Outdoor Use?

[gartro]

I've been rowing 10K a day on a Model D during the week and it is saving my life. The erg I use is located in a local college on Long Island.
I'd love to own one so that I can do it at home, as the college gym is closed on weekends and during spring break and holidays, etc.
My problem is one of space, however. There is just no room inside the house for it, at least not in an area that would be spouse approved.
Nor do we have a garage or a big enough shed space.

What about the possibility of using it in the backyard and covering it with a tarp and/or with the cover sold by the company? Is anyone doing this with their "indoor" rower?
It does get humid around here so I worry a bit about rust and the effect sharp weather changes might have on the PM3/4.
Any help or experience is appreciated.

[fishbust]

I live on Long Island also. I would worry about the electronics box, condensation forming inside it would surely ruin it. Call the manufacturer about it. With all the ice, rain, dampness, salty air and then humidity, I wouldn't expect the machine to fair well.

The rower breaks right apart in two pieces and could easily be stuffed into a closet in the house. They are designed to be easily moved in this manner. For what they cost, they really should be cared for. If I was forced to keep one outside for absolutely no room at all to accept the 2 small pieces they split into, then I wouldn't spend the money for a Concept 2, I would buy a 200/300 dollar whatever off of craigslist to throw outside and wait until I had room for a Concept 2 inside. As long as you are rowing, it counts. I have had less costly machines before the Concept 2. They were fine. Or...how about a shed? That would offer a ton more shelter from the elements than a tarp.

[marvy1]

I have the rower in 2 pieces as well and I found it fits quite well in a corner of the room. Look carefully at the measurements posted on the Concept2 website and I think you will find a spot for it.

I would NOT recommend it be stored outside either.

Marvinh

[betista]

Houston here, the unit does seperate into 2 pcs very easily and have used outside but would not store outside as to the condensation and additional moisture on seat slide....Love the unit..have D/PM4 monitor...B

[rah]

My Model E is sitting here on my veranda in Anguilla. Got off the container a couple of weeks ago, and the house is full of boxes now, and rust, indoors or out is a constant problem (the sea is less than a quarter mile three directions, with a steady 10kt+ breeze most of the time. The PM4 is indoors except when I'm rowing. (Still can't get the stand-alone card reader to show up on the card reader app, so the PM4 works well enough for that, anyway...)

So, I'm starting to get rust spots on the stainless-steel outer band with the little holes poked in it. What should I put on it to prevent future rust, etc. Can't fill up the little tiny holes with a paintjob &c.

Obviously the latest rage for stanless steel everything doesn't go over well down here... :-)

Thanks!

[rah]

Okay, I saw this: http://www.finishing.com/163/05.shtml, and I'm gonna try something sooner or later. :-). Letcha know if it works, then.

[c2jonw]

The monitor would be your biggest concern. How about bringing the monitor indoors when you're done rowing? If your Model D uses a hex nut for attaching the monitor to the arm you could change that to a wing nut or knob and removal would not require any tools. For the rest of the machine I'd recommend a well-buffed coat of our chain oil on the stainless track and car wax on everything else. C2JonW

[rah]

So, not having any citric acid handy (pure, anyway, gotta lime tree out back :-)), I finally got tired of the rust spots getting bigger, and grabbed the CLR ("Calcium Lime Rust" remover stuff) under the sink dumped a bit on a paper towel, slathered it on the shiny but rusty bits, and, it works. Still see some faint rusty bits, but at a distance, it looks okay.

I've actually got some phosphoric acid anti rust stuff, but we'll see if the "pickling" takes with the CLR stuff first.

Also, those little holes aren't smooth, and they tend to stuff themselves with paper towel as you slather away. Prolly use a cloth or something next time. And there *will* be a next time, 'cause, like rust, salt never sleeps...

[gpjamele]

I have a Model A. Anyone have anythoughts on using that model outdoors?

Thanks.