Issues with Slides & Model D

[jasnxl]

Appreciate the detailed comments in the thread from the user community. If it's not considered too off topic, I currently have a "Model D - Slides" issue regarding the Slide Plastic Track wear and am looking for any advice on how I might be able to address it.

My D rower is on slide tracks and after committing myself to regular exercise during the last year, I've noticed that I was too quickly wearing through the plastic tracks on the rear slide. In fact I initially order the replacement plastic tracks from Concept2, and when I replaced them, I immediately wore through one side.

I then examined the slide track rollers, and noticed damage on one roller, so my next fix was to order replacement for all the rollers for both slide tracks. This has worked better, but I'm still wearing through the plastic tracks too quickly. I will typically need to replace at least one on the rear slide ~100k. I've tried to switch the front and rear slides as well as use different combinations of placement, switching between the two crossbars on each slide. However, since this is only happening on the rear slide, the conclusion I'm drawing is that this excessive wear is due to my weight.

So if anyone is aware of this issue, and can propose a fix, please feel free to comment.

Otherwise, I'm considering switching to the Dynamic to retain the slide motion, but also to avoid these wear issues. I've read a couple of forum threads, viewtopic.php?t=66912, https://www.reddit.com/r/concept2/comme ... _thoughts/.), regarding the differences between the Dynamic and D/E models, and I understand that the Dynamic is targeted towards on the water rowers, and that switching rowers would mean a larger commitment to improving technique as well. I do in fact have a goal of getting on to the water at some point, so this switch may end up providing me with a leg up in that area as well.

Thanks..

[Citroen]

Split to a new thread as it was too far off-topic.

[ampire]

I have maybe 3 million meters on slides and my Model D, I haven't split any tracks. If it is a weight issue, I am pretty light that might be why I haven't had any split. Are you noticing wear on the roller bearings under the seat as well? The other possibility is UV light or heat is affecting the plastic of the slide track.

If you want Dynamic, other things to consider are RP3 and Oartec Slider, I've heard the Oartec can unofficially take a PM5, not sure if true.

[ampire]

I should also mention I almost always clean the slides after each workout, I wipe them with a clean rag and water with a drop of dish detergent from a spray bottle. Also do seat, seat rollers, rail, handle. Are you cleaning the slides regularly?

Another dynamic erg to look into might be the Coffey SimulatOar, it takes a PM5 option.

[jasnxl]

Thanks much for the replies. I definitely understand that these should be lasting longer.

I do clean the slide rails, (and overall rower), regularly, so I'm trying to determine by examining the metal edge of each slide, if I've somehow "nicked" the underlying metal and the pressure is causing the plastic rail to wear through there as a result. Otherwise I'll look at the slide rollers again and see if there's any issue with them.

There is always the optional issue that I may have installed something wrong when I performed these replacements, but I don't think so. BTW, when I replaced all the slide track rollers, I also took the time to replace the seat rollers as well. I didn't notice any excessive wear except for the one slide track roller that caused the initial wear through.

Anyway, thanks for offering the suggestions.

[ampire]

As a worst case solution, if you are stuck ordering endless quantities of plastic strips each month, might be more economical to order a bulk quantity from McMasterCarr or Grainger.

[mict450]

Keep in mind that all dynamic options are more expensive than the Mod D, some ridiculously so. More moving parts means slightly more daily maintenance & less tolerance for outright abuse or heavy use. Post-sale customer service is also a big question mark if buying a non-Concept 2 product.

[jasnxl]

Thanks again for the feedback.

The advice regarding dynamic rower options utilizing more moving parts makes sense. As a result, I'm reconsidering upgrading to a dynamic rower, in favor of solving the issue with my D - slide configuration/operation wearing through the plastic slide tracks too quickly.

I kind of wish there was a heavy duty configuration for the slides which utilized metal roller wheels directly on the metal rail without the plastic elements. If the plastic parts are primarily to reduce friction, I figure I could keep an all metal configuration lubricated, and it would wear better for heavier rowers.

Since that doesn't exist, I'll start with taking the slides apart and examine the parts for any issues. Any additional tips/advice for using slides with heavy rowers, is always appreciated.

[Tsnor]

It's good to get to root cause. ".. I will typically need to replace at least one on the rear slide ~100k...." no way this is working as designed. You don't see many C2 slides needing new parts. And they are beat on.

If you need to keep replacing a plastic part something is wrong. Did you give C2 support a shot ? Call them. They are outstanding, but do not monitor the forum and will not AFAIK reach out to you. They will help even out of warranty, even decades out of warranty.

[mict450]

The advice regarding dynamic rower options utilizing more moving parts makes sense. As a result, I'm reconsidering upgrading to a dynamic rower, in favor of solving the issue with my D - slide configuration/operation wearing through the plastic slide tracks too quickly.

I didn't mean to scare you off of purchasing a dynamic, just to make sure you were aware of all the variables involved.

Since this will be your personal erg, it won't be subject to the outright abuse & lack of maintenance that a gym-owned machine is subjected to, and should last you the rest of your life.

There are, unfortunately, a lot of stupid gits in the world that think their monthly gym membership entitles them the privilege of trying to destroy other people's property!

[jasnxl]

Thanks again for the responses.

I will admit that I was sort of using the excuse of the excessive wear of my D slides, (and my laziness to actually solve the problem), as an excuse to upgrade to a Dynamic. However now, I do feel that I should definitely solve my slide wear issue properly. (I'm a little too quick to upgrade my stuff as a general rule, as evidenced by the closet where I keep all my old cell phones).

This last time that I wore through a plastic rail on the rear slide, once the plastic rails were removed I examined the metal edge of the slide rail. I noticed on both, that there are two slight bumps around the middle of the rail as part of a sort of seam in the rail. I wasn't sure whether it was the cause of the excessive wear, but I still took out my Dremel tool and ground those bumps down slightly until the rail was smoother.

I also made sure to properly install the plastic rail this time, using about 2 inches of double sided tape to hold down the ends properly. I did notice that for some reason there was a slight amount of oil along both rails, (perhaps from my lubricating other parts of the rower), and that the plastic slide came off, (too), easily. It would be logical that the tracks moving back and forth may have caused excessive wear too.

So once I ground the rails to smooth out the bumps, cleaned and dried everything thoroughly, and then properly installed the new plastic tracks with tape to hold the ends in place, I'll keep a watch moving forward with the hope that I've addressed the main wear issues.

Jason

[crcr]

As a worst case solution, if you are stuck ordering endless quantities of plastic strips each month, might be more economical to order a bulk quantity from McMasterCarr or Grainger.

Is anyone able to help me out with a link to the plastic track needed for the slides. I tried searching on the websites ampire suggested above but didn't have any luck finding it. Thanks in advance.

[whp4]

As a worst case solution, if you are stuck ordering endless quantities of plastic strips each month, might be more economical to order a bulk quantity from McMasterCarr or Grainger.

Is anyone able to help me out with a link to the plastic track needed for the slides. I tried searching on the websites ampire suggested above but didn't have any luck finding it. Thanks in advance.

https://www.mcmaster.com/door-weatherstripping/

Search for plastic trim. Looks like it might be the same stuff, but I have not taken measurements.

[whp4]

If you want the OEM slide rail plastic, it can be bought from Concept2 without needing to wonder if you have the right thing, though finding it on the website can be a bit tricky.

https://shop.concept2.com/parts/558-sli ... e-kit.html

[StevenWayne]

If you want the OEM slide rail plastic, it can be bought from Concept2 without needing to wonder if you have the right thing, though finding it on the website can be a bit tricky.

https://shop.concept2.com/parts/558-sli ... e-kit.html

That's super helpful. Thank you for taking the time to look that up.