We had issues with the width of its rear tubes, which rubbed our tester’s legs, and the foam tires were quite slippery. The balance bike arrives nearly constructed, and Strider offers top-notch customer service. With Strider’s excellent step-by-step instructions (also available in a video), the initial buildout was a simple 10-minute process. A kid will size out of this bike fairly early, but Woom offers a trade-in program.
The axle there the back chain connects was moving, but where the front chain connects was not moving. This versatile trike will grow with your child, converting from a stroller alternative to a big-kid trike they can steer on their own. It comes packed with accessories and has an easy-to-use harness. We also like the slightly pricier yet more-durable INFANS Kids Tricycle. The Schwinn Roadster Tricycle is a stylish low-rider model for bigger kids.
It’s these small details that set the Guardian Balance Bike apart. It’s a good height for most kids, with appropriate geometry. The Guardian Balance Bike has a stand-over height of 7 inches, which prevents kids from hitting their heels on the frame of the bike when they’re sitting. It puts them in an ideal, very slightly forward-leaning position while they’re riding, which is safe but still encourages speed. For bigger kids, the Schwinn Roadster Tricycle 12-Inch is a shiny, gorgeous tricycle that’s fast and fun to ride.
But it’s a reliably sturdy and easy-to-ride bike that the kids in our testing pool enjoyed as much as those that were almost double the price. 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. It has more heft and seems sturdier than today’s Big Wheel brand.
One of the standout features of the DoCred tricycle is its large capacity basket, which offers convenience for shopping trips, errands, and transporting goods. This feature is particularly appealing for those seeking a practical vehicle for leisure activities, shopping, or exercise, adding a significant utility aspect to the tricycle. The inclusion of this basket underscores the tricycle’s versatility and appeal as a multi-purpose vehicle, suitable for a variety of activities and needs. In addition, Schwinn is also committed to promoting an active and healthy lifestyle through biking.
It has a puzzlingly high 85-pound weight limit to match its seat height range of 11 to 15.5 inches. But this Bixe model had cheap, foam tires with very little tread; Jenni’s son wiped out on this bike more than on any other. It’s well constructed and the most adjustable of the models schwinn bicycles we tested. This Strider bike has a stand-over height of 10 inches—higher than our other picks by 2 or 3 inches, but unsurprising since the bike is meant for taller kids. It also offers a long, stable wheelbase, as well as a remarkable seat-height range of 15 to 22 inches.
The high tensile steel frame is TIG welded for added durability, and the alloy single crank has a steel chain guard for safety. Additionally, the front and rear alloy brakes offer reliable stopping power for a smooth riding experience. The 26-inch wheels are just the right size for adult riders between 5’4″ to 6’2″ in height. The wide upright adjustable handlebars and extra-large comfort cruiser saddle ensure a comfortable riding position, even for longer rides.
Today’s Big Wheel (the name was sold) is lightweight, and the wheels slip a ton. It was difficult for Kate’s young son to get started on the trike, and he soon lost interest. Kate lost interest even sooner, when it took a whopping 54 minutes to assemble, mostly due to the number of decals. Jenni’s schwinn bicycles 3-year-old son also screamed in frustration while using the Big Wheel and found it didn’t move well across pavement or dirt. Like its namesake, the Big Wheel is better for bigger kids. It accommodates kids up to 70 pounds and 8 years old, and we’ve known older children who did, in fact, love it.
Inspect the quick link to verify both pins are fully engaged in the plates. Staying active is a whole lot easier when you have fun and look good doing it. Our comfort hybrid bikes bring classic styling to modern functionality for rides that are all about taking it easy (but not too easy!). But most riders don’t need the extra-robust wheels, and feature-wise, you get more for your money from the REI REV 12. Made by a UK-based company, it’s a really nice bike, but it doesn’t exhibit quite the attention to detail that the Guardian Balance Bike does, despite a comparable cost. Jenni was previously an editor on Wirecutter’s outdoors team, and she recently wrote our guides to the best jogging strollers and the best kids hiking backpacks.