UPDATE! Kettler or Radio Flyer Trike?

[citymama]

ETA an update:
After all our lengthy deliberations, we ended up buying an almost-new Kettler Jumbo that was posted on our neighborhood parents' list! It was $50, literally like new, including a helmet, pushbar, tipping basket and handbrake. I'm thrilled as it meets our budget and is clearly a high-quality trike. The pushbar steers really well, it's non-tippy and my DD loves it (even though it isn't pink!).

My only concern is that my DD's feet don't quite reach the floor when sitting on it, because the seat height can't be adjusted (this is one of 2 Kettler models where the frame adjust forward and back, but not seat height). But maybe because of that, she has started to push down on the pedals and can pedal herself a couple of feet at a time before reverting to the stand up and scooch the trike forward technique. Hopefully she'll figure it out and our Kettler won't just sit around gathering dust.

I guess the lesson learned for me is to try and be more patient and get expensive purchases second-hand whenever possible!

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Original Post:
We're looking for a trike with a pushbar for our DD's second birthday, ideally around $50 (we're willing to spend a little more for a better trike, but not more than $100). Here are our options so far.

Radio Flyer Steer and Stroll http://www.amazon.com/Radio-Flyer-Steer-Stroll-Deluxe/dp/B0009NX07S

Kettler Blossom or Junior http://www.simplykidstoys.com/ket8152-699.html

or Kettler Fold and Ride http://www.toygarden.com/Kettler_Fold_n_Ride_Pink_p/609970812042.htm

Let me know what you recommend from your own experience, and feel free to add why or any other comment/suggestion! Thanks.

[ellies mom]

I'm not sure that the first link is the one you intended but I must say that it is about time that concept gets a little press.

Anyhow, I'd be tempted to go with the Kettler Fold and Go. It is the lighter of the two kettlers. As far as Radio Flyers go, I actually like their Fold and Go. It is under $50. I know the steer and stroll used to have some problems (the adult streering would strip out the steering of the trike itself) but I don't know if they were resolved or not.

[citymama]

I'm not sure that the first link is the one you intended but I must say that it is about time that concept gets a little press.


OOPS! I just sent that article to my sister! Fixed the link now. :-)

Thanks for the RF Fold and Go rec. I was thinking about that one as well but now can't figure out how to add it to my poll list!

[Joolsplus2]

I like this one http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5983237 but it's just huge... but we love it...but it's huge... but we love it...:ROTFLMAO:
No pushbar, though :(

[katydid1971]

I like this one http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5983237 but it's just huge... but we love it...but it's huge... but we love it...:ROTFLMAO:
No pushbar, though :(

Has anyone seen this not in pink. We're going to get DS a trike for his BD so I have been watching these post. Size doesn't matter but I like that it doesn't look like it will tip over easily. Thanks.

[Joolsplus2]

Costco had it in red for awhile... It was harder to find in pink when I was shopping for it for Xmas. (yeah, it's totally nontippy, and the air tires are silent...)

Anyway, sorry to hijack, we just adore this trike (and my 8 yo dd can still ride it just barely, lol).

[citymama]

I like this one http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5983237 but it's just huge... but we love it...but it's huge... but we love it...

Great suggestion, but nothing huge will work for us - we have a tiny 2 BR apt with no garage or outdoor storage space! I'm loving the folding trike idea, but it sounds like the Kettler Blossom votes are leading so far...

[MMMommy]

Sarah--

Costco.com has the Schwinn Roadster in red. We bought it a couple of years ago in-store, and they had it recently too. In fact, I still saw a few within the past month at a couple of Costcos. So maybe some still have them. Just call your local Costco and ask them to do a search on the Schwinn Roadster.

Costco.com has it for $74.99 shipped. Cheaper in-store to avoid the shipping fee.

http://tinyurl.com/yooh5g

[katydid1971]

Sarah--

Costco.com has the Schwinn Roadster in red. We bought it a couple of years ago in-store, and they had it recently too. In fact, I still saw a few within the past month at a couple of Costcos. So maybe some still have them. Just call your local Costco and ask them to do a search on the Schwinn Roadster.

Costco.com has it for $74.99 shipped. Cheaper in-store to avoid the shipping fee.

http://tinyurl.com/yooh5g
Sorry to high jack the post!!

Thank you Thank you!! I'm going to call costco right now and see if they have it in!!!!!!

[Canna]

I voted "other". We got the Huffy Canopy Trike at Cosco 2 years ago (for about $40) and it has been great! The push bar is nice and TALL and DD enjoys riding it. Worth the money - we were glad we didn't go for a pricier tricycle. Here's a link. By the way, we threw away the canopy part!

http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=content&target=products/sports/bikes/kids_tricycles&start=0&selectedSKU=0450-01232-1960

[Joolsplus2]

Great suggestion, but nothing huge will work for us - we have a tiny 2 BR apt with no garage or outdoor storage space! I'm loving the folding trike idea, but it sounds like the Kettler Blossom votes are leading so far...

Yeah, that's why I kept mentioning it's huge (so you wouldn't buy it by accident, lol)... good luck finding just the right one!!! :)

[traciann]

sarah, I just saw this trike on amazon. we are considering it for dd's 3rd birthday. it comes in 2 mickey mouse versions, blue, red and pink. hth! traci

[MMMommy]

This morning I saw the Schwinn Roadster Trike (red) reduced to $39.97 at the Foster City, CA Costco. They had at least 6 of them. That is a really good price for this trike. Costco.com still has it for $74.99 shipped.

[citymama]

...or am I the only indecisive mama out there?

I came so close to buying the Blossom on maukilo.com last weekend. Now I see the Radio Flyer trike is on sale at Target for $44 and the Kettler Fold N Go is on sale at TRU for $20 (but not available at any of the TRUs in our area unfortunately, so with shipping, is more like $40). Decisions, decisions! And knowing my DD, after I buy it she'll probably hardly ever ride on it! (Which is why I want a trike in the first place - the kid seems to be as nerdy as her parents and needs to do more gross motor skill play!)

Please vote if you haven't already and help me decide! Thanks. :-)

[citymama]

Just updated my original post about my final purchase - the winning category was "Other"! :)