The DeskCycle Desk Exercise Bike Pedal Exerciser White is a #1 Amazon Best Seller in its category. This review examines everything you need to know about it to determine if it’s worth buying.
Are you looking for a convenient way to exercise while you work? If so, look no further than the DeskCycle, an under desk peddler you can use seated.
It is available in two affordable models: The original, and the DeskCycle 2 Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser, both offering a low-impact workout as intense as you want to make it.
You can use this simple machine beneath a desk or in front of a chair. Its pedal motion is smooth, and you can adjust the resistance for easier or more challenging sessions.
Research shows that working at the lowest resistance setting and the relaxed pace of one rotation per second provides more health and fitness benefits than a standing desk.
If you want to challenge yourself, you can with the DeskCycle Desk Exercise Bike Pedal Exerciser White or the DeskCycle 2, which offer twice the resistance range of similar fitness aids..
Whichever level you choose to work at, your session will be super quiet, so whether you use it at home or the office, you can work towards your health and fitness goals without disturbing anyone in your vicinity.
Keep reading for an overview of the product, its pros and cons, a DeskCycle Vs. DeskCycle 2 Comparison, and more.
Table of Contents
Whom does it suit?
The DeskCycle Desk Exercise Bike Pedal Exerciser White suits individuals of any age and fitness level wanting to do light to moderately intense workouts that will improve their strength, flexibility, and mobility and burn some calories while
Use it at home while watching TV, reading, surfing the net, or chatting on the phone, or at work if you have a desk job.
Though designed for users up to 350 pounds, because it’s used seated, minimal pressure is placed on it, and many heavier individuals have left positive reviews.
While you can use it for easy workouts, the Desk Cycle can give you a far more challenging workout than most other under desk peddlers.
The faster you pedal and the higher the resistance level you engage, the greater the benefits you will experience.
It is also useful for people with an injury that prevents them from doing their usual workout and those undergoing rehabilitation.
Compact enough to store in most closets, it is small enough to transport it in the trunk of your car.
NB: Anyone with an injury should check with their doctor before resuming exercise.
DeskCycle Desk Exercise Bike Pedal Exerciser White Specs
Dimensions – The DeskCycle Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser White measures 24.02″ (L) x 20.08″ (W) x 10.24″ (H)
Floor to desk – This model works best with a desk with an underside at least 27″ above floor height. (See DeskCycle the Vs. DeskCycle 2 Comparison section below for recommended user height information.)
Weight – It weighs 23 lbs
User weight – The manufacturer recommends this product for users up to 350 pounds
Flywheel weight – it has a 3 lb flywheel
Batteries – You will need 2 x AA batteries (not included) for the console
Color – The original DeskCycle is available in white
DeskCycle Vs. DeskCycle 2 Comparison
The pedal height of the original DeskCycle is fixed at 10″.
The DeskCycle 2 Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser can be set at 9″ or 10″, giving extra knee clearance when used beneath a desk, making it a better option for taller users.
The original DeskCycle works best for users 5′ 8″ and shorter using a desk at least 27″ tall.
The DeskCycle 2 is the better option for people up to 5′ 10″. Taller individuals can use the device with a higher desk.
People of any height can use either model seated on a chair or sofa.
The original DeskCycle tracks up to 1,000 minutes of activity with a 16-hour rollover.
The DeskCycle 2 Under Desk Bike tracks up to 10,000 minutes with a 160-hour rollover.
Along with white, the DeskCycle 2 also comes in black, and gray.
The logos also differ between the two models.
DeskCycle Desk Exercise Bike Pedal Exerciser White Overview
Drive –
The DeskCycle Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser is manually operated.
Its double axel, twin belt heavy-duty 3 lb flywheel has 8 sealed bearings.
Because the flywheel rotates at 13 times the rate of the crankshaft, its weight is essentially equivalent to 39 lbs.
Construction and Finish –
The composition is alloy steel and hardened plastic that resists corrosion, scratches, and chips.
Stability, Smoothness, & Noise Level –
A 2o” wide front stabilizer bar and four rubber capped feet that grip the floor ensure incredibly stable workouts with no unwanted movement, even when peddling hard.
Magnetic resistance and supreme quality components ensure extremely smooth, whisper quiet pedaling.
Resistance –
The DeskCycle Desk Exercise Bike Pedal Exerciser has 8 calibrated resistance levels, catering to beginners through to users seeking a challenge, with close to 40 lbs of resistance available.
Turning the knob clockwise will increase the resistance while turning it counterclockwise will decrease it.
When working at the higher levels, your chair may move if it is light, though this has not been an issue for everyone. If your chair does move, use a heavier one.
Console –
A removable 1 3/4″ (W) x 1.5″ (W) LCD screen displays elapsed Time, Strides per minute, Distance covered, Speed, and Calories burned. The font is pretty small but clear to see.
The metrics are stacked, with the top one shown being your Speed and the lower figure displaying the other metrics.
If you engage Scan mode, the lower metric will change every 5 seconds, giving you a complete overview of your progress.
If you only want to see your Speed and another metric, you can do so by pressing the Mode button.
The computer console tracks your sessions automatically as soon as you start to pedal and shuts down after detecting a few minutes of inactivity.
The console can be attached to the unit if you are using it without a desk.
Or, you can place it on your desk with the included stand for convenient viewing when using it as an under desk peddler.
Pedals –
Oversized, bi-directional slip-resistant pedals enable backward as well as forward cycling to target different muscles.
The pedals are slip-resistant for more secure and comfortable workouts and oversized to accommodate feet of any size.
Their adjustable Velcro straps will hold your feet securely in place as you pedal.
Accessories –
The DeskCycle comes with a monitor stand, an extension cord so you can place the monitor on your desk, and a tethering strap.
The stand expands your monitor placement options.
Use the tether to secure the unit to your desk to prevent it from moving if the floor it is on is slippery.
The Progress Viewer lets your monitor your daily, weekly, and monthly progress. Tod do this, open a free account and save your sessions by clicking the Calorie Calculator Results button to upload your stats.
If you have a Fitbit or Apple watch, you can save your metrics as footsteps or miles for later viewing.
Assembly –
The assembly process takes around 10 to 15 minutes at most.
You will need to attach four legs and the pedals to the unit’s body, insert the batteries into the console and slide it into position.
Easy-to-understand illustrated instructions and a combination screwdriver/wrench are included to facilitate the task.
Warranty –
The DeskCycle comes with a 1- year warranty covering parts, workmanship, and labor.
A 30-day return policy allows you to return the device if you change your mind, with free return shipping.
Pros
- DeskCycle Desk Exercise Bike Pedal Exerciser White is affordable
- It delivers low-impact workouts
- The device offers far more resistance than similar fitness aids, so it burns more calories
- It provides cardio benefits
- It has eight calibrated resistance levels, enabling you to grow your fitness and vary your workouts
- Whisper-quiet during use, you can use it while watching TV without turning up the volume.
- The pedaling motion is comfortable and smooth at all resistance levels
- Workouts can improve your focus and productivity
- Being compact with a low profile, it fits beneath most desks and tables
- Its pedals stay flat, making it easy to slip your feet in and out
- The machine is heavy enough to provide stability but light enough to move easily
- The DeskCycle is a sturdy machine that has a higher weight capacity than most low pedaling machines
- It comes with a solid warranty and excellent customer service should you need it
Cons
- As with any fitness aid that does not have the facility to enter your personal stats – gender, height, weight, etc. – your Calories burned readout will be an estimate that is usually higher than the reality.
- The resistance knob is accessible during workouts, but being located low on the frame, you will need to bend forward to reach it
- A heavy, non-swiveling chair will be required when working at the top resistance levels to avoid unwanted movement
- The DeskCycle Desk Exercise Bike Pedal Exerciser White might move when used at high speed if it isn’t on carpet. However, some buyers have stated this is not an issue for them.
- Depending on what you are doing, it could be challenging to keep your upper body still enough to work when seated at a desk and exerting a lot of effort.
- If you are tall with long legs, you may need to lower your chair and/or use a high desk with space at the back. Alternatively, push your back from the desk, but this could make it difficult to access items on the desk.
Final Thoughts on the DeskCycle Desk Exercise Bike Pedal Exerciser
The DeskCycle Desk Exercise Bike Pedal Exerciser has a lot of positives and only a few minor negatives that you can overcome with a little forethought.
Firstly, it offers far more resistance than most fitness aids of its type, so when using it, you can burn more calories and get a more effective workout.
It has the lowest pedal height compared to other fitness aids of its type. This makes it suitable to use with desks of most heights.
And being so quiet, you won’t have to worry about waking anyone in your household when using it at home or annoying your colleagues if using it at work.
Using it on carpet or a rug while seated in a heavy, wheelless chair will prevent unwanted movement.
The DeskCycle 2 Under Desk Bike will be the best choice for taller individuals.
If you want to see an alternative to help you make up your mind, check out my review of the MagneTrainer Mini Exercise Bike.