Picking the right height is one of the most important factors when buying a suitable desk bike. A surprising amount of people fail to ask what desk bike suits my height? This can lead to purchasing desk peddlers that don’t fit the person or the area that they are working in. Furthermore, it can lead to joint discomfort and even injury!
In this article, I provide you with an extensive list of desk bikes an under desk bikes along with the recommended heights that they suit. Often the height range is not provided on the website, so I even went to the effort of contacting manufacturers to obtain this information.
So instead of hoping that it will suit your height, why not read on and see which ones fit your height range.
In this very post, you can skip all that hassle of jumping between websites to find a desk bike with an appropriate weight. Instead, check out these desk bike height comparison tables which demonstrates:
- Desk bikes for shorter people
- Desk bikes for taller people
- Desk bikes for sharing
Plus, they’re even broken down by height range so you that can compare like with like – that sounds insanely easier than routing through websites, right?
As a bonus, I answer some of your FAQs in relation to desk height along with some hacks to help the desk peddler suit you, regardless of whether it’s too small or too large for your height.
Without further ado, let’s get right into it.
Did you know? The average height for an American male aged 20 years and older is 5’9” and for a woman is 5’3”. Source
For the purpose of this article:
- Shorter stature relates to people between < 5 – 5’5”.
- Taller stature relates to people between 5’5” – 6’6”.
- Average height for a male aged 20 years and older is 5’9”.
- Average height for a woman aged 20 years and older is 5’3”.
What Desk Bike Suits My Height?
The height range that desk bikes can accommodate stretches from 4’0” – 6’9”. Therefore, the vast majority of people should be able to find a desk peddler suited to their stature. There are even desk bikes targeted to suit the heights of children and teenagers. The height range that each individual desk bike suits varies from product to product and should not be assumed.
Below is a comprehensive list of desk peddlers categorised from the lowest to the highest heights that they are suited for.
Name |
Type of desk bike |
Height Range |
Techmoo Bike Pedal Exerciser |
Under desk bike |
> 4′ * |
Zhiuan Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser |
Under desk bike |
> 4′ * |
FitStudent Junior Bike Desk 4100 |
Workstation bike desk |
4’4″ – 5’1″ |
Desk bike for schools |
Bike & chair desk |
4’7″ – 5’3″ |
LifeSpan Workplace Under Desk Bike Solo Active |
Bike & chair desk |
4’8″ – 4’11” |
Node Fitness Bike Pedal Exerciser |
Under desk bike |
4’8″ – 5’5″ * |
FitDesk Bike Desk 3.0 |
Workstation bike desk |
4’10” – 6’6″ |
FitDesk Standing Desk Bike |
Workstation bike desk |
4’10” – 6’6″ |
Pooboo Standing Desk Bike |
Workstation bike desk |
4’11” – 6’3″ |
Sunny Health & Fitness Under Desk Mini Exercise Bike SF-B0891 |
Under desk bike |
5′ – 5’3″ + * |
FlexiSpot Sit2Go 2-in-1 Fitness Chair |
Bike & chair desk |
5’0″ – 6’4″ |
LifeSpan C3-DT7 Upright Electronic Bike Desk |
Workstation bike desk |
5’0″ – 6’8″ |
LifeSpan Workplace Desk Bike C3-DT3-BT |
Bike & chair desk |
5’0″ – 6’9″ |
FLEXISPOT Deskcise Pro |
Workstation bike desk |
5’1” – 6’2” |
Home office All-in-One Desk Bike/Bike Workstation V9 |
Workstation bike desk |
5’1″ – 6’2″ |
FlexiSpot Under Desk Bike V9U |
Bike & chair desk |
5’1″ – 6’2″ |
Exerpeutic ExerWorK 1000 |
Workstation bike desk |
5’1″ – 6’3″ |
Desk bike, black |
Bike & chair desk |
5’1″ – 6’5″ |
DeskCycle Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser |
Under desk bike |
5’7″ – 5’10” |
Sunny Health & Fitness Under Desk Mini Exercise Bike SF-B020026 |
Under desk bike |
6′ * |
Data correct as of the 2nd August 2021. Please refer to website for updates.
Height ranges marked with an * indicates that the height range was based on consumer product reviews as it was not available from the manufacturer at the time of publishing.
Desk bikes for shorter people
The below desk bike weight comparison table provides you with an extensive list of desk bike heights sorted from lowest to the highest height ranges.
Some of the below desk bikes are even suitable for people under 5 foot. These desk bikes have a height range which makes them suitable for use with kids or in school or college.
Name |
Type of desk bike |
Height Range |
Techmoo Bike Pedal Exerciser |
Under desk bike |
> 4′ * |
Zhiuan Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser |
Under desk bike |
> 4′ * |
FitStudent Junior Bike Desk 4100 |
Workstation bike desk |
4’4″ – 5’1″ |
Desk bike for schools |
Bike & chair desk |
4’7″ – 5’3″ |
LifeSpan Workplace Under Desk Bike Solo Active |
Bike & chair desk |
4’8″ – 4’11” |
Node Fitness Bike Pedal Exerciser |
Under desk bike |
4’8″ – 5’5″ * |
FitDesk Bike Desk 3.0 |
Workstation bike desk |
4’10” – 6’6″ |
FitDesk Standing Desk Bike |
Workstation bike desk |
4’10” – 6’6″ |
Pooboo Standing Desk Bike |
Workstation bike desk |
4’11” – 6’3″ |
Sunny Health & Fitness Under Desk Mini Exercise Bike SF-B0891 |
Under desk bike |
5′ – 5’3″ + * |
FLEXISPOT Sit2Go 2-in-1 Fitness Chair |
Workstation bike desk |
5’0” – 6’4” |
LifeSpan C3-DT7 Upright Electronic Bike Desk |
Bike & chair desk |
5’0″ – 6’4″ |
LifeSpan Workplace Desk Bike C3-DT3-BT |
Bike & chair desk |
5’0″ – 6’9″ |
FLEXISPOT Deskcise Pro |
Workstation bike desk |
5’1” – 6’2” |
Home office All-in-One Desk Bike/Bike Workstation V9 |
Workstation bike desk |
5’1″ – 6’2″ |
FlexiSpot Under Desk Bike V9U |
Bike & chair desk |
5’1″ – 6’2″ |
Exerpeutic ExerWorK 1000 |
Workstation bike desk |
5’1″ – 6’3″ |
Desk bike, black |
Bike & chair desk |
5’1″ – 6’5″ |
Desk bikes for taller people
The below desk bikes are suitable for taller people and people over 6 foot. The LifeSpan Workplace Desk Bike C3-DT3-BT is even suitable for people as tall as 6’9″.
Many of these bike peddlers are also suited to shorter people, and some of these would also be suitable for people who intend to share their desk bikes with other people of a shorter stature.
Name |
Type of desk bike |
Height Range |
FitDesk Bike Desk 3.0 |
Workstation bike desk |
4’10” – 6’6″ |
FitDesk Standing Desk Bike |
Workstation bike desk |
4’10” – 6’6″ |
Pooboo Standing Desk Bike |
Workstation bike desk |
4’11” – 6’3″ |
FLEXISPOT Sit2Go 2-in-1 Fitness Chair |
Workstation bike desk |
5’0” – 6’4” |
LifeSpan C3-DT7 Upright Electronic Bike Desk |
Workstation bike desk |
5’0″ – 6’8″ |
LifeSpan Workplace Desk Bike C3-DT3-BT |
Bike & chair desk |
5’0″ – 6’9″ |
FLEXISPOT Deskcise Pro |
Workstation bike desk |
5’1” – 6’2” |
Home office All-in-One Desk Bike/Bike Workstation V9 |
Workstation bike desk |
5’1″ – 6’2″ |
FlexiSpot Under Desk Bike V9U |
Bike & chair desk |
5’1″ – 6’2″ |
Exerpeutic ExerWorK 1000 |
Workstation bike desk |
5’1″ – 6’3″ |
Desk bike, black |
Bike & chair desk |
5’1″ – 6’5″ |
Sunny Health & Fitness Under Desk Mini Exercise Bike SF-B020026 |
Under desk bike |
6′ * |
GOREDI Pedal Exerciser |
Under desk bike |
Suited to taller users, ideally for 47″ desk |
Desk bikes for both short and tall people
The below list of desk bikes feature some of the largest height ranges on the market!
These types of desk bikes are ideal for people who will be sharing the desk peddler with other people, especially where there is a significant difference in stature between both individuals.
This makes these desk bikes family-friendly options that can be shared with all the members of the house! The same concept applies for a shared office or hot desk.
Of course, if you’re precious about your desk bike and don’t want to share it, that’s another story!
Name |
Type of desk bike |
Height Range |
FitDesk Bike Desk 3.0 |
Workstation bike desk |
4’10” – 6’6″ |
FitDesk Standing Desk Bike |
Workstation bike desk |
4’10” – 6’6″ |
Pooboo Standing Desk Bike |
Workstation bike desk |
4’11” – 6’3″ |
LifeSpan C3-DT7 Upright Electronic Bike Desk |
Workstation bike desk |
5’0″ – 6’8″ |
LifeSpan Workplace Desk Bike C3-DT3-BT |
Bike & chair desk |
5’0″ – 6’9″ |
Does the height of a desk bike matter?
There will be negative consequences if you choose it under desk bike that is not suited to your height, including:
- Difficulty reaching the pedals
- Poor posture
- Pain in back or knees
- Banging these off objects or table
- Discomfort
- Poor performance
The height of a desk bike can be important, especially if:
- The user is outside of the average height range
- The user is close to the minimum or maximum height range for the desk bike
- The user intends to share the desk bike with others
- The user intends to use the desk bike at a stationary desk
- The user doesn’t own a height-adjustable standing desk
- The height of the seat isn’t adjustable
What height should my desk bike be?
If you have a height-adjustable seat on your desk bike, the height of the desk bike seat should be parallel with your hip when you are standing up. When pedaling on a desk bike, one knee should be positioned over the ball of your foot and bent at a 3 o’clock position. The other knee should be at a 6 o’clock position with a slight bend. The leg should not be fully extended while peddling on a desk bike. Ideally, this should all be achievable without your knees banging off the desk.
If you own an under desk peddler, which lacks a seat or if you don’t intend to use your desk exercise bike at a table, there can be less height constraints to consider.
However, when using an under desk exercise bike, such as my favourite Magnetic Mini Exercise Pedal Cycle, you are left to your own devices to adopt a good posture while peddling.
Your primary concern should be achieving a proper seat height that will feel comfortable with your desk peddler.
Peddling while sitting chairs at home, e.g., kitchen table, sofa, or at the office may often mean that there is little or no seat height adjustability. When this scenario prevails, there are some key factors to bear in mind to ensure you achieve a good posture:
- Avoid slouching at all costs!
- Position your desk peddler close enough to your seat to minimize extending your legs and exerting strain on your back.
- Aim to have good back support or at least good back posture while peddling.
- Opt for a firm supportive chair with a backrest.
- Sitting on a slightly higher chair, such as a kitchen chair or an office chair, helps reduce slouching while encouraging your hips to be above your knees for a more ergonomic posture.
- Sofas which seat you at a low position or allow you to sink into the cushioning may make it more difficult to peddle.
- If you do intend to use the desk peddler on a couch, prop some supportive cushions behind your back to minimize slouching.
Tip: Sofas and soft-back chairs offer little back and lumbar support, plus they encourage slouching.
Can I use a desk bike that is too small for me?
Using a desk bike that is too small for you will likely encourage problems such as hitting your knees off the desk, along with encouraging excess impact on your joints and unwarranted bending of the hip and legs to enable peddling. Furthermore, it can impact negatively on your posture, which may mean that you are seated too low while at your desk. While it might be tolerable for short stints of time, over a long period of time, these factors could encourage side effects associated with poor posture and discomfort. Height tends to be less of a concern when using an under desk bike without a desk.
Can I use a desk bike that is too large for me?
Using a desk bike that is too big for the user can cause difficulty when reaching the pedals. The user may not be able to achieve the 3 o’clock and 6 o’clock leg positioning while they pedal. In addition, the user is likely to feel less comfortable while peddling. Height tends to create fewer challenges when using an under desk bike without a desk. Users can attempt using a higher chair to help elevate them and make peddling easier.
If the size of the desk bike is too large to fit with your desk, it will often result in you being positioned too high on the seat to properly see the monitors.
How to pick a desk bike for multiple users?
When picking a desk peddler to share with others, a key consideration will be the height ranges that the desk bike will need to accommodate. If you are both of a similar height, it becomes an easier task; however, if you’ll be using it with people of various statures, opting for a desk bike with a large height range is a wise decision. Fortunately, there are many desk bikes available which can accommodate a broad range of heights. If it needs to be used at a desk, this is made easier by using a height-adjustable standing desk which allows the user to raise and lower the desk, in respect to the height of the desk cycle. If the users won’t be using this at a desk, it makes it easier to fit the desk peddler to multiple users as the seat height is the primary concern.
Other factors to consider when choosing the perfect desk bike for multiple users include:
- type of desk bike suited to the application
- location where the desk bike will be used
- purpose of desk bike
- if there are height-adjustable features on the desk peddler
- weight capacity of the desk bike
- portability of the desk bike
How to stop my knees hitting the desk?
Techniques which can be employed to prevent your knees hitting the desk include making adjustments to the chair or desk height, moving the desk peddler away to extend your legs, and pointing your feet upwards when pedaling. Follow the below tips, including some from DeskCycle, will prevent your knees hitting off the desk.
1. Adjust the pedal height
Some desk peddlers feature an adjustable height pedal, such as the Desk Cycle 2. This allows you to raise or lower the pedal height so that you can achieve greater clearance. Lower the pedal height as is necessary.
This is the most preferable approach since it doesn’t impact as much on your ergonomic posture as you sit at the desk.
2. Adjust your toe position during pedaling
By pointing your toes upward on the upward pedal stroke, it lowers the height of your knees by an inch or more. Then point your toes forward on the downward pedal stroke.
Again, this approach is preferable as it creates minimal alterations to your upper posture as you pedal.
3. Lower the height of your chair
This is often the easiest solution and will ultimately drop the height of your knees by several inches. In most cases this is all you will need to do.
However, pay attention to your overall posture at the desk. Lowering your seat height will impact on the angle and posture of your whole upper body in line with the keyboard and screen.
Lower the chair too much and you will not sit ergonomically in your chair.
4. Move the bike further away
While seated, push the desk cycle away a few inches and extend your legs more. This will lower your knees a few inches. Continue moving it in small increments until you achieve the necessary clearance between your knees and the desk.
This may not be achievable if your desk is not very deep underneath.
Extending your legs too far isn’t advisable as it can increase the strain on your back and make it uncomfortable to sit on the chair.
If you’re interested in knowing more interesting facts about desk bikes, this 20 of the most popular desk bike FAQs article is worth your attention!
Generally, the factors that implicate most people when successfully choosing a desk bike include the cost, size, storage and purpose of the desk exercise bike, but the other factors highlighted above are without a doubt worth bearing in mind too.
If you in the stages of trying to narrow down the best type of desk bike to suit you, the next step is learning the 10 vital differences between under desk bike v desk bike.
If you don’t see the height range provided on the website or in the store, be sure to ask! Don’t simply assume that it will accommodate your height.
If there are no desk bikes that tickle your fancy or you simply prefer to stick to the good old reliable traditional office chair, then perhaps a multi-functional office chair is more in your line. My personal favourite office chair is the CoolMesh Pro Multi-Function Chair.
Conclusion
In summary, desk peddlers offer a generous height range which should make it accommodating to most statures. You can easily determine if the desk bike height is a concern of yours by using the above questions.
However, taller users are generally the category of individuals who are likely to experience issues with getting adequate clearance between the desk and their knees. But don’t let that put you off, by following the techniques above, you can employ some strategies to make it work!
Plus, if you haven’t had enough information, then I’ve divulged tons of common desk bike FAQs that everyone asks to and any desk bike owner should know!
Height is only one consideration when selecting a desk bike. That’s why I created a complete guide on how to choose a desk bike. If you want to know what else to watch out for and common difficulties that many people experience when purchasing a desk exercise bike, then this article is definitely deserving of a few minutes of your time.
If after reviewing desk bikes, you decide that you’d like to see some alternative ways to introduce activity to your area. I have been actively researching numerous ways to introduce motion into my fairly static desk work. The below items are what I’ve looked into so far in order of preference:
- Standing desk converters
- Ergonomic chairs
- Standing desks
- Desk bikes
- Standing desk chairs
- Anti-fatigue mats
- Balance boards
My personal favorite products so far are the Magnetic Mini Exercise Pedal Cycle, Ergotron WorkFit-LX and the CoolMesh Pro Multi-Function Chair.
My aim with this website is to help you on all matters related to your home office and your work area. With that in mind, if you have any questions or comments on the above, please drop them in the box below. I’d love to hear them!