Concept2

[Kinley]

No one's going to mention the revolutionary changes Concept2 has brought to oar construction & design?

[Yankeerunner]

How would you describe the 'image' of Concept2 in a short sentence?

Dennis Rodman said it best when reviewing his own biography on Saturday Night Live. To quote, "Two words Norm.....Damn Good!"

C2 is worthy of the same critical acclaim.

Rick

[ancho]

How would you describe the 'image' of Concept2 in a short sentence?

"Engineering company lacking in commercial development."

"Great product, great customer service, poor business development"

Okay, on the surface that might sound a tad harsh (I think so and I wrote it ) so let me explain.

The C2 Rowing Machine is a solid piece of engineering no question. C2 have a great product and that is reflected in their market share. Now maybe that's the problem. Has the company the drive to be better still. I suspect the roots of the company are based around engineering and physics as thats the elements of the product that are top notch. But I don't see C2 being very high profile in the marketing of their great product. Some might say they sell themselves and to a degree that may be true.

But I feel they could be better. I say this as someone who is passionate about the sport of indoor rowing and the C2 brand itself.

Niall:
can't quite agree with you on this.
I think C2 has found its niche and is trading exponential growth for steady and healthy development and exquisite customer care.
What more business deveopment would you expect than a top product, overwhelming market share and fanatic customers? What would come after that?

[Tyn]

Niall:
can't quite agree with you on this.
I think C2 has found its niche and is trading exponential growth for steady and healthy development and exquisite customer care.
What more business deveopment would you expect than a top product, overwhelming market share and fanatic customers? What would come after that?

Giv'em away for free??

[nteeman]

The best kept secret in fitness equipment.

[becz]

Concept2:Rowing.

[hjs]

The best kept secret in fitness equipment.

yes very true. You put in a few words.

[alkem]

My local YMCA was totally unaware of the benefits of the Concept2 website. I would like to change that.
Michelle

[danwho]

I think C2 has found its niche and is trading exponential growth for steady and healthy development and exquisite customer care.

I'm inclined to agree with ancho. I look at NordicTrack. They had a solid reputation with their cross-country ski machine. And sold lots. Then somehow they turned direction towards becoming an empire, and started remarketing other people's equipment. And they were successful at that for a while, and then fizzled and died.
I also would like to see rowing grow even bigger, but not at the price of C2 compromising their integrity, or worse, dying because of that compromise.
Slow and steady works for me.

[Rockin Roland]

"Concept 2 : Quality control and Customer Service Excellence but unfortunately Poor R & D".

My explanation is as follows:

C2 OARS:
In my opinion C2 oars are now only the 3rd prefered oar by rowers after "Dreher" and "Croker". Not long back everybody seemed to be using C2s. Not anymore. Not because C2 oars are bad but because the others now have a better product. Looking at other rowing forums there seems to be a growing number of Americans talking about changing away from C2 oars.

C2 Oar Locks(Gates):
Many boat builders now produce an oar lock that is no worse and in some cases better than C2s. A smaller and more techno savvy company has even come up with tension arms for its gates (MAGIK rowing). It seems like other companies have caught and now passed C2 in this area.

C2 Rowing Machines:
At the moment C2 are still in front but for how long. Model D was a cosmetic clean up of the C with a more advanced monitor. In my opinion it was not enough and the next model E needs some radical changes. I fear that future development will be more towards the needs of gym rats and weight watchers rather than that of on water rowers. If that is the case then I'll seriously be looking at a "Rowperfect" as my next rowing machine.

Rowing Software:
Clearly not C2s area of expertise. Not for profit on line rowers "Supercanoa" have come up with a better than original C2 e-row software product. Rowpro has struggled with bugs in its development and doesn't offer power/torque curves. Plus you have to use different C2 software for venue racing. C2 need a all in one software product that covers all of these.

Come on C2. In this fast changing World you can't afford to appear to be standing still. You've gotta keep moving, otherwise you get gobbled up by the minnows of this World.

[becz]

C2 OARS:
In my opinion C2 oars are now only the 3rd prefered oar by rowers after "Dreher" and "Croker". Not long back everybody seemed to be using C2s. Not anymore. Not because C2 oars are bad but because the others now have a better product. Looking at other rowing forums there seems to be a growing number of Americans talking about changing away from C2 oars.

I'm a little surprised to read this. Other than Dreher's more recent teaprdrop designs, most oars seem to be rip-offs of C2 designs. They were the first to introduce the big blade/hatchet type of oar, which everyone has now copied. Have you tried the most recent smoothie C2 sculls? They are a complete joy to row with. I think people see some Euopean outfits rowing with Crokers, etc. and think (as is typical) "If I only had different equipment, I'd be faster". This is of course rarely true.

I'm not saying the other oars aren't good (I've tried most of them and they are indeed well made), but to say that C2 is lacking in oar R&D is a little shortsighted.

[johnlvs2run]

I would consider the RowPerfect too.

I have sent them emails over the last couple of years and the only problem here is they cost around $2500.

If the price was similar then I would get the RowPerfect.

However, C2 has a reasonable price, so I will stick with them cause of this.

C2 also has excellent customer service.

[Rockin Roland]

C2 OARS:
In my opinion C2 oars are now only the 3rd prefered oar by rowers after "Dreher" and "Croker". Not long back everybody seemed to be using C2s. Not anymore. Not because C2 oars are bad but because the others now have a better product. Looking at other rowing forums there seems to be a growing number of Americans talking about changing away from C2 oars.

I'm a little surprised to read this. Other than Dreher's more recent teaprdrop designs, most oars seem to be rip-offs of C2 designs. They were the first to introduce the big blade/hatchet type of oar, which everyone has now copied. Have you tried the most recent smoothie C2 sculls? They are a complete joy to row with. I think people see some Euopean outfits rowing with Crokers, etc. and think (as is typical) "If I only had different equipment, I'd be faster". This is of course rarely true.

I'm not saying the other oars aren't good (I've tried most of them and they are indeed well made), but to say that C2 is lacking in oar R&D is a little shortsighted.

Drehers, Crokers and C2s are all top notch oars and all used by World Champions. Its all a matter of personal preference. However, oar design is not all about just blades. Shaft flex patterns, handle adjustment and grips plus overall balance and feel of the oar make the ultimate decision of buyers. I remember when almost everyone was using C2 oars. Then other companies with a competitive product such as Croker came along and ate into a huge slice of C2s market. That's where a strong R & D department is required to respond to such threats and protect your market share.

[PaulS]

I remember when almost everyone was using C2 oars. Then other companies with a competitive product such as Croker came along and ate into a huge slice of C2s market. That's where a strong R & D department is required to respond to such threats and protect your market share.

I remember when almost everyone was using Pocock Spruce Macons (Tulip blades), and these are barely available anymore for material and craftsmanship reasons.

Do you have any data regarding this "huge slice", as I don't believe it is very large at all in the bigger picture of things. Anyway, I'd be very suprised if 1 in 100 rowers could tell you the specifications of the oars they are using as far as shaft flex, overall length and balance goes, it would probably be about 50/50 regarding Blade Type, Shaft weight, and handle material unless they had an example within sight.

Good thing it's the horse and not the chariot which accounts for most performance.

[Rockin Roland]

Good thing it's the horse and not the chariot which accounts for most performance.

That all depends if the chariot's wheels are crafted from local stone or wood. No need to make the horse work harder than it should.

I know that at one stage here in Oz (before Croker existed) after woods lost favour, C2s were about the only reasonable choice we had. No doubt it would have been different in Europe with other manufacturers around but I would have thought C2 being an American company would have ruled the rivers and lakes in the USA.

After using C2s in the late 80s & 90s I remember going to an International regatta in Lithuania in 91 (then still part of Soviet Union) and being given a set of "Bracca" oars for our eight. After using C2s they were so crued and heavy and horrible to row with.