Damper/Drag advice needed

[bankster23]

I am new to rowing and have just start a rebhab program following a back injury. My workouts have not been that difficult, but I've been sorer than I thought I would be.

I started looking into the Drag and Damper settings on the concept2 website and found info to set my machine up for the least to lower resistance. I have a Model B, the chain is on the large cog (15T) and the damper closed all the way and the drag at around 28SPM is 190. If I put the chain on the 13(T) ring the drag is even greater. I thought since the machine is old and I purchased from someone on Craig's list that maybe the grease on the bearings, if there are any, need more lubricant and sprayed the inner of the flywheel and chain... still the same drag.

Does anyone have any advice, as I would really like to get the drag down as suggested between 100-140?

[johnlvs2run]

The drag factor doesn't change with the cogwheels, but the resistances do change with the cogwheels. The resistances change with the cube of the number of teeth in the cogwheel.

15x15x15 = 3375 ~ 1.23
14x14x14 = 2744 ~ 1.00
13x13x13 = 2197 ~ 0.80

A drag factor of 190 on the modelB 15 tooth cogwheel (190/1.23 = 154) is the same as a resistance of 154 on the model C/D/E 14 tooth cogwheel.

A drag factor of 190 on the modelB 13 tooth cogwheel (190/.80 = 237) is the same resistance as a drag factor of 237 on the model C/D/E 14 tooth cogwheel.

Cut a speed ring out of black roofing paper, and attach it with plastic ties to the fan side of the cage.

This will give you a normal range of resistances.

[bankster23]

Thanks for the advice. I have heard of speed rings, but didn't know what they did. So, to test this out quickly, I took a heavy duty construction grade plastic bag and cut it into the shape of the cage. Played around with various degrees of the cage being open and found the resistance level I wanted.

Thanks for your help,
Joan

[johnlvs2run]

You're welcome.