Considering BikerErg

[trifona]

I was originally considering Echo Bike for low impact HIIT but am now unsure. I've never ridden an airbike. I use to really enjoy cycling outdoors but I haven't done that in years. I don't consider myself a cyclist; but I still have sweet road and hard-tail MTB bikes that are begging to be taken out of mothballs one day. I have a pretty extensive home gym already that includes C2 gear such as SkiErg 2.0, model D rower with PM3, a higher-end Precor elliptical, and a full assortment of Olympic free weights, rack, Rogue dog sled, dumbbells, kettlebells, sandbags, etc.

I clearly don't need any thing, but i dig the variety which helps with motivation. As I'm getting older I'm forced to find more activities that are joint friendly since I've had some issues in the last 5-6 years that have required intervention and too much time off.

I've read the reviews that I can find on Reddit, Rogue's site, as well what's on here and the few videos on Youtube. I'm looking for feedback from this community as to why C2's bike is the one for me to get versus the others. Would the kind folks on this forum who have had experience with the BikerErg and/or airbikes (airdyne/echo/assault) help me better understand/confirm what I should expect? Open to feedback also as to what may better complement my existing gear if you are looking to opine.

Also looking for feedback on a few specific BikeErg topics as well:

1. Lots of complaints around saddle comfort. Is the saddle replaceable with standard saddles on the market?
2. I don't currently own a pair of bike shoes, are the standard pedals an impediment or will I need to address this immediately?
3. Complaints abound around not being able to pedal out of the saddle without slipping the belt[; how big of a deal is this?
4. The SkiErg made huge improvements in version 2 versus the original version released; Any rumors that now may be a bad time to buy?
5. Sweat dripping the flywheel' real issue or no?
6. iPad mount? There's a thread in this forum from a year ago where a C2 employee (I think) indicating something was close/imminent; what happened? Other options available?

[CaseyClarke]

I was originally considering Echo Bike for low impact HIIT but am now unsure. I've never ridden an airbike. I use to really enjoy cycling outdoors but I haven't done that in years. I don't consider myself a cyclist; but I still have sweet road and hard-tail MTB bikes that are begging to be taken out of mothballs one day. I have a pretty extensive home gym already that includes C2 gear such as SkiErg 2.0, model D rower with PM3, a higher-end Precor elliptical, and a full assortment of Olympic free weights, rack, Rogue dog sled, dumbbells, kettlebells, sandbags, etc.

I clearly don't need any thing, but i dig the variety which helps with motivation. As I'm getting older I'm forced to find more activities that are joint friendly since I've had some issues in the last 5-6 years that have required intervention and too much time off.

I've read the reviews that I can find on Reddit, Rogue's site, as well what's on here and the few videos on Youtube. I'm looking for feedback from this community as to why C2's bike is the one for me to get versus the others. Would the kind folks on this forum who have had experience with the BikerErg and/or airbikes (airdyne/echo/assault) help me better understand/confirm what I should expect? Open to feedback also as to what may better complement my existing gear if you are looking to opine.

Also looking for feedback on a few specific BikeErg topics as well:

1. Lots of complaints around saddle comfort. Is the saddle replaceable with standard saddles on the market?
2. I don't currently own a pair of bike shoes, are the standard pedals an impediment or will I need to address this immediately?
3. Complaints abound around not being able to pedal out of the saddle without slipping the belt[; how big of a deal is this?
4. The SkiErg made huge improvements in version 2 versus the original version released; Any rumors that now may be a bad time to buy?
5. Sweat dripping the flywheel' real issue or no?
6. iPad mount? There's a thread in this forum from a year ago where a C2 employee (I think) indicating something was close/imminent; what happened? Other options available?

1. Saddle fit is a very personal thing. I like the standard saddle but I know of many cases where people hate it. They can easily be swapped over for pretty much any saddle of your choice.

2. The standard pedals are just ordinary flat pedals where you can wear normal trainers / sneakers . I've swapped them out for Shimano SPDs and got myself bike shoes. Efficiency improves by a few % as a result.

3. I've read those very same complaints but haven't ever experienced any slipping out of the saddle on any of the BikeErg's I've used.

4. There have been various issues with the first and second generation BikeErg's (mainly clicking, clunking noises coming from down below) on many of the models so I think there have been some design tweaks since then. I'm on a third generation one currently and have no issues.

5. Depending on your rider position and height, etc some sweat can drip onto the flywheel, although most of the sweat ends up running straight down you and onto the bit in the middle. Best cleaned off after every single use, otherwise salt gets in the screws and bolts which then has an effect similar to rusting.

6. Don't know about an iPad mount. Sure I've seen standard phone mounts attached to the handlebars but just not sure about larger than that.

[JasonF]

I was originally considering Echo Bike for low impact HIIT but am now unsure. I've never ridden an airbike. I use to really enjoy cycling outdoors but I haven't done that in years. I don't consider myself a cyclist; but I still have sweet road and hard-tail MTB bikes that are begging to be taken out of mothballs one day. I have a pretty extensive home gym already that includes C2 gear such as SkiErg 2.0, model D rower with PM3, a higher-end Precor elliptical, and a full assortment of Olympic free weights, rack, Rogue dog sled, dumbbells, kettlebells, sandbags, etc.

I clearly don't need any thing, but i dig the variety which helps with motivation. As I'm getting older I'm forced to find more activities that are joint friendly since I've had some issues in the last 5-6 years that have required intervention and too much time off.

I've read the reviews that I can find on Reddit, Rogue's site, as well what's on here and the few videos on Youtube. I'm looking for feedback from this community as to why C2's bike is the one for me to get versus the others. Would the kind folks on this forum who have had experience with the BikerErg and/or airbikes (airdyne/echo/assault) help me better understand/confirm what I should expect? Open to feedback also as to what may better complement my existing gear if you are looking to opine.

Also looking for feedback on a few specific BikeErg topics as well:

1. Lots of complaints around saddle comfort. Is the saddle replaceable with standard saddles on the market?
2. I don't currently own a pair of bike shoes, are the standard pedals an impediment or will I need to address this immediately?
3. Complaints abound around not being able to pedal out of the saddle without slipping the belt[; how big of a deal is this?
4. The SkiErg made huge improvements in version 2 versus the original version released; Any rumors that now may be a bad time to buy?
5. Sweat dripping the flywheel' real issue or no?
6. iPad mount? There's a thread in this forum from a year ago where a C2 employee (I think) indicating something was close/imminent; what happened? Other options available?

FWIW, I am a dedicated "ex" roadie...having just moved to central Los Angeles where riding on the road isn't ideal for me. I was torn between the bikeerg, another spin bike (I had a Lemond Revmaster that I liked) or a Wahoo Kickr (that I have used in the past). In the end I opted for the Concept2 and so far am happy with the purchase. I'm sure a Keiser M3 would've been a "better" choice but it's substantially more expensive. I didn't want to get another Wahoo Kickr as recent production runs have had reliability nightmares and didn't want to ruin my custom steel bike with sweat, etc...

1. Saddle swap is simple and the clamp appears to be able to accommodate most saddles. Using my padded shorts I have had no issues with comfort and I am picky about saddles.
2. I swapped the stock pedals for Look Keos. It was a simple change.
3. I don't notice belt slippage, but do feel a sense of "bottoming out" at the bottom of the pedal stroke while out of the saddle. It's probably my biggest complaint about the bikeerg. It's hard to explain, but the entire stroke isn't smooth out of the saddle and maybe it is a slight belt slip but it almost feels like the resistance disappears momentarily. Not a deal killer to me.
4. Can't answer this question...my unit seems pretty robust and has two bolts securing the crank arm. Got it off Amazon .
5. I'm not a sweaty guy so having it drip onto the flywheel hasn't happened.
6. I'd love to see an ipad mount.

For around $1,000 I think it's a solid purchase and does exactly what I expected. Once I find an ipad setup I'll re-activate my trainerroad subscription and train through that app. Good luck!

[trifona]

I ended up ordering a BikeErg earlier today. Looking forward to it.

[VivaTerlingua]

I was originally considering Echo Bike for low impact HIIT but am now unsure. I've never ridden an airbike. I use to really enjoy cycling outdoors but I haven't done that in years. I don't consider myself a cyclist; but I still have sweet road and hard-tail MTB bikes that are begging to be taken out of mothballs one day. I have a pretty extensive home gym already that includes C2 gear such as SkiErg 2.0, model D rower with PM3, a higher-end Precor elliptical, and a full assortment of Olympic free weights, rack, Rogue dog sled, dumbbells, kettlebells, sandbags, etc.

I clearly don't need any thing, but i dig the variety which helps with motivation. As I'm getting older I'm forced to find more activities that are joint friendly since I've had some issues in the last 5-6 years that have required intervention and too much time off.

I've read the reviews that I can find on Reddit, Rogue's site, as well what's on here and the few videos on Youtube. I'm looking for feedback from this community as to why C2's bike is the one for me to get versus the others. Would the kind folks on this forum who have had experience with the BikerErg and/or airbikes (airdyne/echo/assault) help me better understand/confirm what I should expect? Open to feedback also as to what may better complement my existing gear if you are looking to opine.

Also looking for feedback on a few specific BikeErg topics as well:

1. Lots of complaints around saddle comfort. Is the saddle replaceable with standard saddles on the market?
2. I don't currently own a pair of bike shoes, are the standard pedals an impediment or will I need to address this immediately?
3. Complaints abound around not being able to pedal out of the saddle without slipping the belt[; how big of a deal is this?
4. The SkiErg made huge improvements in version 2 versus the original version released; Any rumors that now may be a bad time to buy?
5. Sweat dripping the flywheel' real issue or no?
6. iPad mount? There's a thread in this forum from a year ago where a C2 employee (I think) indicating something was close/imminent; what happened? Other options available?

I've had mine a little over a year and have been mostly happy with it. I generally ride 2 or 3 times a week an hour at a time. I've ridden it as long as 2 hours with no major saddle discomfort and I wear non padded shorts. If I don't stand up every 10-15 minutes I'll start to get numb, but that's no different than riding a regular bike.

I use the stock pedals. I put a pair of these clips on the pedals https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002N ... UTF8&psc=1 and they allow me to ride just using sneakers. I use Look clips on my road bike but am satisfied with these clips.

I generally do longer rides on it without any sprinting, so I can't speak to the slippage problem. Hence most of my sweat goes straight down, not in the flywheel.

[trifona]

BikerErg arrived and was assembled tonight.

First 5k meter warm-up ride was completed.

Love it!