r/concept2

attempted to fix my form following a dark horse beginner video!

I’m hoping someone can help diagnose an issue with my Concept2 Model D, manufactured around 2003/2004. It has millions of meters on it and has been extremely reliable until recently.

The PM3 powers on normally, but the performance data is erratic. Sometimes it won’t register strokes at all, and when it does the pace/split numbers jump all over the place. The displayed drag factor is also inconsistent and sporadic.

So far I’ve:

• Removed the flywheel cover.
• Cleaned the magnetic ring, which had a significant amount of fine black metallic dust on it.
• Cleaned the pickup sensor area and perforated encoder strip as best I could.
• Inspected the sensor board and wiring for obvious damage but didn’t find any burnt components, broken wires, or corrosion.

I’ve attached photos of the sensor board, flywheel, magnet ring, encoder strip, and the machine with the cover removed.

Before I start ordering parts, what else would you check next? Does this sound more like a failing pickup sensor assembly, a PM3 monitor issue, or something else? Are there any other simple tests I can perform to isolate whether the problem is the sensor, wiring, or monitor?

Any advice from people who have repaired older Concept2 Model Ds would be greatly appreciated!!

Three months post knee replacement, just getting back to this. Someone gifted me this video, didn’t know they were making it. Hope you can see what you need to for some constructive feedback. TIA

I just bought an old but perfectly working C2 but it is so old I don’t know how to update the machine so that it works with Bluetooth.
Any help would be appreciated.

I have short muscular legs and a long torso. When I row with what I feel like is a proper position as shown in first pic, hinging forward, my legs push into my diaphragm and make it so hard for me to have an inhaled breath at this point before the catch. I usually have to row where I’m completely exhaled at this point, which does not feel very powerful driving on empty lungs. Not only that It but my whole back get so fatigued hinging like that. feels so much better for me if I just say screw it and row with bad form as in all leg drive, upright torso at the catch no hinging forward, as shown in 2nd pic. Any advice would be appreciated

EDIT:

I don’t row in hokas, I just happened to have them on when i hopped on to take these pictures. I wear flat CrossFit trainers

Im a novice going into my second season, any tips to hit sub seven before school starts back up?

I'm planning to complete an ERG ULTRA (long-duration endurance challenge backyard style on the Concept2 RowErg, SkiErg, and BikeErg), and I want to build my own evidence-based training plan instead of just copying what others have done.

So far, I've worked through these books (see photo):

The Cyclist's Training Bible – Joe Friel

Training Essentials for Ultrarunning – Jason Koop

PEAK – Dr. Marc Bubbs

Endure – Alex Hutchinson

They've been incredibly helpful for understanding endurance physiology, periodization, nutrition, recovery, and the mental side of ultra-endurance.

Now I'm looking for the next level, especially books that are highly relevant to:

Concept2 RowErg training

SkiErg training

Endurance physiology

Training science

Long-duration pacing

Fatigue management

Strength training for endurance athletes

Are there any books you consider essential reading?

I'm particularly interested in resources that are more scientific than motivational. If there are rowing coaches, cross-country skiing coaches, or exercise physiologists here, I'd love to hear what books shaped your training philosophy.

Looking forward to your recommendations!

About two weeks into regular rowing sessions and really happy with my progress thus far. For those row veterans, any feedback/thoughts on what you're seeing here?

Edit:
39yo
Male
6'4 and 235lb

Last Sunday I rode 125 km on the Concept2 BikeErg, matching the shortened IRONMAN Frankfurt bike course, which was reduced due to the extreme heat. The entire ride was tracked with the Ergultra.com app.

It got me thinking: How well does a BikeErg effort actually translate to riding a real road bike?

Obviously, there are no factors like wind resistance, rolling resistance, bike handling, climbing, or aerodynamics indoors. On the other hand, the power output is consistent and there's no drafting or coasting.

For those of you who train on both:

How do you compare BikeErg distance to road cycling distance?

Do you use power, elapsed time, calories, or another metric to estimate equivalency?

Is there a rule of thumb you've found to be reasonably accurate?

I'd love to hear your experiences and how you approach the comparison.

...still a bit of residual heat/humidity in my gym today, so my heart rate was higher than I'd like for this pace. Lot's of sleep debt too. But other than that pesky extra metre in split 5, this was pretty good today.

Took batteries out and did a reset, but error still appearing. Everything else working fine, just shows the error on startup.

5th session on the rower, from what ive been gathering on this subreddit, my strokes per minute is considered high and I should lower it?

I primarily run, but row for my cross train days and winters. It took a long time and a lot of inconsistency over the years, but man I love this machine!!! Getting more consistent lately understanding the need for cross training.

Beat last year's distance by a little.