Concept2 Forum

I have a Model D, and I keep having to clean off little black patches of something or other which have become smeared onto the rail. It looks like dust or dirt flattened by the seat rollers. I have to keep a scrubber sponge next to the rower so I can clean the rail every time I use it, otherwise the wheels on the seat are noticeably rougher as they go over the black bits. Our house (actually it's in the garage at the moment) isn't unusually dusty or dirty.

Does anybody else get this?

I wonder if one of the covers that Concept 2 sells might help. Just looking for any tips, since this is an annoying chore to have to do every time I use the machine.

Thanks,

Neil

neilgunton wrote:I have a Model D, and I keep having to clean off little black patches of something or other which have become smeared onto the rail...Does anybody else get this?

Neil - This is pretty common. I just use a paper towel & water or a bit of window cleaner to clean it off. I found that when put new rollers on my Model C, the amount of visible gunk on the rail actually increased. Assume that it has something to do with a change in roller material.

My guess is that a cover would not do a lot for you, but C2's customer service folks might have an answer.

Cheers. Patrick.

You should be cleaning off the rail after each workout anyway - sweat/dirt/grime can add friction that slows you down, and may possibly cause uneven wear on the rollers. I usually use a damp paper towel like Patrick, but if I forget one (and don't feel like going up and down the stairs), I'll just use a dry part of my shirt.

Thanks - glad to know this isn't just me. I was thinking maybe I was doing something wrong, but I'll just continue to clean it. To be honest I'm usually wiped out right after a session, so I tend to leave it until just before the next one to clean the rail (it's just me using it). I keep a little non-stick sponge scrubber next to the machine, wet it just a little and that takes off the black stuff fairly easily. Then I dry off with a shop towel.

I was wondering if someone would suggest something like a special oil that would make the metal less susceptible to having the black stuff stick to it. But I guess any kind of oil would probably just make dirt more likely to stick, like with a bike chain.

Funny thing is that I used to use one of these machines at the gym, and I don't recall ever seeing anybody clean the rail, just the handle, and I don't remember this black stuff being an issue on the rail. Not sure why that was, or maybe my memory is just warped - it was a while back.

Anyway, thanks again!

Neil

It's probably the graphite or MoS filling used in plastics to reduce friction. Sweat and paper, towel or whatever are enough to get it off after a wo. There's no need to use oil, which in theory could cause AISI 304 to rust. If you don't see black stuff in gyms it's because the machines are not used.

Agree with all the posts, except that the ergs I use occasionally at the gym have rails that look like gravel roads! I keep a Scotchbrite pad in my mobile workout bag and have to scrub the rail and rollers with that and the cleaner/towels they have there to get it back to usable. I leave it clean when I'm finished so the next person that uses it for 500 meters will have a smooth row