Concept 2 clone monitor upgrade

[dzukauskas0]

Hi, have a TITAN LIFE R95 indoor rower, it is a Concept 2 clone. Help is needed. I want to change the monitor to PM 5, do you think it is possible to do it? All parts and layout similar to Concept 2. What parts should be replaced besides the monitor?

Chain Axle Sprocket Replacement Kit Model C, D, E Part Number: 1915
Power Generator Assembly Part Number: 1887


Would that be enough?

Here are pictures of my rowing machine:

https://imgur.com/xHVWKWx
https://imgur.com/uABTwX9
https://imgur.com/2vBmuX7
https://imgur.com/55XRrQa
https://imgur.com/eL50GsY
https://imgur.com/dFzKIq3
https://imgur.com/lbc00OU
https://imgur.com/eiq6T7U

[JaapvanE]

Hi, have a TITAN LIFE R95 indoor rower, it is a Concept 2 clone. Help is needed. I want to change the monitor to PM 5, do you think it is possible to do it? All parts and layout similar to Concept 2. What parts should be replaced besides the monitor?

It looks quite similar, but the big question is: how similar is it. The issue is that a PM5 expects a certain sensor, and thus also requires a specific magnet layout on the flywheel. ANd the Concept2 is extremely well-balanced and its weight, inertia and drag are quite specific. In my experience, adding magnets is difficult: it is easy to be a tiny bit out of position and thus mess up both metrics and flywheel balance. And then there is a question of flywheel inertia and drag. Many machines look similar, but due to use of other materials, they aren't sufficient close to a Concept2 to do this easily. I hope someone already did this, but I fear this might be a tougher project as much of the sprockets and pulleys are carefully aligned to a specific machine layout and metrics.

An alternative is to buy a Raspberry Pi and use OpenRowingMonitor (I'm one of the developers of that), as it allows you to tune the monitor towards the specific rower, instead of tuning the rower towards the monitor. We are now sufficiently close to Concept2's metrics that I consider it an alternative, providing you don't want to use verified workouts like the Concept2 logbook. It can connect to EXR and KinoMap, directly integrates into Strava and it can upload to RowsAndAll for further analysis. There are some nice setups, like the standard 7" screen combined with an ABS case, making it one block. But that is if you are aiming for the decent metrics without rebuilding the machine.

[Carl Watts]

Trust me don't waste your time, sell it and buy a C2 or just use it to get fit as it is and buy a C2 later on if you get serious, i.e you are still using it 4 or 5 times a week after a year.

You are not going to be able to convert that without spending a whole lot of money, just cheaper to buy a C2 from the outset.

PM5 monitor, Flywheel, sensor possibly the shaft, sprocket, bearings. Unless things all line up mechanically as well for you to just swap parts over and they probably don't its a waste of time and money.

[Citroen]

do you think it is possible to do it?

It's not possible.

[JaapvanE]

just use it to get fit as it is and buy a C2 later on if you get serious, i.e you are still using it 4 or 5 times a week after a year.

That is what I did (partially because C2 had a huge backlog during lockdowns), one of the best decissions I made.

[dzukauskas0]

Is this a normal chain noise when it goes back? Does Concept 2 has same noise?

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DqOvCqYsSmk

https://youtube.com/shorts/1rhApn5837Y

[JaapvanE]

Those noises aren't normal for a Concept2, but this isn't a Concept2 so it might be quite normal for this machine.

This probably is tough to hear, but it is coming from someone who bought a NordicTrack to find out that an unbalanced flywheel is scary as hell when the frame and housing start to vibrate, but that a manufacturer can still call it "acceptable production tolerances". That is why you pay a bit more for a Concept2: smaller tolerances and more service.

[dzukauskas0]

I wrote to the seller:

"I bought from you rowing machine Titan Life R95 PRO. After unpacking, I noticed that bluetooth does not work and the chain is very noisy. I would like to return it and buy Concept 2 rowing machine."

and I got the answer

My rowing machine dealer said:

"Hi. Thanks for your mail. We can book a return but the return freight is 900kr and if you have assembled it it will be 20% off on the product price. Chain as this one have, it is the same on Concept 2. So the sound is the same. R95 is also compatible with bluetooth. Please get back."

it's a bit strange how can I check if everything works if i don't unpack the product.