I ordered this because a) I'm disabled with few safe options for exercise, and b) I need to rebuild ankle and foot flexibility after an injury. I've had this for a little over a month, and it's been exactly what I needed it to be. I'm incredibly pleased with this purchase. A few notes:- This assembles quite easily and you should be ready to go within 15-20 minutes. The instructions tell you that if you need more height, you can raise the front bar by removing the bolt and lifting it to the next notch. I gather that some people need theirs low to fit under desks. I use mine from a living room chair and don't have to worry about bumping my knees, so after a week or so of pedals scraping the carpet, I went ahead and raised mine. Ease of pedaling immediately improved, and I feel much more of a workout in my thighs now. The bike comes with its own assembly wrench, which you'll want to hang onto for adjustments like this. I labeled mine and set it aside in a safe place.- Other reviewers have mentioned that you will definitely want to follow the pamphlet instructions and build up your routine slowly. When you start pedaling at the lowest difficulty, it's true that it seems ridiculous to waste time that way. It's very tempting to crank it up higher. But as your workout goes on, it becomes a matter of endurance and will stop feeling like your feet are just flying in circles. From the first couple of days, I noticed a vast improvement in circulation to my lower legs on even the easiest setting. Swelling was down noticeably. I did the 1 setting for a week, and 2 felt like a challenge. Then I did 2 for a week, and 3 felt like a challenge. I've built up to the point where I alternate ten miles on 3 and five miles on 4, and after a while on 4, the 3 feels just as easy as the 1 did. I expect it will keep going this way (for the record, my dial goes up to 8). The pamphlet lists options for cardio training, endurance, and so on. You can tailor your own experience to exactly what you need.-Even at a 4 setting, it is very easy to exercise while watching tv, reading, and so forth. I wouldn't try talking on the phone at work unless you're on a lower setting where you won't be out of breath. You can go for long stretches of time, but I advise wearing some sort of footwear to avoid pain from prolonged pressure on the pedals. This equipment makes it very, very easy to commit to a daily exercise routine. You can make excuses to avoid an outdoor run or walk or the tedium of basement gym equipment, but it's hard to come up with a convincing reason that you can't sit on a chair and pedal while watching tv or reading. After a while, your brain shifts to other things and your legs go on autopilot, and the next thing you know, you've reached your goal. This has been my experience, and this is coming from a previously paralyzed person with the exact opposite of autopilot legs. If I can do it, anyone can.- The only thing that annoyed me with this bike ended up being my own fault. I noticed that it was pushing away from me while I pedaled, especially at higher settings, and I would have to stop every few minutes to pull it back toward me. Upon closer inspection, the back feet (on the bar closest to me, near the difficulty dial) had been bumped during storage and were flipped upside down, so the back end had no traction on the carpet. Once flipped back into place (and now I check, every time I pull the bike down from where I store it on its side), there have been no further issues. They do include a velcro strap to help tether the bike to work chairs in settings where it might try to go walkies.- The maintenance on this bike is low to none. All of the workings are encased in a clear plastic shell and should perform well with no adjustments. The velcro loops over the pedals are stiff at first, but adjustable and tend to soften with time. I have also tripped and spilled coffee on this thing, and it wipes right off with no damage to the works. The display screen with the readouts for time, distance, and so on can either be mounted on the bike itself or on a separate little stand you can put on a table or desk, which is a nice touch.I was hesitant to buy this because of the price...I've had cheapie barebones pedal contraptions in the past, and always discontinued using them after a while. I'm so glad that I bought this one, which I use multiple times a day. I would absolutely do it again.

i doubt that cycling under my desk is going to result in my figure looking like it did when i was practicing muay thai 13 hours a week, or even when i was spending an hour and a half on an elliptical trainer each night, but what i can say is that it is AWESOME to know i'm burning at least a handful of calories extra each hour than i otherwise would.here's my quick and dirty review after two days of use:this product is, as everyone else says, shockingly well made. despite the hundreds of reviews indicating its high quality, heft, smooth rotation, and absolute silence, i was skeptical, and couldn't help but wonder if perhaps everyone just had lower expectations. well, i can vouch: it is high quality, heavy without being forbiddingly so, and rotation is absolutely smooth and there is no noise at all. i cannot tell you how many people have walked by my desk in the past two days who didn't even know i was cycling unless i pointed it out.so that right out of the gate: if you want to try an underdesk cycler, don't go cheap to save $50, and don't waste your money on the $300 versions. start here. even if it ends up not being for you, it WON'T be because it's cheap or squeaky or impossible to put together.which brings me to the next thing: it is, again, as others have mentioned, painless to put together. i did it in about ten minutes, and it only took that long because people kept stopping by my desk to ask me wtf i was doing.as for results, it's too early to tell, and again, i don't expect them to be shocking, but what i can say is that my thighs and even glutes are already noticeably firmer (not sure how my glutes are, since i'm just SITTING, but indeed they are). the most surprising benefit, though, is already tighter abs. when i woke up this morning, i expected my legs to be sore - they weren't. it was my CORE that ached, and it was a delicious sort of ache.this is because if used properly, you will be sitting on the edge of your chair, holding your stomach in, and relying on your core for balance as you pedal and type at the same time. which brings me to an important note: you definitely want to observe correct posture,, and NOT try to use this sitting back in your chair, because if you don't, your lower back will begin to ache in as little as five minutes.also, regarding those who have said they don't like peering under their desks to look at the display - i can't speak for older versions of the machine, but at least in the new ones, there's a long cord and stand so that you can put the adapter on your desk and monitor your progress.i will say that i'm a little flummoxed by reviews here and elsewhere that indicate averaging "ten miles a day", or even 40, because at least if mine is calibrated correctly, i did 97 my first day and 104 today. i hit 7 miles within the first ten minutes of my workday today. of course, i have resistance set at only 2, and am pedaling quite fast, and doing so *most* of my workday (290 minutes yesterday, 300 today), but i have a hard time believing i'm ACTUALLY pedaling at 23 to 25 mph, which is what the meter indicates. so i'm skeptical i've actually hit THAT distance.either way, this is probably the best $160 i've spent in awhile, and even if i don't end up looking like i spend three hours a day in the gym as a result (and i won't), it's awesome to not just be sitting and spreading ever wider the nine hours a day i'm behind my desk.also, as others have stated, my coworkers are fascinated. the skeptical ones: "we'll see how long you stick with it," and "there's no way that mileage is correct." the curious ones: "that's so cool! if you start seeing results, i might get one too!" the enthusiastic ones: "let me try it! oh wow, this is awesome!! where did you get it? how much? can you send me the link?"all in all, again, if you want to go an under-desk cycle route, don't even hesitate to go with this product.oh, by the way:regarding the calorie counter, don't get excited. i'd supposedly burned 2000 calories by noon yesterday. even the literature that comes with the cycle says "don't trust the monitor, it's wrong." go to the website they give you and plug in your age, height, weight, resistance, distance, and time, and it will give you a theoretically more accurate calorie count. for a profound example, by the time i left the office today after 5 hours of cumulative peddling, i'd supposedly burned over 4000 calories. when i plugged my numbers into the site, it gave me a far more realistic read of 687. not as exciting as four grand, but still, 687 calories more than i'd have burned otherwise.in summary, you can't go wrong with this - though if you are tall or your desk is weirdly low, you'll have issues - but you would have issues with ANY of these products, in that case, and probably none that would be so smooth and silent and well-made. this is a shockingly high-quality product for the price, and honestly, i kind of can't believe how inexpensive it is relative to its worth.

I have previously owned and used the original DeskCycle, and I liked it a lot, but ultimately replaced it with a Magnetrainer (taller version, longer cranks, same company, I owned one before and gave it to a friend), a recumbent and a rotating line of cheaper mini and full-sized exercise bikes. I'm back to needing some rehab, so I needed a smaller crank rotation, and this time I got the DeskCycle 2 so I could try the 1" lower pedal adjustment.I'm a lot fitter than I was 2 years ago, but I can easily get my heart rate up to where I need it to be without raising the resistance much. Would this be an amazing workout for a bike racer or mountain bike rider? Probably not, but honestly it's good for most people to get some real exercise, and if you use it at a slower speed to keep your legs moving, it'll work for you.It's worth mentioning that my prior experience with the manufacturer's support is that it's very good. Not only are they helpful, they seem to really know the product and seem to care about making customers satisfied. They were helpful this time, answering my questions about the differences between the DeskCycle and the DeskCycle 2.I'm loving the DeskCycle 2 so far. It's extremely quiet, the action is extremely smooth, and it turns out I really like the lower position as it's more comfortable to use with my knee issues. Read a book on your Kindle, and the time pedaling goes by without noticing. I use my DeskCycle 2 on a hardwood floor, and not only does it not move while pedaling, it's very difficult to move further away when pushing it away with your feet. I imagine at high resistance it may move away, but I can only use it at lower resistances.I figure my calorie burn by heart rate, age, weight, etc, so I don't mess with the online calorie counter. Basically I don't need the monitor at all - my phone can time my rides, and my heart rate monitor tells me when to speed up or slow down. But I still enjoy checking the numbers, so I'm happy that the monitor comes off and lets me put it where I find it most useful. The online calorie calculator is very low compared to what literally every calculator and heart rate monitor I own reports, but it does show some other interesting data. I will continue to log my calories burned at MFP using other means. Not a problem.Regarding a few of the negative reviews, I'm puzzled. The people who got a used return from Amazon, why didn't they exchange it? Amazon is great with returns and exchanges, and it makes no sense to give the product a lower review because someone at Amazon messed up. Some of the people who say this is noisy may have put the pedals on wrong, but I keep wondering why they don't just contact customer service to have the issue fixed rather than feeling done to, keeping a bike they're not happy with and writing a negative review. Nothing is perfect, no matter how much you spend - sometimes parts have issues, but this bike has a warranty and good customer service. I've owned 4 mini bikes from 3D Innovations, and every one was very quiet.If you're like me - rehabbing your knees and ankles, and needing a smaller range of motion - or if you want to use an exercise bike under your desk or while watching TV, in my opinion, the DeskCycle 2 is a great option. If you don't need the pedals to be at their very lowest setting, you can save a few bucks by getting the DeskCycle, but I'm glad I got the version 2. For my needs - and I realize everyone has different needs - the DeskCycle 2 is the best of the many underdesk, folding, recumbent and upright exercise bikes I've owned. It's on the heavy side, but that helps keep it from sliding on the floor. I'm happy I got this, and my knees thank me ;-)

I work from home and due to the nature of my job and pretty much tethered to my desk for 10 hours a day. Even though I take a few walks a day, during my breaks and lunch, it’s not enough for me. The DeskCycle has been a day changer. I pretty much pedal for about 3 (cumulative) hours a day. Your speed, time, and calories are easy to read with the counter you can set up on your desk. It’s an option to leave it under the desk but how could you keep track? I think that may be for those who choose to pedal while watching TV. Anyway, this has definitely helped me feel less sedentary and much less resentful of my job. I can work out and move a little, AND work. This is silent, smooth, and a cinch to assemble.

I was not sponsored for this review, I bought these for my own good because I now have no excuses for not moving.I purchased this and the  Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B0418 Magnetic Mini Exercise Bike, Gray . When I did a search for "desk cycle" the DeskCycle and this were the first two that came up. I did some extensive research to see if this was worth getting instead of a walking treadmill desk. The price difference between a walking treadmill desk and an under desk bike is HUGE and each setup has its own pros and cons... but if you don't have that big of a budget to afford a treadmill desk to work out while on the computer... the under desk cycle is great!Background:I use the DeskCycle for home ( I spend lots of time on the computer after work, I'm also a PC gamer!), and the Sunny Exercise Bike at work (I work full time).Things to consider:If this is your first time setting up a bike under your desk, it is NORMAL to have to make desk/chair adjustments because you need to make sure you have a comfortable and ergonomic setup or your back can get strained over long periods of time. The instructions included with the DeskCycle provide good recommendations and tips for this, and they have a support website too that contains awesome info!My dimensions:I'm 5 feet 1". I compared using this against my 6' husband and he didn't seem to like it. He's picky about his desk setup and with his stagnant and stationary setup he likes the way his desk is currently setup. With the deskcycle he would have to make major adjustments and raise the desk because his knees kept on hitting the desk. I could imagine taller people than me would have this issue but it is NORMAL to make desk adjustments if possible to accommodate for this desk bike device.DeskCyclePros:- Very quiet- Easy and quick to assemble (it took me less than 30 minutes)- Well packaged out of the box- Sturdy pedal straps, Straps are permanently attached to the pedal and are adjusted via velcro- LCD monitor is removable and can be extended to be placed on top of a desk for display- When setup properly my knees don't hit the desk- You can and will break a sweat while using this, at least I did (resistance set to 2 and I'm at "20"+mph? if I'm reading this correctly)- No weird pungent factory smell (see below) out of the boxCons:- When first using the bike I found it difficult to concentrate on whatever I was doing on the computer, but after a day or two of constant use you get used to it- No handle for easy transportation if needed- Not really sure what the LCD units of measurement are, it's not super clearSunny Mini Exercise Bike (cheaper than the DeskCycle)Pros:- has a handle for easy transportation- Pretty much what I mentioned about the DeskCycle with some minor differences- Easy setup, less than 30 mins out of the box- Very quiet, my coworkers sitting next to me don't even notice nor hear a thing when I start pedalingCons:- It smells like hardcore factory smell out of the box. Similar to walking into Harbor Freight.- LCD screen is not removable- The pedal straps don't look as sturdy as the DeskCycle straps. They can detach from the pedal and over time it can rip from overuse. It's a rubbery material. Straps adjust similar to putting a watch tab in different holes.Differences:- Sunny Exercise Bike pedals are slightly higher off the ground than the DeskCycle- Sunny's LCD screen is not removable, you only display it from the front. (DeskCycle default is from the back)- DeskCycle includes a long velcro strap to tether your rolling chair to the bike, Sunny does not- Sunny has a handle for transportation, DeskCycle does not- My observation between the two.... the DeskCycle has a more rigid construction than the Sunny Bike. DeskCycle has more comprehensive instructions than the Sunny Bike does.Similarities:- With either one you still need to set up your desk/chair as ergonomically as possible- Both of these force you to sit up straight- You should take a break after a long period of cycling nonstop every once in a while unless you want some slight lower back pain and sweat at work- The measurements between the two appear to be very close to each other when looking at the LCD screen using the same resistance and energy force on your legs- With a good diet and using this, you will lose weight. So far I have in 1 week, maybe about a 1lb or two. Results will vary.Extra bonus stuff for fun:- I strapped a Fitbit watch  Fitbit Blaze Smart Fitness Watch, Plum, Silver, Small (US Version)  to my left foot and it still measures steps while using these two desk bikes.... I left it on and it registers as either walk or elliptical when looking at my Fitbit dashboard!

It’s a great alternative to buying an exercise bike. It was very easy to install. Just attach the pedals and monitor. Light weight. You have to use it on carpet. I tried using it on my hardwood floor and it kept slipping. I had to use it in my carpeted room and put a sand bag in front of it so it wouldn’t move while exercising. It seems to be very durable and should last a long time though. It works great. Good resistance too.

I bought this since after I graduated school and started working, I quickly put on 50 pounds and lost my flat abs that I used to have. In school, I at least was moving around a lot (due to a large campus), and I suspect age helped as well. But sitting for 8+ hours a day was very bad for my health.I tried a few things over the past few years but nothing did enough or stuck as a habit. I was able to stop the trend of adding pounds, but reversing it is altogether different. Then I saw a news story about them putting pedals on elementary school desks to let kids burn off energy while sitting in class, and I thought that there must be something like this but for adults who sit all day but need to exercise and maintain their health. I found this and gave it a shot due to the high reviews.I've had it for almost a week now and so far, it's met all my expectations! It's too soon to see if it will have a long-term impact on my weight and overall health, but I know what a workout is supposed to feel like, and it definitely gives me one.I have it set up under my desk in my cubicle at work. I swapped out my foot reset for this. It's obviously taller, so I was worried that I might not have enough leg space to use it effectively, being 5'10". The bad news is that my knees do knock up against the underside of my desk, but since I'm using a corner desk, I was able to back up my chair a little bit so that my knees come up in front of the desk. The downside is that if I want to use my keyboard, I have to have it on my lap, and can't pedal. But I do have a lot of time where I'm just waiting for tasks to finish on my computer so I can put the keyboard on my desk and just pedal away.I do martial arts practice and ran a lot in school previously, so my legs already were pretty strong. I was able to pedal pretty well at full tension, but I found that tired me out very quickly. I backed it down to about 3/4 tension (it has 8 levels, so this would be 6) and am able to use that as my "easy-medium" setting. I push it up to 7 for more tension, and back it down to 5 for a cooldown. I've been trying to do interval-style training with it, and I find it is very easy for me to start doing regularly. Since it's always under my feet, it's not a disruption or an effort to actually go and do it. I can start pedaling on a whim.What's handy is it also has a digital readout that, while it can be mounted to the device, also has a stand that lets you put it on your desk. It helps me see how much I use it day-to-day. This gives me motivation to match the amount of effort I put into using it. I usually try to match or exceed distance day over day and put in at least an hour of cumulative exercise.I also wear a Fitbit Surge so I can monitor my heartrate during exercise, and it also gives me a better metric for calorie burn than the readout on the machine (which, like all exercise bikes, can't be completely accurate). Before I got this, I had a hard time hitting 3000 calories burned per day. Since I got it, this has become much simpler. I've watched my heartrate hit my peak zone several times with intense cycling using this machine. I have great expectations that it will help me achieve my goal of weight loss. It also is a great workout for my legs, for which I need to build up my strength in my martial arts practice, so it is a great complement to that as well.It is incredibly silent when you pedal. I can barely hear it. The most sound I hear is my clothes from my motion. My coworkers have commented on how silent it is as well. It is heavy (but not overly so), so it remains in place on the floor as I work. I do have to hook one of my chair legs over the stand though, since my chair tends to roll back as I pedal.Also of note, when I'm not using it, it's low enough that I can rest my feet on top of it so it makes a comfortable footrest! I also sometimes just sit with my feet on the pedals (like if I'm typing, as I need the keyboard on my lap), so it's not really obstructing my ability to sit comfortably when not in use.Setup is easy. It just requires tightening a few nuts and bolts for the stands and the pedals, which can be done with the included wrench. Nothing feels wobbly. Sometimes when I pedal, I do feel a little hitch each rotation, but I think that depends on the direction my feet are pressing, and it doesn't feel like it's broken. I only mention it because it can potentially be an audible sound, though it's still very silent.Overall, I'm very happy with it and definitely would recommend it to others! It's a well built piece of machinery that does its intended job very well. It might end up being just the thing I needed to get my health back on track!

This item replaced an older machine, and I only wish I had gotten it sooner. Very smooth pedaling and no noise. It fits under a table and stays on the rug. I love it. It is also nice to have the counter on the table so I can see it easily. Easy to adjust tension. Easy to assemble.

I ordered this, set it up for my 95 yo father. I called a week later to check up on his progress. He hasn’t used it!!! He mislaid the extension cord for monitor. Typically…if you can’t see progress what’s the use?! I called the company. Ian (bless his heart) is shipping a replacement. Customer service A++! I did use the cycle after I had it together…smooth performance. The challenge is to sit up straight!!!

This DeskCycle is the Cat's Meow...whether or not you own a desk. And to think I was within moments of purchasing one of the cheaper ones, I should say, one of the 'non-magnetic resistance' ones. Then somehow I stumbled across this one, and am so glad I did. I never knew cycling could be this smooth and quiet. I see no way for any part on this unique little machine to ever break down. Just wait until you see how it works. You can actually see the mechanism working as you cycle, thru the dark transparent top down into its smooth working innards. But you'll never hear it. Sweet....I stumbled a bit putting it together, not paying enough attention to which end was the front, but once I recognized what I'd done wrong, everything was a piece of cake after that. I will emphasize what the instructions do, and that's to tighten down very tightly the pedal screws. You don't want the threads eventually stripping, which is the only thing I can see that could possibly go wrong with this cycle.I'm using the cycle with a very small fold-up round seated chair and sit back comfortably there and watch TV. Maybe tomorrow I'll read a book instead (currently working on the 1400 pg. 'Sacajawea' by Anna Lee Waldo...great book!). I think that will be a very pleasant time with a very pleasant cycle.I have no problem whatsoever with the cycle moving forward or anywhere else on my very short carpet. I can pedal it downward (as suggested in the instructions) or pedal it forward, it makes no difference, it stays securely where I've put it.This is a high-quality made exercise cycle. It's heavy enough to remain stable when on a carpet, but not too heavy to pick up and carry around. Although I think it would be perfect for placing under a desk, it's certainly not made for that purpose alone. Anyone who wants or needs this kind of exercise should be thrilled with the workout you can get with this cycle. And...you can take it easy on Setting 2 or 3, which you probably should anyway in the beginning, or set it on an upper number for a real tough workout. Don't worry about not getting enough 'resistance' with it. I can see now that I could never pump it at a setting of probably more than about 4 or 5 (it goes to 8).Oh...the pedals. I don't need the straps to go over my shoes so I just pedal on the straps (don't know if that's okay or not). I was pleasantly surprised to find that pedaling barefoot or with just socks (directly on the pedal) is equally comfortable.Somebody brilliant must have invented this cycle. And somebody equally brilliant wrote the instructions. They're clear and straightforward (a rare thing) and it should take you about 10 minutes to put this together. The pedals were just a little challenging for me...just be patient and make sure you start threading the screw in the right direction for each pedal. Then screwing it in all the way takes just a little muscle, but be sure the screw goes in all the way and to make it a very tight fit. (Don't keep screwing it in if you think it's not in the right threads...just start over til you're sure.)I wish everyone could afford to buy this cycle, and can just say it's more than worth saving up for if that's what it takes to have one. My advice to those who can't buy it right away is to either save up, or ask for it as a Christmas or Birthday gift. I would have been thrilled to receive it as a gift. Oh yeah, it comes with a one-year standard Warranty.If you're not sure between buying the DeskCycle or the MagneTrainer, write to 3D Innovations and they'll send you a chart that shows the similarities and differences between the two. The folks there are very friendly and helpful. I came down on the side of the DeskCycle because of its low and smaller profile.Well...I'm a lady and no spring chicken. And I don't work for this company. But I do think this DeskCycle is awesome! I'm looking forward to getting a lot of use out of it and having a lot of fun with it for a very long time. I highly recommend this DeskCycle to everyone who's looking to buy one.P.S. I just ordered another one for my daughter today (17 Dec). She tried out mine and fell in love with it. I think she knew if she raved about it enough I'd take the hint and get her one for Christmas. I bit the hook because she really wants it and I know it will help keep her healthy. What more could a mother want! lol