shock rings

[dribron]

Does anyone know of somewhere I might be able to find affordable shock rings that will fit the soloflex? Don't get me wrong, I fully support soloflex, and have just placed an order for a pair of 50lb rings. But they are expensive, so I would love to find another option.

[duckhuntersfather]

I'll be looking right along with you. Already broke my sons bands on the machine we just picked up. I'll post up if we find anything.

[dribron]

Thank you, I apriciate that. I ahve one broke 100, two 50's that are cracking, so I am in need to replac them. I looked on the s oloflex site, and though they have both bands, and rings.. their pricey. I did order a pair just to see how they work out. But I figure that a their prices, I would have to order a pair at a time over the peirod of months, paying a ton in shipping charges along the way. It is starting to look like I will have to do the ebay thing, and toss the dice, in the hopes that I will end up with a few bands that are at least in better shape than what I currently have.
Best of luck too you.

Duane

[bucksteelsoloflex]

This is the first time I have heard of a broken 100 pounder!

I think you need to get a full set. Currently the 405 pound strap set runs at $312, I think it used to be over $400.

[dribron]

I agree, just cannot pull off 300++ . Guess it will have to be a pair or two at a time.

[woodgrief]

I am finalizing a cost effective alternative for shock rings. Although I will not be able to associate specific weights to them, there will be different sizes that you can use to develop your own preferences for your work out desired. I started this project after all of my shock cords and weight straps for my 2 machines went south and are not any good. Like a lot of people, I am not willing to put more money into the units than I can justify. I will post more info very soon.

[bucksteelsoloflex]

I had heard that a long time ago, it only cost $10 to replace any strap or shock ring, then rubber prices went through the roof. I think the people at Soloflex have tested other alternatives and found them to be inferior to their straps, or even more expensive to get manufactured.

The shock rings they have available had to be produced in bulk to the specific size for the Soloflex machine. I think they have a warehouse full. The weightstraps and shock rings they have I think are of the same quality that goes into aircraft parts. (Jerry the founder used to be a pilot). I also think that when a replacement strap of any weight was available from Soloflex for $10, their cost was around $2. So far as I know the price for them to get straps made is much higher than that and their margins are much smaller.

All of Soloflex's costs have gone through the roof. When they started out, the cost of weightstraps, shock rings, steel, rubber, shipping, and advertising were very affordable. All of those costs have gone through the roof, and peoples incomes have not matched those increased costs. Back then it cost as much to advertise it as it did to get it built to get the sale.

If there was no Soloflex in existence and they were just starting out from scratch today, they would not have been able to manufacture in the USA. They would have been forced to build it overseas and make it much lighter and it would not match the quality we currently have. I know this because I had my own designs in the past of exercise equipment I wanted to get made up, manufactured and sold. Everyone told me only build the prototypes here. If I did not get it manufactured overseas it would be way too expensive for anyone to buy and there would be no chance of it being a successful venture. They also said that 30 to 40 years ago it would have been possible to do so in North America successfully, but not now.

[dribron]

Great, keep us posted.

[bucksteelsoloflex]

I have liked to sell things I don't need on eBay, fill up my payal account, and then use the proceeds to acquire things from eBay that I can't get locally. I was wondering how everyone would feel if you could buy new Soloflex products directly from eBay, paying for it with paypal? Would that change anyone's buying habits?

[dribron]

Although a great idea, you may find alot of compitition selling against used products at half the price. With the exception of weaight bands, many things can be used and function fine. Still I know there are many people that will always buy new, if they can find it new. For that reason you may find a market there.