Build up of black stuff on rollers

[RichBinAZ]

Do you remember - in the old days when computer mice had a ball in the bottom instead of todays laser.
When the mouse stopped working, you had to pull out the ball and clean it off and also the crud that had built up on the X & Y wheels.
Note: crud can also block the scroll wheel counting ring on the laser versions - have to take the mouse apart for that.

Skin cells from your hands do both.

For the erg, it's dust from the air - some of which is you.
Cleaning every time is the best remedy as many have noted.

[mict450]

Do you remember - in the old days when computer mice had a ball in the bottom instead of todays laser.

That gave me a chuckle....it wasn't that long ago....

[Dangerscouse]

Do you remember - in the old days when computer mice had a ball in the bottom instead of todays laser.
When the mouse stopped working, you had to pull out the ball and clean it off and also the crud that had built up on the X & Y wheels.
Note: crud can also block the scroll wheel counting ring on the laser versions - have to take the mouse apart for that.

Skin cells from your hands do both.

For the erg, it's dust from the air - some of which is you.
Cleaning every time is the best remedy as many have noted.

Hahaha, I had forgot about that!

[ampire]

I use a squirt bottle with water and a couple drops (sparingly) of liquid dish detergent to clean the rail, handle, rollers, seat, and slides, works great. Use a rag to wipe it.

Clean it after every use and it will always roll smooth.

[Bob Evans]

Despite cleaning with a glass cleaner after every session, the rollers still built up tenacious black crud leading to a rough ride that got to be distracting. The rail, however, always cleaned up like new. Some years back I read, likely on this forum, of someone using a few drops of mineral oil on either side of the rail where the rollers travel. I tried it and have continued to for every session. Yes, any residual oil is wiped off the rail and rollers after every session. The drive and recovery are always silky smooth. There's virtually no build up of crud on the rollers. The seat always returns on its own to the front of the rail now. Can't say "oiling the rail" has improved my splits at all but I can say that the smooth erging is far more enjoyable. I obviously feel it's worth the fuss.

[dsamant]

Yes. I have always used mineral oil and it does wonders to the smoothness and easy removal of the black residue.

[mainsil]

I want to thank Bob Evans and Dsamant for the oil idea. I'm really surprised oiling the rail isn't suggested in the concept2 maintenance video: https://www.concept2.com/service/indoor ... aintenance, it is a major quality of life improvement.

It was taking me a good 5 to 10 minutes to clean the sticky gunk off the rollers and rails after each use. With a bit of light oil applied once a week, it only takes a minute or two to clean up after each use.

[Mark rows now]

I found out the essence of the black stuff: besides sweat its pure passion and speed!
Want to try out oiling the rail - will WD-40 do the trick?

[jamesg]

Depends on the type of steel. Many don't like oil, because it blocks oxygen, or organic acids. Water alone is enough.

[Citroen]

Want to try out oiling the rail - will WD-40 do the trick?

Water displacement #40 (from the 40th go at getting it to work) is NOT a lubricant. It's a water displacer designed for the space program by the Rocket Chemical Company. It was used to prevent the Atlas rockets from rusting.

It also degrades to some very unpleasant hydrocarbons that I wouldn't want to breath in while I'm rowing.

[Carl Watts]

Just use a damp cloth with water guys.

You have to clean the slide and the rollers BEFORE every row if you want it perfect. Stuff falls from your clothing, skin partials and other dust from the air just settles on the slide.

Its not a big deal if you do it before every row, it takes like 30 seconds. Leave it longer and it gets ingrained and you need a worn out scourer to get it off.

Use a light colour or even a white cloth, stop cleaning when no more black comes off.

[mict450]

You have to clean the slide and the rollers BEFORE every row if you want it perfect. Stuff falls from your clothing, skin partials and other dust from the air just settles on the slide.

Its not a big deal if you do it before every row, it takes like 30 seconds.

I've been cleaning before a workout now for a couple weeks. The bumpy ride when I cleaned after a session is probably due to my poor housekeeping skills. I'd better check the HVAC filter. Don't remember when I last changed it.