Because it doesn’t have a push-bar option, it’s not as versatile as our top or runner-up picks. But if you’re buying a tricycle for an older kid, they may prefer the style of this more-sophisticated-looking trike. Parents didn’t love the harness, and kids preferred our top pick. The schwinn tricycle INFANS trike is about 4 pounds heavier than the Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll ’N Trike; we think the added weight is why our kid testers found it harder to ride independently. Like the Radio Flyer trike, this one also has plastic wheels, but they didn’t work as well on dirt pathways.
She’s the author of our guides to the best jogging strollers and the best kids hiking backpacks, and she’s a mom to two children. As Jenni was writing the current version of this guide, her kids were 15 months and 3½ years old—perfect trike-testing age. Install Rear WheelsLocate the side of the wheel with a flat section that matches the flat section on the rear drive axle. Align the flat sections on the hub and axle, then slide the wheel onto the axle until it stops. Slide one washer over the axle end, then thread the locknut on and tighten it with a wrench. Repeat for the second rear wheel, then turn the tricycle right side up.
The INFANS Kids Tricycle is similar to our top pick, but it offers added durability and has a higher price tag. This trike is a solid option if you can’t find the Radio Flyer, or if you want a trike with sturdier hardware. The INFANS trike weighs 20 pounds, whereas the Radio Flyer is 16, so it’s a bit harder for little kids to ride the INFANS trike by themselves. We also liked the pedal covers of the Radio Flyer’s stroller configuration better than the foot pegs on the INFANS trike. But this trike is well made, and it’s quick to build and convert. With a wide rear wheel position, the Meridian tricycle provides more stability than a bicycle so riders of all experience levels can get around easily.
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. 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.
Both models of the Schwinn Meridian have a low sweeping step-thru frame. Riders who struggle with balance can easily step on and off the tricycle. The Schwinn Roadster comes in seven shiny colors, including red, black, blue, and pink.
However, you will find some difference between saddles in Schwinn’s range of adult trikes. Some saddles are slightly wider and better padded than others and some are sprung for shock absorption. That being said, even the slightly narrower and less-padded saddles are more cushioned and comfortable than an average bicycle seat. Tricycles are great for adults who either can’t ride standard Schwinn bicycles or don’t feel all that comfortable riding them on the roads or out in public. With an adult tricycle, you can confidently enjoy bike rides with your family or friends or use your trike for commuting or running errands.
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.
It has more heft and seems sturdier than today’s Big Wheel brand. Older kids will likely enjoy the speed and easy turns of a lightweight, low-slung trike, but Kate’s 3-year-old son had some trouble getting the 16-inch front wheel to move. When it comes to a low-rider-style trike, overall we think the Schwinn Roadster provides a better ride.
In trying to be a trike and a bike, it succeeds at neither. It also doesn’t work for kids under age 2, despite the ages listed on the product page. Since they can be a bit of an investment, it’s always best to go with a trusted brand that manufactures durable and long-lasting bikes. And when it comes to adult tricycles, the Schwinn brand, founded in 1895, is just that. Schwinn’s sturdy adult tricycles give riders plenty of stability and come with cargo baskets, making them ideal for a trip to the store or farmers’ market.