Both versions of the bike are sturdy enough to hold the weight of most adults. Both writers also threw “bike parties” with a dozen kids, ages 1 to 7, along with the parents, and they noted which options everyone gravitated toward and which they ignored. The seat should ideally include some back support to help brace a child’s trunk, especially if they’re under age 3, said Rebecca Talmud, DPT, a pediatric physical therapist in Washington, DC. We looked for trikes that can be passed down from child to child.
I’d guess the single-speed freewheel/freehub on the jackshaft has something wrong with its pawls. I posted about this about two years ago and the other trike is no longer on the road. New trike (got it about a year ago) is now having the same issue as the last. I have a video on twitter that I just did to explain it better.
Tricycles also teach important skills like steering and pedaling, which lay the foundation for a child to eventually become a confident big-kid-bike rider. The world of tricycles is wild and weird, with hundreds of options ranging from convertible 4-in-1s to fancy drifters to trikes that become balance bikes. Designed with a low center of gravity for superior stability, the Roadster makes it easy for young kids to ride and operate the pedals with confidence. That’s the bit that lets you coast along without pedalling, and the rear chain will keep moving with the rear wheels. Check TiresInflate the tires to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure, which is marked on the tire sidewall. You’re one step closer to hittin’ the pavement on your Schwinn tricycle!
The low standover aluminum frame makes it easy to get on and off, while the extra-large seat offers superior comfort on every ride. If you need to tackle a range of gradients on your route, this seven-speed tricycle is the ideal option, making lighter work of hills. The spacious cargo basket has a solid base and can fold when not in use. Like the three-speed model, it’s only available in a 26-inch wheel size.
We tested tricycles made from steel, aluminum, and plastic, in varying combinations. Compared with trikes that were 100% plastic, trikes with at least some steel tended to age better and more consistently stood up to a beating. They also help develop a child’s visual processing abilities while in motion.
But it doesn’t have a warranty, and the kids in our test group avoided this bike like the plague, probably because the stand-over height for the balance bike configuration wasn’t low enough. If you want a balance bike, try one of our balance bike picks. At 21 pounds, the MyRider Midi is one of the heavier trikes we tested. Yet despite its heft, it provides a very smooth ride and is easy for kids to start pedaling.
Its steel construction is durable, and it has air-filled tires. Angeles tricycles are common at many daycares, schools, children’s museums, and community centers. These simple, industrial-strength trikes are built to last—not just through two or three kids in a family, but through two or three hundred kids over many years. The Angeles MyRider Midi Tricycle—intended for kids ages 3 to 6 and rated to hold up to a whopping 70 pounds—is the midsize option in the company’s MyRider trike line. The MyRider Midi is easy and fun to ride, close to maintenance-free, and absolutely durable.
The Joovy Tricycoo 4.1 Kids Tricycle (our previous pick in this guide) was loved by our kid testers, and it has a short, five-minute build time. The materials are mostly plastic, which got dinged up after just a few weeks of testing. Many parents complain in reviews about losing pieces of the Joovy over time; the screws, the plastic basket, all tend to fall off. It also got stuck on any surface that wasn’t pavement. Tricycles certainly aren’t just for kids; they’re both fun and practical for adults, too. The Radio Flyer Deluxe Big Flyer is a decent version of the Big Wheel–style trike, and it’s intended for kids who are 3 to 7 years old.
Kate spent upwards of 25 hours researching and testing a dozen tricycles, and she interviewed two pediatric physical therapists, among other experts. This trike is slightly sturdier than our top pick, and it’s a bit easier to steer. It has the same four configurations as our top pick, but the harness isn’t as simple to use.
The INFANS Kids Tricycle is similar to our top pick, but it offers added durability and has a higher price tag. This trike is a solid option if you can’t find the Radio Flyer, or if you want a trike with sturdier hardware. The INFANS trike weighs 20 pounds, whereas the Radio Flyer is 16, so it’s a bit harder for little kids to ride the INFANS trike by schwinn tricycle themselves. We also liked the pedal covers of the Radio Flyer’s stroller configuration better than the foot pegs on the INFANS trike. But this trike is well made, and it’s quick to build and convert. With a wide rear wheel position, the Meridian tricycle provides more stability than a bicycle so riders of all experience levels can get around easily.