Dynamic Rower for sale - has anyone tried it?

[luckylindy]

I enjoy cycling for example, but I would never purchase an ugly bicycle - regardless of how it fits and feels. A machine should not just satisfy functional requirements, it should also be a pleasure to behold.

Even for something that sits in your basement? I'd probably not buy a really ugly bike, but that's because a bike is partly a social piece of equipment for me. I wouldn't care about a rowing machine, but then my equipment is rather hidden away ... maybe if you row on your back porch or living room it would be different.

[Slidewinder]

Luckylindy,
Re: Aesthetics of the C2 dynamic erg
I live in century-old house with a typical low-ceilinged basement, so any rowing machine I purchase inhabits my living space and is something I have to look at daily. Why would i want something in my environment that offends my eye?

A rowing ergometer is such a simple machine. There is no reason it can't be both beautiful and functional. Some of the poetry of actual rowing should be embodied in the design. I want more than an assembly of nuts and bolts. I want something that speaks to my soul.

[Rockin Roland]

If you reckon that the C2 dynamic erg looks ugly then simply don't buy it. There are now 3 other dynamic ergs to choose from in North America and they are all more pleasing to the eye than the C2 option. They are also more enjoyable to row on.

Recently, the fourth dynamic erg option in North America became available.

http://www.rowperfect.ca.

I've owned one of these for almost 12 months now and still believe that it's the best erg on this planet. It's the best looking, most compact and easiest to store and transport. More importantly it's the most enjoyable to row on. I really can't understand why people are still using static ergs with all these different dynamic ergs available now. Not only are static ergs so hard on your body but that boring stop/start catch to finish movement doesn't help much either in the motivational stakes.

[luckylindy]

Roland - how is the dynamic erg any less boring than a static one? It's still a piece of exercise equipment where you don't move much.

[hjs]

If you reckon that the C2 dynamic erg looks ugly then simply don't buy it. There are now 3 other dynamic ergs to choose from in North America and they are all more pleasing to the eye than the C2 option. They are also more enjoyable to row on.

Recently, the fourth dynamic erg option in North America became available.

http://www.rowperfect.ca.

I've owned one of these for almost 12 months now and still believe that it's the best erg on this planet. It's the best looking, most compact and easiest to store and transport. More importantly it's the most enjoyable to row on. I really can't understand why people are still using static ergs with all these different dynamic ergs available now. Not only are static ergs so hard on your body but that boring stop/start catch to finish movement doesn't help much either in the motivational stakes.

You forget about the racing and online ranking stuff, only concept2 has that. That is a big pro compared to the competition.

[Rockin Roland]

Roland - how is the dynamic erg any less boring than a static one? It's still a piece of exercise equipment where you don't move much.

It's all to do with the movement. Continuous movement around the front and back turns provides a greater sensation of rhythm. On a static erg you have to stop to change direction both at the catch and the finish. Your brain is hence constantly mashed about in the skull and your arms feel like being ripped out of their sockets at the catch when the chain loads up. Plus a a lot of kinetic energy is forced down your lowewr back at the finish. There is no joy in that kind of exercise.

Most gym equipment is boring to use compared to the real thing outdoors. A stationary erg is just as boring as an exercise bike. Gym rats only spend a few minutes on a stationary erg before getting tired of the movement, losing interest then get off to try something else. It doesn't have to be like that.

As dynamic ergs provide more rhythm and a smoother continouus movement they are more satisfying to use. Time goes by much quicker on a dynamic erg than on a static erg.

Static ergs are soon coming to the end of their use by date. Dynamic ergs are the future. On water rowers are already starting to embrace the advent of the dynamic erg, never to look back to a static erg again. Gym users will take much longer to catch on because they have little concept on what rowing is all about. But give them time and they'll realize the difference between the two ergs.

[Rockin Roland]

You forget about the racing and online ranking stuff, only concept2 has that. That is a big pro compared to the competition.

Whoopy Do !!!!

And how many people do you think use all that? Stuff All !!!
Less than 1% of erg owners, if that.

[hjs]

You forget about the racing and online ranking stuff, only concept2 has that. That is a big pro compared to the competition.

Whoopy Do !!!!

And how many people do you think use all that? Stuff All !!!
Less than 1% of erg owners, if that.

Yes, but those are here Roland, that's what you keep forgetting. I do believe that the machine you are talking about is better, but that is not the point. It's about the competition. In that only c2 has something to offer.

[Slidewinder]

Rockin Roland,
Re: Four dynamic erg options
C2, Oartec, Rowperfect... What is the fourth? Thanks.
Robert

[JRBJR]

The four new dyamic ergs are the C2 dynamic, the Oartec Slider, the Australian RP3, and the Dutch RP3. The two RP3 models are quite similar in look and design, but the Dutch RP3 is all stainless steel and has no erg-mounted monitor, while the Australian RP3 uses some plastic parts in its moving flywheel and footrest assemblies and comes with an erg-mounted monitor.

I agree that the dynamic ergs offer a better workout than the static ergs in that they require more attention to proper technique from their users, seem to put less strain on the back and hips, and eliminate the sudden stop and start movements along the monorail of a static erg.

That said, there are cost and customer service considerations to the RP3s. The price for an Australian RP3 shipped to the US from Canada is currently $3375 in US dollars ($3150 for the RP3 and 225 shipping).

If you have a C2 Model B, C, or D erg on slides and have room for the equipment, I'd ask anyone to explain how they offer any less in terms of the dynamic benefits mentioned above than the dynamic ergs. In the case of the RP3s, you're moving the footrest/flywheel assembly along the monorail. In the case of static C2 ergs with slides, you're instead moving the entire erg along the slide's rollers. Aside from the negligible weight of the static erg's monorail, it's exactly the same principle of motion as the RP3. How is the RP3 superior other than floorspace requirements?

[Bob S.]

If you have a C2 Model B, C, or D erg on slides and have room for the equipment, I'd ask anyone to explain how they offer any less in terms of the dynamic benefits mentioned above than the dynamic ergs. In the case of the RP3s, you're moving the footrest/flywheel assembly along the monorail. In the case of static C2 ergs with slides, you're instead moving the entire erg along the slide's rollers. Aside from the negligible weight of the static erg's monorail, it's exactly the same principle of motion as the RP3. How is the RP3 superior other than floorspace requirements?

The C2 Dynamic has even less moving weight - just the stretcher. It also has a very small foot print:
Length 76 in | 193 cm
Width 24.25 in | 61.5 cm.
I haven't seen the data for the RPs, but, from the pictures, they look to be larger, despite the assertion that I have seen on this forum to the effect that the RP has the smallest foot print.

Bob S.

[JRBJR]

The Dutch RP3 website lists these RP3 dimensions:
Length: 7.05 feet
Width: 1.57 feet
Height: 2.62 feet

The length figure refers to the unit at rest. It's obviously going to extend out further when you push the footrest/flywheel assembly during the catch. So the C2 Dynamic Erg is about a foot shorter and 10 inches wider than the Dutch RP3.

The reason I didn't mention the C2 Dynamic Erg in my question about sliders vs. the RP3s is that almost all the reviews of the C2 Dynamic Erg I've seen here and elsewhere seem to be relatively tepid, suggesting its reliance on the moving footrests and their pulley connections to the handle cord make achieving a smooth workout difficult. Reviews for users and owners of the RP3s, on the other hand, are almost universally and strongly enthusiastic. Carlos Dinares, the US distributor for the Dutch RP3, plans to release a videotaped side-by-side comparison of the feel and action of the Dutch RP3 and C2 Dynamic Erg in the near future, which should be interesting.

[luckylindy]

The RP3 doesn't appear to be built very solidly, particularly for the price. Maybe it's just bad videos and pictures (I've never used one), but I'd still be nervous about buying it given the company's supposed track record on service/support. The Oartec, OTOH, seems like a really solid piece of machinery that I'd consider if I was in the market to buy an erg. However, since I already own a brand new C2 Model D with only 700,000m on it, if I buy anything it will just be slides.

[Rockin Roland]

The RP3 doesn't appear to be built very solidly, particularly for the price. Maybe it's just bad videos and pictures (I've never used one), but I'd still be nervous about buying it given the company's supposed track record on service/support.

Both of the Rowperfect ergs, the RP3 and the Indoor Sculler, are very solidly built. The central bar, legs and part of flywheel are stainless steel. I move mine(the Aussie RP version) out of the house, down the stairs and into the yard and back virtually every day. I also row very hard on it and on occasion have been caught out in heavy rain while rowing outside. Other times I have used it outside in blistering heat. To date there is no sign of wear and it runs like new. The monitor, despite constant exposure to rain and harsh sun, also works like new.

I doubt very much that a C2 erg could survive the same treatment. I dare anyone to do the same with their C2 erg.

As far as service goes, although your dealing with a small company that's not a bad thing. A small team, as in this case, is more friendly and approachable than a larger corporation. Hence I have no issues there.

[Ultramega OK]

I would like to ask a couple questions about some of the dynamic rowers. First does the RP indoor sculler have a leveling system like the c2 dynamic and the Oartec Slider?

Second, I read in a couple places that the monitor on the Oartec can be replaced with the C2 PM4 monitor. Has anyone actually done this and if so, how exactly did you do it? Thanks!