Summer Storage for the RowErg?

Maintenance, accessories, operation. Anything to do with making your erg work.
Post Reply
sunflowersociety
Paddler
Posts: 5
Joined: October 18th, 2023, 11:01 am

Summer Storage for the RowErg?

Post by sunflowersociety » April 22nd, 2024, 1:36 pm

All,

I got my rowErg in October, and now that the weather is turning nice, I would like to take the machine out of the basement and either store it in the garage or in a weatherproof box for rowing in the sunshine. I have the tall legs, and I have the dimensions when the machine is broken down, but before I start creating something, I wonder if anyone has an easy storage option for either a garage or box they found online.

Thanks for you help!

User avatar
Ombrax
10k Poster
Posts: 1759
Joined: April 20th, 2013, 2:05 am
Location: St Louis, MO, USA

Re: Summer Storage for the RowErg?

Post by Ombrax » April 25th, 2024, 1:08 pm

Hi,

Why not just leave it in the basement? (assuming you have the space)

Unless the humidity is super high, I would think that's as good a place as any to store it.

sunflowersociety
Paddler
Posts: 5
Joined: October 18th, 2023, 11:01 am

Re: Summer Storage for the RowErg?

Post by sunflowersociety » April 25th, 2024, 1:35 pm

I'd like to actually get some fresh air and sunlight, mostly!

User avatar
Ombrax
10k Poster
Posts: 1759
Joined: April 20th, 2013, 2:05 am
Location: St Louis, MO, USA

Re: Summer Storage for the RowErg?

Post by Ombrax » April 25th, 2024, 2:03 pm

Some folks on the forum keep theirs on the deck, and weather permitting, row there. When not in use they put a tarp over it.

I wouldn't do that with my rower, but they might chime in and let you know if there have been any negative side-effects.

Cyclist2
10k Poster
Posts: 1115
Joined: December 13th, 2006, 8:20 pm
Location: Bremerton, WA

Re: Summer Storage for the RowErg?

Post by Cyclist2 » April 25th, 2024, 11:01 pm

I've stored my Model B in the garage for decades. Throw a couple beach towels over it to keep the dust off. When I do row it, it works just fine. When the weather is nice, I can open the garage car door and move it into the driveway.
Mark Underwood. Rower first, cyclist too.

sunflowersociety
Paddler
Posts: 5
Joined: October 18th, 2023, 11:01 am

Re: Summer Storage for the RowErg?

Post by sunflowersociety » April 26th, 2024, 12:41 pm

Cyclist2 wrote:
April 25th, 2024, 11:01 pm
I've stored my Model B in the garage for decades. Throw a couple beach towels over it to keep the dust off. When I do row it, it works just fine. When the weather is nice, I can open the garage car door and move it into the driveway.
I would like to put it up on the garage wall in the 2 parts once it's broken down. The Rubbermaid FastTrack will easily be able to handle the weight, but it's coming up with the correct hooks for that system. Putting towels over it is a good point, especially in the garage where I do so much.

sunflowersociety
Paddler
Posts: 5
Joined: October 18th, 2023, 11:01 am

Re: Summer Storage for the RowErg?

Post by sunflowersociety » April 26th, 2024, 12:44 pm

Ombrax wrote:
April 25th, 2024, 2:03 pm
Some folks on the forum keep theirs on the deck, and weather permitting, row there. When not in use they put a tarp over it.

I wouldn't do that with my rower, but they might chime in and let you know if there have been any negative side-effects.
Yeah, keeping outside with just a cover/tarp is iffy for me. Wouldn't want to chance coming home to a soaked machine when the wind gets going and a flash storm ripped through the area!

Tsnor
10k Poster
Posts: 1270
Joined: November 18th, 2020, 1:21 pm

Re: Summer Storage for the RowErg?

Post by Tsnor » April 26th, 2024, 1:27 pm

The ergs at my rowing club get stored with the flywheel on the ground and the rail vertical. The erg is designed to stand by itself in this position. If you have kids or are apt to bump into the erg and knock it down you'll need a safety strap for the top of the erg. Some people also break the erg in half before storing it this way which is safer but we don't do that.

see photos at this link (were too tall to link directly). https://darkhorserowing.com/storing-and ... pt2-rower/

sunflowersociety
Paddler
Posts: 5
Joined: October 18th, 2023, 11:01 am

Re: Summer Storage for the RowErg?

Post by sunflowersociety » April 26th, 2024, 4:12 pm

Tsnor wrote:
April 26th, 2024, 1:27 pm
The ergs at my rowing club get stored with the flywheel on the ground and the rail vertical. The erg is designed to stand by itself in this position. If you have kids or are apt to bump into the erg and knock it down you'll need a safety strap for the top of the erg. Some people also break the erg in half before storing it this way which is safer but we don't do that.

see photos at this link (were too tall to link directly). https://darkhorserowing.com/storing-and ... pt2-rower/
I'm thinking that breaking it in half is probably the way to go, and the flywheel section on the garage floor with a mat under it. Concept2 says not to store them without breaking them down, https://www.concept2.com/news/5-tips-mo ... r-machines, since it may cause frame damage.
Thanks for everyone's pov. It helps when others give different ideas to help me think through the options.

User avatar
c2jonw
6k Poster
Posts: 722
Joined: April 3rd, 2006, 1:08 pm

Re: Summer Storage for the RowErg?

Post by c2jonw » April 26th, 2024, 8:33 pm

the only damage that might occur from storing it standing up is if someone bumps into it and it falls over.
72 year old grandpa living in Waterbury Center, Vermont, USA
Concept2 employee 1980-2018! and what a long, strange trip it's been......

User avatar
c2jonw
6k Poster
Posts: 722
Joined: April 3rd, 2006, 1:08 pm

Re: Summer Storage for the RowErg?

Post by c2jonw » April 27th, 2024, 7:24 am

72 year old grandpa living in Waterbury Center, Vermont, USA
Concept2 employee 1980-2018! and what a long, strange trip it's been......

Ackley
Paddler
Posts: 4
Joined: November 6th, 2024, 6:39 am

Re: Summer Storage for the RowErg?

Post by Ackley » November 11th, 2024, 5:00 pm

I’ve been in a similar situation! I found that storing my RowErg in the garage worked well, and a UV and water resistant cover I got from Deals and Steals Today (https://www.dealsandstealstoday.com/) has been perfect for keeping dust and moisture off when it’s not in use. For a storage box, I’d recommend one with good ventilation to prevent moisture buildup. Elevating the RowErg a bit (a simple pallet does the trick) also helps protect it from any dampness in the garage.

Post Reply