Exercise bikes / Choices / Concept2 Rower

[Viper GTS]

https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jpfsm/1/2/1_227/_pdf

Just saying.

Viper GTS

 

[Muse]

https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jpfsm/1/2/1_227/_pdf

Just saying.

Viper GTS

Thanks! Just printed that. I'm gonna send the link to my physical therapist and try to get her reaction. Haven't seen her in a while. She's good, very experienced. Might even try to get a reaction out of the shoulder surgeon I saw a couple years ago. These people have seen me in person, seen my xrays and an MRI of my shoulder. They think I have rotator cuff issues in my left shoulder. It's not terrible now, but 1.5 years ago I was having major problems getting a good night's sleep because I could not find positions where the pain wouldn't keep me awake. Saw that PT 1/2 dozen times, took her advice in the gym and did exercises with stretch bands, some stretching too.

 

[Muse]

I've been skating daily, great skates. Today I didn't because the AQI was 171, i.e. unhealthy air because of the wildfires surrounding me (though not threatening my town). I could smell it in the house. I decided to put on an N95 and use my indoor bicycle trainer, which I hadn't done for a few weeks.

Now, my last few skates were around 40 minutes, probably around 6 miles total, basically 6 traverses of a slight hill. The Myworkouts graph is a wave pattern with peaks and troughs, 6 of them. Maximum heart rate for last two skates was about 155, average about 135-137. Calories burned almost 500.

So, today on the bike trainer was very disappointing. Maximum HR was 122, average 113. Just as bad is the fact that it hurt! I wasn't aware of pain while skating over the last couple weeks. Like I say, weather (specifically rain) will mean I can't skate at times, although average rainfall here is around 22 inches, so not a ton. Also, there's always the danger of getting hurt skating. Mostly where I'm skating the conditions are pretty favorable. Not a lot of traffic, just occasional cars, the pavement is quite good, there's not much debris (but it only takes one piece to bring you down if you don't see it), there are speed bumps, many of them, which are concerning but I manage them. I hate the white paint on the street and try to avoid it, but it's not apt to bring me down, it's just not smooth.

I figure I do want to buy something and will continue evaluating. I don't want to leave my bike on that trainer, I'm gonna want it for the streets and double duty won't work for it.

 

[deadlyapp]

I've been skating daily, great skates. Today I didn't because the AQI was 171, i.e. unhealthy air because of the wildfires surrounding me (though not threatening my town). I could smell it in the house. I decided to put on an N95 and use my indoor bicycle trainer, which I hadn't done for a few weeks.

Now, my last few skates were around 40 minutes, probably around 6 miles total, basically 6 traverses of a slight hill. The Myworkouts graph is a wave pattern with peaks and troughs, 6 of them. Maximum heart rate for last two skates was about 155, average about 135-137. Calories burned almost 500.

So, today on the bike trainer was very disappointing. Maximum HR was 122, average 113. Just as bad is the fact that it hurt! I wasn't aware of pain while skating over the last couple weeks. Like I say, weather (specifically rain) will mean I can't skate at times, although average rainfall here is around 22 inches, so not a ton. Also, there's always the danger of getting hurt skating. Mostly where I'm skating the conditions are pretty favorable. Not a lot of traffic, just occasional cars, the pavement is quite good, there's not much debris (but it only takes one piece to bring you down if you don't see it), there are speed bumps, many of them, which are concerning but I manage them. I hate the white paint on the street and try to avoid it, but it's not apt to bring me down, it's just not smooth.

I figure I do want to buy something and will continue evaluating. I don't want to leave my bike on that trainer, I'm gonna want it for the streets and double duty won't work for it.

If your bike isn't set up and sized right, longer rides will definitely feel bad. If your heart rate is staying low like that, you may need to reduce resistance, increase pedal speed or increase resistance, reduce pedal speed - depending on the strength of your legs.

 

[Muse]

If your bike isn't set up and sized right, longer rides will definitely feel bad. If your heart rate is staying low like that, you may need to reduce resistance, increase pedal speed or increase resistance, reduce pedal speed - depending on the strength of your legs.

But with that same resistance (4 on the scale of 6, and with the 12 speed road bike itself at the highest gear) I had been doing much better since I started using it, 4 months ago. I'd reach HR of 140 even 150 and above briefly at times. Yesterday was a lot worse then average. I've had bad days on that bike trainer before, but they weren't very common. Maybe I was a little tired yesterday, also I was a bit hungry to start, which didn't help. Also, the pain in leg(s) probably contributed to my not wanting to push it. Still, I'd been skating so much better! I'm gonna skate this afternoon (it's noon now), but was busy all morning canning my tomatoes. I'll rest some, then hit the street with my N95 on.

I think my bike is sized right for me, IIRC 24" frame, a Miyata road bike, not fancy but AFAIK pretty decent, and I think I have the seat post at a good height. I'm 5'10". I bought an extra wide seat for use on the trainer 2-3 months ago off Amazon.

I'm definitely considering that Concept2 Model D Rowing machine. Rouge website has it for $900 (unknown shipping fee), but it's get in line, they obviously don't have them in stock. So, I entered my email. I see an ebay listing starting at $900 (no bids yet) that ends in 6 days, $200 shipping fee, used, but the seller looks legit and says it's "Excellent."

People in this thread said the Concept2 is super solid, but I see there's a Concept2 forum and I see many threads there indicating various problems with it, so it's not immune and a used one could be a lemon or have developed a problem. But this listing looks probably OK. I'm also considering just outright buying it new. Amazon would be ~$1600 + $35 shipping, they are all (I gather) from 3rd party sellers. There are other sites selling the Concept2 Model D Rower, it might be better to go with one of them. Maybe a litttle cheaper. Usually I'm pretty focused on price but my stock account has been soaring, the winter is coming. I feel OK splurging on a nice machine.

I measured today. That rower is 8 feet long. I'd have about 20" between the foot of the rower and the chest of drawers that has my 43" 4K TV/Monitor on it. Seems strange watching videos on a rower with all the movement, certainly tougher than watching on a stationary device like a bicycle exercise machine.

It's just tough, seems to me, picking something without having experience beyond having sat on a bicycle exercise machine a few times at my gym and having used their elliptical stair stepper some (which I much preferred, the bike machine would hurt my butt). I don't pay much attention to the aerobic machines at the gym. But my gym has been shut by law since middle of March. All I can go by is reviews, this thread, and my intuition and imagination.

 

[Muadib]

You should take your bike to a shop, and see what they want for a fitting. I'm 5"9" and ride a 54 cm, which is about 21 inches. You have me by an inch, so I think a 56 cm would fit you well. Your 24 inch converts to about 61 cm which I think is too big for you. Not to mention that you made adjustments to your saddle. Did you make it taller or shorter? Sitting in the saddle with the petal fully down, your knee should bend slightly.

 

[Viper GTS]

The rowers are simple devices, there really is not much to go wrong with them and all parts are available. If you have to rebuild all the normal wear items (chain, sprocket, shock cords) it's around $100 for everything.

From what I hear the fastest way to get one these days is via the Facebook Rogue Stock Bot:

Rogue Stock Bot

I am on the list for a number of things from Rogue and apparently for stuff that sells out nearly instantly they don't even bother sending the waitlist emails. I don't use Facebook but had a friend setup the bot for me. I had what I was looking for within a couple days, but I never got an email on it. Concept2 seems to be sending a lot of rowers to Rogue, but rowers are one of the items with a lot of people looking for them. I'd join the Concept2 waitlist + the Rogue waitlist and then use the bot. People are getting them under a week via the bot vs a month plus waiting for Concept2's direct sale.

Viper GTS

 

[Muse]

You should take your bike to a shop, and see what they want for a fitting. I'm 5"9" and ride a 54 cm, which is about 21 inches. You have me by an inch, so I think a 56 cm would fit you well. Your 24 inch converts to about 61 cm which I think is too big for you. Not to mention that you made adjustments to your saddle. Did you make it taller or shorter? Sitting in the saddle with the petal fully down, your knee should bend slightly.

I'm aware of that. I have a few bike books. It's one reason I have had difficulty choosing a bike exercise machine. Many reviewers say they can't adjust the folding models' seats in such a way a to get adequate extension. I put some effort into determining the proper frame size when I shopped for a road bike and decided 24 inch was appropriate. Bought a very slightly used bike at a local shop, Miyata with triple butted frame. It's got 27" wheels and I put 1 3/8" tires on it. Not easy to find tires for it, but they're around. I get Kenyas. I don't ride as much as I used to, what with having a car and roller skates.

Just finished my skate today. Some rascal kid came after me in his car driving the other way. I whacked his antenna as he went by with my gloved hand. He doubled back and came along side of me slowly to complain that I hit his car. He had a guy next to him and I imagine he came back to save face. I hate gang bangers, any interaction I've ever had with them has struck me as stupid as shit and generally scary. I told this kid it isn't cool to try to hit me with his car and said "have a good life" and skated on. So, that's another reason to get indoor equipment, the assholes you encounter on the road. I had one whack me, the guy in the passenger seat whacks me as they drive by me, knocked me to the ground from my road bike. Many years ago. Another threw a bottle at my head and hit my head. I had a helmet on at the time, which I almost never did until a year or two ago.

 

[Muadib]

I'm aware of that. I have a few bike books. It's one reason I have had difficulty choosing a bike exercise machine. Many reviewers say they can't adjust the folding models' seats in such a way a to get adequate extension. I put some effort into determining the proper frame size when I shopped for a road bike and decided 24 inch was appropriate. Bought a very slightly used bike at a local shop, Miyata with triple butted frame. It's got 27" wheels and I put 1 3/8" tires on it. Not easy to find tires for it, but they're around. I get Kenyas. I don't ride as much as I used to, what with having a car and roller skates.

Just finished my skate today. Some rascal kid came after me in his car driving the other way. I whacked his antenna as he went by with my gloved hand. He doubled back and came along side of me slowly to complain that I hit his car. He had a guy next to him and I imagine he came back to save face. I hate gang bangers, any interaction I've ever had with them has struck me as stupid as shit and generally scary. I told this kid it isn't cool to try to hit me with his car and said "have a good life" and skated on. So, that's another reason to get indoor equipment, the assholes you encounter on the road. I had one whack me, the guy in the passenger seat whacks me as they drive by me, knocked me to the ground from my road bike. Many years ago. Another threw a bottle at my head and hit my head. I had a helmet on at the time, which I almost never did until a year or two ago.

I just wanted to be sure that you knew. You can always get an older bike and put it on your trainer. That’s gotta be better for your shoulders than a rowing machine.

 

[Muse]

I was really thinking the Concept2 Model D Rowing machine but my PT responded:

I am glad to hear that you are finding a way to stay active during this
pandemic.

Have you used a rowing machine regularly when you were in the gym before
this pandemic? I don't recall you using one during your shoulder injury.
Rowing machine workouts can be great, however they can flare up the
shoulders, sometimes the low back and knees. It depends on the person. I
don't recommend buying one for home use, unless you've had recent great
repeated tolerance using one of these machines.

Take care
------------------

So, don't know what I'll do...

 

[deadlyapp]

Personally - I'd get a new PT. With proper mechanics and appropriate scaling of intensity and damper setting, there is no reason why it should flare up anything. I have 60+ year olds on the rowers day in and day out in my classes that have plenty of chronic knee and shoulder issues and no problems.

Don't spend more than the retail price on one - even if you have the means to do so, don't continue inflating the price of secondhand rowers from unscrupulous sellers.

Rowers are bulletproof and only need some simple maintenance. The Concept 2 comes in half as well, so if you need to store it and don't have the ceiling height you can easily disconnect it at the center. Most of my rowers are 5+ years old and rowed on nearly ever single day, some of which have probably accumulated over 13,000 hours without any maintenance. I finally have one developing a slight clunk with the clutch, but otherwise no issues.

 

[Muse]

Personally - I'd get a new PT. With proper mechanics and appropriate scaling of intensity and damper setting, there is no reason why it should flare up anything. I have 60+ year olds on the rowers day in and day out in my classes that have plenty of chronic knee and shoulder issues and no problems.

Don't spend more than the retail price on one - even if you have the means to do so, don't continue inflating the price of secondhand rowers from unscrupulous sellers.

Rowers are bulletproof and only need some simple maintenance. The Concept 2 comes in half as well, so if you need to store it and don't have the ceiling height you can easily disconnect it at the center. Most of my rowers are 5+ years old and rowed on nearly ever single day, some of which have probably accumulated over 13,000 hours without any maintenance. I finally have one developing a slight clunk with the clutch, but otherwise no issues.

What is considered "retail" now for the Concept 2 Model D Rower? At Amazon I can get it now for about $1610 + tax. Can that be beat for retail?

Is there any good reason if buying new to buy one place over another other than ETA and cost?

 

[Viper GTS]

Personally - I'd get a new PT. With proper mechanics and appropriate scaling of intensity and damper setting, there is no reason why it should flare up anything. I have 60+ year olds on the rowers day in and day out in my classes that have plenty of chronic knee and shoulder issues and no problems.

Don't spend more than the retail price on one - even if you have the means to do so, don't continue inflating the price of secondhand rowers from unscrupulous sellers.

Rowers are bulletproof and only need some simple maintenance. The Concept 2 comes in half as well, so if you need to store it and don't have the ceiling height you can easily disconnect it at the center. Most of my rowers are 5+ years old and rowed on nearly ever single day, some of which have probably accumulated over 13,000 hours without any maintenance. I finally have one developing a slight clunk with the clutch, but otherwise no issues.

To add to this - If you get one at retail your risk here is basically zero. If you don't like it, sell it. These things have been instant sale items since I bought mine in 2012 and they're even more in demand now. There will likely never be a better time to try it.

What is considered "retail" now for the Concept 2 Model D Rower? At Amazon I can get it now for about $1610 + tax. Can that be beat for retail?

Is there any good reason if buying new to buy one place over another other than ETA and cost?

Model D retail price is $900. You should be able to get one relatively quickly from Rogue, or in about a month from Concept2 direct. There's no real advantage of one retailer vs another, pick whatever one will get one to you the cheapest/soonest/whatever your priority is.

Viper GTS

 

[deadlyapp]

What is considered "retail" now for the Concept 2 Model D Rower? At Amazon I can get it now for about $1610 + tax. Can that be beat for retail?

Is there any good reason if buying new to buy one place over another other than ETA and cost?

Retail is about $900. In the used market these used to go for $700-800 day in and day out.

Buy from a major retailer like Rogue Fitness and not some 3rd party seller on Amazon. More than likely those 3rd party sellers don't have any in stock either and will just attempt to drop ship it and skim all the extra off the top.

 

[Muse]

Retail is about $900. In the used market these used to go for $700-800 day in and day out.

Buy from a major retailer like Rogue Fitness and not some 3rd party seller on Amazon. More than likely those 3rd party sellers don't have any in stock either and will just attempt to drop ship it and skim all the extra off the top.

I'm on Rogue Fitness' Notify list for that Rower. Guess I'll hang in and wait for notification. Thanks!!!

 

[Viper GTS]

I'm on Rogue Fitness' Notify list for that Rower. Guess I'll hang in and wait for notification. Thanks!!!

Use the stock bot if you use or are willing to use Facebook. The notify list is notoriously useless for super high demand items.

Viper GTS

 

[Muse]

I think that PT was to some extent being conservative, which is understandable. People see things through their personal lens.

Got an email today that my gym (where I have lifetime membership at $100/year because I signed onto that program by laying out larger payments for a couple years) filed bankruptcy in June. AFAIK, I'll never be able to work out there again, which is a bummer. It's 24HourFitness, and I was going to their El Cerrito, CA super gym.

 

[Muse]

Use the stock bot if you use or are willing to use Facebook. The notify list is notoriously useless for super high demand items.

Viper GTS

Stock bot? Please decipher! I'm registered with Facebook but don't often go there, so all thumbs. Hints, help appreciated!

 

[Viper GTS]

Stock bot? Please decipher! I'm registered with Facebook but don't often go there, so all thumbs. Hints, help appreciated!

Rogue Stock Bot

Checks every 30s and sends you a message via Facebook messenger.

Keep an eye on the site he is purging the list about once a week to keep his server load/costs down. So you need to re-add your wish list every time he resets.

But - I've seen people getting rowers from Rogue in under a week using that. Concept2 is sending them a seemingly huge portion of their production.

Viper GTS

 

[Muse]

Just signed up at Concept2 website for waiting list for the Model D. Both, i.e. the black and the grey (whatever I can get soonest works for me). It says there:

We currently estimate the following timeframes for when you'll be able to place your order. Please note these are only estimates and are subject to change.

• Model D RowErg (black only*), BikeErg, or SkiErg: 9-10 weeks from date of sign up
• Model D (gray), Model E: unknown

 

[deadlyapp]

Just signed up at Concept2 website for waiting list for the Model D. Both, i.e. the black and the grey (whatever I can get soonest works for me). It says there:

We currently estimate the following timeframes for when you'll be able to place your order. Please note these are only estimates and are subject to change.

• Model D RowErg (black only*), BikeErg, or SkiErg: 9-10 weeks from date of sign up
• Model D (gray), Model E: unknown

If you're willing to sacrifice quality slightly (and a bit worse electronic display function) the Xebex rowers are also a good second place.

More than likely, Concept2 has production agreements with Rogue and so most of their production are going directly to them and not being sold on their website.

 

[Muse]

I'd just as soon go with the Concept2. Not clear on how to get through Rogue though. Signed up for Notify, just did the bot thing and changed my default SMS to Facebook Messenger. I don't usually do stuff like that, so am probably gonna mess that up. I mean I usually have my Android (S9) in airplane mode! I can keep it active, of course, hoping for a message from Rogue.

 

[Muse]

Ah, he has a 7+ minute video on using the Rogue search bot. I'm 1/2 way through... whew! Lotta stuff. Guess I can do the searches on this laptop.

 

[Muse]

If you are just looking for an aerobic workout, don't limit yourselves to bikes.
Rowers a great for an aerobic workout. (heard great things about the water ones)
Stair steppers are great, though how are your knees?
recumbent stationary bikes are available as well.
Watch your local craigslist for items coming out of Gyms as many have suffered and maybe closing.

Yeah, got email today that my gym (25HourFitness) recently filed for bankruptcy! OMG! Funny thing was, it occurred to me about 12 hours before seeing that email that they might go under and I wouldn't be able to go there even when the pandemic calms down. Then I see that email. Maybe they'll restructure and I can keep my membership, which due to a deal I made is just $8.25/month for life! Terrific deal, but maybe no more if they are truly going under.

But, like you say, maybe their gym equipment will wind up on Craigslist!

 

[Elfear]

I've had this stationary bike for about two weeks now. It checks the important boxes for me: 1) belt drive so it's very quiet, 2) magnetic resistance so there is no felt pad to replace, and 3) price I could afford ($440). So far it's been excellent. Lots of height adjustment and fits my 6'1" frame great. Construction is very solid and adjustments are easy to make for seat height, seat distance from handlebars, handlebar height, and handlebar distance from seat. Highly recommended.