First tricycle

Kids are turning 2 (i thought there was a hysterical sobbing emoticon) at the end of the year and we want to get them tricycles.

I hear good things about Kettler, but they are pricey. And of course, Radio Flyers are classic.

Any advice? Either way, we are taking the kiddies for a "test drive" - but would love some opinions.

And, how long did your kids use their trikes? I'm hoping to get a few years out of them.

 

I highly recommend Kettler, as they are so sturdy and practically impossible to tip over. It's really great for beginners. One option you can check into because they are pricey is buying used. Have you checked your local twins group for sales or even craigslist for that matter?

I finally got rid of mine but no doubt, my kids would have still used them if they could!

 

Make sure you get something with a handle!!! My mom bought the boys 2 different tricycles, both quite inexpensive, and they would be great for singletons, but for twins it is a nightmare.

Our current problems: the handles break off easily, or becomes so wobbly that they are completely useless. They can't reach the petals. Ride halfway down the road and then throw a fit so that I have to carry them both back to the house along with the bikes with them kicking and screaming.

My advice, invest in something sturdy, with a well designed handle that is size appropriate (or adjustable). It is well worth it whether you purchase new or used. Also, be sure to get them used to wearing helmets from the start.

As my kids are almost 2, I am in the same boat as you are, not knowing how long they are going to ride these things. My neighbors kids used their tricycles until about 3 to 3 1/2. So you may get a year or so out of them. I was also looking into the 3 wheeled scooters instead of getting better tricycles, because from what I understand they are easier to use then the tricycles.

Good luck with your search and at least you will have fun in the store "test driving" everything!!

 

We have 2 radio flyers and I like them pretty well. The parent handle is a bit hard to steer, and the child can easily over ride the parent steering from behind, so occasionally we will have some steering battles. But overall we can manuver around our flat neighborhood without too much trouble. The pedals are easy for them to reach (my kids are normal height), and when they rest their feet on them while being pushed from behind the pedals don't move. They seem to be quite sturdy and well made. We have yet to have any tip overs. The website says 2-5 years, and I would think that would be about right. I think at about 4 or 5 they would be ready for big kids bikes with training wheels anyway. They aren't nearly as expensive as the kettlers, and I am pretty sure they came fully assembled from toyrus. Overall I'd give them a 4 out of 5 stars.

Best thing to do is to do what you mentioned and got to the store and test drive a few. Good luck!

 

We had two fairly simple Radio Flyers. We got them just before they turned two. Hannah got the hang of pedaling right away, and it took Ben a few months longer. So the parent handles were not a necessity around here. We used them for about a year and then we got bikes with training wheels. If you know you want to do the trikes for a longer period of time, then invest in something larger and sturdier. We moved on from the trikes when the kids were just shy of three because they were frankly too big for them!

 

Mine just turned 2 and we got them the Steer and Stroll Radio Flyer Trikes for their birthday. The kids absolutely love them! It can be a bit difficult for me to push both at the same time, but it is do-able. We have a very flat street in a nice quiet development, so i just take them right down the road. They have a blast! The only problem i have found is that there are no seat belts so sometimes one of them will try to climb off while we are moving! But other than that, they work out great. Both of the twins have very short legs and my DS doesn't reach the peddles at all. It is not a problem because the peddles are made to coast when the child can't peddle yet, and he just hangs his legs down.

-Candi

 

Awesome advice from everyone.

And good tip on the helmet, I hadn't even thought of that...

 

We started using the tricycles just after the kids turned two. We were lucky enough to be given some by another mom here on TS when her kids outgrew them. They are the Kiddi-O trikes (made by Kettler) similar to the link, but ours didn't have handles. The kids loved them and now they and their little brother are enjoying them.

 

Ok, I have the $$$$ Kettler Happy Air Trikes. They can ride them well now, but not till they were 3. At my parents house we have the cheapo plastic character trikes from Wal*Mart and they FLIPPIN' LOVE THEM!!! So, there's not a big difference as far as they are concerned. I'm not sure you can go wrong. The nice thing about the kettler's is they are QUIET....the other stuff has bells and talking stuff!!! :blink:

 

I can tell you what NOT to buy!! My in-laws bought the boys the harley davisdon trikes and my boys STILL cannot ride these things. They are cute and have flames and whatever, but the design of them is terrible. My boys are not short or anything, but cannot reach the pedals. It is the kind that has the adjustable seat and we have it on the closest setting and they still cant reach 1 year later. I even went to the bike store and bought pedal blocks thinking that would help-- no such luck. Anyway, i ended up getting one of the small radio flyer ones and they do ok on it. Jack seems to go backwards too much. I think we are going to try bikes and see if they do any better! lol

 

I was just going to post a similiar topic. My DS just turned 2, so this summer he will be 2 3/4 yrs and the following summer 3 3/4 years, not sure if he will get much use out of a trike or if we should go straight for a bike with training wheels? GL!