15 month review

[rico567]

I figured it was time to review the Concept 2 rower, since we’ve had it for about 15 months. The short version is that this is the best piece of exercise equipment I’ve used. My only interruption in using the C2 was during the recovery period from a complete reverse shoulder arthroplasty (had the other shoulder done in 2019, pre COVID & C2). I was back on the machine after 6 months, and soon worked my way back to a normal workout.
Everything on the C2 itself just works, and very well, and with a minimum of maintenance. Wipe the chain with an oiled rag every week, wipe off the track with Windex every two weeks, and that’s about it. It’s astonishing what some people will pay for the new, “wet” rowers when the C2 can be ordered from the factory for a reasonable price. We ordered ours at the height of COVID and had to wait 9 weeks, but there was no price gouging from the factory, unlike all the other vendors I checked.
As with anything, there is room for improvement, and in this case it lies in the control unit, e.g., when a phone is coupled by Bluetooth to the unit, it will frequently display a “wrong date/time” error. The unit also burned through the supplied batteries in about a month, but the replacements have lasted over a year.
I can unhesitatingly recommend the Concept 2.

[Citroen]

1. Update the firmware https://www.concept2.com/service/monitors/pm5/firmware
2. Update the apps on your phone
3. Stop using cheap batteries, buy the best leak resistant D-cells you can find (from Energiser of Duracell).

[Joebasscat]

I figured it was time to review the Concept 2 rower, since we’ve had it for about 15 months. The short version is that this is the best piece of exercise equipment I’ve used. My only interruption in using the C2 was during the recovery period from a complete reverse shoulder arthroplasty (had the other shoulder done in 2019, pre COVID & C2). I was back on the machine after 6 months, and soon worked my way back to a normal workout.
Everything on the C2 itself just works, and very well, and with a minimum of maintenance. Wipe the chain with an oiled rag every week, wipe off the track with Windex every two weeks, and that’s about it. It’s astonishing what some people will pay for the new, “wet” rowers when the C2 can be ordered from the factory for a reasonable price. We ordered ours at the height of COVID and had to wait 9 weeks, but there was no price gouging from the factory, unlike all the other vendors I checked.
As with anything, there is room for improvement, and in this case it lies in the control unit, e.g., when a phone is coupled by Bluetooth to the unit, it will frequently display a “wrong date/time” error. The unit also burned through the supplied batteries in about a month, but the replacements have lasted over a year.
I can unhesitatingly recommend the Concept 2.

Glad you like your C2. I agree, best piece of exercise equipment I have used as well.

"Wipe the chain with an oiled rag every week" - This might be a bit much. Be cautious of too much oil. C2 recommends every 50 hours of use.

Happy rowing!

[Tsnor]

... when a phone is coupled by Bluetooth to the unit, it will frequently display a “wrong date/time” error. The unit also burned through the supplied batteries in about a month...

Glad you are enjoying the erg. Me too.

Make sure your turn off your PM5 when you finish if you are bluetooth connected. Turn off by pressing menu 4 times, the screen will turn off.

If you don't do this (and the device with the bluetooth connection stays in range) then the PM5 stays powered on eating its batteries. Then the clock dies because the battery is dead and you get the wrong time. Normally the PM5 gets its power from the flywheel, so if batteries are running low then something is wrong.

[Rick]

As noted above, watch for a connected device (heart rate monitor, ErgData app running on cell phone) within BT range. I store my hrm in another room from the rower to avoid this.

Congratulations on sticking with it, even through your surgery. That’s the bottom line; you have to keep going!

I am also at 15 months since buying my Model D for use at home. I purchased two (a D and an E) in 2016 for fitness testing at the PD, and with 60+ people having access to them, the rowers just keep going and going. I bought my personal rower after a couple of years in retirement to get back to better health and fitness, and it’s no surprise that it’s holding up just fine. I’m pushing for 2 million meters this season, and the rower already has passed 3M with my wife and I both using it three or more sessions each week.

For maintenance, I wipe the track with a cloth prior to each row just to get any dust off, then I clean it with windex after every row (track and rollers). The chain gets a oil wipe down once a month. Every 6 months, I inspect/clean the fan housing as needed, and inspect the chain and attachments. The rower still works as new, and I can imagine it lasting decades with minimal issues or repair. I’ve owned a lot of exercise equipment over the years, and the C2 rower is easily the most durable.

[ukaserex]

wipe off the track with Windex every two weeks

I think the frequency of wiping the track will depend where you have it stored.

I literally wipe my rail with Windex after each use - which is daily. One day I forgot to and found black spots which caused the ride over the rail to be a bit bumpy.

My biggest concern with the C2 is rust. My garage is humid, as I'm in the southern Gulf Coast area of the US. 95% humidity is the norm. I routinely inspect for rust and keep anti-rust stuff on the front and rear base of the rower, as well as the long piece the rail sits upon.