Jenni’s son loved riding this trike across pavement, dirt, and even rough concrete. Despite its rigid plastic wheels, the 4-in-1 Stroll ’N Trike could handle all of these surfaces; it moved especially well on sidewalks, where it stayed stable during turns. Compared with other convertible trikes we tested, like the smarTrike and the Joovy, this one had a more-effective handlebar and sturdier wheels.
It has four configurations, to take kids from ages 1 to 5. And it offers well-thought-out accessories—including a wide and adjustable parent handle—and a sturdy frame that prevents tipping. Our kids loved to ride this trike on many types of terrain, and Radio Flyer has a solid, two-year warranty program. This model is also a bit less expensive than most of the other options we tried. 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 Joovy Tricycoo 4.1 Kids Tricycle (our previous pick in this guide) was loved by our kid testers, and it has a short, five-minute build time. The materials are mostly plastic, which got dinged up after just a few weeks of testing. Many parents complain in reviews about losing pieces of the Joovy over time; the screws, schwinn tricycle the plastic basket, all tend to fall off. It also got stuck on any surface that wasn’t pavement. Tricycles certainly aren’t just for kids; they’re both fun and practical for adults, too. 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.
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.
Align the slots on the basket with the threaded holes in the tricycle frame. Place a washer over each of the four screws, then install and tighten the screws. Unfold the basket cover and place it into the middle of the basket. Fold the side pockets out over each side wall of the basket. The Schwinn Meridian Tricycle for adults makes an excellent commuter bike with its large cargo basket. 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.
Kate spent upwards of 25 hours researching and testing a dozen tricycles, and she interviewed two pediatric physical therapists, among other experts. This trike is slightly sturdier than our top pick, and it’s a bit easier to steer. It has the same four configurations as our top pick, but the harness isn’t as simple to use.
We tested tricycles made from steel, aluminum, and plastic, in varying combinations. Compared with trikes that were 100% plastic, trikes with at least some schwinn tricycle steel tended to age better and more consistently stood up to a beating. They also help develop a child’s visual processing abilities while in motion.
Other baskets are made from wire with reasonably large gaps, which means you’ll need to make sure smaller items are contained inside bags so they don’t fall out. Some models have foldable baskets so you don’t need to have them set up when they’re not in use. 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.
Before riding, always make sure your tires are inflated and that your brakes are working properly. Read the quick start guide below and your Schwinn bicycle owner’s manual. The 26- model can take up to a 300 lbs rider with 50 lbs for the cargo basket.