Jenni’s 15-month-old daughter loved riding in the infant mode, often pushed by her brother using the parent handle. A tricycle should help your child learn to pedal and steer. Those models with a wide wheelbase will provide stability and grip the roadway, and we found that lightweight trikes are, in general, easier for younger kids to use. Tires made from rubber or foam are softer, and that can help cushion the ride; hard plastic tires can ride a little rougher and be slippery on pavement. But all of these materials are fine as long as the trike is stable.
This adult cruiser bike offers a comfortable and stable riding experience for riders between 5’4″ to 6’2″ in height, and under 300 lbs in weight. Nearly identical to the XJD trike, the Besrey 5-in-1 is a trike turned balance bike that takes 10 minutes to build. It’s also easy to adjust into a balance schwinn bicycles bike (by sliding the back wheels together and removing the pedals), and it has a two-year warranty. But as with the XJD trike, kids didn’t like the Besrey in trike or bike form during testing, because it was uncomfortable to ride. In trying to be a trike and a bike, it succeeds at neither.
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. The spokeless wheels move smoothly, and the rubber tires, though narrow, seem to glide easily. The schwinn mountain bike wheels require no adjustments; no parts stick out, and nothing can get caught in them. This trike is the hardest to tip of any we tried, due to its weight and welded steel frame design. But we also found the MyRider Midi harder to stop when going fast downhill.
It has an aluminum frame which makes it lightweight yet durable, making it easy to navigate through different terrains. Jenni Gritters spent 20 hours researching balance bikes, as well as assembling and testing nine of them, for the late-2023 update to this guide. She also hosted a “bike party” with 10 kid testers, ages 2 to 6. Kids as young as 18 months may be able to ride a balance bike, and many bikes can keep kids happily gliding along until they’re kindergarten age or older. Kids can ride them outdoors or indoors (if your home has the room) and can use them on family jaunts through the neighborhood. Quality balance bikes also have good resale value, and you can search for a lightly used one if you’re shopping on a budget.
That means this trike has more plastic features, but it also means it’s lightweight—a solid bonus for kids who want to take corners with speed. The XJD 5-in-1 Kids Tricycle is a trike that turns into a balance bike. 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.
Pair all of that with a handlebar stem that you can raise nearly 4 inches, and you have an especially versatile bike that’s fun to ride and capable of growing with your child. The Guardian Balance Bike was a surprise hit during our 2023 testing round, as the preschoolers in the group fought over riding it. That gets kids one step closer to riding a pedal bike on their own because they can learn to stop without dragging their feet on the ground. The quality, air-filled tires also contribute to a smooth ride. And this model is easy to assemble, with clear instructional videos provided. If our top pick is sold out or if you have a taller child, the REI Co-op Cycles REV 12 Kids’ Balance Bike is an excellent choice.
The MyRider Midi doesn’t have storage or come with a bell or tassels. Many people are looking for a versatile trike that can be used with the same child over a number of developmental stages. We sought a trike with a parent push bar, to propel a toddler who is still learning to pedal, as well as one with the ability to convert to an independent trike for older kids. This combination of brakes is ideal for adult riders who may have limited mobility or strength in their hands, making it easier for them to brake when needed.
Verify Brakes WorkRoll bike back and forth slightly while operating the brakes. It should be about hip level when you’re standing next to the bike. Slide the fender into place, then secure the fender struts to the fork dropout with fender bolts.Slide the rubber cover off the brake cable carrier. Squeeze the brake arms together with one hand, using the other hand to disengage the brake cable from the slotted cable stop on the brake arm. The deep solid mesh basket on the back of the Meridian has plenty of room to hold cargo securely as you ride. The classic rear deck is made of genuine wood with burned-in Schwinn logo, while the scalloped chrome fenders add to the Roadster’s timeless vintage looks.
We added a bell with that classic ring to the Meridian Deluxe for a fun, charming way to alert others on the road. Install SeatpostOpen the seatpost quick-release lever, then slide the seatpost into the frame. Ensure the seatpost is inserted past the minimum insertion line marked on the post. If you would like to know when this item is available, please input your email address in the field below.
Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident schwinn bicycles buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). Ough frame are better for riders who experience back pain.