Biorower

[PaulS]

They don't appear to be connected in any way, or 'dynamic' for that matter. But it is great to see what once was. There was even a machine that had a small boat that would progress over a water scene background by travelling on a threaded rod being turned by the rest of the mechanism. Perhaps the first "video interactive rower". I ran across it doing patent searches, something in the late 1800's I think.

[albailey]

... but you'd die from boredom on a C2 long before you would on a Biorower.

roland, it looks to me like the 'boredom factor' (sitting in the same place, looking at the same thing) for the two machines would be *exactly* the same.
i'm curious as to what is it about the biorower that leads you to think it would be any less boring?

[ancho]

...

The Oartec is available in Australia for $6000 AUD and distribution to North America and Europe will follow soon.

How much is that in New Pence?

Or better,in €uros

Or ancient Pesetas

[Rockin Roland]

... but you'd die from boredom on a C2 long before you would on a Biorower.

roland, it looks to me like the 'boredom factor' (sitting in the same place, looking at the same thing) for the two machines would be *exactly* the same.
i'm curious as to what is it about the biorower that leads you to think it would be any less boring?

That's like saying that all cars are the same and offer no difference in driving experience or pleasure. The experience of driving a family sedan Ford would be quite different from a prestige German or Italian car.

The Biorower and Oartec rowing machines are purpose built for on water rowers where as the C2 erg is tending now more for gym equipment users.

Check this out: www.oartec.com.au

So it's more than double the price of a C2 machine which is built for the masses. But for a frequent on the water rower looking for a different experience, it's closer to a dream rowing machine than the C2 erg will ever be. Although I've never rowed on one the design looks very promising. Rigging set up like in a boat. Oar height and feel like in a boat with a choice of sweeping to the left or right. And when you get bored with that you can adjust the drag and use both oars like in a scull. You can't do that on a C2 erg.

There are now at least two purpose built machines available for on the water rowers. An area where C2 seem reluctant to tread.

[PaulS]

The Biorower and Oartec rowing machines are purpose built for on water rowers where as the C2 erg is tending now more for gym equipment users.

There are now at least two purpose built machines available for on the water rowers. An area where C2 seem reluctant to tread.

That's almost funny, considering the real world history of the C2 Indoor Rowing Ergometer for the rather short 25 years since it was introduced.

Perhaps you should define "Purpose Built".

I've got to wonder, what the percentage of FISA World Cup Participants have used the C2 Ergo to help in their training. Probably in the very high 90's. Sounds pretty darn purpose built to me.

I'll try to get a picture when I have a chance of a C2 Model A that was outfitted to simulate Sweep. It's in use at the Lake Washington Rowing Club, so if anyone happens to be from LWRC and can get a photo more quickly than I, that would be great.

Don't get me wrong, I'm always looking for things that are genuinely better, but truly finding that genuineness is the hard part, as it's largely masked in marketing, which would be so much easier for folks if it had to be true.

[Rockin Roland]

Paul, you can't stand still and always rely on past history to get you through.

You have to keep moving forward. In the past year two new innovative products from start up companies have come onto the market. They have no history like C2 but in this current cummunication era word travels fast. At the very least they have a more exact range of motion of in a boat than the C2 erg. They are different enough for not so easily to be dismissed as marketing hype.

It appears to me that C2 has changed direction with the introduction of the model E to cater for the high gym use market. It gives other companies such as Biorower and Oartec the opportunity to eat away at C2's rowing club & schools market with a more specialized product. Time will tell if it is what people want. Just like time will tell if Rowperfect's moving flywheel can make an impression into C2's market.

Who knows how many more of these products surface in the coming years. Like I said Paul; You can't keep standing still.

[ancho]

Biorower will present a prototype of the "2-"-erg during the 3rd World Cup race in Luzern on july 14th-15th.
If any of you should have the oportunity to give it a try, it would be great to have some feedback!

[Rockin Roland]

Biorower will present a prototype of the "2-"-erg during the 3rd World Cup race in Luzern on july 14th-15th.
If any of you should have the oportunity to give it a try, it would be great to have some feedback!

Since your the closet forumite to where "Biorowers" can be tested we delegate you to seek out a demo row. We expect a full report back from you soon.

[ancho]

I've heard maybe it will be in the Wrold Masters in Croatia es well. If I get ther, I sure will give it a go!

[scribewicz]

I was able to buy a Coffey Sculling simulator (from the 1980's?) from a gentlemen from NJ through row2k.com classified ads.

Anyway, the guts of the machine look incredibly similar (copyright or patent issues anyone?) to the biorower in that you sit on the flywheel area, it allows feathering to a degree, allows for sweep or sculling motions etc.

The biorower is definitely more aesthetically 21st century, but that's alot of dough.

I have been using the coffey for a few months and it's main drawback is it's size and weight - it's housed out on the porch under a tarp right now. But it's fun and it's a pretty fair replication of the sculling motion - it has a model A type flywheel and I bought a PM3 retrofit that I have to get around to installing. I don't think it'll be accurate as far as distance, pace etc but at least I'll be able to keep track of my time!

peace, Steve

[Byron Drachman]

The kind of rowing machine that was in the gym on the Titanic looks like it would be fun:

http://www.titanic-titanic.com/titanic_gymnasium.shtml

There are some photos of other early rowing machines here:

http://www.rowinghistory.net/Equipment.htm

Byron

[Bob S.]

The kind of rowing machine that was in the gym on the Titanic looks like it would be fun:

http://www.titanic-titanic.com/titanic_gymnasium.shtml

There are some photos of other early rowing machines here:

http://www.rowinghistory.net/Equipment.htm

Byron

From the looks of it, like other ergs, it didn't float — but neither did the ship.

Bob S.

P.S. I have got to see if I can dig up the photos I took of an early fixed rower that I saw at the rowing club in Wichita, KS, a number of years ago. It was in a vacant area next to the boathouse, with weeds and grass growing up through through it and it looked like something that would be useful for mowing down all that shrubbery. It was quite a monster with huge, heavy gears on it.

Anyone out there in the Wichita group that can give us an update on it?
B.

[ancho]

Thanks for the links, Byron, very interesting!

...From the looks of it, like other ergs, it didn't float — but neither did the ship.
...