While there is a but, this is arguably the best crisis-proof rubber prototype. The standard seems to be rising steadily. Obviously, I was fortunate, because I encountered none of these issues. About 10,000 have gone through without a single incident of red plaque, hernia, loudness, or excessive wear. Benefits that vary: Behaves consistently in all conditions, from dry to wet to slow to fast. Super-quiet, with a gentle hum. To wit, he can't row in anything more than moderate muck, but he'll happily trot through the woods on damp grass.