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.
| Display Type | LCD |
|---|---|
| Number of Resistance Levels | 8 |
| Operation Mode | Manual |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 22.3 x 11.5 x 11.3 inches |
| Package Weight | 11.05 Kilograms |
| Brand Name | DeskCycle |
| Model Name | DeskCycle |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Manufacturer | 3D Innovations |
| Size | Adjustable Height |
