New (to me) Model B! Any tips?

[nemery]

I picked up a Model B that is in almost perfect condition. Before this, almost all of my erg experience is crossfit related on D/E models. Are there any tips or ideas some of you with B experience share?

I have a few ideas already!
I want to upgrade to flexfeet, but put skateboard griptape on the wood footboards for now.
The PM1 works well, but there are plans to upgrade to a PM3 or PM4 when money is available. I already made a mount, as I have monitors available if I ever need one.
I already ordered a speedring from C2!
I cut an inner tube and attached it to the fan cage to act like a 'CBreeze!'
Upgrade to the newer handle.

Any other ideal Modifications?

[Bob S.]

I picked up a Model B that is in almost perfect condition. Before this, almost all of my erg experience is crossfit related on D/E models. Are there any tips or ideas some of you with B experience share?

I have a few ideas already!
I want to upgrade to flexfeet, but put skateboard griptape on the wood footboards for now.
The PM1 works well, but there are plans to upgrade to a PM3 or PM4 when money is available. I already made a mount, as I have monitors available if I ever need one.
I already ordered a speedring from C2!
I cut an inner tube and attached it to the fan cage to act like a 'CBreeze!'
Upgrade to the newer handle.

Any other ideal Modifications?

Upgrade to PM3 for sure, especially to be able to get drag factor.
Speedring - well, I suppose so, but additional damping is easy to rig. The important thing is to have a monitor that displays the drag factor and to be able to get it low enough to suit your purposes. I am not sure just how much extra damping the Speedring provides; I don't know what it looks like.
Footboards? I was always happy with the ones that came with it and I used it for about 12 years. Same with the handle. I miss the feel of the wood.
Keep a close eye out for rust, especially if you have it in an area near a body of salt water. Mine was OK at about 20 miles from the Pacific shore, but the model Bs in clubs much closer to the coast had serious rust problems.

Bob S.

[nemery]

Thanks Bob!

I have seen pics of speedrings installed, and they look easy to make. From my understanding, they will allow me to get the drag factor down! Last night my drag factor was 167 with damper all the way closed! Definitely way high! I was rowing at about 37s/m and averaging 1:48/500m, and each pull felt like it was almost from a stop! Haha. If the speed ring doesnt give me enough damping, i will fab up something!

The griptape made a HUGE difference with the wood footboards! Without it, muy feet wanted to slip down out of the straps. After adding the grip tape, i had no problems!

Where are the rust problems at? I am near the coast in NC, so i will keep an eye out!

[nemery]

Crappy pics, but here is the rower as I bought it, and then the small Mods I have made.

[Howard N]

I bought a model B in very good condition a year ago. The add ons I added were the new foot holders, PM3, plastic handle, and feet with wheels. I used duct tape to block off the air enough to get the drag factor down to 122 and have left it there.

I hadn't realized a C breeze type arrangement would work with a B model as the flywheel is not cowled.

[nemery]

Howard, I am not sure how well the tube configuration works compared to how a true CBreeze works on a cowled model (C/D/E), but it definitely pushes plenty if air back in the face!

I also have the Caster front wheels on there!

[tracyquilts]

I bought upgrades for my used B, as well. Looking forward to trying some duct tape, since I have failed to get the drag factor down to where I can do a full workout. (I'm a 54 yr old female, so I'm looking for 110-112).

I got a new monitor, handle, and foot stretchers.

Will try the duct tape, tomorrow!!

Thanks!
Tracy
Indianapolis, IN

[Ergmeister]

Tracy congratulations on your new erg! Getting the intake side dampered down on the Model B can be challenging if compared to drag factors on the C, D, and E models, but it is doable. The B tends to be pretty heavy at the catch for most C/D/E experienced users, but it is also a very capable and useful machine when you get it balanced. Rebuilding them is a a little pricey for parts, but fortunately C2 continues to have a good inventory of almost everything with the exception of the 14 tooth sprockets which I think are now gone and only 15's available as a replacement.

C2 sells a damper ring for $12.30 plus shipping which I highly recommend for you: PN #372. It will help you get the drag factor down and then you can use duct tape if absolutely necessary, but I discourage that for anything other than a quick test as the tape will trap dust and fuse to the steel cage in time and make it tough if you want to remove later. The damper ring will really help and then cut another ring from hardboard to go outside of that if really necessary, but I'll bet that ring will put it where you want it.

[tracyquilts]

Thanks, Ergmeister.
The old B still has the original dampers.....they were closed when I was stuck at a 190 drag factor! Added some poster-board around the outer rim and a little duct tape to the side with the damper. Got the drag factor to 115, but it doesn't FEEL like 115. It feels too easy, and I cannot pull the 1:53 split (ever-so-briefly) that I usually can manage to see. My best split with this supposed-115-drag factor was around 2:11. I should be able to get it lower than that!

Also, I did a 1500m piece with my goal pace/split at 2:14.....it should not have been as hard as it was. The workout was 1500, 1250, 1000, 750, etc. with variable rest between them, and halfway through the 1000m piece I was DONE.
Not normal.

What's up??
Tracy

[Ergmeister]

Tracy it's hard to say for sure, but I think in general terms this is where worlds collide. The B is a 25 year old generation 2 ergometer. If you are trying to compare performance on a B against performance on a D it's like comparing the driving characteristics of a new car against a 25 year old used car. They are similar, but by no means identical. There are a lot of variables that are likely at play with your B and in combination are delivering the performance that you experience. You didn't say what monitor you're using, but presumably it's a new PM3 and not a "new" PM1. Monitor technology has improved exponentially in 25 years and that too could play a part in the disparity.

While a B is a great machine, it's not going to be on a par with a D or E. Functionally, it will give you a great workout but there will be differences. In my own experience on Model Bs, they are very heavy at the catch relative to new D/E models. Once you get them spinning they are closer to a D but still to me feel pretty heavy on the drive. The mass of the B's flywheel is much greater than a new D and whether that is why or not I have no clue, but for me, they drive like a 25 year old technology machine; functional, but not nearly as smooth and nice as the new ones.

[Cyclist2]

I have a Model B (bought new 28 years ago) with PM2 and a Model C (bought used about 3 years ago) with PM3 on slides. I use the B for hard, short intervals or part of a crossfit type workout and the C on slides for other workouts. I built a damper ring out of hardboard for the B, as others have done, and I can get the feel of the two machines similar. Comparing drag factors between the two is like apples and oranges since the sprockets and fans are different, so just go with feel (C2 has a comparison chart on line somewhere, but it is just an approximation). On the B foot boards, I cut the adjustment holes into one long slot for finer foot positioning, and I hate the Flexfoot, so built similar wooden foot boards for the C. I still like both machines, but the C is quieter. I've had no mechanical issues with either one, just routine maintenance every year. If I had to choose, it would be the C just for the quieter ride, but I don't plan on getting rid of either anytime soon. Enjoy your new machine, it should work "forever"!

[rberthao]

I also just got an old Model B very cheap. Unfortunately, mine was well worn and had been in a barn. As expected, it had some rust. I was able to clean it up pretty well and replaced the typical worn parts. Outside of the dust and grease collected in the flywheel cage (which I have a puller tool to open and clean when I get the nerve to dare), it is in great shape and feels almost the same as when I use a new Model D.