and Wellington Point on my lunch break today but unfortunately the supplied GoPro didn't last that distance. Will be interesting to see how the footage turns out. Cootha Back on Saturday, and I'm thinking a Brookfield Three Fingers on Sunday. Though suspect I'll take my gravel bike on that one because I can actually zip tie the extra battery pack to the handlebars.

[g-boaf]

The other thing on a trainer ride is you can push yourself much harder than outside (at least in my suburban area). Outside there are too many interruptions and risks to go really fast.

[jasonc]

had another look. tried the firmware upgrade trick but it kept saying disconnected. waiting for wahoo

got a response overnight with some things to try. will give them a shot this afternoon

Update: the full disconnect and reconnect instructions, and firmware update, worked

[warthog1]

^^ You'd be happy with that

[jasonc]

^^ You'd be happy with that

Yes. Just concerned that it happened in the first place

[warthog1]

^^ You'd be happy with that

Yes. Just concerned that it happened in the first place

hopefully all good now

[g-boaf]

had another look. tried the firmware upgrade trick but it kept saying disconnected. waiting for wahoo

got a response overnight with some things to try. will give them a shot this afternoon

Update: the full disconnect and reconnect instructions, and firmware update, worked

Phew, sigh of relief! The full send back process for a Kickr Bike can be stressful. It's not just a little smart trainer, it's a hulking big monstrous thing - and HEAVY!

[Arbuckle23]

What is it people like about using the trainer I am wondering?

In order of importance too me.
1. Rubbish weather riding
2. Time management. If I only have set short time to ride, then I don't have to plan a route to suit, just get on and ride. Have a spare bike in the shed permanently set up
3. I can get the odd work call after my normal finish time. If on the trainer for an afternoon ride and get a call, I can answer and go back to my home office if urgently needed.
4. Its better than not riding at all.

Got some ride mates who are Fireys. They ride Zwift while waiting for a fire

[jasonc]

Got some ride mates who are Fireys. They ride Zwift while waiting for a fire

imagine the kms you could get up in winter in the southern states

[warthog1]

What is it people like about using the trainer I am wondering?

In order of importance too me.
1. Rubbish weather riding
2. Time management. If I only have set short time to ride, then I don't have to plan a route to suit, just get on and ride. Have a spare bike in the shed permanently set up
3. I can get the odd work call after my normal finish time. If on the trainer for an afternoon ride and get a call, I can answer and go back to my home office if urgently needed.
4. Its better than not riding at all.

Got some ride mates who are Fireys. They ride Zwift while waiting for a fire

When I cant otherwise ride for me, so number 4. I only use it when away at work on call.

I am very lucky where I live. Out of the city so there is heaps of low trafficked routes available on bitumen. On gravel there are stacks of deserted dirt roads and tracks.

Yep, the fire service is the emergency service of choice imo, they did very well to get a gig.