Looking for a Used Soloflex - new or old ?
There's a big difference in the Machines from 1978 BuckSteel "Solo Flex"
version to the current model...
... and pretty big difference along the way even in the 1984 to 1993 or
so years. I know, I own and use one of each (different locations, and
uses).
BUY THE OLDER MACHINE IF YOU CAN -- TRUST ME ON THIS. I could
tell you why ALL DAY!
Jerry likes to tout that the machine is basically the same through the
years well, barely basically. I won't bore you all, with ALL the
details... but 1987 and on changed everything: Fit, Form, Finish and
definitely Function!
The Weight Straps were the biggest change - and I love these things as
much as I hate them. I've said it before.
These Weight Straps are the Achilles Heel and the Heart of the Machine.
Best and Worst thing about it.
The first Rubber Weight Strap was engineered exclusively for SOLOFLEX by
The Gates LearJet Company -- World leaders in elastomer technology at
that time (1983). They came in 5, 10, 25, and 50 lbs sizes.
WITHOUT A DOUBT -- THEY FELT THE BEST. They had a less Variable nature.
More consistent full-stroke. They had what felt like the same
resistance on the return as they did on the stretch. I have tested this
for years with many straps and it's just the way it is -- they were a
better design... for us! The newest straps satisfied Soloflex's
unrelenting requests (mostly by women users) for changes... except the
request for 100 lbs Straps, which came from guys. And Gates couldn't
deliver with that "DogBone" shape they had.
People didn't like loading them because they didn't slide right on
(unless you knew the baby powder trick of applying a little to your
finger and rubbing inside each bushing a little and WALLA! No
problem!!!) They also didn't like rotating the bushings every three
months to extent their life. I'm still doing that to mine -- and
they're still great.
So The OilState Company engineering the new ones. They don't last near
as long (especially the 2.5's, 5's, 10's, and 25lbs straps)... which
leaves what!? The 50 and 100lbs straps that get the least use by most
of their users (except us big, strong guys on this group right...right).
The new straps are embarrassing... in comparison. And Jerry's aware of
this. But the new Straps helped keep the issues down, from the
company's point-of-view.
The newer OilState Straps (and a different Company is manufacturing
them for the last several years BTW) do not last. Failure is built in.
So buying them used is ridiculous. You need the warranty!!!
DO NOT BUY STRAPS USED. Just send me your money; I'll put it to better
use buying Paper Towels or something.
Used straps have usually sat in someone's cold garage for years, or
storage, or shed, or dusty closet... OR IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT.
They're usually not matched pairs (which makes a huge difference 75% of
the time) - and then you get to slide one side or the other out a little
in the middle of your sets trying to get the resistance to feel the
same. And believe me, once you are really experienced using Soloflex
you notice the every little change in feel with the straps.
I hope the new owner of Soloflex is someone like myself who has been
using them since age 14 in 1979. And can design a strap with as much
focus and heart in the process as they will their business plan.
The machines are almost as hit and miss as far as their best quality was
concerned. Especially weld points not welding seams. Corners and edges
that you could fillet a fish on... and drastic variances in plumb and
level pieces.
Around 1990 (this is my biggest @?!) Soloflex came up the idea of
"over-bending" the MainFrame past 90 degrees... past! To 93 degrees.
You know why... so that when people were initially assembling the
machine, and placed the MF into the stabilizer bar, it wouldn't want to
fall backwards as easily while they tried to bolt it.... COME ON!
I said, "you've got to be kidding”. That's an engineering change to
form and function for a purpose that has nothing to do with it.
If any of you have a pre-1982 model and try a newer one for a workout,
you'll know why. Many holes won't feel right - but neither will the
next hole either... so you have to just except it. The machine was
designed around an L-shaped, 90 degree angle. Now, even the Dip bar
angles down to an uncomfortable angle for my wrists because the
Lever-arm points more downward due to the "Over-Bend". So I shim my
bar.
And the wood-bench change??? I won't go there. They missed the boat
completely there. Ask me about it sometime.
I could go on all day. Get the older Machine that works more like the
tool it was designed to be -- and is even painted with a
non-beautifying, more durable finish so you won't be afraid to do
pull-ups and dips, just to save your pretty powder coating.
If you can't find the old machine... get the newer regardless because it
still gets the job done... BUT BUY NEW STRAPS.
Sorry Guys... whew!
Hope this is educational for someone.
Jay
