Tricycle Suggestions

Updated on August 03, 2010
J.B. asks from Brookfield, CT
12 answers

My twin boys are turning 3 and I want to get them trikes for their birthday. I hear about the kettlers and was wondering what you thought about first trikes. I would love rubber wheels, not the plastic ones. And something with the least chance of tipping. Any suggestions??? Also, do I look at the low one like big wheels or regular tricycles like the kettler and radio flyer??
Thanks

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J.H.

answers from New York on

As for Kettler, we got that years ago for my daughter who is now 8 and I was so disappointed in it. Maybe they have changed the design, but the problem I had was that the pedals didn't move if the child was pushed in the tricycle. I think the company sees that as a plus because they sell the bar that can be inserted into the trike to use as a push handle (making the trike a pseudo-stroller), but it made it very hard for me to teach my kids how to pedal. At least with a regular tricycle when you push them as they learn they can at least see how the pedals go around when the wheel moves.

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D.L.

answers from New York on

Hi J.,
I have 3yr old boy/girl twins. I struggled with the question of what type of bike/tricycle to purchase. The low hot wheels type of tricycle has a different type of peddling than a bike, the motion is out and down. It was recommended to start the children off on a small bicycle with training wheels. I put fun bells and baskets on them and had them pick out their bike helmets. The first few tries were difficult but now I can not get them off the bikes. Not only is this a safe method (low % tipping over) but they start with the correct cycling style. Bringing the kids to the bike store was great fun as they picked out the colors of their bikes, helmets and bell. They had a blast and love their bikes. They will have them for a while and they do not need to transition from a low riding bike. Don't get caught up in unnecessary purchases.
I hope this was helpful.
Best of luck,
D.

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A.H.

answers from Phoenix on

I would second the forgoing tricycle and going to a balance bike. We got our son a balance bike (Strider) for his 2nd birthday. By 2 1/2 he was riding it and a few days before his third birthday he took off on a regular bike without training wheels. They have a lot more fun on a balance bike and can go a little faster as well.

T.D.

answers from Fayetteville on

I would suggest forgoing the tricycle, and going straight for a balance bike. Skuut makes a great one. Look them up, they give a child more of an opportunity to be successful at riding a bike sooner, some without having to ever have training wheels. Plus, they are super fun!
My daughter is 3, and she adores hers.

-T.

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

If you're not completely heart-set on trikes... check THESE out. Favorite toy from age 2-5 hands down, and still in the top 5 of my son's favorite toys at age 8. Sooooo much fun! We started requiring helmets at age 3 (all the kids in the neighborhood had one by then, and they can go fast on hills). I recommend swapping the wheels it comes with off with roller blade wheels if you have tile indoors. Keeps the noise level down.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_kk_1?rh=i%3Aaps%2C...

We had a radio flyer trike (red, rubber wheels) but it was barely ridden.

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A.D.

answers from New York on

My daugter is now 7 but she had a Radio Flyer with a push/steering handle. Her model was VERY tippy so we hardly ever used it. I tried a quick search of radio flyer's website and didn't see any with the same steering mechanism, so maybe this was a big complaint that they have corrected. I love the classic look and the quality of the radio flyer, but unfortuantely, ours was a real dud.

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S.S.

answers from New York on

Well last year when my twins turned 3 I bought them Radio Flyers wit 3 wheels. They love it it was adjustable to them growing

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K.D.

answers from Albany on

We have a Kettler. Our son, now 5 loves it, and always had, the rubber tires are very suitable for where we live, and the removable handle is great, we still use it sometimes to have a bit more control when he's headed down a steep slope.

I love the quality of the Kettler, and compared to the tricycle out neighbours hade.. which rusted out... we have been very pleased. I think a bycycle with training wheels is a an option, but you have to gage, where the child can ride ... do you have a large paved area? or are you willing to be out with them all the time.

At least with the tricycle, my son can still use it now in the backyand on the bumpy pavers and on the grass.

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J.G.

answers from Omaha on

We got our daughter the Classic Metal Radio Flyer trike for her 2nd Birthday. Its so cute and she loves it. Reminds me of when I was a kid. They will last forever and we got it on sale for around $45.

M.V.

answers from New York on

cently just bought a Schwiin Tricycle from walmart.com it was about $70.00 but very worth the money. it has real tires you can inflate and it's easy to assemble.
here's the link~~~>
http://www.walmart.com/ip/12-Schwinn-Roadster-Trike-Red/5...

good luck! ALSO!! it has 3 levels to adjust how far the seat is from the handle bars, so if they have a growth spurt, it grows w/ them!

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J.T.

answers from New York on

My daughter has a Radio Flyer folding tricycle that my husband bought for her - a little ambitious as she is only 2 1/2 (2 1/4 when he bought it) but she likes it.

2 problems though - 1) since she is average height she sometimes had a hard time lifting her leg over which caused 2) the trike to fall over when she got caught on it.

That being said - she is getting better at get on - she almost never gets stuck now, so with a little practice your boys should be fine.

The great thing about it is that it folds! Smaller storage space and eaily transported - for me those two convenieces made it an exceptionally well thought out purchase (I still wonder if that was an accident on my husbands part ;) ).

Hope this helps!

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J.P.

answers from Buffalo on

Hi! The suggestion I have is make sure whatever you get, your boys can ride it! My girls had a very hard time reaching the peddles on anything when they were three. We tried all kinds of things. Big wheels, bikes, tricycles. It took a long time but we did finally get the right ones. (They are average in size, actually kind of tall for their age!) The best choice, is the one they can ride! Good luck!

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