Detailed Review of new Concept2 Dynamic

[JRBJR]

I assembled and started using my newly-assembled Concept2 Dynamic indoor rower more than three weeks ago and have been doing 30 minute sessions between five and
six days a week since then. Even though I've never rowed on water, I've been using a Concept2 Model B, then a Model C, on slides for the past five or so years.
So my transition to the Dynamic has not been as difficult as it might have been if I was moving directly from a static erg.

Design Aesthetics: Due to its many parts and intricate design, assembling a Dynamic takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, and you'll probably need the help of a second
person for several steps. Once assembled and positioned in place, the Dynamic takes some getting used to on the aesthetic level. At first, it strikes you as
some overly complicated and oddly-designed Rube Goldberg contraption run amok.A Dyneema cable connects the handle to a shock cord that connects to a shock cord
and chain in the bottom rail and the flywheel, making the handle and footrests seem strangely disconnected from the below-seat flywheel during intial sessions.
And it poses the question: why didn't Concept2 simply improve upon the very simple but very effective sliding flywheel/footrest design that Rowperfect has used
in their earliest and latest models? Some have said that patent issues prevented Concept2 from doing this, but the Oartec Slider uses a similar design without
any apparent legal challenges. Whatever their reasons, the result is that the Rowperfect and Oartec Slider look elegantly and simply designed. The Dynamic looks
blocklike and over-designed.

However, once you get over any initial aesthetic discomfort and spend some time on the Dynamic, you begin to notice its positive attributes. Its footprint is smaller
than any other dynamic rower on the market, including the Australian Rowperfect. And like other Concept2 products, it's extremely sturdy and well constructed. The
seattop is mounted about 21.5 inches above the floor on the upper rail, about 6-8 inches higher than a seat on a static erg on the ground or on slides. But the sturdy
steel frame construction of the Dynamic quickly puts any concerns to rest. You just need to lift one leg higher to get into the seat, and you have to stretch a bit
to reach water bottles, smartphones, or TV remotes placed next to it on the floor (a small table to the side might be called for). After a 20 or 30 minute session on
the Dynamic, you learn how to pull the handle and push off on the footrest assembly and return in a smooth and satisfying way, even though the Dyneema cord does not
pull back hard like the chains on static ergs do. You begin to notice how stationary the seat remains as you perform your strokes. And there's that superlative large
and backlit PM5 monitor consistently position about two feet from you, easy to read and use to gauge your performance and progress. That initial feeling of disconnect
between the corded handle, footrests, and flywheel soon disappears, replaced by the sensation that you are actually rowing in a single scull. If I transition to my
Model C on slides immediately after using the Dynamic, it feels like I'm rowing in a puddle a wet concrete, pushing a 50 pound boat around (which I actually am) instead
of the hefty but much lighter Dynamic footrest assembly.

I've ready previous comments about the much higher stroke rates and lower scores achieved on the Dynamic as compared to static or slide-mounted Concept2 ergs. During
my first few sessions, I did notice the stroke rate easily reaching into the high 30s. And I felt more exhausted after 30 minutes on the Dynamic than on my slides. I
think that was just a required period of adjustment to the completely different "dynamics" of the two machines. After several days, it was easy to maintain a 30 SPM rate
(my usual speed), and my scores were actually faster on the Dynamic without any real added exertion. And even in mid-December, I found thatrunning a fan on a low
setting helped to keep me cooled off and more comfortable to supplement the airflow generated from the low-mounted flywheel.

In summary after more than three weeks of constant use, I'm very impressed with the Dynamic and the extremely fluid quality of workout that it provides. And I've even
learned to ignore the strange, boxy shape of the device.

(P.S., In my quest for the absolutely best dynamic erg, I've also just ordered a RowPerfect Indoor Sculler (Australian model) from Rowperfect in Vancouver, Canada and it should
arrive shortly. Once I've used the Rowperfect for a few weeks, I'll post of review of it too.)

[Balkan boy]

Thanks for the excellent review.
I look forward to reading more when you compere it with the RowPerfect.

[Bob S.]

I have had mine 4 or 5 years now and would like to add a comment. I was concerned that I would have a problem going back to a static D at competitions, but was pleasantly surprised that it was quite easy get back the right feel. The first few strokes felt odd, but that quickly passed.

Another item is the cord. It will eventually need replacement. Mine came with a replacement cord and I did the job awhile back, I didn't keep track of the distance rowed. The old one was quite frayed when I finally changed it, but I can't pull hard enough for it to matter much. Nevertheless, i should have donate much earlier - at the first sign of fraying. I have heard that C2 no longer supplies a replacement cord with the dynamic, If that is the case, I recommend getting a spare cord early on. Then check the cord regularly for wear and change it shows definite signs of wear. I tried to find and estimate of how much distance you can expect from a cord, but wasn't successful. My guess is that it depends a lot on how hard you pull. I probably got in 2-3 million meters, but then it was mostly at a very slow pace. Another recommendation for the replacement cord is to use a very light cord tied to the old one when you take it out. Then you can more easily thread the new one through. The directions that not include that, but I fell that it made it a lot easier for me and I suggested to C2 that they include that in a revision of the directions.

Bob S.