Model D Handels' Are Rubbish

[[old] Gonz]

Why does the rubber coating break-off the Model D handels? I've replaced 1 erg's handel twice in 12month & a new erg's handel is breaking away after only 6 months use! Anyone experiencing this?<br><br>Cheers Gonz

[[old] Cran]

Maybe you grip too tight or something.<br><br><img src='http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/images/smilies/idea.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' /> Get a C handle and fit that instead.

[[old] Sir Pirate]

I got the model D handle retro fit when they first came out, and like you said, it disintegrated within 6 months.<br><br>I then ordered a new one, and this one has been fine, I don't know if they have changed the compound on a second run of model D handles, but the new one seems to be of a different make up.<br><br>Sir Pirate<br>

[[old] c2jonw]

Gonz,<br>Sorry about the problem. Pirate has the right idea. We have gone to a slightly harder composition material on the grip after we had some early wear issues in the field. Give us a call for a new one, or remove the grip completely from your current handle and replace it with your personal choice. For long rows I have found gel-backed bicycle handlebar tape to be very easy on the hands, and it comes in a wide variety of colors................JonW

[[old] John Rupp]

The best material I've found is to wrap the handle with nylon socks.<br /><br />Don't use cotton as it absorbs moisture and causes blisters.<br /><br />You can use the nylon socks two different ways.<br /><br />The first way is to tape the end of the sock under the handle at the end, wrap over the taped part, keep wrapping over to the inside of the handle, then tape the other end of the sock to the wood. Do the same with another sock on the other side of the handle.<br /><br />The second way is to fold the sock onto itself, slide it onto the end of the handle so it goes all the way to the middle (the toe end of the sock firm on the end) and bring the second layer out to the end. Tape over the 1st and 2nd layers to the wood. Then fold over a third layer back to the inside and tape this to the wood. Do the same with another sock on the other side of the handle. I use 1" strips of duct tape for the taping. This provids a very even triple layer of nylon on the surface of the handle, a great grip and no blisters.<br /><br />I prefer the first method as it keeps the socks more snug on the handle.<br /><br />You can find the white (or black) nylon socks at Kmart for $1 a pair.<br /><br />By the way, this wrapping lasts a very long time.

[[old] chudwell]

Can anybody make a testimony in support of the angled design of the new D handle? I was going to buy one for my C, and may buy one for my B model erg if it's really that good.

[[old] michaelb]

I upgraded my model C. I immediately liked the model D handle as soon as I put it on. The angle may be more comfortable on the hands, but what I notice more is that you get maybe another 1" of distance on the finish, since your hands can go further back. Since that engages the back and shoulder blades more fully, I think that is a good thing.<br><br>I found I moved my hands around more on the C; now I pretty much stay in one place. When I do the marathon next month, I will know for sure, but I think that in part means my hands are more comfortable, and in part, there may be less reason to vary the hand position on the D.

[[old] PaulS]

<!--QuoteBegin-chudwell+Nov 12 2004, 08:05 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'><span class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></span> (chudwell @ Nov 12 2004, 08:05 AM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Can anybody make a testimony in support of the angled design of the new D handle? I was going to buy one for my C, and may buy one for my B model erg if it's really that good. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><br> A lot of this depends on how long you have been using the old handle and how comfortable you are with that.<br><br>If you are a relative 'newbie' the change is simple and very likely more comfortable if you are built relatively normally.<br><br>If you have been using the original handle for a long time, it could be a bit uncomfortable to change to the new handle for the very reasons that the original handle feels fine to you. i.e. you are doing something to make a straight stick not uncomfortable and those things don't need to be done anymore, but you can't help yourself after 100's of thousands of strokes ingraining it.<br><br>The curve away from the body makes complete sense ergonomically, the angle downward makes more sense to folks that scull, but is less critical than the curve away, which allows you to keep the wrist in line with the forearm and under less stress. Is the solution perfect? No. because when we are rowing in a boat the angle is different at tthe catch than it is at the finish (The wrist is always very close to being in line with the forearm due to the arc the handle takes and the angle ofthe forearm changing. This isn't the case with a completely linear path the Erg handle takes.<br><br>Should you get one? Hard to say, but if you plan on attending Indoor competitions and be forced to use one under considerable effort, you would be well served to be used to it before that day.<br><br>

[[old] Coach Gus]

I think part of the problem is that people put on the D handle and continue doing the same amount of work they did with the C handle. Like changing anything, it's best to get used to the D handle by starting off with a lesser amount of time and working you way back up to where you were before the change. This isn't easy for most of us to do, because we don't like reducing our time or distance in order to get used to something.