DeskCycle 2

9.2
9.2 score
[Editors rating (9.2)] = (Garage Gym Ideas - Ultimate Home Gym Design) score (9.2)/10


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Editor rating: 9.2 / 10
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Editor’s Conclusion
If you feel that you are chained to your desk and can’t quite break away for even a quick workout, the DeskCycle 2 is worth checking out.

This humble machine won’t provide you with the same calorie-shedding performance as a standard upright bike, but it helps to keep blood flowing when you are trapped at your desk all day!

What I love most about this handy little machine is that it fits compactly under your desk, provides ample resistance for stealthy strength-building, and runs virtually quietly so you can take phone calls while also fitting in your daily steps.

For those that can’t quite find the time to fit in a good workout throughout the day, DeskCycle 2 is a perfect way to kill two birds with one stone.
DeskCycle 2 Review Facts
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros

Compact design
Runs quietly
Provides users up to 8 levels of resistance
Quick assembly
Includes a small display screen to track progress
Secure foot straps work well with sneakers or dress shoes

Cons

Does not ship completely assembled
Some users reported a glitchy display screen
Slightly more expensive than budget-friendly designs

Key Features

PERFORMANCE

DeskCycle 2 is a great way to stay active when fitting in a workout at the gym isn’t in the cards. Whether you are stuck at your desk or recovering from an injury, this desk is a great way to fit in your daily steps without leaving your chair.

For recovery, physical therapists sometimes recommend workouts on a recumbent bike that supports your joints while building muscle and staying active.

Recumbent bikes are expensive, take up a lot of room, and aren’t very mobile. DeskCycle 2, however, can be used just about anywhere while still delivering the same recovery benefits as a recumbent bike.

This desk bike is also a great way to fit in your steps and keep your blood circulating while sitting at a desk all day long. Sitting at a desk all day comes with a laundry list of health risks that include high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, and high blood sugar.

Getting up and going for a brief walk helps to mitigate the impact of sitting all day, but sometimes it’s hard to make the time.

DeskCycle 2 is a great way to do two things at once: get your work done, and keep active. These two things don’t often go hand in hand, but with this handy little device, it’s possible.

RESISTANCE

Not only does this machine keep you moving while you work, but it also provides ample resistance to help build muscle as you power through your work to-do list. To adjust the magnetic resistance flywheel, simply turn the dial at the base of the unit.

This dial is clearly labeled from 1-8 with 1 being the lowest resistance setting and 8 being the highest.

Sometimes resistance settings can be a little spotty, so I made sure to comb through dozens of user reviews to check in on how well it worked. Most users found that the resistance offered was more than adequate, and some users went so far as to say that the highest level of resistance was just a little too intense.

Not only is this machine great for staying active, but the high-quality resistance helps to build muscle in your lower body as well.

ASSEMBLY

One of the downsides that users discovered about DeskCycle 2 is that it does require a little bit of assembly.

Many similar brands ship their devices completely assembled, so it’s a bit of a bummer that you will need to bust out the toolbox to assemble your device. However, many users found that the assembly process is quick, easy, and painless.

This desk bike ships with very easy-to-follow instructions that take you through the assembly process. Users only need to affix the pedals, feet, and display screen to the central unit, and DeskCycle includes all tools you need to expertly assemble your machine.

Overall, most users found that it only took them a few minutes to go from out of the box to pedaling.

BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY

The base model doesn’t include any additional tools that connect with your smartphone or Fitbit but it does offer additional Bluetooth-compatible accessories available through the DeskCycle store.

The G Pulse sensor plugs into your desk cycle and allows users to connect their fitness tracking devices right to the DeskCycle. Pairing it with your smartphone is incredibly easy and takes only a few minutes.

The downside to this little device is that it requires users to manually start up the app to activate the sensor. Unlike other Bluetooth-enabled machines, this sensor requires a few extra steps to ensure that it is turned on to sync with your phone.

Overall, this little device is affordable, but the extra steps required to use it aren’t worth the effort. I suggest using the display screen as a guide and manually logging your steps into your fitness app.

SIZE

What’s great about this cardio machine is that it’s super small. It measures to be just 10.24-inches long, 24.02-inches wide and stands to be 20.08-inches tall. While it’s fairly small, it won’t work in all under-the-desk scenarios. T

heir website claims that this bike works well for users that measure to be 5’10’’ and under, and for desks that measure to be about 27-inches off of the ground.

Before you make the investment, be sure that you will have enough leg clearance under your desk to use this device. If you don’t have enough clearance, it means that your knees will knock up against the top of your desk as you pedal!

DISPLAY

The display screen on this device gets the job done, but it certainly has its problems. This small LCD screen details speed, distance, steps, RPM, and calories burned. If you are using this device under your desk, the display screen can be removed to sit conveniently at your desk at eye level.

It’s important to note that some users ran into a few problems when it came to the display screen. Some users found that it only displayed a small portion of the numbers right out of the box, while others found that the display quit working entirely over time.

Some users found the display to be faulty and others had no problems with the screen in the slightest. It’s not a real deal-breaker, but it’s a risk you take investing in this machine.

RIDE

One of the things that users love most about this little machine is that it runs incredibly smoothly and quietly. By utilizing magnetic resistance. The flywheel won’t make as much noise and budget-friendly designs that use friction resistance. This design provides users with excellent resistance and a smooth and consistent ride.

It’s important to note that the pedals on this device are quite small. However, the smaller pedals come equipped with velcro bands to hold your feet in place. The design of these pedals works great whether you are using them in your socks, sneakers, or even dress shoes that you wear to work.

PRICE

DeskCycle 2 comes in at a price point that is a little more expensive than most. While there are certainly more affordable options out there on the market, they aren’t built quite as well as this machine.

Budget-friendly designs often don’t provide users with much in terms of resistance, and they also utilize friction-resistance that is spotty and noisy.

If you are on the hunt for one of the better desk cycles out there on the market and are willing to pay a little bit extra for better quality, this design is well worth every penny!

DeskCycle vs DeskCycle 2

The OG DeskCycle and the DeskCycle 2 look very similar and utilize the same performance features. The only changes made to the DeskCycle 2 are sleek quality-of-life improvements.

The first big change to this model is that they added an adjustable pedal height to accommodate a wider variety of users. This feature allows users to lower the pedal height an inch for more knee clearance, which is a much-appreciated feature for taller users, or those with low-sitting desks.

Another change made to the DeskCycle 2 is steep improvements made to the LCD screen. Overall, this screen is much larger than the original and easier to read at a glance.

Verdict

Popping DeskCycle 2 under your desk is a great way to keep active without leaving your inbox unattended while working.

This little machine is small and compact and fits under most desks, but can also be used while sitting on the sofa burning through a Netflix series. Users found that this machine runs virtually silently, provides ample resistance for building muscle in your lower body, and is a little addicting (in all of the best ways!).

If you are on the hunt for a great way to stay active when recovering from an injury or working at your desk, DeskCycle 2 is one of the better designs out there on the market that is worth checking out.