Seeking Advice on a Tricycle for a Two-year Old

Yes, I'd really recommend trying out all different kinds first. My little ones leg's were too short for any type of trike when he first turned 2 (even with a pillow attached to a seat) so we had to wait until he was nearly 3.

Definately go with the Schwin Roadster. It is a great trike and will grow with them. My parents bought the girls one to keep at their house and sometimes they still ride it because it is a cool trike. It looks brand new still and is 5 years old. Here is a link so you can see what it looks like. They are a little more expensive though.

http://www.outlettrail.com/store/product.php?productid=20132

Hi E.-

My kids had a Radio Flyer tricycle and also they each had a Big Wheel. They preferred the Big Wheels. They don't tip over and are easy to ride. Also, we always make them wear a helmet no matter what they are riding. I think it's a good habit to get into. Now they don't question if they need a helmet, they just put one on. Good luck finding the perfect bike for your little one!

-L.

start the helmet right away to establish good safety habits. Now with that said, our daughter (now almost 5) does not have to wear her helmet on her Dora bigwheel in the driveway; always on her big bike and always if she goes on the road. When she was 2 she got the Dora bigwheel/tricycle--she STILL likes it and it has held up on very bumpy roads. The seat is adjustable--it's a little higher than a bigwheel, not as tall as a tricycle. Can't remember the brand, but I have seen them at Walmart the last few years.

Radio Flyer tricycle, a few mommy friends have these for their young kids and I will be getting one for my daughter this summer. It is a little higher of the ground from a "normal" tricycle BUT easier to reach the pedals.

I would take your little one with you and try out a few, that way you can find one that will fit her the best.

My 2&1/2 yr old has a radio flyer tricycle. It was a hand-me-down from a neighbor. It's a nice one, but it sometimes tips to the side on an incline (like our driveway), so I need to make sure he stays on flat surfaces. Good luck!

helmet: the rule in our house is that whenever you're using something with wheels, you've got a helmet on: bicycles, scooters, all of it. Yes, sometimes it means he's wearing a helmet when he probably doesn't really *have* to, but it saves on arguments about when you do and when you don't.

We went straight to the Radio Flyer 10" bicycle w/training wheels. He loved it and still rides it around the driveway even though its ridiculously too small for him.

The Schwinn roadster is a great tricycle. It is low to the ground (doesn't tip easily), very sturdy and well made, has an adjustable seat and air tires. Both my daughters used it and it has held up very well. Definitely have her wear a helmet!

We have an old-school red metal Radio Flyer tricycle and my 18 month old son loves it. He can't reach the pedals quite yet, but he can get up on it (thanks to the two steps to get on the back) and he loves to hold on and be pushed. I can get on the back and pedal him around and it hasn't broken yet. :) It IS a little tippy, but moreso for my almost-5-yr-old, who careens around the driveway on it--it's really too small for him, and he wants to go too fast. We got a lot of use out of it and it's still in great shape.

Edit: We also have a Radio Flyer plastic thing that converts from Hot Wheels to tricycle. That one is neat for my older son (5) but he is just now able to pedal the hot wheels--it was a LOT harder for him to push in front of him than on top of the pedals. Anyway--the Radio Flyer thing that converts is neat; it's easy to switch around and also pretty heavy duty--but keep in mind the pedaling thing; depending on how your daughter is built, it might be easier to pedal a higher/lower/more-front pedal/more up-and-down pedal bike.

Yes, to the helmet - start good habits right away.

As for the tricycle - I can't remember the brand, but we love the one we picked for our son. It has a removable "parent control handle" and it allows the parent to steer and/or push before the child is able to do all that. he had a little trouble at 2 with the pedalling because he couldn't reach the pedal all the way around, but he loved "riding" and now, at 3, we removed the parent handle and he rides all on his own (always with a helmet!)

E.,

We got the Schwinn roadster for my son in red last year for his second birthday and he is still riding it. I asked him if he wanted a little bike this year but he said no he just wants to ride his trike.

Here is the link to it on amazon.. http://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Roadster-12-Inch-Trike-Red/...

Very classic bike with air filled tires which is great. Sturdy and has a cute little bell my son loves to ring. It comes in a couple of colors I think. It also has a real wooden platform on back just like in the old days:)

Go to toys r us and have her try them out. My daughter did better with a taller one than a shorter to the ground one. She had a adorable one I bought but could ride the neighbors Batman one alot better LOL so go try them out and don't go by looks.

Radio Flyer with a steering handle behind it. We bought one for our 2 year old. She doesn't get the pedaling thing yet but I say by end of summer, she will get it.

We have a radio flyer with the parent control handle (removable) and it is AWESOME. We even take ours to the Zoo -- our 2.5 year old son LOVES it!