Drag factor - old topic but new question

[Montanaandy]

I have been experiencing elbow problems for the past few weeks and finally broke down and lowered the drag factor setting from 5 down to 4. I was able to row fairly comfortably at 4 but I am used to a bit more resistance from the 5 setting.

I am wondering if one can set the lever at "4.5" (midway between 4 & 5) or whether you need to place the level squarely at the numbered area? When I set it at 4.5 I noticed a bit more resistance and everything on the rower seemed all right but I didn't want to mess up the damper/machine so I moved it back to 4. Thanks, Andy

[Citroen]

I am wondering if one can set the lever at "4.5" (midway between 4 & 5) or whether you need to place the level squarely at the numbered area? When I set it at 4.5 I noticed a bit more resistance and everything on the rower seemed all right but I didn't want to mess up the damper/machine so I moved it back to 4. Thanks, Andy

Early model Cs had a lever which could be set on any position between 1 and 10. Later model Cs had a lever which "notched" into place at an exact number. Model Ds and Es are back to the anywhere between 1 and 10 design.

I use old model Cs and model Ds and set the drag to somewhere between 120 and 125 using the monitor to display the drag number rather than relying on lever position.

On a PM2 press [OK]+[REST] together, on a PM3/PM4 choose More Options --> Display Drag Factor from the main menu. Row six or seven strokes to get the flywheel spinning and a "drag factor" number appears in the display. Adjust the lever to get the number to the value you like to row at.

[Montanaandy]

"Later model Cs had a lever which "notched" into place at an exact number"

This must be what I have (later Model C) because you can tell when it is correctly positioned on a given # because it notches in/locks in to place.

So will I have to notch the level with a given # or can I adjust it in between even if the level arm does not notch into place? I have tried it inbetween and it seems to operate OK. I check the drag factor and it is higher than if I set it on 4 and lower than if I set it on 5.

Thanks, Andy

[Citroen]

Later model Cs had a lever which "notched" into place at an exact number

This must be what I have (later Model C) because you can tell when it is correctly positioned on a given # because it notches in/locks in to place.

So will I have to notch the level with a given # or can I adjust it in between even if the level arm does not notch into place? I have tried it inbetween and it seems to operate OK. I check the drag factor and it is higher than if I set it on 4 and lower than if I set it on 5.

Thanks, Andy

You won't break the machine. They're built like a tank and suffer untold abuse in public gyms without falling apart.

[PaulH]

Also worth noting that, not only will you not break the machine, but it's a perfectly legitimate thing to do. Setting it according to drag would be even better, but I confess I don't do that either

[Montanaandy]

Thanks for the info. guys. At this point I think that I will stay at "4" which is a bit lower drag factor but easier on my sore elbow. I will tweak it up and I feel better.