Concept2 Forum

Hey all,

I searched this topic but didn’t really find what i was looking for......

The best way to explain this, is that it feels like the resistance is set to 8-9, when I’m actually set to 4-5. I typically hold a comfortable pace at 1:50-1:55 pace regardless of distance on all rowers at my gym.....I get on mine and struggle to hold below 2:00 pace and working alot harder. It’s a used Model D but the guy went through it all and freshened it up. He said it was like that from new so he never thought much about it. What are your thoughts on what could be causing this?

Thanks in advance!
Chris

https://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/ ... etting-101

viewtopic.php?p=221#p221

Hi Chris,

Go ahead and read the links Citroen posted above, but to summarize:

1) Yours is most likely correct, the gym ergs are not.

2) Drag factor, not lever position is what really determines how much "resistance" you feel when you pull the handle.

3) Your "recently freshened" erg is clean, the gym ergs are not. Crud in the air holes restrict the airflow, which has the same effect as putting the level at a lower setting. (less air = less drag on the flywheel)

4) Bottom line: learn about DF and use it, not lever position to set how you want the handle to feel.

Good Luck

(and welcome to the forum )

Unfortunately it's not just the drag factor that is different the gym monitors can now be faulty or the pickup cables get fractured wires and give you false readings. The only way to be sure is to jump on a new rower or replace the monitor and pickup if it's the old first version of the PM3.

If you row at a constant pace then the monitor reading should be pretty stable. If its jumping about all over the place pace wise there is a problem.

What are your thoughts on what could be causing this?

Your erg is clean. You don't have to search, just read all the C2 pages.

On a clean machine Damper 3 will do to go on with, but adjusting drag will let you choose the force/speed and length/force combinations that best suit you.

cbourke717 wrote: ↑

June 21st, 2020, 3:43 pm

The best way to explain this, is that it feels like the resistance is set to 8-9, when I’m actually set to 4-5. ... It’s a used Model D but the guy went through it all and freshened it up.

Take a screwdriver, a stiff brush & vacuum cleaner to the gym next time you go. Their machines have never been cleaned since the day they left the Concept2 factory and are full of dust bunnies, crud & cruft. It may be best to work with the gym staff to show them the problem and what they need as periodic maintenance.
https://www.concept2.com/service/indoor ... aintenance


The guy who "freshened it up" has done that to your machine (good on him).

To get a clean machine and a dirty machine to read the same get the PM3/PM4/PM5 to show you the "Drag Factor". I'd you set that to 120 on your machine (lever at 4 or 5) and see if you can set the same drag on the dirty machine (lever between 8 and 11) then they'll both row the same (ignoring all the other factors like ambient temperature and your level of fatigue).

Citroen wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 5:25 am

(lever between 8 and 11)

These go to 11?

Allan Olesen wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 5:53 pm

These go to 11?

Special option for the cool kids only:

Ombrax wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 6:29 pm

Allan Olesen wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 5:53 pm

These go to 11?

Special option for the cool kids only:

It's not the Spinal Tap ergo. It's from the dear, departed Bob Spenger viewtopic.php?p=151390#p151390

Awesome info!

Thank you all for the replies.....it makes sense. I’ll have to look more into the drag factor settings, etc.

I must have the only clean rower on the planet because I swear, every other one I’ve used has been so much easier.... Even at the Crossfit Games, they use brand new equipment and those seemed super easy as well.

Hope everyone had a great Father’s Day weekend!
Chris

Citroen wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 6:40 pm

Ombrax wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 6:29 pm

Allan Olesen wrote: ↑

June 22nd, 2020, 5:53 pm

These go to 11?

Special option for the cool kids only:

It's not the Spinal Tap ergo. It's from the dear, departed Bob Spenger viewtopic.php?p=151390#p151390

Very nice!!