The first version of this guide was written by Katharine Gammon, a science writer, when her children were 1½ and 3½ years old. Kate spent upwards of 25 hours researching and testing a dozen tricycles, and she interviewed two pediatric physical therapists, among other experts. Check first the tightness of the two hold-down screws on the rear axle drive sprocket. Sometimes these work loose, especially during the break-in period (first 500 miles). Tighten these two screws down as hard as you can — this connection point takes a lot of stress, especially on uphill grinds. Best suited for flat areas, this single-speed drivetrain is easy to use and simple to maintain, while the chain guard keeps your clothes and shoelaces free & clear.
The trikes were then turned over to their kids, so they could test their durability, ease of use, speed, and inherent fun-ness. Kids took the trikes on neighborhood strolls, and they tested them on grass, pavement, broken concrete, and dirt. We paid attention to how the wheels performed and how long it took to get the trikes moving, as well as their stability. Kate timed her 3-year-old as he rode a block on a concrete sidewalk and took a corner at full speed. This demonstrated how easy it was to start and turn each trike, and it provided evidence of wheels lifting up or a trike seat being unstable. Writer Jenni Gritters researched more than 20 tricycles, and she built and tested 10 of them in late 2023.
We considered more than 50 of today’s most popular tricycles. And along with several dozen kids (between the ages of 1 and 7), we test-drove 21 models. In the end, we think families with toddlers should get the Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll ’N Trike.
One reviewer who purchased the tricycle for his weight loss journey was pleased to find that the tires held up for him at 400 lbs. The wheels are aluminum alloy with stainless steel spokes. Both models of the Schwinn Meridian have a low sweeping schwinn mountain bike step-thru frame. Riders who struggle with balance can easily step on and off the tricycle. The Schwinn Meridian is an excellent bicycle alternative for adults looking to lose weight or simply add a fun exercise method to their everyday routine.
It takes 10 minutes to build, and it’s easy to adapt from trike to bike by adjusting the two back wheels into one (they slide together) and removing the pedals. It’s sturdier than many of the trikes we tried, with hard rubber wheels instead of plastic. 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. Parents didn’t love the harness, and kids preferred our top pick. The INFANS trike is about 4 pounds heavier than the Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll schwinn tricycle ’N Trike; we think the added weight is why our kid testers found it harder to ride independently. Like the Radio Flyer trike, this one also has plastic wheels, but they didn’t work as well on dirt pathways.
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. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search.