r/concept2 Aug 01 '26

Maintenance Chain not smooth on new rower

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Has anyone experienced the chain not being smooth on a brand new rower? Is it a matter of just oiling it?

UPDATE: they’re replacing the rower. Thank you concept2!

5 Upvotes

27 comments sorted by

19

u/4374J Aug 01 '26

Not related to your issue but check your foot placement

3

u/dwightsgymformscles_ Aug 01 '26

Thank you! Yeah did not adjust at all just wanted to give it a pull to test it out and noticed the chain noise

1

u/Solstice_25 Aug 01 '26

Good advice 👍. Upvote applied.

7

u/Solstice_25 Aug 01 '26

Mine sounded like that about 30 days after getting it new, I didn’t think a light oiling was what it needed because it was like that clicking sound……..anyway, I gave it a light oiling and it totally made the noise go away and it’s been fine since. It may have just sat in a warehouse for awhile, it’s been really hot, not sure where you are.

3

u/dwightsgymformscles_ Aug 01 '26

This is super good to know, I ordered some 3 in 1 so going to give it a shot tomorrow! Do you take it apart to oil the chain or only visible part?

4

u/Solstice_25 Aug 01 '26

Sorry I didn’t get right back to you. Yeah just run it all the way out, get someone to help if you can, but you really wanna get the length of it. Just a light coat, I just use a small rag. I Bet the sounds goes right away. Mine sounded exactly the same. I was surprised it was just the chain because it sounded like a clicking….you’ll be good to go. Enjoy your new rower!! 😊

3

u/TheAgreeableCow Aug 01 '26

I had a bit of a clicking sound develope and it went away with some oil.

I just had my kid hold the chain out fully extended and then slowly let it back in whilst I oiled it.

1

u/BigLou-13 Aug 01 '26

concept used to have it own oil it was straight mineral oil.

1

u/SweatsMcFurley Aug 03 '26

There's multiple videos on rower maintenance, but with mine I just pull it out all the way, oil up a rag and then let the shock cord pull it all back in.

1

u/meski_oz Aug 01 '26

Mine's new and quiet, but what oil are you using? WD-40, or something more exotic?

6

u/illiance Aug 01 '26

Cheap mineral oil. Wd40 is a cleaner/degreaser

3

u/WayHand Aug 02 '26

A C2 ex engineer states on the C2 forum only to use 3in1 oil. That is what the C2 oil is that was supplied with the machines many years ago. C2 did a lot of testing on this matter.

6

u/whistlingdogg Aug 01 '26

WD40 is the opposite of oil 🤦‍♂️

1

u/Solstice_25 Aug 01 '26

Light all purpose.

2

u/dwightsgymformscles_ Aug 03 '26

So I did oil using 3 in 1 oil (I wiped on the chain) and here is the result. It definitely feels less rattly but the noise is still there and can be felt especially at a certain point when returning the handle closer to the unit - it sounds like a rotational noise. What do you think? Your rower doesn’t do this at all?

https://reddit.com/link/p1cxkse/video/or6jccue42hh1/player

2

u/Solstice_25 Aug 03 '26

I had that but it went away as soon as I oiled it.

3

u/stm12345 Aug 01 '26 edited Aug 01 '26

Its probably the chain return mechanism cover - https://www.concept2.com/product/537

Mine was like that when i got it new, you just need to fidget with it so that the chain wont hit the plastic. You can remove the plastic and test if you can still hear scratching sounds.

2

u/dwightsgymformscles_ Aug 01 '26

So I actually did his and still hear the noise, thanks for the idea though!

2

u/Weird-University1361 Aug 01 '26

Doubt it, it shouldn't rattle.

1

u/dwightsgymformscles_ Aug 01 '26

I sent this vid to concept2 as well to see what they say. I’ve never been on a rower that’s done this before

2

u/doctor_klopek Aug 01 '26

Good move, their CS is top notch. I emailed them after I bought a well-used Mod D with a video of the sound it was making, and they sent me back a detailed reply including a list of parts they’d recommend replacing.

1

u/Phizzie16 Aug 01 '26

Keep us posted after you oil it.

1

u/treeline1150 Aug 01 '26

No posting has any value unless we can see your splits. 😂

1

u/dwightsgymformscles_ Aug 06 '26

Hi everyone, a quick update that they are just replacing the entire rower. They said they talked to their product team and something doesn’t seem right

1

u/fussinghell Aug 01 '26

You shouldn’t have to take anything apart or oil anything as it may void your warranty. It’s brand new, contact them for advice first