General Cycling Discussion - Rowbike review

I bought a rowbike and thought others might be interested in it. Go to www.rowbike.com if you never heard of one.

Rowbike day -1: The day before FedEx tracking said the rowbike was to arrive I watched the getting started video on Rowbike.com.

Rowbike day 0: Box arrived. The assembly went easy enough as I promised myself I would read the instructions first, as opposed to my usual attempt to assemble things without reading the instructions. The bike has some parts that do not come together in an obvious manner, reading the instructions is necessary. The quality of the parts and construction is very good, especially given the non standard parts (available from rowbike). The bike came with touch up paint and even a cyclo computer.

I attempted to ride the rowbike in my driveway. The lever used to propel and steer the bike is spring loaded so there is some comedy as I attempt to figure it out. Mostly I just familiarized myself with the bike.

Rowbike day 1: I push and carry the bike 3 blocks to the bike path in Brooklyn NY. For about a half hour I mostly waddle with one foot on the ground. After a half hour I am able to operate the bike with one foot in the foot rest and the other in the air. After about an hour I am able to operate the bike, both feet in position, in a zigzag pattern deviating at times 3 ft or so from my desired path. I generally have to stop if I see anyone nearby as I am not confident enough to ride near others yet. Stopping is actually very smooth as long as you have at least one foot properly mounted. I was able to coast. It is important to look at the horizon in the direction you are going if that is not obvious. Using the handlebars to propel and steer takes some skill.

The bike is a great workout. It's true you do use all your muscles and do stretching at the same time. It is amazing that something as out of the ordinary can be sold so cheaply and actually work. The bugs have been worked out, it is ready for "prime time". I really do not see any major flaws. I do not think I will have to tweak it. If you got good at it, it could be a primary bike, although I can't imagine chaining it in NYC. I also think rowbike is a concept worth supporting so that it becomes more popular.

I think the foot rests should have foam coverings incase I nick a car or person. It should have a place to mount rear view mirrors, perhaps on top of the foot rests . I would like fenders and a rear rack on the 16" wheels. The front fork is more or less standard but the rear is not, and may not accept standard racks and fenders, although due to the geometry of the bike spray might not be a problem from the rear wheel. It would be nice if the foot rests and seat were quick release to make storing easier. Asking for a folding rowbike is probably pushing my luck.

FWIW, I am 6', 210lb I thought the bike 'fit' was fine.

More info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rowbike

Damn, geo, sounds like me the first time out on a bike since I was a kid, lo these many years past. Now, I'll take a look at the link.

Hmmm. Interesting video. Not much ground clearance under that swinging beam, though.

I bought a rowbike and thought others might be interested in it. --- Looks like a good invention. Makes use of a lot more muscle power than just the usual pedals. How is it up hills?

Looks like fun. Is there an option where you can pedal or row? Arms and shoulders are smaller muscles than legs. I would imagine after a few miles on one of these, the rider would be spent.

How's it on climbs?

"How is it up hills?" I have not done any steep hills, but I was able to do smaller hills.

"Is there an option where you can pedal or row?" There are no pedals, it has fixed foot rests.

One problem I had was that my left arm is weaker than my right. This caused steering problems after about 1.5 miles.

"Not much ground clearance under that swinging beam, though." I was very carefull going over curbs, pot holes.

I've been wnating one of these for a year now. It will come - oh yes, it will come!

Looks like fun. Is there an option where you can pedal or row? Arms and shoulders are smaller muscles than legs. I would imagine after a few miles on one of these, the rider would be spent.

Rowing is a full body exercise and uses the legs as well as the upper body. Note the motion of the seat and the legs. In any case, I have no doubt that with proper conditioning a rider of this bike could go for many miles. After all, I've seen guys with hand cycles and no legs doing RAGBRAI.

Interesting. While I would never dump my road bikes for this, if I had the extra money and lived in a quiet (and flat) neighborhood, I'd probably get one to tool around with.

Hey Guys, I've owned a rowbike for about 6 months and this thing kicks your ass! Its nothing compared to a workout on a regular bike because its not a regular bike! It handles hills really well, its fun and easy to use once you get used to it. (took me about 3 hours of total use) I've always been in good shape but now my entire body looks great too. The only drawback to the rowbike is that it isn't made for hoping over curbs and doing crazy trail riding. You can't do a lift on the front of the rowbike as you can with a regular bike. I use my trek y5 for that stuff and the rowbike for everything else.

I've had my Rowbike 720 Sport for just over two months now. It's such a blast, I actually look forward to getting up at 5:30 am (even in 15 degree weather!) and doing about a 3 mile circuit every morning before work, and "rowling" at a more civilized hour on weekends. Over the last ten years, I'd become less and less active, and it showed when I first started, as I couldn't even get up a small rise in elevation in the lowest gear. But in just over two months of about 15-20 minutes a day, I've dropped about 10 lbs and built up enough upper body strength, that I'm able to do the entire circuit in 7th gear with no downshifting for the rise, and I can now climb the fairly steep hills in my neighborhood. If you want to see some real hill climbing, google Lee Cole in San Francisco, and see the video of him rowling up to Twin Peaks. Thanks to Scott Olson (also the inventor of Rollerblades) for such a great invention!
Cheers,
Ed

OK. It's a piece of excercise equipment that is used outdoors. Sounds like it really works in that regard. As a bicycle, it just seems kinda goofy.

Can you make it a fixed gear? lol

As a follow up to my review.

Thus far I was only able to mount a fender on the front wheel.

The place where the chain is fixed to the frame, the 'Dave Cam', has a bolt which came loose. It actually ate into the lug it was mounted too before the whole thing came apart. I suggest inspecting it regularly. I replaced the bolt with a clevis pin I bought a Loews.

The metal pulley the chain runs over got over tightened an stuck. This made rowing progressively harder, and damaged the chain and pulley. That should be inspected on each use. Disassempbly and greasing might help too. It would be nice if the pulley was replaced with a cog mounted on bearings.

The rollers on the sliding seat have shown significant wear. I rotated them. They sell replacement rollers.

I put Catseye Bar Ends on it. They were a great improvement.

Minor issues are: Aluminum head set screw stripped, I replaced it with steel. Steering cables get slack, and need to be adjusted. At some point hubs will need to be repacked and breaks will need adjusted.

Replacing bolts on the foot rests with wingnuts might make storing easier.

If you really want to know fixed gear conversion is probably impossible, and dangerous. But this gizmo might be a candidate for fixed gear conversion: http://champiot.com/.

Geo8rge,
This looks like a great idea, but my cycle to work is in traffic and it would be difficult to avoid a few curbs. I assume you would not recommend the rowbike for this?

What is the foot mount, strap in? It's funny that spd cleats are the one piece of technology that has been adapted from cycling to rowing recently. Well that and head mirrors. And this is the one piece of technology that has been adapted from rowing to cycling but it doesn't look like it uses clipless.

My one comment is that most people have really terrible rowing technique, and without any coaching it is unlikely that they will improve. It's true that rowing will use a lot more muscles than cycling, but still more than half of your power should be coming from your legs.

I think this bike is rather cleaver and have wanted to ride one since I saw it on television some years ago but, it is so similar to the Healthrider that I am not understanding the high price in comparison. http://www.healthrider.com/riders/healthrider.html

It's nothing at all like the Healthrider.

It's nothing at all like the Healthrider.

What are those round things on the bottom? ;)

Geo8rge,
This looks like a great idea, but my cycle to work is in traffic and it would be difficult to avoid a few curbs. I assume you would not recommend the rowbike for this?

Although I can operate it in streets, in general I try to use bike paths separated from traffic and pedestrians. It is not as maneuverable as a bicycle and surrounding traffic is not used to dealing with a rowbike so they do stuff like get close to you to get a better look.


What is the foot mount, strap in? It's funny that spd cleats are the one piece of technology that has been adapted from cycling to rowing recently. Well that and head mirrors. And this is the one piece of technology that has been adapted from rowing to cycling but it doesn't look like it uses clipless.

My one comment is that most people have really terrible rowing technique, and without any coaching it is unlikely that they will improve. It's true that rowing will use a lot more muscles than cycling, but still more than half of your power should be coming from your legs.

The stroke is like a rowing machine. The 'power lever' is pinned and the handle bars move in a fixed radius. You pull back with force. There is a bungie cord in the lever you pull that extends. When you come back up the bungie cord retracts pulling you back up, so cleats are not needed or really useful. Note the chain does not travel in a loop, it gets sucked up into the 'power lever'. The big difference between Rowbike and a bicycle is really the lower back, shoulders and arms. I find a lower back work out is very useful.

If you really want to know fixed gear conversion is probably impossible, and dangerous. But this gizmo might be a candidate for fixed gear conversion: http://champiot.com/.

That Champiot is something a little different, called an Irish Mail. As far as I know, it does not have multiple gears. What you see is what you get. A club member here has two of them: a Champiot and an old, antique one from the 1920s.

hello all, ive been a RowBike nut since Scott invented them. I have been thru the mill, lottsa mistakes, equipment failures, but they are FUN.
They originally came out as singlr speeds called 120 mags, 20 in wheel set using skyway plastic wheels w a 16 tooth ACS claw fixed gear.
I have 3 and my wife has 1...4 total.
Used mine to commute 16 miles round trip while working, fenders can be done...planet bike, mostly go to utube and check ouy my blogs, type in sweetrower. they are and can be a maintenance nightmare but have come a LOOOONG way from the original, but the components are crap, frame is good. 1 last major issue ive had w Rowbike is tht derailleurs were NOT made 2 constantly swing back and 4th, weakens the spring and breaks. Ive went thru 5 derailleurs over the years, deore, lx , xt, xtr, etc, finally an internal nexus 8spd, now most recently a nuvinchi planetary, best. wheels are crap, shock cord is crap, i use novabraid, seat screws come loose over a period of years and seat can come off, mine did, i have fixes on all this on my utube. lastly Rowbike was invented by Scott Olson and sold the Company last year to folks who r not 2 bike savy IMHO, & r not 2 responsive , rowing technique on the website is TERRIBLE, waste a lot of 4ward momentum Rowbiking that way. Feel free to respond 2 me, we went touring w them down hwy 1 last July, steering cable snapped and they sent the wrong size, a lot of things r not standard , as the Rowbike evoled over the years component sizes changed, so be careful when u order parts.

hello all, ive been a RowBike nut since Scott invented them. I have been thru the mill, lottsa mistakes, equipment failures, but they are FUN.
They originally came out as singlr speeds called 120 mags, 20 in wheel set using skyway plastic wheels w a 16 tooth ACS claw fixed gear.
I have 3 and my wife has 1...4 total.
Used mine to commute 16 miles round trip while working, fenders can be done...planet bike, mostly go to utube and check ouy my blogs, type in sweetrower. they are and can be a maintenance nightmare but have come a LOOOONG way from the original, but the components are crap, frame is good. 1 last major issue ive had w Rowbike is tht derailleurs were NOT made 2 constantly swing back and 4th, weakens the spring and breaks. Ive went thru 5 derailleurs over the years, deore, lx , xt, xtr, etc, finally an internal nexus 8spd, now most recently a nuvinchi planetary, best. wheels are crap, shock cord is crap, i use novabraid, seat screws come loose over a period of years and seat can come off, mine did, i have fixes on all this on my utube. lastly Rowbike was invented by Scott Olson and sold the Company last year to folks who r not 2 bike savy IMHO, & r not 2 responsive , rowing technique on the website is TERRIBLE, waste a lot of 4ward momentum Rowbiking that way. Feel free to respond 2 me, we went touring w them down hwy 1 last July, steering cable snapped and they sent the wrong size, a lot of things r not standard , as the Rowbike evoled over the years component sizes changed, so be careful when u order parts.

Thanks for that update.

I saw a guy on one of these last year at my local beach and it looked like fun and his body was just ripped!

It's too bad the company has gone to the dogs though.

Interesting, very interesting. I think I know what to get when I save up a bit.
Ernest

Edit: So the company isn't any good? Service-wise or delivery?

I feel it is still a great company.
I recommended to the new owners post repair procedures on the RowBike web site, ie, how 2 replace or adjust a frayed steering cable, how to better secure the seat so it doesnt fall off (use glue underneath), what is the proper cable tension, how to check and replace a worn bungee, and how often...they did not do this so i started doing it myself on my youtube blog (type in SweetRower). 4 example if my wife purchased a RowBike and the cable frayed, or the steering bolt gets loose, etc she could show her local bike shop the info on the website or pprint it and the bike shop would know how 2 fix it, otherwise most bike shops refuse 2 work on them bc there is a repair learning curve and the xtra time they take trying 2 figure out what 2 do, they could repair 3 standard bikes n the time 2 fix the RowBike.
I think Ron and Karen Levy r mad @ me bc of my posts, but i feel that any new invention people r fearful, and if that fear of repair of how 2 do it s solved (youtube tips) then people who r not mechanically inclined would b more willing 2 buy 1.
My wife would not have a clue of what 2 look 4, or much less fix, if the bungee was starting 2 show wear, or if the seat gets wobbly...
BUUUTTTT the RowBike is an awesome machine, and i have never gone back 2 a "regular" bike even after 13 years. U get a feeling of gliding and even flying on a downhill that i have never experienced w a regular "bent" or road or mtn bike.
1 draw back is they dont climb very well, but i can deal w that 4 the other benefits.
Upper body workout is great, Scott Olson has created a phenominal piece of machinery and is loads of fun.
I think the new owners mean well and r responsive, but its kind of hard to follow n the footsteps of a "Legend" -Scott Olson, but im sure n time they will.
Please write, i love RowBike, just a few glitches, but what cutting edge device doesnt have a few??

Company is great, the RowBike is soo much fun!
Scott sold the CO 2 Ron & Karen Levy, they have big shoes 2 fill, but they r responsive and helpful.
See my youtube blog which goes n2 some minor issues, type -sweetrower.
u do 2 b a bit mechanically inclined.
I have 4 of them, i really dont know y??? buut they have replaced my regular bike.
When i do ride my Trek, i ask myself "hey...where s the upper body workout?

I must preface my post by pointing out I am a competitive rower, moreso than a cyclist, so am sorta biased in my outlook. I do not like the look of that bike.
The thing doesn't look to be well optimised for really efficient rowing. This is mostly due to the swinging arm which the handle is attached to, which offers a limited range of movement and moves in an arc. The most effective rowers pull in long, straight lines, not an arc. The bike, therefore, will tire your arms and core more quickly and under-utilise your legs' power. Also, the foot plate is mounted far to low to take good advantage of one's quads and glutes in the direction of travel. Rather than pulling the handle, you'd be lifting yourself upwards each stroke.

Look at the length and horizontality of this olympic rower's stroke on a chain driven stationary ergometer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Izw6KoXjQCQ&feature=related . This is what the movement should look like to be efficient.

If you could somehow get a bike with a chain attached to the handle, that would be a much better option. I vaguely remember seeing one somewhere, but can't find it now. Anyone have any ideas?

I like the idea of the Rowbike, but don't want to buy one without knowing that it's big enough for me. I'm 6'2" but like a bit more room than usual on both regular and recumbent bikes.

As a practical means of transport, it's crap. As a piece of exercise equipment that'll keep your interest, I'd say it has possibility. If I had the room & $$, just might pick one up.

I use my rowbike regularly. My rowbike is used for exercise 2 or three times a week. I replaced the bearings with automotive axle grease and have not had to repack in 2 years. The derailers are clearly used in a non standard manner and will fail over time. The seat does come lose but I have no problem tightening the screws.

The wheels that support the seat and the bungee/shock cord wear out regularly and have to be replaced every 6 months or more.

Thanks for the tips on nucincci, novabraid and pliobond, and of course the videos. I am considering building a new seat with 2 wheel assemblies and mounted with tee nuts. My only successful mod has been replacing the standard rowbike idler pulley (dave cam) with one for lawn mowers that has sealed bearings.

I thought rowbike was being operated by Olsen's brother. In the past they sold a more complete selection of parts including new seats, so that is something to consider. But the parts selection they have covers all the important things.

me 2, I sweeped n college & masters 14 years, no argument w u about the stroke comparison, it quite doesnt work the exact same muscles n the exact same way.
However IMHO it comes ALOT closer 2 simulating the sculling motion than riding a mtn or road bike, plus i find it exercises some similar Rowing muscles differently that i feel helps when im on the water.
Have u tried the RowBike yet, if not try 1 out, i MUCH prefer it 2 the "hateful" erg!
I m a Sculler 1st and thats what peaked my inteerst, was using something that enabled me 2 scoot around town and do something 4 my upper body, which regular bikes dont do 4 me. Pluss its Fun! I use about %60 legs and %40 upper, thats just me, if u r not familiar w proper Rowing technique the a new Rowbiker might use 60% upper, etc.

Ive owned Rowbikes since they came out, i totally agree w u, they do have their maintenance challenges, but i feel that @ the stage where they have evolved now there isnt the same mtce nightmare it once was.
I comutted with my King from Davis 2 the Sacramento (14 mi 1 way) for years b4 i retired. I found it 2 b reliable after i made some changes (look @ my youtube post located type n- SweetRower).
I dont know y Scott Olson made such a beautiful sturdy frame, and outfitted it w such crapy derailleur components, maybe 2 keep the price down, ive gone around w him b4 about this, who knows? All i know is that im really glad he invented it, my wife & i have had alot of fun on them!!

Scott sold it 2 Ron &Karen Levy, nice folks based in LA, very responsive, (if u dont PO them off - which i think i did w my youtube posts), maybe ill send Karen a box of sees candy!
Thanks for the tips!

im 6'1, the King should fit u, please c my youtube post (SweetRower). They r fun

Hmm, buy this thing or, for the same price, a Surly Long Haul Trucker or a Raleigh Sojourn? Think about it...

Hmm, buy this thing or, for the same price, a Surly Long Haul Trucker or a Raleigh Sojourn? Think about it...

You compare a rowbike to an indoor rowing machine, gym membership, or maybe a bowflex type thing. Rowbike does not compare well with any other kind of bike as far as transportation goes.

Hello H, I totally agree w u, RowBike isnt 4 everybody, i have a burley bent (when the were still making them) and a Trek Bellview, all great, but when i get off i ask myself "where s the upper body workout? and i dont get the same feel of flying(?)" i view RowBike as a small company w a cultish like following, members need 2 part mechanic, part Sculler, part a lil nuts 2 spend that much, like Apple vs Microsoft n the early days, The RowBike s just a pretty machine 2 look @, looks like a Klingon warbird going down the road! I m mac user, and 2 me i think they r artistically done, u pay more but 4 a different xperience. Granted a Bowflex or some other indoor machine might give a better workout, (pound 4 pound) but i talking about un quantifiable "feelings", so i think we r both "right"!!

You compare a rowbike to an indoor rowing machine, gym membership, or maybe a bowflex type thing. Rowbike does not compare well with any other kind of bike as far as transportation goes.
i agree w u, but i much prefer 2 get my exercise outdoors! Also as i mentioned earlier i commuted to work from Davis, CA 2 Sacramento for 10 yrs on my RowBike (24 mi RT), couln't keep up w the Roadies but could w the Mtn bikes, thats been my experience, served me very well as transportation. Wife & I did a tour down hwy 1 coast n CA last Jujy, planning another w the RowBikes n Sept!! Mucho Fun O!

go george! I bought my used 720 sport in 07 and immediately tried to row it 100 miles home. I couldn't walk at the end of the day. But I like being sore. I am ex cross-country/marathoner and bought my rowbike to keep my upper body in shape. Always had decent legs and thighs. I ditched my mountain bike and rode everywhere on my rowbike but had to mix mountain bike back in after 10 days cause I was grumpy from always being arm-sore. Let us know how your doing. We're here to help!

hey Vance
Hope you enjoy your RowBike, I've been @ it for 13 years!
Usually takes a couple of months b4 your upper body catches up w your lower, using the RowBike.
Don't try & push 2 much, easy 2 pull a muscle & could set u back.
Its important 2 use good Rowing technique, improves your speed by about 2mph, I've been a masters sculler for 15 years and has helped, but some basic changes 2 technique can help a lot, technique used on the website is improper, Ive sent Ron &Karen Levy (new owners) a dvd about basic sculling techniques so they could incorporate them , but they haven't yet. If I can b of help let me know.

As u have experienced most activity what we do is lower body, once u get hooked you'll love it.
There r some maintenance issues tho
Check out my YouTube videos for some tips.
Type in sweetrower.