Jason Fried

November 18, 2025

Quality: The Concept2 RowErg

The Concept2 RowErg is one of the highest quality products I've ever used.

Had one for years now, feels like it'll last another 100.

Simple construction, durable materials, low maintenance. Comically easy to assemble. Tips up for storage, leaving a tiny footprint.

The PM5 display is simple B&W, no touchscreen, just a few easy-to-use-when-sweaty rubberized buttons. Just two D batteries that seem to last forever. No plugs, no charging, no cables needed.

Roll it around on wheels, steady once flat. Perfectly grips the ground, no wobble, no rattle, no movement.

The whole thing is just right. I've rarely encountered a product so well considered. They knew where to stop.

To me, this is a pinnacle product. The model to build towards. No matter what you make, aim to make it as well as the Concept 2 RowErg.

And all that for under $1000. One of the few products I've paid this much for that feels like a steal.

No affiliation, just a fan.


-Jason

About Jason Fried

Hey! I'm Jason, the Co-Founder and CEO at 37signals, makers of Basecamp and HEY. Subscribe below to follow my thinking on business, design, product development, and whatever else is on my mind. Thanks for visiting, thanks for reading.