Have you tried the R100?
That is a very impressive review, and if I had never rowed on the C2 I would be tempted to purchase the R100. However, since I
have rowed over 3,000,000 meters on the C2 (I am practically a newbie - Joi Bear has rowed 107,000,000), I find some of the items simply wrong and others perplexing.
1. Warranty -- R100 (5 years), C2 (2 years)
The difference
might be due to C2 rowers rowing more metres per year, on average. I purchased my erg in 2009 and the only maintenance I have done is oil the chain once a year. According to C2, although some parts are covered by a 2-year warranty, most of the parts are covered by a 5-year warranty.
2. Weight Rating -- R100 (600 lbs), C2 (250 lbs)
According to C2, the maximum user weight is 500 lbs.
3. Resistance Levels -- R100 (16), C2 (10)
Er... no. The C2 has a continuously-variable damper, so the number of resistance levels is infinite!
4. Resistance Type -- R100 (air + magnetic), C2 (air only)
This might be the strongest point in favour of R100. The magnetic component probably makes for a much quieter rowing experience... however, since I often row with earbuds I don't know that I'd notice.
5. Resistance Control -- R100 (automatic), C2 (manual)
The reviewers award this round to R100, but I think this is a very strong point in favour of C2! The C2 was designed to respond in a way that is very similar to rowing shells, so that rowers could train during the off-season (when rivers are frozen). A manual resistance setting equals
repeatability so that you can compare similar workouts and you can compare individual rowers to each other.
6. Heart Rate Control -- R100 (automatic), C2 (none)
Again, contrary to the review, I award this round to the C2. I always row based on heart rate. My heart rate monitor communicates wirelessly with the C2 display (The C2 model I have works with Garmin and Suunto), but
I want to be in control of my rowing sessions... speeding up when my heart rate drops and slowing down when I need a breather. I don't think a machine is better able to determine what my heart rate should be than I am.
7. Foot Plate Design/Angle -- R100 (pivoting/externally rotated), C2 (rigid/neutral)
I don't really understand what the reviewer is saying. The C2 foot plates are rigidly mounted at the top, but the bottom can move up and down and rotate side to side... so your feet are never locked into one position. At the beginning of the drive, you want your shins to be vertical (don't over-compress your knees!). If you lack ankle flexibility your heals will need to rise up off the foot plate. The C2 design allows for this. (However, I usually row strapless because this allows for finer control over my rowing technique.)
8. Seat Design -- R100 (over-sized soft), C2 (smaller, harder)
An oversize, soft seat allows for energy to be wasted. This is why you never see racing bicycles with the same soft seats that everyday bicycles have. Again, the C2 was designed to mimic the feel of rowing shells. I prefer to have a hard seat which I can then soften with a towel or bubble wrap depending on the type of training I am doing. 500 m time trial = no padding; half-marathon = lots of padding!
9. Monitor -- R100 (back-lit high definition LCD), C2 (basic LCD)
A new C2 will come with the PM5 monitor, which is back-lit.
10. Storage -- R100 (conveniently folds), C2 (must be separated in two pieces)
The C2 can be stored without separating the pieces; it can be tilted on end and stored vertically. However, you can also break it down into two pieces by flipping the quick-release catch. No tools necessary!
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
P.S. You are more than welcome to come join the Free Spirits!
"Before Enlightenment chop wood, carry water. After Enlightenment chop wood, carry water." -- Zen proverb
). Veggie sandwiches for lunch with fruit and Cliff bars. Ethnic dinners: Italian, Mexican, Chinese, American (LOL). I used portion control to try to limit the fats and oils. I knew it was going to be a tough week and I'm surprised how well it turned out.
So I did not get my lunches made for the week. As a result I ate a lot of Cliff bars and went out for pizza once. Dinners amounted to left-over 'sick food'. Campbell's chicken noodle soup, Hawaiian sweet bread, applesauce, bananas.
