Persistently low drag factor

[ktdohe]

Hi all,

I've got my damper set between 3 and 4 - I've read that this should result in a drag factor between 115 and 125 or so, but I persistently get drag factors of 100 or lower. Is this an issue I need to work on - i.e., would my rowing be more efficient with a higher drag factor? On my last workout, for example, I rowed for 5k meters with the following stats: time: 21:03, avg. pace: 2:06, avg. stroke rate: 26, drag factor: 99.

Thanks for any tips!

[Allan Olesen]

It simply means that the cage around the flywheel is filled with dust, preventing the air circulation. The more you prevent the air circulation, the lower the drag factor will be.

The dust does exactly the same as the damper,so it doesn't really matter if you reach your desired drag factor by restricting the air flow with dust or by setting the damper.

Anyway, forget the damper setting. Drag factor is what counts. So if you want another drag factor, just change the damper setting until the drag factor is as desired.

[Ombrax]

What Allan said is 100% correct - as long as you can get the DF you need it really doesn't matter what the lever position is. However, it is still a good idea to take things apart every now and then and give the cage and flywheel a good cleaning.

With one major caveat: Whatever you do, do not move, remove, or lose any of the balance weights that you most likely have on the fan. If you do, you will regret it.

[mict450]

You could have a perfectly clean flywheel but still read low if you live at elevation. I'm at 3200 ft, DF @ 1 is 60, @ 10, 180.

[ktdohe]

Thanks all - I just got the machine a few months ago so I wouldn't think there'd be that much dust accumulation, but I will take a look and see if that's the issue.

[jamesg]

would my rowing be more efficient with a higher drag factor?

Your 5k was at 175W, rate 26, so your stroke was reasonably good already. How good depends on your age, size and sex.

In general low drag is more efficent since this and the slide allow a long quick stroke with plenty of time for recovery, using the legs. This type of stroke has to be learnt.

Ergdata can show your stroke length and average handle force. Length should be about 70% of height and average force 50% or more of fit weight.

For example, Height 1.8 length 1.26 m, Weight 80 force 40 kg at rate 26 implies 215 Watts.

[Citroen]

... would my rowing be more efficient with a higher drag factor?

No. Your rowing will be most efficient at an ideal drag factor for you.
That's usually between 100 and 140 depending on your physical characteristics (and your elevation above sea-level*).

https://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/ ... etting-101


* Elevation is the most significant external factor that may require adjusting the flywheel damping.

[mict450]

Thanks all - I just got the machine a few months ago so I wouldn't think there'd be that much dust accumulation, but I will take a look and see if that's the issue.

Personally I wouldn't bother with disassembly on a relatively new machine. Unless you live in Dust Bowl Oklahoma, circa 1930's?!

FYI, my DF @ 3-4 is <100, also.

[kklabunde]

FYI, my DF @ 3-4 is <100, also.

Same, on a new machine with about 25 hours on it.

[Dangerscouse]

Yeah, I think mine is on six, to get a drag of 120ish. My max drag is 220ish, so there is quite a lot of difference with relatively little movement of the damper.

[Citroen]

FYI, my DF @ 3-4 is <100, also.

Same, on a new machine with about 25 hours on it.

Yeah, I think mine is on six, to get a drag of 120ish. My max drag is 220ish, so there is quite a lot of difference with relatively little movement of the damper.

@kklabunde @ktdohe
What's your elevation above sea-level. That's a big factor for the folks that don't live in the flatlands of a small green, temperate island on the eastern edge of the Atlantic.

[kklabunde]

@kklabunde @ktdohe
What's your elevation above sea-level. That's a big factor for the folks that don't live in the flatlands of a small green, temperate island on the eastern edge of the Atlantic.

I'm at 981 ft above in Indiana.

3-4 is the mid 90's, top edge of 6 puts me at 130.

[Citroen]

@kklabunde @ktdohe
What's your elevation above sea-level. That's a big factor for the folks that don't live in the flatlands of a small green, temperate island on the eastern edge of the Atlantic.

I'm at 981 ft above in Indiana.

3-4 is the mid 90's, top edge of 6 puts me at 130.

So that's correct your elevation gives you an air pressure that's roughly 96% of the pressure at mean sea level and your drag factors are about the same percentage of those for the flatlanders.

[mict450]

....for the flatlanders.

Interesting that you use the same term, "flatlanders", that many of the old-timer here use. So often, different terms are used by you Brits vs us colonialists. Some here use the less flattering term, "down streamers".