Concept2 Forum

Hi all. I have loved using a Model D at my gym for the last few years. I thought of buying one for my home, which would have made economic sense, but didn't, because space is limited here. Also I liked the gym, the other gear I used there, and the sense of being there for a purpose. However I have now accepted that I'm not going back to the gym. So it's time for my own rower, but unfortunately everyone else decided the same thing already!

So I'm wait-listed for a Model D...for what looks like a long wait! Model Ds, used and 'in box,' are listed all over CL etc for way more than list price and I'm just not willing to do that. However someone near me is selling a Model B for about half the Model D price and I'm thinking that could tide me over till I get a Model D. Make sense or is the B pretty primitive by comparison? (I'm not so worried about the computer as I haven't been logging workouts or doing any comparisons.) What should I look for on the Model B, any parts that likely need replacement? It's supposedly in good shape but...

Any advice welcome! Thanks and I look forward to being part of this community!

What prices are they asking for the Model B?
Does it have a PM1 or PM2?
Does the monitor work?
If it's more than about $200 it's probably not worth having.

Monitor is PM1, working (so they say).

Price is: apparently negotiable but they started out asking $600, well over what you suggest it's worth. (I would offer well less but doubt $200 will suffice.)

Considering how in-demand rowers are now, a stiff asking price is understandable, but when (if?) this COVID crisis is past, I think there are going to be a lot of rowers and other exercise gear on sale for pennies on the dollar!

chicagoal wrote: ↑

August 4th, 2020, 3:48 pm

Price is: apparently negotiable but they started out asking $600, well over what you suggest it's worth. (I would offer well less but doubt $200 will suffice.)

At that price the answer is "No".
Even $300 is pushing it for a rower that ceased production in 1993.

$600 for a Model B is nuts. As you probably know, a new Model D is $900 (when available).

Unless you're super, super desperate I wouldn't even bother attempting to negotiate with them.

Thank you both for the advice. I am feeling a bit desperate I guess! But not enough to pay a crazy price. Besides the B would have to stay in my garage, since you can't 'break it down' between sessions.

My partner has put herself on the wait list and has just had a second email suggesting it maybe as little a 4 weeks wait.. we will wait and see but Im no expert but $600 seems like stupid money.

Just bought a rusty Model B for $60. Disassembled it and brought it back to life. Pm2 wasn’t working so I bought a PM5. Happy with the result. I saw the Model B on EBay or `Facebook in the Chicago area and thought wauw I can make some money now .

Heck, niemannj, sell me yours! At $60 plus some work and a new computer, I'd jump on a Model B too. The one on eBay (that's the one I was talking about) is probably not worth pursuing if he really thinks he might get his asking price. I might try a low-ball offer but that tends to just make people mad. I'd only use it for a few months anyway and the resale would be tough.

I appreciate the feedback, and am glad I found this forum. Says a lot about how C2 customers feel that the company encourages people to share their experiences here!

chicagoal wrote: ↑

August 4th, 2020, 3:19 pm

Make sense or is the B pretty primitive by comparison?

The model B is primitive by comparison.
Anything worth having is worth waiting for, and you can do something else in the meantime.

Wished C2 still stocked the old kidney bean shaped seats.

Any model Cs available over there? I've stuck on a PM5 monitor on my 2001 model C and its been brilliant.

MiddleAgeCRISIS wrote: ↑

August 6th, 2020, 2:53 pm

Any model Cs available over there? I've stuck on a PM5 monitor on my 2001 model C and its been brilliant.

Did the same with my old C the only issue was that the chain was much noisier than the D... I know you can get an upgrade kit which would probably have fixed it.

In defense of the Model C, I don't think it's inherently VERY LOUD when in good condition. (At least mine hasn't been.)

I believe the C fan "Whooshing" during the drive is somewhat louder than the D or E, but not dramatically so IME (my C vs gym's E) and certainly not enough to be an issue for me.

I haven't tried to specifically compare the chain noise of my C to other models. Over time I can see how things can degrade and potentially get louder, and since Cs tend to have more km on them than Ds or Es that's to be expected.

Bottom line, if someone's thinking about getting a C2 erg and comes across a C in good condition I would not expect it to be a whole lot different from any other model, perhaps a bit louder, but it would not be enough to prevent me from buying it.

UPDATE (edited):

Forget about a B...I have a new Model D! A C2 dealer in my area received a small shipment, and was kind enough to remember me.

Funnily enough not even 48 hrs earlier I'd bought a used magnetic resistance rower to tide me over, thinking I was in for a wait of months. While that was better than nothing, the mag resistance felt mechanical and flat, and the display was useless. I was able to resell that one for what I paid, in a matter of hours, so no loss.

Back at my gym I was doing only the simplest rowing workouts. I had never even looked at this site or checked youtube for training videos. It still contributed a lot to my fitness, but as I have been learning, there is SO much more to do. And with my own rower just steps away, why not go for it?

I set up Ergdata with my phone, have done some of the basic workouts with Dark Horse...and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Thanks for the encouragement and advice upthread...now I'm off for a row.