As a tech writer, I don’t normally review exercise equipment, but these aren’t normal times. And besides, the Deskcycle under desk mini exercise bike does have an LDC display and an iPhone app.
The last thing I want during this time of sheltering at home is to get in bad shape. Fitness helps your immune system and provides a reservoir of strength should you get infected. Also, my wife is recovering from a broken ankle and needs gentle exercise to strengthen the muscles around it.
We have a small home gym with an elliptical and an exercise bike but the electronics in the exercise bike stopped working and it would cost $500 — plus a visit by a technician at a time when we don’t want people in our house. So, instead of getting that bike fixed, I spent $189 on the small lightweight DeskCycle under-desk bike, and I’m glad I did.
It will fit under most desks and tables, but we have ours in front of the living room couch, so we can use it while watching TV, reading or relaxing to music.
Unlike full-sized exercise bikes, the 23 pound cycle can easily be moved from room to room if necessary.
My favorite feature is that it’s very quiet — nearly silent — which is a big plus over most other exercise equipment. It uses magnetic resistance, which means there are no bands or pads to create friction against the flywheel. Instead the magnets create resistance depending on their distance from the flywheel. An 8 position knob goes from almost no resistance (suitable for spinning) to a position that requires a lot of effort to pedal.
Unlike a traditional exercise bike, there is no seat so you would sit on a chair or a couch. That can be a little awkward at first, but I got used to it quickly. Wide feet and rubber pads, reduce the likelihood of the bike slipping as you pedal, but — on my polished wood floor — it does slip a little when I pedal hard. I’ve found ways to keep that under control so it’s not a huge deal.
I knew that there was some assembly required but I was heartened by a comment on Amazon that assembly was a quick and easy. Still, I was apprehensive until I read the unusually well written and illustrated instructions. I have never had good luck putting together anything from Ikea, but the DeskCycle was easy to assemble. It took about 20 minutes and required only one tool — a wrench that came with the product.