The High Bounce comes in a cool lime green or blue and is recommended for ages 3 to 6. The shiny, steel Radio Flyer Classic Red Tricycle is a well-made trike for age 2½ up to about 4 or a small 5. The design replicates that of tricycles from decades ago, though in fact Radio Flyer only started making trikes in 1999 (the company is best known for its red wagons). Nonetheless, this sturdy, metal tricycle has serious nostalgia appeal. We found that the controlled turning radius made this trike harder to tip than some of the others. But it lacks a back support, adjusts only a bit to accommodate taller riders, and is very heavy at 21¼ pounds.
The 26- model can take up to a 300 lbs rider with 50 lbs for the cargo basket. This reduces stress on your wrists and keeps the handlebars from bearing too much weight. The tricycle does not come with a bell, but for less than $10 you can add a perfectly fun one like the Incredibell that kids as young as age 1 can enjoy.
Its steel construction is durable, with pneumatic tires that support weight up to 50 pounds. Once a child is able to reach their feet to pedals—generally between ages 1 and 2—you can begin training. Pediatric physical therapist Rebecca Talmud suggests starting with a riding toy to practice climbing on and off, forward movement and steering and navigating around obstacles. She recommends parents focus on one skill at a time; taking on both steering and pedaling at once may overwhelm a toddler. That’s one reason why the parent-guided push-bar tricycles can be a good way to start out.
We also looked at traditional three-wheelers, which are fun to use and help kids practice physical skills like pedaling and steering—skills that come in handy when transitioning to a bicycle. I spent seven hours researching tricycles, starting by identifying popular models used in schools and recreation centers. Both Wang and Talmud work with tricycles in teaching pedaling and balance to kids. I used the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s database to see which trikes had been recalled recently and why. And I called two bike shops to see what models they recommend to parents looking for a first tricycle for their child. I also interviewed product designers, marketers, and owners at four companies that make tricycles, among them a trike designer at Fisher-Price and the VP of product development at Radio Flyer.
The Joovy’s UPF 50 fabric sunshade has one more panel than the sunshade in the similar Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll ‘N Trike, which makes it easier to keep both arms and legs protected when you’re using the trike in baby mode. The trike has an adjustable, padded seat with a tall seat back and an optional footrest for kids who haven’t yet learned to pedal. Though the Deluxe Steer & Stroll won’t work like the Joovy for the youngest kids, it’s still a good option to use as a stroller alternative with older toddlers. The parent push handle extends as far as the Joovy’s, though unlike that trike’s push bar it is not adjustable. We found that this trike was just as easy for a parent to steer as the Joovy, and easier to steer with one hand. It’s also easier to steer than other push trikes we tested, including the Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll ‘N Trike, a clearly inferior model that’s similar to the Joovy (and easily mistaken for the Deluxe Steer & Stroll).
Tighten these two screws down as hard as you can — this connection point takes a lot of stress, especially on uphill grinds. Some customers said they exceeded the weight limit for their Schwinn Meridian with no problems. One reviewer who purchased the tricycle for his weight loss journey was pleased to find that the schwinn cruiser tires held up for him at 400 lbs. It can handle more weight than the average bicycle because of its broad and sturdy frame. The prevention would be to store the bike in a garage or inside, and to rinse the transmission off after every winter ride – I see a bit of corrosion there which could indicate the cause.
The adjustable sunshade has two panels, compared with the Joovy’s three, which we found makes a big difference in how much toddler you can keep in the shade. The plastic seat that holds a baby in place is more slippery than the Joovy’s seat, and my 1-year-old was sliding all over the place, even when strapped in. Finally, the wheels are smaller than those on some of the other convertible trikes like the Joovy or even the same company’s Steer & Stroll, making getting over bumps in the sidewalk challenging. The 4-in-1 we tested is the newest model, replacing an older version that doesn’t have a footrest and has a slightly different infant ring and handle design. If you’re shopping for tricycles for a daycare, this is clearly the best brand for you. The Midi, one of Angeles’s simpler and less expensive models, cost $160 when we first named it our upgrade pick, but has now more than doubled in price.
In 2019, we tested a new grow-with-me style tricycle, the Doona Liki Trike S5. We used the trike while shuttling a three-year old around the neighborhood, and took it to the park for some testing with babies and toddlers, trying out all configurations and modes of the trike. That’s the bit that lets you coast along without pedalling, and the rear chain will keep moving with the rear wheels. I’m the third owner of this trike and I ride it EVERY day.I noticed a few days ago that I had no resistance when pedaling and then this morning it stopped altogether, I hopped off and checked it. The axle there the back chain connects was moving, but where the front chain connects was not moving.
In addition to several weeks of everyday use, I conducted some controlled tests. I had my 3-year-old ride a block on a concrete sidewalk and take a corner at full speed while timing and recording him. I used this test to help assess how easy it was to start and turn each trike, looking for evidence of wheels lifting up or the trike seat being unstable. This took about two hours with my son (we had to take snack and water breaks because, man, trike riding is exhausting). To test the trikes, I timed the two-person assembly of each of the 11 tricycles, noting any particular difficulties or frustrations, as well as if extra tools were needed. I considered how easy each tricycle was to roll or lift out of the way if a parent has to push a child on it.