Kids Bikes: Ratings of Sources
Total of 15 Sources
For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
Kids' Bikes: Reviews
by Christine Bucher
Our Assessment
Five kids' bikes -- each for a different age group -- earn a thumbs-up in Bicycling magazine's most recent buyer's guide. Each bicycle receives a brief review, although the bikes are not compared or rated in any way. Still, Bicycling is the most credible recent reviewer of kids' bikes, and its reviews are based on testing.
Babble Best: Tricycles
by Nicole Feliciano
Our Assessment
This article from Babble.com is a good overview of tricycle options for kids. While the Kettler Air Navigator is deemed the Babble Best, each of the tricycles gets a good review and no drawbacks are noted. It appears the bikes were tested on the playground to gauge child reactions.
Summer Toys
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Our Assessment
ConsumerReports.org doesn't test kids' bikes as they do other products, but it includes one tricycle -- the Razor Rip Rider 360 -- in its group of summer toys tested by kids. Of the 11 children in the focus group, 10 kids selected the Razor Rip Rider as their favorite among the toys tested.
Kids' Bikes
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our Assessment
The owner-written reviews at Amazon.com are plentiful and helpful. There are many recent reviews, and the bikes are rated according to a five-star system. The drawback is that you won't find reviews here for anything that Amazon.com does not sell. And although there are hundreds of reviews for tricycles, there aren't many for bigger bikes.
Toys: Bikes
by Contributors to Walmart.com
Our Assessment
The bike reviews listed at Walmart.com are not as detailed as those found on Amazon.com, but most bikes listed here receive dozens of reviews. Wal-Mart, however, sells a lot of budget-priced bicycles and does not have a large selection of high-end brands. Still, some bikes receive very good ratings from parents.
Easy Riders: Tricycles
by Editors of Cookie magazine
Our Assessment
This article is several years old, but some of the tricycles reviewed are still on the market. Cookie highlights 12 tricycles for various age groups, but the reviews focus mainly on features. However, commentary on how easy the bike is to assemble is very helpful.
Children's Bike Reviews
by Contributors to Buzzillions.com
Our Assessment
Buzzillions.com includes a number of kids' bicycles, but few get more than a few dozen reviews. Buzzillions collects owner-written reviews from various online retailers, including ToysRUs.com and REI.com. Some of the reviews can be detailed, and a summary of the main pros and cons listed in each review is helpful.
Toys
by Editors of Parents' Choice
Our Assessment
Parents' Choice is a nonprofit reviewer of kids' toys and products, but manufacturers must submit their products for consideration. The Razor Rip Rider 360 is one of several toys to earn a Parents' Choice Recommended label in its latest toy test. The Rip Rider receives a short review that incorporates tester feedback.
Riding Toys: Editor's Picks
by Editors of TimeToPlayMag.com
Our Assessment
This report covers ride-on toys, and only includes one tricycle -- the Razor Rip Rider 360. The review is not balanced and focuses mainly on features; we also don't know why these toys and bikes were picked over others. While the editors are named on the About Us page, it's not clear who is behind this site.
All Kids' Bikes
by Contributors to Target.com
Our Assessment
Some kids' bikes attract a good number of reviews at Target.com, but few receive very good overall ratings. Target.com is a good source to check for reviews, but Amazon.com and Walmart.com have more individual reviews for kids' bikes.
Kids Reviews
by Contributors to MTBR.com
Our Assessment
MTBR.com allows users to post reviews of mountain bikes. (The site does not sell anything directly.) There aren't many reviews posted for children's bikes at MTBR.com, but there are reviews for some high-end bicycles, which can be hard to find. Most of the bikes reviewed at this site are mountain bikes.
Bigger Kids: Which Bike to Choose and Buy as Children Grow
by Editors of iBike.com
Our Assessment
The International Bike Fund is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to "promote bicycle transportation." This site offers a great deal of information on how to buy bicycles and use them safely. It… points out that the organization does not have the resources to purchase and test all of the kids' (and adults') bikes out there, but it does offer a comprehensive discussion of what to look for when shopping for a bike.
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Get Their Bikes Spinning!
by Michele Herman
Our Assessment
This section on kids' bikes, diced into a four-story package, deals with buying the right bike, taking your child with you and seeing the world on a bike. There's a particularly informative piece on how to… take the training wheels off a bike that we didn't see elsewhere. Probably the most helpful part is a primer on how to buy a bike by looking at hand gripping and seat adjustment. Unfortunately, there is no information here on specific bike models.
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14. ConsumerReports.org
July 2004
Bicycles: More Bike for the Buck
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Our Assessment
According to this old report from ConsumerReports.org, you get what you pay for. Wal-Mart and Toys "R" Us sell plenty of bikes that seem like "good deals," but ConsumerReports.org suggests you buy a… higher-quality bike, such as those recommended in their ratings charts, although no children's bikes are listed. Editors say that a cheaper bike may be an option for a growing child who will outgrow it quickly, but add that you will get more for your money by spending a little more.
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Children's Bikes and Frames
by Contributors to Epinions.com
Our Assessment
Product reviews for children's bikes are hard to find at Epinions.com, but those we found complement the reviews found at other sites. Few kids' bikes get more than a few reviews, however.
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