The High Bounce Extra Tall Tricycle gets high marks from parents of long-legged tots. Made of aluminum, it’s lighter (11.9 pounds) and the seat is 2½ inches higher than the Joovy’s or the Radio Flyer Steer & Stroll’s. Like the seats on those bikes, schwinn mountain bike the High Bounce’s seat moves forward and backward to accommodate growing kids. The handlebar grips felt rougher on young hands than the grips on other trikes. The High Bounce comes in a cool lime green or blue and is recommended for ages 3 to 6.
It’s also easier to steer than other push trikes we tested, including the Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll ‘N Trike, a clearly inferior model that’s similar to the Joovy (and easily mistaken for the Deluxe Steer & Stroll). 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 low standover aluminum frame makes it easy to get on and off, while the extra-large seat and ergonomic grips offer superior comfort on every ride. The low standover aluminum frame makes it easy to get on and off, while the extra-large seat offers superior comfort on every ride. For bigger kids, the Schwinn Roadster 12-inch Trike is a shiny, gorgeous tricycle that’s fast and fun to ride. It’s low to the ground, with more of a Big Wheel style than you typically see in a metal trike.
The Joovy TriCyCoo 4.1 is far more versatile than the shiny-red metal trike or the ground-hugging plastic Big Wheel you had as a kid (modern replicas of which we also tested). It also has a storage compartment, a cupholder, and a sunshade that is significantly bigger and more functional than those we found on other grow-with-me models. With an average weight schwinn mountain bike and one of the most stable designs we tried, the Joovy was easier to start, pedal, and maneuver than any of the other 10 top trikes we tested. It’s one of the more expensive tricycles out there, and it doesn’t include a bell, but with such a wide age range it’s still a good value for the price. I’ve read a lot about e-bikes and have ridden several.
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 frame does add to the overall weight of the tricycle. The deep solid mesh basket includes a removable fabric liner, and has plenty schwinn bicycles of room to hold cargo securely as you ride. Just keep it to cargo only back there though – the basket is not suitable for children, pets, or other passengers. The deep solid mesh basket on the back of the Meridian has plenty of room to hold cargo securely as you ride.
Nonetheless, this sturdy, metal tricycle has serious nostalgia appeal. We found that the controlled turning radius made this trike harder to tip than some of the others. But it lacks a back support, adjusts only a bit to accommodate taller riders, and is very heavy at 21¼ pounds.
The Roadster features a shiny red and silver metal body, black tassels on the handlebars, a bell, and a wooden deck in back—a platform where a friend can hitch a ride. The molded plastic seat slides back on a track to be adjustable for bigger kids. It took a little longer for my son to get moving on this trike than on the Joovy, but the ride was smooth once he got up to speed. Though the Deluxe Steer & Stroll won’t work like the Joovy for the youngest kids, it’s still a good option to use as a stroller alternative with older toddlers. The parent push handle extends as far as the Joovy’s, though unlike that trike’s push bar it is not adjustable. We found that this trike was just as easy for a parent to steer as the Joovy, and easier to steer with one hand.
I also interviewed product designers, marketers, and owners at four companies that make tricycles, among them a trike designer at Fisher-Price and the VP of product development at Radio Flyer. Beyond the glitz, we found that the Roadster provides a smooth, stable ride, especially compared with similar low-riders made of plastic (like the modern version of the beloved Big Wheel). The Roadster’s size and weight makes it better balanced than our pick, even in fast turns.