Your kids need all the fun they can get, and what better way to make this happen than to give them tricycles? When making a choice of a tricycle, you need to consider things such as budget, the safety of the tricycle, the age and size of your child, and how easy it is to assemble the tricycle. We will discuss budget and pricing later, so for now let’s consider the rest of the other factors.
The reason you buy
baby monitors, for instance, is because you are concerned about your child’s safety. In the same vein, your concern for safety should make you pay attention to the safety of the tricycle you want to get. Tricycles provide a means of exercise and fun for kids. Unlike
bikes, they are safer and easier to ride. It is a toy they will definitely come to love. Make sure that they are going to be safe using it. Start by checking the safety record of the tricycle you want to purchase. You can do this by checking online for recalls of that product, and read reviews from people who have used it. Stick with brands that have a reputation for making safe tricycles.
It is also advisable to get safety accessories for your kids. No matter how safe the tricycle is, it can’t protect a kid from falling and scraping a knee or getting any other minor injury, especially as a beginner. These accessories include knee pads, elbow pads, and a
helmet. No matter how careful you are, accidents can always occur even when the child is an expert in cycling. The safety accessories will reduce the risk of injuries. Also consider buying a tricycle that is as low to the ground as possible. Tricycles that are closer to the ground will reduce the risk of a child getting seriously hurt in case there is a fall. The child can also get off the tricycle easily, or take sudden steps when needed.
Another factor to consider is the age and size of the child. Some tricycle manufacturers list the appropriate ages for their tricycles. Even if a kid fits into the age category, you should also check the size. Some kids in a particular age group might be bigger than others. You should consider getting a tricycle with pedals the child can reach easily. Kids shouldn’t stretch or struggle to reach the pedals. If this is the case, they might just give up trying out of frustration. Do not purposely buy a tricycle that will be too large for your kid just to make the most out of it. This will make you resort to buying extension blocks so your kid can reach the pedals. Extension pedals are highly dangerous. They make the tricycle hard to control, because the kid will not be able to feel the motion of the tricycle. This can be catastrophic.
Consider how easy it will be to assemble the tricycle. You don’t want to spend your hard-earned money purchasing a tricycle you can’t put together. Before making a purchase, you can find out what you need to know by reading the user manual carefully. This will help you know what it will take to assemble it, such as tools or extra parts. You can also consider buying an already assembled tricycle, or pay someone to assemble it for you. Go for whichever is more convenient for you.
Price
It is important to set a budget ahead of time, so you will know exactly how much you are willing to spend for your kid’s tricycle. Remember to leave room in your budget for knee pads and helmets. Since you can get good tricycles at every price level, a budget will help you narrow your options.
A lot of factors affect the price of a product, including brand and quality. There is a broad range of prices for tricycles. You can get one for as little as $30 or as much as $220. This is quite a range, but price should not be the only factor to consider when selecting any product. There are products that are less expensive, but they are not as good or durable. You do not want to purchase a cheap tricycle that will not live up to its purpose.
Features
A tricycle's cost is determined by its features. These are some features you should consider when making a choice of the tricycle to purchase, such as:
- Adjustable padded handlebars
- Adjustable wide seat with back
- Material
- Treaded wheels
- Color
- Accessories
From these listed features, you can select the ones that are important to you, and compare the prices of tricycles that have those features before making your purchase.
Construction and Design
Tricycles can be plastic or metal (usually steel). Plastic tricycles are less expensive than others. With a small budget, you will be able to get one with a considerable number of accessories. Plastic tricycles are also easier to assemble, because the parts are easy to move around, and the design is not as complex as the steel tricycle. They are lightweight as well, very easy to lift and carry around. Though they have been around far longer than the steel variations, the plastic tricycles are not durable. They can easily break or wear as the child uses it.
Steel tricycles, on the other hand, are sturdy and durable. Therefore, they are a safer option for your kid. They also last longer without wearing or breaking. Due to the metal body, they are heavier to lift, and are also more difficult to assemble because their designs are not as simple as the plastic ones. They are also more expensive. It is advisable to get a tricycle made with steel, as it will give you value for your money.
Another thing to consider is what accessories a tricycle comes with. While you will have to buy safety accessories for your kid, you can make the most of your money by getting a tricycle with many useful accessories. These accessories include:
- Baskets:They come in varying sizes and materials, and are usually attached to the front handlebars or behind the seat. These baskets can be used to hold the child’s personal effects.
- Metal bell:The metal bell is used to warn others to get out of the way. Kids love this particular one because it is fun for them.
- Dump trays:These can be attached to the rear of the tricycle, and are used for hauling items. Children who like to collect things will love this accessory, as it helps them carry their loot with ease.
- Adjustable harness:This is worn across the child's waist or chest to prevent him or her from falling out of the bucket seat.
- Removable handlebar:This accessory is super helpful for parents who want to first teach children how to ride the tricycle before letting them ride alone. It is used to push and guide the tricycle while the child rides. It is typically a removable attachment.
- Adjustable lap belt:This reduces the ejection rate to reasonable level in case the kid hits something while riding. It is usually used with a bucket seat.
Another feature to consider is the color. Usually, bright colors are good for kids, but it will be best if you go for their favorite colors. This will make them like the tricycle even better.
Performance and Ease of Use
For smaller kids, a tricycle with a wide seat and back is safer and more secure. This seat helps riders fit comfortably in it, and helps prevent them from slipping off the side. The back keeps the kid from falling backwards and off the tricycle. This feature makes the tricycle comfortable and safe for kids. It also reduces the risk of accidents. This seat should be adjustable, so you can set or reset it to suit your child’s peculiarities. The back should also be high, at least up to the middle of the child’s back. This height is the most comfortable for your kid.
Most children ride their tricycles for long stretches of time. This is why you need a tricycle with padded handlebars. They ensure that your kid’s palms do not get sore from holding them. This is very important, because a child will most likely not use a tricycle again after having a bad experience with it. When the handlebars are adjustable, it is easier to set them in a way that your child’s knee won’t be hitting them, especially when coming down from the tricycle. Don't set it low, as that will put strain on your kid’s neck while riding. It should be set a little higher than the child's waist when seated on the tricycle. This is the best position and posture while riding.
Most tricycles have wheels with treads. Tread is the rubber on the tire’s circumference that makes contact with the ground and provides traction during rides. If the wheel is not properly treaded, it can reduce traction and cause accidents. Some tricycles don't have treaded wheels. It is in your best interest to check first. You can also check how deep the tread is, as this will indicate how long it will stay before the tread wears off. The deeper the tread, the safer and sturdier a tricycle will be. A worn tire can also be re-treaded, but be sure to get an authentic treaded wheel for the safety of your child.
Now that you have read our buying guide, you now have good knowledge of what to look for before buying that tricycle for your kid. We invite you to read the individual reviews of the top five tricycle brands we picked out for you.
We hope we have made it easy for you to decide on the best trike for your current needs and budget. Remember, the products reviewed on this page are just samples of the range of products offered by each of the brands. So let the fun begin. Get your child the right trike through any of the links above.
