Live data from Hacker News

Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

news.ycombinator.com

221–230 of 256 posts

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#221
post #204

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Let me start off by saying the C2 is an amazing rower, but we thought we could improve on its design for the regular user who cares most about a fun and engaging experience. For example, the belt is industrial nylon (not plastic), the same material as seat belts. The main benefit to this is it makes the rower quieter and feels smoother. The rail is aluminum and legs and frame are made from steel, which makes it stabl…

> the belt is industrial nylon (not plastic) Last I checked, nylon was still a thermoplastic.

True. Just sounded cheap calling it plastic. My mistake!

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#222
Nice work! I work at [large Utah-based behemoth that sells a full range of connected exercise equipment] and enjoy their interactive rower models. It's always great to see people bring new stuff to market that makes rowing fun, because I've always felt that rowing is one of the best exercises. And since 'connected fitness' is growing so exponentially at the moment, it's probably okay for me to wish you good luck, because I think your product is genuinely exciting.

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#223

Awesome and inspiring story. I personally can't see paying a subscription for an exercise machine though. Why can't I just buy something and own it without needing to provide recurring monthly revenue to the company who sold me the thing? Rowing is boring, but I solved that for myself with a pair of headphones and a podcast. I have a hard time imagining rowing based games being as interesting (though I did like the c…

Thank you! Reoccurring revenue is just the name of the game now :)

I subscribe to peloton but can’t see myself subscribing to this.

I subscribe to peloton because I get new content every single day, live rides and even things like T-shirt’s shipped to me when I hit milestones. This feels like a membership but without any particular level of membership benefits.

I’m sure you will find a market though and hope you are hugely successful!

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#224

Nice work! I work at [large Utah-based behemoth that sells a full range of connected exercise equipment] and enjoy their interactive rower models. It's always great to see people bring new stuff to market that makes rowing fun, because I've always felt that rowing is one of the best exercises. And since 'connected fitness' is growing so exponentially at the moment, it's probably okay for me to wish you good luck, bec…

I can guess which company you work for :) I'm happy to hear our product in genuinely exciting, thank you!!!

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#225
post #223

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thank you! Reoccurring revenue is just the name of the game now :)

I subscribe to peloton but can’t see myself subscribing to this. I subscribe to peloton because I get new content every single day, live rides and even things like T-shirt’s shipped to me when I hit milestones. This feels like a membership but without any particular level of membership benefits. I’m sure you will find a market though and hope you are hugely successful!

I can understand that. When Peloton first came out they were releasing content as often as we are now. Over time I'm sure we will get better. Thank you!

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#226
Given that you're competing with Peloton (or at least in the same general market), how do you plan to respond to the rumored Peloton Rower? https://www.pelobuddy.com/peloton-rower

It's going to be hard to position yourself as the Peloton for Rowing when Peloton actually has a Peloton for Rowing.

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#228

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Certainly more accurate than most other ergs (that's how we rowers call them). However, it's not perfect. Nothing is ever perfect when it comes to measuring real world biomechanics. I did competitive rowing in my youth + I've spent a couple years building rowing technology, sensors + telemetry, so I can maybe offer a few interesting insights about their issues. Don't get me wrong, C2 ergs are great craftsmanship, bui…

Thank you for all that detail! A tangential question: At elite levels how well does performance on an ergo translate to on water performance? I rowed reasonably successfully at a junior level and I was much faster in a boat than others that would kick my butt on an ergo. This was always explained away as better technique. I’d be interested to know at a level where everyone has great technique if ergo/boat performance…

My impression as a rower who spent a lot of time with people rowing in the Oxford and Cambridge boat race is that the mix is not wildly different. The same rules seem to roughly apply as at lower levels where in an 8 you have people who are more powerful but with less technique in the middle of the boat, while the ends have the people with better technique.

One other point is that it's not just about technique but ability to maintain it. What impresses me about Olympic rowing is how perfect their technique continues to be at the end of the race. Having good technique is one thing, but keeping that technique as your muscles tire is very difficult.

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#230

Coming from a Body-Building/callisthenics background, But doesn't doing only pulling exercises without doing any pushing create some form of imbalance in a physique?

... then also do push exercises?

I know this, but does the average customer without a fitness background?
Post reply on HN