We’ll look at the features listed by the manufacturer and why they make this tricycle perfect for a heavier rider, riders who want to lose weight, and those that need extra balance. The Schwinn Meridian is making its mark in the bike industry as a perfect alternative for adult riders who want to lose weight or need some extra stability provided by a tricycle. Both versions of the bike are sturdy enough to hold the weight of most adults. Designed with a low center of gravity for superior stability, the Roadster makes it easy for young kids to ride and operate the pedals with confidence. 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 buying decisions.
After a new round of testing, the updated Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll ’N Trike is our top pick, and the INFANS Kids Tricycle is our runner-up pick. Our proprietary tech ensures that recalled items are never listed. Conditions of items will be either LIKE-NEW, OPEN BOX or DAMAGED.
Ensure the tire doesn’t rub on the fender or brakes. The INFANS Kids Tricycle is similar to our top pick, with more-durable steel features and a slightly easier-to-use steering mechanism. And our kid testers found it less easy to use, likely because the IFANS trike is about 4 pounds heavier than the Radio Flyer tricycle (20 pounds versus the Radio Flyer’s 16). You’re one step closer to hittin’ the pavement on your schwinn tricycle! Before riding, always make sure your tires are inflated and that your brakes are working properly.
We appreciated that the infant harness was padded across the chest, but it didn’t tighten as well as our top pick’s harness. The INFANS trike also has rear brakes; the Radio Flyer trike does not, and we didn’t find them on many other bikes. Similar to brakes on a regular stroller, these rear brakes (one against each wheel) can be operated by parents. They can also be activated by children when they’re riding on their own (they pedal backward), and this is good practice for learning to ride a pedal bike. The INFANS Kids Tricycle is similar to our top pick, but it offers added durability and has a higher price tag.
Kate lost interest even sooner, when it took a whopping 54 minutes to assemble, mostly due to the number of decals. Jenni’s 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.
But we also found the MyRider Midi harder to stop when going fast downhill. Many of today’s parents (and grandparents!) may have fond memories of rolling down the driveway—and perhaps over homemade jumps, definitely helmet-free—on an Original Big Wheel. The actual Original Big Wheel was manufactured in Pennsylvania by a company called Marx, which went out of business in the 1980s. 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.