Serious Zwifting requires some sort of platform for storing things like your keyboard, mouse, phone, iPad, TV remote, towels, laptop… the list goes on! I run Zwift from a PC into a TV, so at a minimum, I need my keyboard, mouse, phone and remote within easy reach.
For three years I used a music stand for this purpose, which did a passable job. Music stands are wobbly, though, and don’t provide much space. Like many Zwifters I had lusted after the Wahoo KICKR Indoor Cycling Desk, but just couldn’t pull the trigger on a $250USD table. I wanted something larger and sturdier, but I didn’t want it that bad!
In reading Amazon comments on the Wahoo desk I discovered a lower-priced alternative: the Conquer Desk. Priced at $139USD, the Conquer desk is nearly identical to Wahoo’s except it’s got Zwifty orange accents, bidon-holders, and costs $100 less! I ordered one, it arrived 3 days later, and I’ve been using it ever since. Here’s my quick review…
A Few Highlights
- Height adjustable from 35″ to 47″
- Fits nicely around your front wheel so the table is within reach while riding
- Easily portable with locking wheels for easy movement and stability once in position
- Well-designed 14″x28″ desktop has a non-slip surface, two cupholders, a tablet/phone stand and channels for cables
- Steel frame for strength and durability
- Priced at $139, ships free from Amazon (at least within the US)r
Assembly
Unpacking and assembling the table takes 10-15 minutes, and the desk ships with the only tools you need.
Build Quality
The desk is almost entirely made of hi-tensile steel, with the exception being the plastic desktop. Even the desktop has a steel frame, though, so it can hold plenty of weight!
Contents of the box Includes all the tools you need Set up as a shared table with my wife Push the orange button to adjust table height Looking wheels – which the Wahoo desk lacks!
There’s really nothing more than needs to be said: if you’re looking for a Zwift station desk, the Conquer desk deserves a look!
Alternatives
Here are a few other indoor trainer desk options:
- RAD Cycle Products portable fitness desk: sold on Amazon, this looks to be exactly like the Conquer desk, but with blue accents.
- Wahoo KICKR Indoor Cycling Desk was the first true indoor cycling desk on the market. It’s not cheap, but it’s well-made.
- Saris TD1 Bike Trainer Desk: the most expensive option, but also the sturdiest. Plus it’s got power plugs built in!
What About You?
What do you use for your trainer table, and are you happy with it? Share tips and links below!
Looks like a much better buy. My reluctance has been the expectation that it would block air from the floor fans blowing on my head. Any comments on this?
All depends on positioning of the fans and table. It certainly can block the wind! Some people have a second fan up higher for this reason. Me, I have a fan beneath the table pointing up at me, and it covers me adequately, except when I get out of the saddle, and I’m not getting air from about the neck up.
I use a blower style fan on either side of me (no headwind). Provides great cooling. My FTP went up 12 watts just because I didn’t overheat anymore.
My computer is no where near me. I run zwift on my big screen through HDMI and control my ride through the companion app. I do have a tray next to me though with snacks and extra drinks and a portable phone charger for longer rides.
I’m old school – I like a keyboard and mouse when Zwifting. Although I do use Companion as well!
Pretty slick and for that price point worth a try vs some home made solution!! Thanks!
How does the shared desk work? 2 mice? or just drinks?
My wife and I don’t ride together very often. She usually just uses a music stand for her rides, and the desk stays with me. She’s not very table-needy like I am!
My wife has one of these for her setup. She loves it. The main disadvantage over the Wahoo version is that it left $120 in our bank account rather than using that money to juice the economy.
I made one from PVC…I’m cheap–and industrious.
Can you please send pictures or what you bought to do your own laptop base. Thanks
Lifeline make exactly the same table with blue accents, much cheaper.
It’s $139 on Chain Reaction Cycles (https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/us/en/lifeline-trainer-table/rp-prod171892)–so not cheaper, at least in the USA. And also out of stock, like most other tables these days.
I like It!!!!
I just use a cheapo sheet music stand with a solid surface (cost ~20 euro). Usually it’s there just for a keyboard, trackball and bananas, in which case it’s to my side so I can type normally(-ish) in the upright position.
If I have a laptop there and I’m going above recovery pace (for Discord, Zwiftpower, whatever), I put it in front of me instead, but then I basically need to ride with a flat back to read smaller text on the screen, and in the TT position with elbows on handlebars to type (quite awkward).
From my point of view it is the same table as the wahoo desk. The only visible difference are the roles. And of course the color, but there is also a version in EU which is in the same blue.
I use a NSF wire shelving setup with just one shelf about 6 inches above my handlebars. With just the one shelf, the legs are not as sturdy as it could be, but I still put my laptop and a power strip on it and it never feels shaky when I type, etc. while riding. Lots of airflow from my front fan this way.
I bought a conductor’s stand from a local music store for less than $50. It easily holds the iPad I use to run Zwift and my TV remote. My fan sits beneath it on a low folding stand from Bed, Bath & Beyond that cost less than $30. There is need to spend big bucks on bike specific stuff when it’s so easy to repurpose more mundane items.
How would this work with a Kickr Climb? Would the highest setting knock the table over?
I clamp a wooden board in the (horizontally turned) seatclamp of my bikestand.. Voila! It holds my laptop and a bidon easily
Does anyone know where I can get one of these in the UK? Looking at either the Conquer or the RAD.
I think I have little chance of getting the Wahoo desk past the spending committee!
At wiggle you can buy a lifeline. Looks the same but with blue accents. Just bougth it. First ride was great!
I have the RAD cycle desk, which is the same as this. It’s been one of the best additions to my zwift setup. Super convenient and beneficial to use
I got the RAD one last year and it fit the bill just fine and saved $$s going with this rather than the Wahoo one.
Will this work with a Rockr board?
Sure, I’ve got a rocker plate and use the desk as well.
I bought the RAD desk. It works great for half the price of the Wahoo desk. I couldn’t see spending double the money for the Wahoo name. However, it’s now out of stock on Amazon, and they don’t know when or if it will be available.
I found this at Amazon not long after the review for the RAD Cycle Products portable fitness desk was posted here at Zwift Insider. I carefully examined all the specs and it seemed to fit my needs perfectly. I live in a two-bedroom apartment so conserving space is a must, and this mobile lectern/podium/laptop stand looked to fit my smart trainer setup very well – I use my living room for my pain cave, and break the trainer and tables down when I have company over. Before I purchased it I was using a pair of tray tables, on the… Read more »
I have a Wahoo desk and love it. I’ve attached a power board under the table to supply my MacBook and two fans. The table has a metal frame to support the plastic shelf so I’ve drilled two hole for self tapping screws which support the power board upside down. Very convenient to have the on/off switch within arm reach while clipped into the bike