The Joovy TriCyCoo 4.1 is far more versatile than the shiny-red metal trike or the ground-hugging plastic Big Wheel you had as a kid (modern replicas of which we also tested). It also has a storage compartment, a cupholder, and a sunshade that is significantly bigger and more functional than those we found on other grow-with-me models. With an average weight schwinn mountain bike and one of the most stable designs we tried, the Joovy was easier to start, pedal, and maneuver than any of the other 10 top trikes we tested. It’s one of the more expensive tricycles out there, and it doesn’t include a bell, but with such a wide age range it’s still a good value for the price. I’ve read a lot about e-bikes and have ridden several.
Sometimes these work loose, especially during the break-in period (first 500 miles). Symptom of these screws coming loose is sprocket clatter, chain skipping, and eventually you lose all drive tension (your pedals will spin and the chains move around but you won’t go anywhere). Be sure to check that the rear axle drive sprocket and secondary (short) chain are put back in alignment with the center sprocket off the transfer shaft before tightening the hold-down screws. Tighten these two screws down as hard as you can — this connection point takes a lot of stress, especially on uphill grinds. The seat features a dual-spring setup that absorbs impact for extra comfort and weight. The seat also has a slight rise in the front for more stability.
Low-to-the-ground and featuring a comfy seat, it’s got specs that are really accommodating for toddlers. Your kid could literally ride in this for hours, because the seat has a comfy sculpted shape that she can sink into. Plus, it’s got a customizable fit — the seat adjusts into five different lock-in positions for growing legs or different siblings or family members. “Trikes are really the first tool that give kids the sense of moving forward,” says Judy Wang, a physical therapist based in Los Angeles. They also help develop a child’s visual processing abilities while in motion.
The bike is rated to 50 pounds, 6 pounds more than the Joovy (many kids don’t hit 50 pounds until they’re 7 or 8 years old). 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.
This trike lacks a restraint system and sunshade for small kids, and it’s not as easy to ride as our pick, but it usually costs less. The Schwinn Meridian is making its mark in the bike industry as a perfect alternative for adult riders who want to lose weight or need some extra stability provided by a tricycle. Both versions of the bike are sturdy enough to hold the weight of most adults. You might think that tricycles are just for kids who haven’t learned to ride a bike. But the Schwinn Meridian Tricycle for adults is an excellent alternative to a bicycle for your commute or weight loss. The classic shape of this tricycle is super stable for your still-toddling little one.
We approached this guide with families in mind, focusing on tricycles that we think will get the most use over the longest time frame. Grow-with-me trikes that evolve with a child through several developmental stages obviously fit this bill well. 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 schwinn mountain bike handy when transitioning to a bicycle. Just about every kid will eventually learn to ride a tricycle, and have fun riding. But many modern tricycles also serve as a tool to transport toddlers too young to ride independently around the neighborhood—to the park, a friend’s house, or a local restaurant. These trikes come with a push bar and often a sunshade and security straps and/or belt as well.
As a kid grows, these little-kid extras are stripped away, leaving a more typical trike. If you’re shopping for tricycles for a daycare, this is clearly the best brand for you. But is it overkill to keep one of these trikes at home? 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. The Joovy’s parent push handle is adjustable, extending more than 5 inches from its lowest setting to its highest.