Storing Handle

JASnyder · Post by **JASnyder** » February 5th, 2018, 7:34 pm

Got my Model D two weeks ago and am loving it!

Newb question: when I'm not using my rower, should I store the handle in the cradle, fully retracted, or does it not matter?

Thanks,
Jeff

Anth_F · Post by **Anth_F** » February 5th, 2018, 10:16 pm

Yes, store the handle fully back in the flywheel housing. This will prevent premature wear on the bungee cord.

Another tip i can give you, return the damper lever fully back down to #1 position after use, this will keep out any excess dust when the machines not in use.

Ombrax · Post by **Ombrax** » February 6th, 2018, 12:15 am

Anth_F wrote:Another tip i can give you, return the damper lever fully back down to #1 position after use, this will keep out any excess dust when the machines not in use.

Unless you're in a gym, in which case this is a complete waste of time, because odds are 99:1 that the next user will take it up to 10 (they'd go to 11 if they could) because "harder must be better."

(that was more of a lament than a serious comment, but I couldn't help myself)

JASnyder · Post by **JASnyder** » February 6th, 2018, 7:33 am

Anth_F wrote:Yes, store the handle fully back in the flywheel housing. This will prevent premature wear on the bungee cord.

Another tip i can give you, return the damper lever fully back down to #1 position after use, this will keep out any excess dust when the machines not in use.

Thank you!

c2jonw · Post by **c2jonw** » February 6th, 2018, 9:35 am

Leave the handle wherever you like. The advice to put the handle back at the chain guide is a leftover from the Model A and B days when we used a generic shock cord that would lose it's elasticity over time. With the Model C forward we reconfigured the return mechanism so the shock cord isn't being stretched as much and we're using a much better cord. Dust coming in the damper when not in use? Never heard that one. Unless there's a wind storm I would think ambient dust would most likely enter through the top of the perforated metal outlet......C2JonW

Anth_F · Post by **Anth_F** » February 6th, 2018, 5:44 pm

c2jonw wrote:Dust coming in the damper when not in use? Never heard that one. Unless there's a wind storm I would think ambient dust would most likely enter through the top of the perforated metal outlet......C2JonW

I learned about that from a Darkhorse rowing vid or something, on youtube. Tips: on how best to look after your C2 rower. It doesn't cost anything to do those couple things, and takes less than seconds so why not IMO.

c2jonw · Post by **c2jonw** » February 6th, 2018, 5:54 pm

I learned about that from a Darkhorse rowing vid or something, on youtube. Tips: on how best to look after your C2 rower. It doesn't cost anything to do those couple things, and takes less than seconds so why not IMO.

No Argument that they're easy to do- I'm just answering the OPs question.....does it matter? No, it does not. No idea where Dark Horse got their info about closing the damper. C2JonW

Ombrax · Post by **Ombrax** » February 6th, 2018, 9:33 pm

One possible issue with moving the damper lever (if you're the only user of that particular erg) is that you then have to reset it and re-check the drag factor. No big deal, but a minor annoyance. (unless you check it before every workout regardless of whether or not the handle's been moved)

Mat · Post by **Mat** » February 7th, 2018, 4:55 am

Hi together!

I know that nobody reads users manuals but I would like to quote the one that came with my 2014 machine:

It is best to let the handle rest against
the fan cage rather than in the handle hooks
when the machine is not in constant use. (i.e.
overnight, between workouts). This will prolong
the life of the shock cord.

Dust is everywhere. You can't avoid it. I use a self made dust cover for the fan cage. And before every workout I clean the monorail from dust with a dry towel. This gives me a clean and smooth ride.

Mat

smeeagain · Post by **smeeagain** » February 7th, 2018, 6:20 am

c2jonw wrote:
I learned about that from a Darkhorse rowing vid or something, on youtube. Tips: on how best to look after your C2 rower. It doesn't cost anything to do those couple things, and takes less than seconds so why not IMO.
No Argument that they're easy to do- I'm just answering the OPs question.....does it matter? No, it does not. No idea where Dark Horse got their info about closing the damper. C2JonW

The guy who serviced my machine last week advised me specifically, as Im the only one using the machine, to leave the handle fully retracted to save shock cord wear. I was already doing it and have done it for years.

HE asked if I had kids - which I don't. They have been known to try and stick things through the side vent, so again he said to leave it closed, but that was more about foreign object ingress than dust.
As for the dust I reckon it would , as someone else said, more likely settle in through the top of the metal mesh than in from the side, but I also have a cover to put over it when not in use, and if you are using it on carpet then it is best to have the machine sat on a mat so you aren't sucking up lots of carpet dust

Smee

smeeagain · Post by **smeeagain** » February 7th, 2018, 6:25 am

Mat wrote:Hi together!

I know that nobody reads users manuals but I would like to quote the one that came with my 2014 machine:

It is best to let the handle rest against
the fan cage rather than in the handle hooks
when the machine is not in constant use. (i.e.
overnight, between workouts). This will prolong
the life of the shock cord.
Mat

Yup. I knew this was still the official advice - just couldnt remember where I had seen it

Citroen · Post by **Citroen** » February 7th, 2018, 9:31 am

Looks like C2JonW needs to push an update to the "official advice". Perhaps it should go on github then the community could make changes/corrections and ask the docs folks to make things permanent with a pull request.

There's a lot to be said about open source docs.

c2jonw · Post by **c2jonw** » February 7th, 2018, 10:39 am

Looks like C2JonW needs to push an update to the "official advice". Perhaps it should go on github then the community could make changes/corrections and ask the docs folks to make things permanent with a pull request.

There's a lot to be said about open source docs.

Yup, right you are! Anybody got a link to that? I found that instruction in the online Model C Users Manual which we do not typically revise- but I'm not finding it in any of the Model D/E literature.....C2JonW

Anth_F · Post by **Anth_F** » February 7th, 2018, 10:47 am

smeeagain wrote:
HE asked if I had kids - which I don't. They have been known to try and stick things through the side vent, so again he said to leave it closed, but that was more about foreign object ingress than dust.
As for the dust I reckon it would , as someone else said, more likely settle in through the top of the metal mesh than in from the side, but I also have a cover to put over it when not in use, and if you are using it on carpet then it is best to have the machine sat on a mat so you aren't sucking up lots of carpet dust

Smee

See now for me, it's them damn dog hairs! They get everywhere, especially when Sheba is molting. I have my erg near a door that leads into the front garden, and any gusts of wind will blow dog hairs directly into the fancage via the damper vents. Now when i last cleaned out the cage and flywheel there were no dog hairs, this was down to me flicking the damper lever down all the way when i was not using the machine. Now i just do it instinctively after each session.

smeeagain · Post by **smeeagain** » February 7th, 2018, 11:23 am

c2jonw wrote:
Looks like C2JonW needs to push an update to the "official advice". Perhaps it should go on github then the community could make changes/corrections and ask the docs folks to make things permanent with a pull request.

There's a lot to be said about open source docs.
Yup, right you are! Anybody got a link to that? I found that instruction in the online Model C Users Manual which we do not typically revise- but I'm not finding it in any of the Model D/E literature.....C2JonW

Having emailed C2 in the Uk myself today and had a response. It would appear that there is more than one correct answer depending on the age of your machine and what maintenance may or may not have carried out on it.

First of all I stand corrected - the rationale for leaving the handle up by the flywheel wasn't apparently to protect the shockcord it was to protect the 'old style' chain (presumably to avoid stretch) which came in around 2003/2004. Why it would therefore be mentioned in a 2014 manual I have no idea.

If you have anew model and a new chain then you can leave the handle anywhere you like according to C2. If you have an older model with an older chain that hasn't been replaced then you should, according to C2, continue to leave the handle by the fly wheel.

You may think there wont be many models out there of that vintage that haven't changed the chain, but I have a 2003 model which only had the chain changed for the first time last week and the service guy said it was in great condition and didnt need done. But I wanted a nickel plated 'new' chain so he swapped it over.

So the answer to the question depends on the age of the chain ......

Concept2 Forum

Storing Handle

Storing Handle

Re: Storing Handle

Re: Storing Handle

Re: Storing Handle

Re: Storing Handle

Re: Storing Handle

Re: Storing Handle

Re: Storing Handle

Re: Storing Handle

Re: Storing Handle

Re: Storing Handle

Re: Storing Handle

Re: Storing Handle

Re: Storing Handle

Re: Storing Handle