New RowErg Concerns

[Imali]

Hi all, new UK user here.

Ive had my RowErg for around a week now, purchased new from a major retail. I believe it was fulfilled and supplied by Concept2.

I’ve enjoyed getting used to this great piece of kit and look forward to doing lots of training with it. I’ve already enthusiastically connected up Ergdata, HRM and Garmin via ANT+ FE-C.

I’m a little concerned and disappointed with a few aspects which makes me feel like I’ve received old stock, or a lemon. Maybe I’m overthinking it all?

First, the PM5. I’ve figured out that I have hardware version 906, which works with the 215 software branch. I also have the USB-B connection which seems very antiquated!

Software 215 was first released to support new hardware in 2020, there have been two separate software branches supporting newer hardware since. I believe USB-C connection is now available, so I don’t understand why I wouldn’t get the newest hardware? A response I got from support was that this machine is new coded from 2023 but that still doesn’t explain the discrepancy?

Second, the seat makes a bit of a tick/click when it moves along the rail. The seat also has lateral movement which I assumed might be normal. Having read a lot of reports, the noise sounds like it relates to the rollers, bearings or contact with the rail. I don’t observe any noticeable issues.

I’ve included a link below so you can see for yourself. Maybe this is normal sound or maybe indicative of roller issues. Support content also suggests seat movement can relate to worn bearing.

https://streamable.com/66cfsy

Having bought something a little costly and new, I just want to make sure I’m getting the value and quality I should as I hope to look after the machine and have it last for many years to come.

I’d appreciate any feedback or advice.

[jamesg]

They last forever, just keep rollers and track clean and the chain oiled.

If not familiar with rowing, you can see how it's done here:
https://www.concept2.com/training/rowing-technique

This technique engages the legs, which are usually strong already, so guarantees a substantial training effect. If you watch your Watts, you can know how much work you are doing.

[Sakly]

It sounds like there is some dust at one of the rollers, take a towel and clean the rollers by sliding the seat on the rail and press the towel against the rollers.
Got a new machine Jan '22 and 5,5 million meter on it, condition like brand new, they are built to last forever.

[Eduardo_B]

Hello,


Try moving your seat like you do in your video, but try and stop either the back or front roller from moving as you move the seat and then swap whichever roller you have stopped and see/hear which roller is making the noise.

This may help you track down the cause.

cheers


Eddie

[JaapvanE]

First, the PM5. I’ve figured out that I have hardware version 906, which works with the 215 software branch. I also have the USB-B connection which seems very antiquated!

As far as I know, that is the latest HW version. No USB-C version has been released yet.

[Imali]

Thanks for the replies. So I sent in this new video to Jonny as requested, with me sat on it https://streamable.com/oood8l and he has replied , “The seat noise/movement is correct and no issues” which has peeved me off a bit.

The differing noise is happens when my weight is forward. When my weight is back, it’s smooth as a whistle.

What do you guys think, is it fine and I’m being unnecessarily pedantic? It’s just that’s it’s brand new and only a week old and I’m also being told it’s normal.

[Sakly]

Thanks for the replies. So I sent in this new video to Jonny as requested, with me sat on it https://streamable.com/oood8l and he has replied , “The seat noise/movement is correct and no issues” which has peeved me off a bit.

The differing noise is happens when my weight is forward. When my weight is back, it’s smooth as a whistle.

What do you guys think, is it fine and I’m being unnecessarily pedantic? It’s just that’s it’s brand new and only a week old and I’m also being told it’s normal.

Did you check for cumulated dust on the rollers and cleaned them?
Due to the weight shift in forward and backward movements, I would assume a front roller is causing this clicking noise. Not a bearing at all, otherwise it must be there every time. And a defective bearing sounds different.

[Dangerscouse]

Thanks for the replies. So I sent in this new video to Jonny as requested, with me sat on it https://streamable.com/oood8l and he has replied , “The seat noise/movement is correct and no issues” which has peeved me off a bit.

The differing noise is happens when my weight is forward. When my weight is back, it’s smooth as a whistle.

What do you guys think, is it fine and I’m being unnecessarily pedantic? It’s just that’s it’s brand new and only a week old and I’m also being told it’s normal.

Erm, it does sound a bit noisy, but I assume you mean Jonny at C2? He will know the difference if it's an issue. I'd also clean the rollers if you haven't done already, but if it's just noise it might resolve itself over time as there might be a very slight discrepancy with the roller manufacturing (just a guess).

FWIW, I recall that my original handle was destroying my hands, which I couldn't figure out. I eventually replaced it and it was all good from then on. The original handle had a very slight ridge to the back of it that when my hands got sweaty was tearing them up, so despite C2 being exceptionally good, they're not always 100%.

The slight lateral movement is normal as it's not designed to be rigid.

[Imali]

Here’s a few pictures of the rail after a couple uses of the rower, if that helps.

I’ve given it a wipe but not removed and deep cleaned. I couldn’t see or feel anything notable around the roller contact areas or rail. I definitely think it’s the front roller as you say. It’s a bumpy rotational sound but only when weighted and driving down over the front of the seat.

[Sakly]

Here’s a few pictures of the rail after a couple uses of the rower, if that helps.

I’ve given it a wipe but not removed and deep cleaned. I couldn’t see or feel anything notable around the roller contact areas or rail. I definitely think it’s the front roller as you say. It’s a bumpy rotational sound but only when weighted and driving down over the front of the seat.

The rail looks normal. The marks on the side, where the rollers have contact, get a different view, that's fine.
But it is important to clean the rollers, as dust will add up and stick to the rollers to create this bumpy feeling getting along with the sound in your video. Did you clean the rollers and not only the rail?

[Imali]

I just dismantled cleaned and polished up the rollers. I narrowed the problem down to one roller.

Rolling it along a smooth surface by holding the bearings didn’t reveal any suspect bearing issue.

There is a little teeny rough speck as below, I can feel and identify it subtly on my finger when turning.

Could that really be the issue? It won’t clean off so what would be best to buff it smooth?

[Sakly]

If there is really a little bump from the plastic material of the roller itself, I would scratch it down with a sharp knife or whatever.

[Dangerscouse]

I just dismantled cleaned and polished up the rollers. I narrowed the problem down to one roller.

Rolling it along a smooth surface by holding the bearings didn’t reveal any suspect bearing issue.

There is a little teeny rough speck as below, I can feel and identify it subtly on my finger when turning.

Could that really be the issue? It won’t clean off so what would be best to buff it smooth?

Yeah, I think it will be an issue if you think how many revolutions there will be. It is a bit confusing as to why it's less, or not at all of an issue going one way and not both ways, but I guess that could be weight placement?

[Sakly]

I just dismantled cleaned and polished up the rollers. I narrowed the problem down to one roller.

Rolling it along a smooth surface by holding the bearings didn’t reveal any suspect bearing issue.

There is a little teeny rough speck as below, I can feel and identify it subtly on my finger when turning.

Could that really be the issue? It won’t clean off so what would be best to buff it smooth?

Yeah, I think it will be an issue if you think how many revolutions there will be. It is a bit confusing as to why it's less, or not at all of an issue going one way and not both ways, but I guess that could be weight placement?

Exactly my thought I pointed out above due to weight shift forward and backward movement, think the same.

[Imali]

Thanks for all the replies. I cleaned, smoothed, buffed and oiled everything up .

So far so good, smooth as a whistle which I’m pleased about. I’m pretty peeved at Jonny from C2 dismissing the issue from a brand new customer as I clearly wasn’t imagining it and it was bothering me. I prob should have got a new set of rollers at least, rather than risk a return to the retailer.

Some interesting observations before I finally get this nonsense out my head;

1. When I assembled and tightened everything up, I notice the troublesome roller spins much more free than the other which is more firm. I could also shake it in my hand and hear a bit of play the other is silent and tight.

2. The seat doesn’t roll and return to the front, not that it bothers me. There’s also much less seat wobble and just a little lateral play, which feels normal.

I believe I’ve put the rollers all back in the normal position as below, so it’s a little bizarre!