Rowing without brass handle ring (temporarily)?

[colinr]

This piece snapped in two on my row today. https://shop.concept2.com/parts/321-slo ... c-d-e.html https://photos.app.goo.gl/MTYH57QPase3qM496

I ordered a new one, but I'm wondering if it would be ok for me to row without one for the next week or two while I wait for it to arrive? Admittedly I don't fully understand its purpose.

Thanks!

[Willy.VdW]

Brass pieces are often used to prevent premature wear on other metals rubbing each other.
It is cheaper and easier to replace the ring than to replace the chain.
Brass is also (to a certain extent) self-lubricating.
The best thing to do is to wait for a new ring...

[Ombrax]

Yes you can row without it without massive damage occurring.

See the link below for more details, but the bottom line is that the Model E at the gym at work went a very, very, very long time without it. I have since installed one, but it saw many meters without and survived with some, but not horrible wear at the U-bolt - swivel interface.

Edit: If I were in your shoes and it were my erg I would just keep using it until you received the replacement part, then install it at your earliest convenience. With some help to have someone hold the chain so it isn't under tension, it's a 5-minute job (including the time to file the displaced material from the OD of the swivel shaft - if you don't put too many m on it without the ring you probably won't need to do that)

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=206366

[Me, Myself and I]

You should have ordered a couple of spares at the same time. We always keep some of these and the u-bolt on hand knowing they're going to snap at some point.

[gvcormac]

I recommend using heavy grease (wheel bearing or general purpose grease from an auto parts store) until your brass bushing arrives.

Just smear it on the rubbing surfaces, wash your hands, and be sure not to touch the grease when you use it or you'll spread it around.

When your bushing arrives, wipe clean with a paper towel, install the bushing, and lubricate with your chain oil. Whenever you lubricate the chain (every 50 hours of use is recommended) lubricate the bushing too.

[miket-nyc]

This piece snapped in two on my row today. https://shop.concept2.com/parts/321-slo ... c-d-e.html https://photos.app.goo.gl/MTYH57QPase3qM496

I replaced this on my Model D tonight. The brass (or bronze?) ring is a good idea, because it will wear first and prevent the steel parts around it from getting worn.

I bought this rower used, and the seller included two replacement rings, but the one on the machine was very chewed up and he had never changed it. When i tried to change it I understood why: the inside of the ring was so buggered up that I had to break it in half to get it off.

[Carl Watts]

I don't think its brass, its a sintered bronze material. Preferred to replace mine with much stronger cast Phosphorous Bronze rod that I machined up in a Lathe.

This is a self lubricating material to an extent, but I still put some chain lube on it.

The problem with a new one is that sometimes it breaks before it can bed in properly. All the load is a point contact when new and it can simply split it in two in short order.

You can row without it for a while but the bearing needs to be replaced or else the U bolt eats the end of the chain holder as it stainless on stainless and stainless is a terrible bearing, the hole in it eventually turns into a slot as it tries to eat itself out of the end.

[Willy.VdW]

Since it is called "Brass Chain Swivel Bushing" on the Concept2 website, I assume it is (or should be) brass:
https://shop.concept2.com/parts/321-slo ... c-d-e.html

[Joebasscat]

Replaced my initial bushing just recently. After roughly 12 mil meters. The instructions tell you to orient the slot to the underside of the handle. But the new machines I’ve seen, mine included, the slot is oriented on the upside. Kind of a curious thing. I now hear a little rattle at the handle often for the first few pulls. Usually disappears straight away. Maybe still seating itself properly?

[Carl Watts]

Replaced my initial bushing just recently. After roughly 12 mil meters. The instructions tell you to orient the slot to the underside of the handle. But the new machines I’ve seen, mine included, the slot is oriented on the upside. Kind of a curious thing. I now hear a little rattle at the handle often for the first few pulls. Usually disappears straight away. Maybe still seating itself properly?

No idea what you mean but to fit a new one you typically need to take a file to the stainless to remove the burs, the handle needs to be removed and the new bush slides on with its crown facing the front of the rower.

The new one cannot be rotated to a new position but the old one could be move to a second position to make it last longer. How long it lasts is pure luck, I have seen some really old ones still going when the chain has rusted out and it stuffed or mine lasted like a year or less. One issue is that it "Crushes" and gets tight and combined with the burs you cannot rotate the old one anyway. Basically the material used is too soft.

[Joebasscat]

Replaced my initial bushing just recently. After roughly 12 mil meters. The instructions tell you to orient the slot to the underside of the handle. But the new machines I’ve seen, mine included, the slot is oriented on the upside. Kind of a curious thing. I now hear a little rattle at the handle often for the first few pulls. Usually disappears straight away. Maybe still seating itself properly?

No idea what you mean but to fit a new one you typically need to take a file to the stainless to remove the burs, the handle needs to be removed and the new bush slides on with its crown facing the front of the rower.

The new one cannot be rotated to a new position but the old one could be move to a second position to make it last longer. How long it lasts is pure luck, I have seen some really old ones still going when the chain has rusted out and it stuffed or mine lasted like a year or less. One issue is that it "Crushes" and gets tight and combined with the burs you cannot rotate the old one anyway. Basically the material used is too soft.

I meant this:

6. Reinstall the u-bolt on the chain. If necessary, rotate the swivel bushing so that the slot in the bushing is oriented down (toward the underside of the handle) Insert the u-bolt into the handle, replace the nylock nuts on the u-bolt and tighten. The end of the u-bolt should be flush with the outside of the nuts.