Life span of shock cords/chains? Decades-old erg...

[adouglas]

Bought a 33-year-old Model B in really great shape and been loving it. I know nothing of its history, but it's running smoothly.

Despite C2's incredible support for a decades-old product, parts are inevitably going to get harder to find over time. The traveling pulley, for example, is no longer available. Accordingly, I just ordered a bunch of spares just to make sure I can keep it functional if something does let go and the part can't be found.

Question: What's a realistic life span (thinking of years, not meters) for some of these parts? Rubber gets hard over time, plastic gets brittle and chains wear out. No reason to mess with it as long as it's working, of course, but after 33 years it's a question worth asking.

[Carl Watts]

The shock cord lasts 10-12 years and then its down to about 1/2 of the return force on the handle.

This is still okay if the chain has been maintained and is still like new but with high ratings and poor technique the chain will begin to flap around.

The chain and sprocket will last a lifetime if kept lubed, there is simply not the grit getting on it like even a road bike to wear it out.

No point getting a spare shock cord until you need it, rubber ages even if you kept it in a sealed plastic bag, just get a fresh one every 10 years.

[adouglas]

No point getting a spare shock cord until you need it, rubber ages even if you kept it in a sealed plastic bag, just get a fresh one every 10 years.

Thanks. I have a vacuum sealer that I use for food (wonderful device) so was intending to vacuum-bag it and keep the whole thing in a dark cool place. No oxygen, no UV... should last longer than I do.

[Carl Watts]

Then in 10 years time you have forgotten where you stored it so cannot find it ?

Is the Model B cord any different from the Model D cord ? May be a different length but probably the same stuff.

[adouglas]

Then in 10 years time you have forgotten where you stored it so cannot find it ?

Is the Model B cord any different from the Model D cord ? May be a different length but probably the same stuff.

LOL... thing is, I have no idea how old the cord in the machine actually is. Could be the original... the machine didn't see a hell of a lot of use and is in great shape overall.

[Carl Watts]

At 15 years the cord would be stuffed no matter how much its been used. The rubber just perishes with age.

The difference was most noticeable when I replaced the cords in 6 Model C Erg's that were side by side, it was easy to compare the tension on them with an old vs new cord with the rower on its nose and just pulling the traveler that connects the cord to the chain with your finger.

[nick rockliff]

At 15 years the cord would be stuffed no matter how much its been used. The rubber just perishes with age.

The difference was most noticeable when I replaced the cords in 6 Model C Erg's that were side by side, it was easy to compare the tension on them with an old vs new cord with the rower on its nose and just pulling the traveler that connects the cord to the chain with your finger.

Got my D in 2005 and must have done well over 60 million mtrs. Still on original chain and cords. On its third monitor though.

[Carl Watts]

At 15 years the cord would be stuffed no matter how much its been used. The rubber just perishes with age.

The difference was most noticeable when I replaced the cords in 6 Model C Erg's that were side by side, it was easy to compare the tension on them with an old vs new cord with the rower on its nose and just pulling the traveler that connects the cord to the chain with your finger.

Got my D in 2005 and must have done well over 60 million mtrs. Still on original chain and cords. On its third monitor though.

The Model D switched to the "Quiet kit" for the sprocket and they changed chain manufacturers. Its defiantly more "Silky" on the return no matter how clean your Model C setup is with the D.I.D Chain.

Your shock cord will be stuffed, I have already replaced mine on a 2010 Model D.

Got to run only Alkaline or Lithium batteries in the monitors. 90% of monitor failures are down to rubbish batteries leaking.

[Steve1960VA]

At 15 years the cord would be stuffed no matter how much its been used. The rubber just perishes with age.

The difference was most noticeable when I replaced the cords in 6 Model C Erg's that were side by side, it was easy to compare the tension on them with an old vs new cord with the rower on its nose and just pulling the traveler that connects the cord to the chain with your finger.

Got my D in 2005 and must have done well over 60 million mtrs. Still on original chain and cords. On its third monitor though.

Emphasis mine. Wow, 60 million. Mine is nearing 8 million, and I thought that was quite a lot.