Shock cord issues (wearing out after 7 weeks)

[Brewi5]

Hi all, my first post on the forum so hi everyone!

I own 10 concept 2 model D rowing machines at my gym in the UK and during lockdown gave one to my mum to use in her garage to keep her fit.

After a couple of weeks the shock cord went (picture 1) so I ordered and fitted a replacement following the guide from c2; however just 7 weeks later the new cord has snapped again (pic 3&4) and shows signs of wear (pic 5).

Is there likely to be another issue causing this? In the years I've owned the other rowers the shock cords have never snapped before.

[Citroen]

No photos here.

Post them on https://imgur.com post the links on here.

[Tinpusher]

Mice? I've had my D since 2006, done nearly 27 million metres and replaced the shock cord once.

[Carl Watts]

Something wrong there, maybe a pulley has seized or it came off the pulley and was going round the small pulley shaft instead.

These are a bit of a pain to fit so I came up with a way of attaching the new one to the end of the old one so you can just pull the two new ends back round as you're pulling the old one out.

[Ombrax]

Are you sure you followed the directions properly?

https://www.concept2.com/files/pdf/us/i ... cement.pdf

[jackarabit]

Carl’s way of reeving the blocks saves a lot of blood running to your head

[Boris1956]

Hi all, my first post on the forum so hi everyone!

I own 10 concept 2 model D rowing machines at my gym in the UK and during lockdown gave one to my mum to use in her garage to keep her fit.

After a couple of weeks the shock cord went (picture 1) so I ordered and fitted a replacement following the guide from c2; however just 7 weeks later the new cord has snapped again (pic 3&4) and shows signs of wear (pic 5).

Is there likely to be another issue causing this? In the years I've owned the other rowers the shock cords have never snapped before.

What colour was the shock cord? My son got a new rower prior to lockdown with a white shock cord. After a week or so we noticed short pieces of cord on the floor every time he worked out. The cord was fraying quite badly. He got a replacement cord which was green in colour and has had no problems with the new one. At the same time he replaced the shock cord on my concept 2 with a new shock cord which was white in colour, it's just started fraying again. It has been installed correctly. I wonder if it's a quality control issue with some shock cords?

[Carl Watts]

The only colors I have fitted are green and blue. No problems with either.

[froque]

Hi

The Shock Cord Pulleys (part 1011) usually do have imperfections from the molding, I deburr the imperfections always, I use first a sharp blade, and then the finest sand paper. You will notice that the blue dust from the cord that usually accumulates inside will not be present anymore and you are not breathing it in while rowing or servicing the c2.

I have seen extreme cord wear to the point that the rubber is exposed in some places due to those burrs, but never a snap.

[joe80]

My advice would be to contact Concept2 directly. There's clearly an exceptional problem here.

By way of reference, my model D, purchased in 2006, has coped with 80 million+ metres without the shock cord needing adjustment.

Regards,
Joe

[Boris1956]

Out of interest it seems there is a problem with the replacement shock cord I had fitted. After about 300k of use there are strands of rubber coming from it again. The strands are of even length (about 60-80mm). This is exactly the same problem my son had with his erg as well. Some kind of a problem?

[dstober]

Hi there

I purchased my machine in July and am also having this issue. Small elastic strings coming out of the shock cord. Have sent pics to Concept 2 and they advised that looks like a faulty cord and they'll be sending a replacement. I did advise that there were others (via this forum) that seem to be having the same issues. Considering the machine is brand new.....definitely a pain in the rear replacing the cord so early. The folks at C2 did get back to me quickly so I definitely appreciate the fast service.

If you've recently purchased a model D and happen to notice small pieces of elastic on the floor below your rower....take a peek inside just in case.

[DavidA]

Hi there

I purchased my machine in July and am also having this issue. Small elastic strings coming out of the shock cord. Have sent pics to Concept 2 and they advised that looks like a faulty cord and they'll be sending a replacement. I did advise that there were others (via this forum) that seem to be having the same issues. Considering the machine is brand new.....definitely a pain in the rear replacing the cord so early. The folks at C2 did get back to me quickly so I definitely appreciate the fast service.

If you've recently purchased a model D and happen to notice small pieces of elastic on the floor below your rower....take a peek inside just in case.

I had similar issues after replacing my shock cord.
I figured out that it was user error - I hadn't quite routed it correctly. It was a little tricky. After redoing it, it has been fine.

David

[dstober]

Thanks

I was thinking that maybe with the huge rush on machines during the Spring...certainly possible the routing wasn't done correctly when the machine was put together at their facility. Or could just be a crap cord.

Once I get the new cord I'll give it a shot to install and maybe that'll fix the problem....assuming I actually route it correctly.

[GreenStratMan]

Thanks

I was thinking that maybe with the huge rush on machines during the Spring...certainly possible the routing wasn't done correctly when the machine was put together at their facility. Or could just be a crap cord.

Once I get the new cord I'll give it a shot to install and maybe that'll fix the problem....assuming I actually route it correctly.

There are some videos on YouTube on how to remove and replace the cord. Doesn’t look that difficult.