New erg feeling DF

[Neorticros]

After 2.5 years rowing at the gym I just bought a new c2 erg. Erg works great but there is something that is bugging me a lot.

My splits speed has gone down a lot. I assume part of it, around 3 to 5 secs could be heat (which also limits sessions length) but I also noticed an unexpected 7 to 10 secs extra slow split in them.

After quite a few tests, I figured out something. At the gym (4 pm3 ergs) I row at 120_125 DF which is around damper in 6 in my most common one. In my new erg (pm5) I get 112 DF at damper 5. That alone is weird because the machine is new. But actually feels like 140 DF. And even after rowing at damper 5 I felt sore legs, as if I was actually rowing at 140.

So I get the impression as if the machine worked great but the DF sent to monitor was just wrong. It's like driving a car that works great but has the speed monitor showing a 20km|hr difference from real speed.

What is happening????

[Dangerscouse]

I got a nearly new erg in December last year (C2 used it as a warm up at one of their comps) and even though the drag was the same and went up to 242(!!) it still felt heavier than what I was used to.

It was very smooth but I struggled with it for a bit, possibly as I expected it to be so much different and banging out PBs every time.

Give it a few weeks and you will adjust to it and find your sweet spot again. I also found it distracting the change in rowing environment. When you are comfortable and have got used to something, your brain will suddenly notice so much more that it filtered out previously when it drastically changes, and that includes a bit of the effort in rowing.

[hjs]

You should be just as fast on every machine. Maybe its set up wrong. Bungee cord can be different, but even that does not slow you down.

[Ombrax]

Bungee cord can be different, but even that does not slow you down.

Isn't that Slidewinder's cue to jump in?

[Anth_F]

Bungee cord can be different, but even that does not slow you down.

Isn't that Slidewinder's cue to jump in?

I hope not haha.

Gotta be honest tho... my latest sessions on my erg i noticed it was easier to go 2:02-03 pace than usual, + my usual r21-22. Now, is that down to me getting fitter, or my bungee getting slacker

I'd like to think it's down to me getting fitter

[hjs]

Bungee cord can be different, but even that does not slow you down.

Isn't that Slidewinder's cue to jump in?

jup, but try rowing with a slack cord, thats pretty horrible. I always find the feel on new ergs, with fresh cords have best feel. But again, no pace difference.

[mitchel674]

Just an FYI and interesting read for the OP.

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=186082

[Neorticros]

Thanks a lot for all your replies. I assumed part of the pace decrease was on heat and different environment, but not all of it.

After reading about the cord and so, something came to my mind. I had not oiled the chain. I was thinking I was suppose to oil it every few months or so but didn't know if I had to do it straight away. I just did and it feels so much smoother. Have to test it a bit more, but it could be just that. I will tell you for sure in a couple of days

[Cyclist2]

After quite a few tests, I figured out something. At the gym (4 pm3 ergs) I row at 120_125 DF which is around damper in 6 in my most common one. In my new erg (pm5) I get 112 DF at damper 5. That alone is weird because the machine is new. But actually feels like 140 DF. And even after rowing at damper 5 I felt sore legs, as if I was actually rowing at 140.

So I get the impression as if the machine worked great but the DF sent to monitor was just wrong. It's like driving a car that works great but has the speed monitor showing a 20km|hr difference from real speed.

What is happening????

The replies so far have addressed relevant issues, but what you state here may actually be happening. On my model C/PM3, which I keep very clean, a DF of 112 is at damper setting 2.5, and at damper 5 it is 142. That lines up with what you read vs what you feel, so I'd check the monitor to be sure it has the latest firmware and is the correct version for your machine. I know C2 generally ships the right stuff together, but mistakes can happen. (The DF/damper setting on your gym machine indicates it is dirty).

[jamesg]

What is happening????

A small change in drag leads to a small change in flywheel speed at the catch. This can lead to small changes in pull and recovery time, with a change in rhythm.

This can go unnoticed if we are not looking for it, but will have its effects.

We can adjust our style (posture, pull force and length, recovery sequence and speed) when switching ergs, or boats, to get back to a comfortable rhythm.

Typically, comfortable rating ranges are 20-23 for UT1 and 26-28 for AT, which give rhythms 3:1 and 2:1, the most commonly used in training.

[Marcus]

Hi OP, (and everyone else)

I've got a brand new (2 week old) model D and it's exactly the same.

DF 102(ish) at 4 and 112(ish) at 5 but it feels a lot heavier compared to the c2s I used at the local gym. 102 feels more like 142.

I wear a HR strap so can see it's making me work harder, but it's no big deal. I'm presuming it's all down to needing to be broken in and the different air temps, humidity etc. The gym is air-conditioned and my patio isn't.

Enjoy it though, I'm loving having one at home and don't need the gym cost now.

[alien878]

I purchased my Model D/PM5 in January. Manufacture date 10/2018. The DF on 5 is 106. Everything is clean and there was no change last time I oiled the chain.

I've seen a few reports of low DF and slow place readings on new ergs. Maybe something has changed recently? Unfortunately, I don't have anything to compare to. It has been years since I rowed on an older Model B and I have nothing locally to compare to.

I'm not too concerned as my goal is to improve fitness and I am competing against myself. The PM5 readings are definitely consistent, so it meets my needs. I would be nice to find out that my pace is actually a bit faster then what the PM5 says

Allen

[hjs]

I purchased my Model D/PM5 in January. Manufacture date 10/2018. The DF on 5 is 106. Everything is clean and there was no change last time I oiled the chain.

I've seen a few reports of low DF and slow place readings on new ergs. Maybe something has changed recently? Unfortunately, I don't have anything to compare to. It has been years since I rowed on an older Model B and I have nothing locally to compare to.

I'm not too concerned as my goal is to improve fitness and I am competing against myself. The PM5 readings are definitely consistent, so it meets my needs. I would be nice to find out that my pace is actually a bit faster then what the PM5 says

Allen

What is the range from min. to max.?

[Anth_F]

I purchased my Model D/PM5 in January. Manufacture date 10/2018. The DF on 5 is 106. Everything is clean and there was no change last time I oiled the chain.

I've seen a few reports of low DF and slow place readings on new ergs. Maybe something has changed recently? Unfortunately, I don't have anything to compare to. It has been years since I rowed on an older Model B and I have nothing locally to compare to.

I'm not too concerned as my goal is to improve fitness and I am competing against myself. The PM5 readings are definitely consistent, so it meets my needs. I would be nice to find out that my pace is actually a bit faster then what the PM5 says

Allen

Well if you wanna compare, my 2014 model E with PM5 df reading on 5 is around 135, my machine is nice n clean. Oiling the chain will just make it feel smoother to row on.

Min is df-86, max is df-216

The PM5 is a very accurate bit of kit... your paces that the PM5 is giving you will be right on point.

[Marcus]

What is the range from min. to max.?

76 - 224.