Dirt on rollers

[Adonay]

Hi guys,
I have a problem with sticky dirt gathering on rollers since I bought Concept2 D-model (about a month). I row on attic and there's no one else than me, no pets, no dust.
I always clean rail and rollers before rowing and I still have it dirty after 15-20 minutes. I also feel bouncing on that dirt.
Am I the only one? Do you have an idea what is going on?

[jamesg]

I thought it was MS2 or graphite filler from the rollers, and maybe was, initially. But after ten years plus it keeps coming, so probably atmospheric dust mixed with sweat. To see how much dust you have, put a filter over the fan air intake. You may like the low drag too.

[Rvanvoris]

I have noticed the same thing
My solution is I clean my track and rollers every couple of sessions.
a rag with mineral spirits works but it is smelly
I have been using Armor All the last few years and it seems to work fine
I just hold the rag it against the rollers and move the seat with my hands
I think it makes my score better as well because I am reducing friction which can only be a good thing overall
The same thing as oiling the chain

I use Armor all on the seat wheels and the tracks of my single as well . Same sort of problem with grit and whatever getting on the tracks

[Citroen]

Use Windex or other domestic cleaner (like Cillit Bang!). It's less harmful than "mineral spirits".

[Adonay]

Thx, I thought I'm the only one and there's something wrong with my erg.

[ornatewobbegong]

Hi all,

I've got the same problem too, I thought there was something wrong with my erg, I've only had it around a week and at some point during every session I get the bumping through the seat. It's very annoying.
I'm in the UK, could you recommend a suitable cleaning product? I don't want to put anything too harsh on my erg.

[eleanorsbee]

I get this still after a couple of years with the C2 model D ... the dirt still appears BUT the lumpiness has mostly disapeared, occasionally I get a lump, but I clean the rail track every time before I use it (30 seconds) and its fine now.

so please persist .. eventually the lumpiness will disapear .. well in my case it did

[lindsayh]

Hi all, I've got the same problem too, I thought there was something wrong with my erg, I've only had it around a week and at some point during every session I get the bumping through the seat. It's very annoying. I'm in the UK, could you recommend a suitable cleaning product? I don't want to put anything too harsh on my erg.

Damp cloth - water only is fine I reckon

[ornatewobbegong]

Hi all, I've got the same problem too, I thought there was something wrong with my erg, I've only had it around a week and at some point during every session I get the bumping through the seat. It's very annoying. I'm in the UK, could you recommend a suitable cleaning product? I don't want to put anything too harsh on my erg.

Damp cloth - water only is fine I reckon

That's all I've been using (after each session) and I'm still getting the bumps through the seat. I've only rowed for 4 hours total, how dirty can it be

[Steve1960VA]

Usually at end of each session, while I'm resting / recovering and still seated, I hold a dry cotton towel against each roller, one at a time, and slowly slide the seat on the rail. Have to be careful to not pinch a finger. Then I wipe the rail with the same towel - over the full length of the rail, and top and bottom top flange of rail. Seems to work fine. Occasionally I can detect a very minor bump, but a rail and roller wipe-down makes it go away.

[Cyclist2]

That's all I've been using (after each session) and I'm still getting the bumps through the seat. I've only rowed for 4 hours total, how dirty can it be

It could be the rollers got something embedded in them early that might take a little more work to clean up. I do the same thing as lindsayh and Steve1960VA. Works fine. However, every now and then something a little tougher gets stuck to the rollers. I use one of those non-scratch Scotch-Brite pads to polish the rollers and rail when that happens. When my erg is on the slides, I also clean those rollers and rails the same way.

[cyqle]

I have the same "problem" with my indoor rower. But honestly, the best solution is a cleaning rag with a little bit water, wiped before and after every training session.

[Anth_F]

That's all I've been using (after each session) and I'm still getting the bumps through the seat. I've only rowed for 4 hours total, how dirty can it be

It could be the rollers got something embedded in them early that might take a little more work to clean up. I do the same thing as lindsayh and Steve1960VA. Works fine. However, every now and then something a little tougher gets stuck to the rollers. I use one of those non-scratch Scotch-Brite pads to polish the rollers and rail when that happens. When my erg is on the slides, I also clean those rollers and rails the same way.

I use a scotch brite pad too to wipe away the dirt build up, which is fast to build up. It only takes a 10k session or so to see it build up again. I also use Autoglym super resin polish every few months, and it brings the monorail up sparkling new again after the surface scratches the rollers have produced over that period of time.

[ornatewobbegong]

Would WD40 be a bad idea?

[Citroen]

Would WD40 be a bad idea?

Yes. WD40 is an exceedingly bad idea. Use plain water or windex (or other k*tchen non-abrasive surface cleaner).