By Brandon Bilyeu
Hot!
- Low cost option compared to competitor offerings
- Well thought out desktop with bottle holders, tablet slot, and non-slip surface
- Large height adjustment range
- Quick and easy to break down for storage or travel
- Sturdy aluminum tube tripod construction
Not!
- The center post requires the desk to sit forward of front wheel = long reach to laptop keyboard
Price: $90
How obtained: review sample
Available: retail, online, Amazon
Colors: Black
Website: KOM Cycling Indoor Cycling Desk
RBR Sponsor: no
Tested: 8+ hours
Sizing:
Desktop: 24×13 inches (61×33 cm), Height Range: 34 – 50 inches (86 – 127 cm)
Segment Chasers Turned Product Creators
KOM Cycling was founded in 2016, and their name is a reference to their founders’ passion for chasing KOM segment crowns. To improve their performance, they started designing and selling bike accessories for tubeless setups, bike computer mounts, and indoor riding. And unlike most things cycling-related, the price points for KOM Cycling products can be described with words like “reasonable” instead of the more common “obscene.”
One product that stood out to me was their $90 Indoor Cycling Desk. Competitor products are typically more than double that price, for example, Wahoo at $250, or have limited versatility like designed to only hold a tablet or phone. The KOM Cycling Desk looked like a good option, so I got one in for a test.
Assembly – Quick and Easy
There are no assembly instructions included, but thankfully it is a simple process. The tripod base comes fully assembled, so all you have to do is attach the desktop. This involves connecting a bracket to the underside of the desktop with four screws. The screws were pre-installed on the bottom of the desktop, and a hex wrench is supplied. There are two bracket mounting positions and I recommend mounting the bracket to the rear of the desktop (shown below, more on this later).
Once the bracket is installed you can place the desktop on the tripod post and clamp it in place with a spin of a knob. A second knob allows you to move and lock the legs in position, while a third knob permits height adjustment. For transport or storage, it takes 30 seconds to remove the desktop and collapse the tripod.
Laptop, Tablet, or Phone – There’s a Feature for That
The desktop itself is well laid out regardless of the media device you use while riding your bike to nowhere. The large surface area (24×13 inches, 61×33 cm) with a non-slip top is great for even the biggest laptop computers. For those using a tablet or phone, there is a slot along the front edge to hold the screen upright. The slot has three grooves tiered vertically that allow you to adjust your screen to the right viewing angle. For those using multiple devices, there is sufficient room to use a laptop, tablet, and phone all at the same time.
There are two water bottle holders at the front corners of the desktop that are deep enough for a secure hold but also easy to get the bottles in/out. They also work great as storage for small items you don’t want to lose. I tend to keep my bottles in my bike’s bottle cages as that is where I naturally reach for fluids when riding, but I found the desktop positions convenient.
Screen height is essential, and the KOM Cycling desk has lots of vertical adjustment (34 – 50 inches, 86 – 127 cm measured from the floor). You want your indoor setup to mimic your outdoor riding position including head and neck angle. Adjust your screen height so you are comfortably “looking down the road” ahead of you and not starting at your front hub or ceiling tiles.
Works Great, but Won’t Work for Everyone
The KOM Cycling desk is super stable with wide tripod legs, can hold a lot of gear, and is very easy to adjust. The desktop can be a little ‘diving board’ bouncy if you are rough with it, but not a problem when you are riding. There is one issue to be aware of and that is the central support design. Other trainer desks are a two-leg design that straddles the front wheel and handlebars so the desktop can come as close to you as desired. The KOM Cycling desk’s central pole means it has to sit forward of your bike’s front wheel. The tripod design does mean the desk can straddle low objects like front-wheel blocks and rocker plates to get as close as possible to the front wheel.
Mounting the bracket in the rear screw holes helps get the desktop closer and with my bike (700c wheels) I measured the distance from the front edge of the desktop to my headtube as 15 inches/38cm. The reach to the front edge of the desktop to grab a water bottle or hit a button on a tablet is comfortable and not a stretch. But typing two-handed on a laptop keyboard requires more core strength than I can muster.
I see two distinct indoor cycling user groups and the KOM Cycling desk only works for one:
- Group 1: This rider hits the play button on their favorite indoor cycling application and then stays on the handlebars for the duration of the workout except to grab a drink, snack, or hit the pause/stop button. I fall into this group and find the KOM Cycling desk to work great. The distance to the desktop ideally would be closer, but it is not a problem for the few times I need to reach a button or bottle.
- Group 2: This rider likes to be socially engaged while riding indoors (Zwift chat for example). While holding 200% FTP wattage for the last 90 minutes in an e-race, sweating profusely with cross-eyed tunnel vision from the effort, this rider still has the core strength and clarity of mind to let go of the handlebars mid-race and type out a message along the lines of “I’m riding so hard I’m about to pass out but can still compose this perfectly spelled and grammatically correct chat message!” The KOM Cycling desk is not a good choice for riders who prefer to have constant physical contact with their devices.
Bottom Line
The KOM Cycling desk hits a great price point, provides excellent support for all types of media devices, and is easy to collapse for storage/transport. The major drawback is excessive reach to the desktop from the bike, but this is only an issue for some riders. If you fall into Group 1, then the KOM Cycling desk is undoubtedly worth a look. Also, Group 2, please check your FTP and weight settings.
Brandon Bilyeu is an avid recreational roadie who lives in Regensburg, Germany. He’s a year-round bike commuter and is a mechanical design engineer by trade. Click to read Brandon’s full bio.
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