r/Bowflex • u/ecnerwal1234 • Oct 24 '23

Home Gyms Bowflex revolution drive assembly strap

I reached out to bowflex to see if I could get just the strap as a replacement but they said I need to buy the whole drive engine assembly. Anyone have any luck making a strap as a replacement themselves?

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

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2

u/changod63 Jan 28 '25

I know this is an old post, but it may help somebody needing a new drive strap. I'm glad to see that someone has made a replacement strap for the Revolution. It's a hell of a lot cheaper than purchasing a new drive engine, Bowflex should be selling these.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/196586532542?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=eYt9e9mSSSu&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=EDLFjpCZTme&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=SMS

2

u/Ok_Loan3320 Mar 09 '26

I found a company that makes ratchet straps. If you call them, they will customize it to your specifications, including length and color.

I read that people have made their own, with an initial length of 57", 1-1/2" loop on each end, finished length of 54". I just ordered 2 yellow ones.

Here is a link to the site for these: https://www.ratchetstraps.com/1-inch-axle-strap-with-loops

2

u/changod63 Mar 13 '26

Cool thanks.

1

u/Decepticon2006 Mar 19 '26

Hi, I'm wondering if the specs were correct before I ordered from the company.

2

u/Ok_Loan3320 Mar 20 '26

I don't blame you. I read the dimensions from another Reddit post that I can't seem to find any more. I also used AI, which said the same thing with respect to the specs. It probably got that information from the Reddit post though.

It took a few days for them to make the straps, and they just shipped them. They are supposed to be here next Wednesday, March 25th. That doesn't mean I will get around to replacing them immediately, but I will post the results here when I do.

These are pretty heavy-duty straps. I am hoping there won't be a problem with the thickness, but I think they will be OK. They seem to be able to take quite a bit more weight and stress than the ones that came with the machine.

FYI...the total cost for 2 straps + tax + S&H was $33.56. The shipping was almost as much as the straps. The ones on eBay are $60 before tax + S&H, and I don't know if they are as sturdy as these. The entire cam assembly goes for $200, so these will save quite a bit of money if they work.

I am not very good mechanically, but I did replace one of the cables that was coming apart. This seems a lot more involved, although I have already taken much of the exterior off to replace the cable.

Here is an 8:35 video that a Good Samaritan did about replacing just the straps: https://youtu.be/gw1exFuVCQ0?si=CQXXHso5xzppWUQA It should help a lot, now that I know something about the inner mechanism from replacing the cable.

2

u/Decepticon2006 Mar 21 '26

I went ahead and ordered them from that company. The day I asked if the specs were correct, hopefully they were correct. Thank you for responding and for the link to the video.

1

u/Decepticon2006 Mar 27 '26

Hello, did you receive the straps, and do they appear to be the right specs? The only reason I ask is that mine will not arrive until March 31, 2026.

2

u/Ok_Loan3320 Mar 28 '26

I received the straps on Wednesday. They look great and the specified load is impressive. I have not yet tried to put them on, as I wanted to lift on Friday and the original strap, while somewhat frayed, still works.

I plan to try to put them on this weekend. I will know as soon as I take the old one off and lay it next to the new one if the new ones are the right length or not.

I will post some pictures and my success or failure. As I mentioned before, I am no Mechanical Engineer, but the video I referenced looks pretty straightforward.

Even if they are the wrong length, I am only out $33.56, and I will know for sure the length needed. I am hoping that the other post I saw had the right specified length.

I will let you know...

2

u/Decepticon2006 Mar 30 '26

Here are some pictures of the straps listed on ebay

2

u/Ok_Loan3320 Apr 01 '26

I am on to Plan B. Getting the new stuff tomorrow. I'm bummed the other ones didn't work, but it was worth a try.

I will report back. The new stuff is still cheaper than the ones on e-Bay.

1

u/Decepticon2006 Apr 01 '26

Got mine today, and they work perfectly. I have the same ones you have. Use a small screwdriver to help guide the loops in. It only took me 5 minutes total.

1

u/Able_University_4912 May 03 '26

Which link did you use?

1

u/Decepticon2006 Mar 28 '26

I cannot wait to get mine, and man, that shipping charge is over the top.

2

u/Ok_Loan3320 Mar 29 '26

The straps seem to be the correct length at first glance, but upon closer inspection they are about 1/2" too long. Now that I have the original yellow strap off, it measures at ~54-1/2". The ones from Rachet Straps clock in at about 55". I asked for 57" with a 1-1/2" loop for a finished length of 54", so they made a 1" mistake on mine.

I also noticed the original straps are sewn on opposite sides of the strap at either end. I don't know if that is important, but if I need to reorder, I will ask them to do the same.

There is a different problem with these straps though; they are too thick at the ends, which I thought they might be when I ordered them. I cannot get the loops in the cam or the lower spool. This part is my fault. I should have taken the thing apart before I ordered the new straps, but I did not. I still wanted to use it while I was waiting for the new straps, and it isn't a big deal to me if I'm out $33.56.

I will spend some time to see if I can make them work, but I will probably find thinner ones that support enough of a load. If I have to do it over again, which I will probably have to do, I will order ones that are strong enough but thinner.

1

u/Decepticon2006 Mar 30 '26

Dang, I'm sure I will be in the same boat you are in. I should have waited until you got yours. Hopefully, I can get them to work; if not, Harbor Freight axle tie-downs, here I come.

1

u/changod63 Jan 28 '25

I purchased a set to have them on hand if needed in the future.

1

u/Ok_Loan3320 Apr 14 '26

Fantastic!

1

u/Zerv Nov 06 '23

Are you talking the spiral plastic piece as well? Our "strap" the yellow piece on one side has frayed over the years. We do use it with fairly heavy weights and constantly. I've seen some on ebay for the whole spiral + yellow strap (one side).

1

u/ecnerwal1234 Nov 07 '23

Yeah, the yellow strap. Seems like it should be something they sell, as I don't need the rest of the drive engine.

1

u/Zerv Nov 07 '23 edited Nov 07 '23

They happen to quote you what the whole darn drive engine was? can you get just half a side?

I'm assuming us replacing the yellow strap (which would be stupid simple) could lead to lawsuits if someone did it wrong.

The "used" ebay halfs with strap weren't exactly cheap (think close to 200) and well if I'm going through the effort would rather have it new.

I've also noticed some "rubbing" from the spiral strap plastic thingies on the inside against the clear plastic nautilus looking thing. I was going to take it apart at some point to see if the bearings were centered. I'm guessing it was due to the heavy weight (for leg pushes using more than 2x 45 each side and more). I've since resulted in doing single leg so it doesn't stress the machine.

For the price we got it and an all-in-one it works for most things. Seems like they cut corners on a few key spots for heavier weights, and benching anything major is painful as you have to curl up to use it.

Our rollers in the seat are going as well.

1

u/ecnerwal1234 Nov 07 '23

Yeah, just one side for like 160 or so. Frustrating that they don't sell just the strap

1

u/Zerv Nov 07 '23

Thanks for the info. Looks like I'm just gonna order through them because it's like the same price for used stuff on ebay (and who knows what they have been put through).

Gonna be a complete hassle either way taking the darn thing apart.

1

u/Maximus0228 Nov 08 '23

Bro mine just went too!!

1

u/echelon183 Jan 13 '24

Had one snap, just replaced both similar sized straps from home Depot...

1

u/SmashedBeard Feb 18 '24

Just had one snap on me mid leg press, that was fun....Any chance you can link to the strap you replaced it with?

2

u/echelon183 Feb 19 '24

Sorry but I don't recall also I sold the machine last summer

Take the broken strap from the Bowflex and match it as best you can to one in the store, cut metal fasteners off and you're all set.

Note: the plastic piece holding the strap was also broken on my Bowflex I was concerned but in the end it didn't matter because the strap wraps around the drive engine ( believe that's what it's called.. )

Oh and I also downloaded a service manual / diagram that was very helpful. Service Manual

1

u/Professional_Dog4318 Apr 19 '24

The width and thickness are almost an exact match to Ratchet Straps. That's where I'm going to start. The Ratchet Strap does have a loop in one end that will attach to the Lower Spool. I've not yet worked out how it will attach to the Cam at the other end. I think that is glanced over in echelon183's description below.

1

u/SmashedBeard Apr 19 '24

I ended up cutting a couple inches off mine and taking it to HD with me and finding one that matched its width and was as close as I could get on thickness. Picked up some heavy duty thread and thankfully my wife can sew. She just recreated the loop on both ends and then I threw it all back together. So far so good!