What breaks first?

[Mlevison]

Slightly strange question I know. I'm about to buy a PM5 for my existing Model D. Since shipping costs to Canada are expensive, it makes sense for any parts I will ever need to tag along for the ride.

So are there any things that inevitably wear out? The ones that strike me are seat roller, perhaps the chain and sprocket?

Alternatively am I overthinking this? Maybe someone will tell me that I can buy all of this at Canadian Tire.

Cheers
Mark

[Ombrax]

Based on what I've seen on the Model E at my gym I'd say the brass chain swivel bushing.

https://shop.concept2.com/parts/321-slo ... c-d-e.html

Based on what I read here I'd say maybe the bungee cord, but I don't know if that's the sort of thing you can buy and keep in storage on the shelf - the original may last long enough that the replacement you buy today is a bit long in the tooth itself. (I'm not sure what causes bungee cords to go bad, just time, or time + the number of stretch-retract cycles.)

I don't think you need to worry much about any of the bearings (at the flywheel or at the seat). And compared to bicycles, chains on the C2 rower last a long, long time. (at least in my experience)

Bottom line, maybe I'd, throw in a swivel bushing (or two - they're $1 each...) and that's about it.

[Carl Watts]

Get a swivel bush or 2, these don't last long if you row at pace.

The bungee or shock cord last about 10 years and then needs replacement. Its not that easy to replace unless you use the rope and strong thread technique thereby replacing the old cord with rope as you draw it out that can then be attached to the new cord to draw it back in.

Seat rollers are best rebuilt yourself using double rubber shielded bearings.

Foot straps can get pretty stuffed unless you use the double tuck on them.

if you oil the chain it basically lasts a lifetime and so does the sprocket.

[Willy.VdW]

"Foot straps can get pretty stuffed unless you use the double tuck on them."
Please explain what this means, I don't understand it (English is not my native tongue )

[Slidewinder]

"Foot straps can get pretty stuffed unless you use the double tuck on them."
Please explain what this means...

This is to prevent the straps from working loose. C2 uses straps because they are the least expensive solution, and also I think, because the C2 founders are OTW rowers. Straps make sense OTW for weight considerations, but weight is not critical in a rowing machine. For my own use I designed and built a mechanical foot hold-down. One handed engagement and release. It is quick and fail proof. Some Cross Fit people have expressed an interest in the device because it enables a rapid on and off the machine, which suits the circuit training they do.

[gvcormac]

My Model D will have its 20th birthday in November. I have replaced nothing on it, other than the PM3, which still worked perfectly.

Unfortunately I've lost track of total meters. Somewhere between 10M and 20M, I'd think.

[Dangerscouse]

I have had my Model D for 4.5 years and it's done circa 12 million metres. I haven't changed anything, and it doesn't need anything, so ime, don't worry about it

[MudSweatAndYears]

The only thing I had to replace in my model E is the brass chain swivel bushing (after about 5 million meters). I am a bit lousy when it comes to thoroughly cleaning my erg after each workout, so it must have been corrosion due to long-time exposure to sweat that caused this part to break.

[Ombrax]

I am a bit lousy when it comes to thoroughly cleaning my erg after each workout, so it must have been corrosion due to long-time exposure to sweat that caused this part to break.

I'm not 100% sure about this, but I think it's purposely intended to be the easily replaceable part that's designed to be the softest link in the chain-to-handle link. Wear happens there, saving the rest of the system. I don't think it was your fault - it performed as it was designed to.

The danger (which is what happened in my gym, until I noticed that the bushing was missing, got a new one for them - free from C2 - and installed it) is if the bushing drops out, and isn't replaced. Everything will be fine - for a while - until wear destroys a steel part that isn't intended to take load without the bushing there, and a failure occurs. Luckily in my case I realized the bushing was missing and saved someone from a bad surprise.