The DeskCycle 2 is one of the most popular under-desk bikes you can buy. It costs about $160, has about 6,000 ratings on Amazon with a 4.5-star average, and comes in white, black, or gray. VIVO, the standing desk brand, now sells it on its own site as DeskCycle by VIVO.
What sets it apart from cheap mini cycles is its resistance system. It has 8 magnetic resistance levels up to 39 pounds and a heavy flywheel that spins 14 times per pedal stroke, so it feels closer to a real bike than to a rattly pedal exerciser.
Best under-desk bike
DeskCycle 2 Under-Desk Bike
An under-desk bike with 8 magnetic resistance levels, a high-inertia flywheel, a detachable display, and a 9 to 10-inch adjustable height.
DeskCycle 2 Review: Quick Verdict
The DeskCycle 2 is the under-desk bike to buy if you want to pedal for long stretches while you work. Magnetic resistance is quiet because nothing rubs, and the high-inertia flywheel keeps each stroke smooth. Eight levels give you room to go from barely-there spinning during calls to a real leg workout during a show.
Its biggest limitation is your desk. Your knees rise at the top of every pedal stroke, so a low desk can leave them bumping the underside. The DeskCycle 2’s adjustable height helps: at its 9-inch setting, it is designed for desks as low as 27 inches.
DeskCycle 2 specs at a glance
| Spec | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance | 8 magnetic levels | Up to 39 lb |
| Flywheel | High-inertia | 14 turns per pedal stroke |
| Height | 9 to 10 inches | Fits desks as low as 27 inches at 9 inches |
| Display | Detachable LCD | RPM, distance, calories, time |
| Pedals | Adjustable straps | Keep your feet in place |
| Frame | Steel, sealed bearings | Per DeskCycle |
| Weight | 24.7 pounds | About the same as a Cubii JR1 |
| Colors | White, black, gray | Same price |
What the DeskCycle 2 Specs Mean
Magnetic resistance uses magnets near the flywheel to slow it down, so there are no friction pads to wear out or squeak. That is why DeskCycle describes its resistance as silent.
The high-inertia flywheel is the other key part. Because it spins 14 times per pedal stroke, it carries momentum through the dead spots at the top and bottom of each stroke. Cheap mini cycles with lighter flywheels can feel less smooth, especially at higher resistance.
The adjustable height matters more than it sounds. Dropping the DeskCycle 2 from 10 to 9 inches lowers your knees by about an inch at the top of the stroke, which can be the difference between fitting under a desk or not. If your desk is adjustable, our desk height calculator can help you find a typing height first, so you know how much room is left underneath.
The detachable display shows RPM, distance, calories, and time, and it can sit on your desk instead of under it. Treat the calorie count as an estimate.
Does an Under-Desk Bike Actually Help?
The research on under-desk pedaling is encouraging, though most studies are small.
Calories: in a 2019 study in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 16 office workers burned about 1.2 to 1.3 more calories per minute while pedaling a pedal desk at their own pace than while typing in a regular chair. That works out to roughly 70 to 80 extra calories an hour, about double what they burned sitting. Walking at a treadmill desk burned more for men but about the same for women.
Work performance: a 2023 randomized experiment in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise had 96 inactive adults type, read, solve logic problems, and handle phone tasks while pedaling at two light intensities. Their scores matched their scores without pedaling, and the lighter intensity felt more comfortable.
Mouse work: a 2019 study in PLOS One found that pedaling made participants less accurate on continuous mouse-tracking tasks, though not slower at clicking targets. Detailed design or spreadsheet work may be a better time to slow down or stop.
Health markers: in a 2022 study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, office workers who pedaled a portable machine for 60 minutes per workday for 12 weeks improved their cholesterol and an inflammation marker compared with a control group, and spent less of their day sitting.
DeskCycle 2 vs. the Original DeskCycle
DeskCycle still sells the original model, listed on Amazon as the standard-height version, for about $150. It has the same 8 magnetic resistance levels, 39-pound maximum, and 14-to-1 flywheel.
The DeskCycle 2 adds the adjustable 9 to 10-inch height and black and gray color options for about $10 more. Unless your desk is tall enough that clearance will never be an issue, the DeskCycle 2 is worth the extra money.
DeskCycle 2 vs. Other Under-Desk Pedalers
| Model | Motion | Resistance | Weight | Ratings | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunny Smart Mini Cycle | Bike, arms or legs | Stepless knob | 11.7 lb | 4.2 (8,200+) | About $70 |
| Cubii JR1 | Elliptical | 8 levels | 25.4 lb | 4.6 (17,000+) | About $170 |
| DeskCycle 2 | Bike | 8 magnetic levels | 24.7 lb | 4.5 (6,000+) | About $160 |
| DeskCycle Ellipse | Elliptical | 8 magnetic levels | 30.1 lb | 4.6 (2,200+) | About $200 |
Choose the DeskCycle 2 if you want a smooth bike motion with a wide resistance range.
Choose an under-desk elliptical like the Cubii JR1 or the DeskCycle Ellipse if knee clearance is tight. An elliptical moves your feet forward and back more than up and down, so your knees usually don’t rise as high. Our under-desk bike vs. elliptical comparison covers the trade-offs in more detail.
Choose the Sunny Smart Mini Cycle if you want something cheap and light that you can also use on a table for your arms.
Under-Desk Bike vs. Walking Pad
A walking pad burns somewhat more calories, especially for men in the study above, and gets you on your feet. But it needs a standing desk and floor space. An under-desk bike works at any desk, including a regular sitting desk, and you can pedal for hours without getting tired of standing.
If you are weighing the two, see our guide to the best walking pads and under-desk treadmills or our Sunny mini stepper review for another compact option. For a desk that works with both, see our best standing desks.
Who Should Buy the DeskCycle 2?
The DeskCycle 2 suits people who sit at a desk for most of the day and want to add easy, quiet movement without standing. It is also a good fit for anyone who wants a real leg workout while watching TV, thanks to its higher resistance settings.
Before you buy, sit at your desk and measure from the floor to the underside of the desk, then raise one knee as if pedaling. If there is very little clearance, consider an under-desk elliptical instead.
Final Verdict: Is the DeskCycle 2 Worth It?
Yes, if you have the knee clearance. The DeskCycle 2 gives you 8 levels of quiet magnetic resistance, a smooth high-inertia flywheel, and an adjustable height for about $160, which makes it one of the best under-desk bikes you can buy.
If your desk is low, an under-desk elliptical will fit better. If you just want light movement on a budget, a $70 mini cycle will do.
