Kids Bikes: Reviews

The 12-inch Schwinn Roadster Trike gets very good reviews from parents. This steel tricycle has pneumatic tires, an adjustable bucket seat and textured grips. Parents say the trike is rugged and durable, and they love the… retro styling. The Schwinn Roadster Trike also earns praise for an easy assembly, and kids appreciate the fun extras like tassels and a handlebar bell. While the steel frame gets high marks for durability, it's also heavy, which is a common complaint for kids' bikes. Some parents also have problems finding replacement inner tubes for the small tires. The Schwinn Roadster Trike is available for both girls and boys, and it comes in blue, red or pink.

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For older kids, the Razor Rip Rider 360 is a top choice. This unusual tricycle has one large wheel in the front and two caster wheels in the back, which allows the tricycle to do 360-degree spins and move in more… directions than a traditional trike. It's clear from reviews that kids love the Razor Rip Rider 360, mainly because it spins and goes fast. Parents also like the trike because they say it's stable and easy to assemble. However, the 20-pound weight is a drawback. In addition, while the Razor Rip Rider has a weight capacity of 160 pounds, the bike may be too small for older kids with long legs. The Razor Rip Rider 360 comes in just one version (blue), but it's appropriate for both boys and girls.

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Twelve-inch bikes are a good first step for toddlers who have outgrown their tricycle. The Tonka Mighty Tough Bike comes with removable training wheels, and parents say it's a good starter bike. It has a dual-suspension… frame for a smooth ride, and the chain is fully enclosed to prevent accidents. Like most kids' bikes, the Tonka Mighty Tough is heavy at 31 pounds, and the seat doesn't adjust very much, which frustrates some parents. The Tonka Mighty Tough is designed for kids between the ages of 2 and 4, or those with inseams between 14 and 17 inches. While Tonka doesn't make a corresponding girl's version, we also found good reviews for the 12-inch Huffy Sea Star for girls (*Est. $39).

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We found few reviews of 16-inch kids' bikes, but one expert recommends the Electra Mini Rod 16 for kids with inseams of 22 to 25 inches. The Mini Rod comes with removable training wheels, and the steel frame is sturdy and… durable. In fact, one reviewer says this bike would be a great hand-me-down because "even with minimal maintenance, it should last forever." The bike's hefty weight (35 pounds) is the biggest drawback, and you'll have to go to a bike shop to buy it. For girls, Electra offers the same bike with a step-through frame in the Electra Hawaii 16 (*Est. $220).

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The 20-inch Marin Hidden Canyon also earns an expert's recommendation for kids with inseams 26 inches and longer. Thanks to an aluminum frame, the Marin Hidden Canyon is lighter than most steel-framed kids' bikes. It also… has multiple gears to help kids power up hills. The Marin Hidden Canyon is recommended by Bicycling magazine because it's safe and reliable, and the brakes get high marks for good stopping power. The Marin Hidden Canyon has a simple, unadorned design, and it comes in silver for boys and powder blue for girls. The Hidden Canyon is only available through independent dealers, so you'll have to visit a bike shop to get one.

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