THE KINGSMITH W1B. AN Attractively styled desk bike: more than just good looks?

INTRODUCTION

At SitZip, our mission is to help people stay active while they work. To do that, we test and evaluate desk bikes to find the few models that actually deliver on their promises. Many desk bikes we test feel like toys, but this model is different. After extensive testing, we believe this is one of the best options for anyone looking for serious ergonomics and performance.

Please note that this is an entirely independent review. We received no payment, reimbursement, or affiliate commission for this content.

Assembly and Build Quality

The first thing to note is the delivery itself: the box is very heavy. You will need two people to drag it up a staircase, or you will need to slide it across the ground to get it into position.

However, once the box is in the room, the assembly itself is refreshingly straightforward. All you have to do is attach the handlebars and the pedals. The materials are rigid, high-quality plastic that feels tactile and secure, avoiding the brittle feel of cheaper alternatives.

Ergonomics and Adjustability

The adjustment system on this bike is superior to most competitors we have tested. You can adjust the saddle up and down, but also forward and backward, allowing you to dial in the perfect distance to the handlebars. Even adjusting the feet outwards for stability is accompanied by satisfying mechanical clicks. Regarding comfort, the saddle is pleasant enough to use for several hours in a row, and the overall fit is excellent, with one caveat: the table could be improved to go a bit higher for our reviewer (183cm / 6ft). If you are taller than this, you may find the desk position too low.

Finally, we measured the crank length at 170mm, which is the standard length used by professional cyclists (including those in the Tour de France). In contrast, most other desk bikes on the market use short, stilted crank arms between 130mm and 140mm. The 170mm crank on this model provides a significantly larger range of motion, allowing for better muscle utilization in your legs.

performance: Real Wattage Numbers

We equipped the bike with power pedals to measure exactly what it can do. The results were impressive:

Low Intensity: At 60rpm (one turnover per second) on the lowest setting, we measured 32 watts of resistance. This feels like biking at ~15kph (9.5mph), which is perfect for typing without breaking a sweat.
High Intensity: At the highest setting, your legs must output 175 watts to maintain 60rpm. This is equivalent to ~32kmh (20mph).

We also pushed the bike to 275 watts in a stress test. Unlike competitors, which often slip or squeak under this load, the internals here remained smooth and silent.

Stability, Noise, and Portability

This bike is heavy, which is actually a benefit as it remains rock-solid stable even when you are pedaling fast. When you need to move it, the integrated wheels make rolling it around the room convenient.

Regarding noise, it is quiet enough for most offices. It is slightly louder than the model from deskbike.com, but unless you are extremely sensitive to noise, it is unlikely to be a distraction.

Tracking with Sitzip

Without a proper app, using a desk bike can often feel like a waste of time. Even though science confirms the health benefits, the motion is so effortless that you might not feel like you are exercising. You need an app to visualize your output and show you exactly how much work you have actually put in to validate the session.

As with other desk bikes we have calibrated, you can connect this model to the SitZip app to solve this problem.

How to Connect: Simply pick up a Garmin cadence monitor and attach it to the crank arm.
Why do this? This allows you to track kilometers driven, link a heart rate monitor, and race against friends or colleagues directly through the app. Because we have calibrated the difficulty levels for this machine, you can input the setting into the app to ensure your distance and effort stats are accurate.

Verdict

Even though this thing really doesn't look anything like a bike, and there are way more "classical" models out there, this is one of the most "bike" feeling desk bikes you can find. If you want the biomechanics of a real road bike and the stability to handle a serious workout, this is the model to get.

Not sure about desk bikes yet? Read more: