The Trainer Desk Story

So I started building desks. Yup as random as it sounds, I started to build cycling trainer desks (which can also be used as a stand-ups desk). This all started a few months back when I began cycling indoors and was tired of using an ironing board to hold up my laptop. So I ventured online to see the cost of a trainer desk. A quick google search and you find the popular Wahoo desk which retails for $429! I don’t know about you, but paying that much for a desk seems a bit crazy to me. The next option from Amazon is a RAD desk costing $199, not that bad, but was out of stock. So I decided to try and build my own. After watching a few YouTube videos I started to make my own with some modifications to suit my needs. After trial and error of making my own, a few friends asked me to build them one as well. They were all pretty happy with the outcome and encouraged me to post them for sale on local cycling groups on Facebook marketplace. After some thought and hesitation I gave it a shot and had a few orders within a few days.

Here is my first post:

Putting this up here to see if there is any interest. I made one for myself and a few buddies.

Indoor trainer table made of pine and a 1/4 inch plywood top. Can also be used as a stand up desk.

Perfect for having your iPad, laptop, and a few bottles or gels on. The desktop is flat.

Height is fixed, but I can make it to your preference. Mine in the photo is at 46 inches tall. Depends on where you want your screen height set at. If you want it lower than the one in the photo just note it won't be able to go over the top of your handlebars. Lower support bar is 16 inches lower than the table top and should clear the top of your wheel.

Base is 30" long x 28" wide

Desk top is 18" x 28”

Desk is stable (approximately 20lbs) but not meant for anything heavy or to be rested on (but you wouldn't anyways if you're using it for it's intended purpose).

Desk is natural or can be spray painted for an additional cost. Nothing fancy, just rustoleum Home Depot spray paint.

Disclaimer: I'm by no means a carpenter or pretend to be one on TV. Just a side hobby and looking at prices for a wahoo desk is outrageous to me. There will be some minor imperfections. See the last few photos.

Takes about a week or so to build.

Desk comes fixed so you need a suv, minivan or truck to transport it.

As I continued to fulfill my first crop of orders, I was asked a few questions and began to come up with more and more ideas to add to the trainer desk. I also learned what took more time than expected and how to best build these trainer desks to meet people’s needs.

Finally, I got to meet some new amazing people in our cycling community! So far they have all been super nice, eager and appreciative of my work. Many of them even drove from crazy far distances (over an hour away) to pick up their desk.

I’m in a hard spot where I want to be able to provide our cycling community with a great product to meet their needs, but also charge a decent amount of money that is worth my time. The following is a list of what I am currently asking for a trainer desk. And you might beg the question, why would I buy this one over the similar priced one on Amazon? I don’t know if I have a good answer for you, maybe you want a custom desk? Custom colour? Out of stock online?

Whatever desk you choose to buy, I’m glad you are putting in some miles on the trainer this winter and hope to see you on the road or trails soon!

Feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions or if you want to see my update list and options for the desk click here.