Buying a used Ergomo - help!

gregp909

 I am a power noob, and I am thinking of buying a used Ergomo Pro 2007 complete version with FSA SLK cranks. . .what should I know about the unit before I buy?  What questions should I ask?  What should I look out for?  Thanks in advance.

Michael Johnson

Posted my response on the Dashboard.....in essence...THe consensus is that the Ergomo is not the best.....I had one....it broke with in 1-2 years.....

If you can get an Ergomo cheap....then use it until it falls apart

BUT, the PT (for rear hub), the Quarq and SRM (for cranks) are bettter, more durable and accurate

I did find that my Ergomo read about 20w higher than PT

Also,,,DO NOT get a Polar or iBIke......not nearlly accurate enough.

gregp909

 Used price is $425 with FSA SLK crankset.  1200 miles on unit.  Everything included and working properly (cables, software, case, etc).  Seems like a good deal???

I have read some good and some bad reviews.  My real confusion is Coach P has an Ergomo right??  I think I read a review even authored Coach P saying he traded his PT in for the Ergomo Pro and was happy with the unit??  

Confused! 

Nemo Brauch

The main problem is that Ergomo has gone belly up. So if anything breaks, there's no way to fix it. Even before the official end of the Ergomo line, the customer service over there had a pretty bad rap. And unfortunately, it seems most of the Ergomo's still out on the street are now at the failure point. Most folks around here actually love (or loved) their Ergomo. However, you'll find most of them currently doing rain dances and ritual sacrifices in hopes their Ergomo will stay alive for just one more season.

gregp909

Thanks for all of the quick replies. . .hearing all of this I think I will stick with my HRM for now and be patient and get something else (Quarq / PT) after I fire up my Ebay account again and sell some stuff I have sitting around. No reason to waste money just because the price seems really good.

Bomber

I bought a used Ergomo last year....

The first few months there was a lot of noice coming from the crank...turned out that the bike shop had installed the ergomo incorrectly...once it was reinstalled = no noice i.e. make sure that you know someone who can install it properly

My ergomo shows very low Wattage numbers - but does so consistently... I have found out that the calibration is about 50watts off, but as long as I know this.. it is no problem... it can be adjusted manually or just something to keep in mind... I'm not sure whether this is just mine, or a known issue..,

Also, it seems that Ergomo as a company has reemerged...and it is now possible to buy new Ergomos or have old ones replaced directly from Germany..

Scott Alexander

Posted By Nemo Brauch on 30 Dec 2010 03:12 PM

However, you'll find most of them currently doing rain dances and ritual sacrifices in hopes their Ergomo will stay alive for just one more season.

(insert "Joe vs the Volcano" music here).

I've got an Ergomo on both my tri and road bikes; one computer between the two of them. After that, I've got another computer waiting for me that a friend wants to unload. If I do have to replace, it'll be with a Quarq probably - but I'll do both bikes at the same time.



 

Kitboo

The Ergomo company resurrected itself last year in Europe; and now has a US distributor via JDS Sportcoaching, LLC in Denver, COr: http://www.ergomousa.com/

I've dealt with them for changing the battery on my Ergomo a couple of years ago. Very nice doode, prompt service, though I thought it was a bit expensive.
I bought my Ergomo new in 2006 when the US customer service was really just up to whomever you bought it from. Last year I moved it from the tri bike to the road bike because the power reading were getting irratic and I didn't want to deal with new PM right before IMWI. Since it's been on the road bike, it's been working flawlessly. Go figure.
There's an Ergomo google group that easy to sign up and join. Over the last 3 years, it seems that most of the problems with the first generation Ergomos after 3-4 years was either a BB problem or battery replacement. So for a 2007 unit, I would ask if the CPU battery has been replaced recently. If not, it likely will need it. I would also ask if the calibration number has been consistent or recently changed/wildly different. Even more importantly, I would make sure that you or your LBS knows how to install an Ergomo.

Overall, I still do really like the Ergomo. Now that there's a dedicated US distributor, there should be better customer service. The doode from JDS Sportcoaching is very active and promptly answers most tech questions on the google group which says to me that he's at least dedicated in growing that business. All that being said would I buy another Ergomo today? If Quarq and Joule didn't exist, YES. Not sure if the new Ergomos are wireless...if they are, that'd be a hard decision. The 2007 models are all on sale BTW on that website.

Hope that helps.

Scott Alexander

Kitima keeps teaching me things about my Ergomo too! She showed me a few things at ToCA earlier this year.

Kitboo

Scott, I think you and I are the only peeps that still love our Ergomos. Yeah, yeah...the Joule has TSS, normalized power blahblahblah. I just really miss that little orange CPU on my tri bike. Really hope Ergomo makes a comeback, but their timing seems too late.

TH3 FRB

I really like my Ergomos when I had them. They both worked well and gave consistent readings...until they went bad. Offsets started drifting and becoming unstable on one then the other and before long neither was worth anything. If they still worked I'd be using them for sure. So it's really a crap shoot. You could be getting a good unit that has lots of miles left or it could shit the bed within a few 100 miles. Honestly, I'd suggest you steer clear and go with something that is proven to be more reliable like SRM, PT or Quarq. They may be more expensive but think of it as an investment that will pay dividends for years to come. My Quarq has been rock solid so far and the customer service is top notch.

TH3 FRB

Posted By Scott Alexander on 30 Dec 2010 04:32 PM

If I do have to replace, it'll be with a Quarq probably - but I'll do both bikes at the same time.

 

I've been using a single Quarq for the past year and it's very quick and easy to swap betwen bikes.  Eventually I'll buy a second unit but for now it's been easy enough.

mgraffeo

@Michael Johnson, one point of clarification. The problem with the Polar has never been it's accuracy, it's been setting it up that is very difficult.

Also, there are people who have an iBike working just fine for them. It does not have an accuracy problem. There are some other problems, that may or may not affect individuals, but it should not be lumped into a category of 'do not use this at all', since there are people successfully using it.

Sorry, not related to the OP's question, but I have OCD when it comes to this sort of thing!

Nemo Brauch

insert "Joe vs the Volcano" music here

Scott- I knew I liked you for some reason!! One of my favorite movies ever.