Tricycle with parent handle wanted

[Chickadee]

We're thinking of buying dd a tricycle for christmas. She'll be 2, a little small for some of the ones we've tried as her feet don't touch the ground from the seat! But still might get one in the Christmas sales and put it away for a while. DH has his eye on a very expensive one from Europe, can't remember the name. I'm hoping for a cheaper alternative. Can anyone recommend one (or point out ones to avoid?)

[nemosmum]

Yes martha were getting one for O its called the euro trike and comes with all the bells and whistles
*Parent handle
*foot rest and pedals
*seat belt
*flag, bell and tray
*parent brake at the back etc etc etc
Im buying it through a fundraiser at work for $149 but Ive seen them advertised for $169 in Sydneys child mag, let me go see if I can find the ad.

Ps it looks really safe and sturdy which is why were getting it.

found it, but I only have the number for the sydney one, perhaps you can check out Melbournes child mag?

Syd ph: 9970 7199

[Chickadee]

Thanks. I did a web search and found it, I'm sure I could find it in Melbourne if I looked (DH is a bike nut!). Looks good, I think I'd want to try it out for size as I'm not sure between the 12 month tipper trike or the bigger 2yr one.

That's not the one DH was thinking of though, I'll have to look for it and compare. Found it: By Giant, $US80. Probably double that in Australia. http://www.giantbicycles.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?year=2005&range=220

We did look at the ones at ToysRUs the other day and some of them seemed very unstable!

[draught]

Hey Martha
I have been meaning to ask the same question - although DD1 is almost 3 I want a bike that DD2 can grow into as well, so am looking for the same. There are a few companies that sell them on line - www.sunnytoys.com.au is one of them. But I would like to hear from anyone who has tried some of them out too!

[JanetF]

I just bought one at ToysRUs for about $70.00 - parent handle, little basket on the back (good for a nappy and water bottle), seat belt. Pretty easy to steer regardless of how the rider is flapping around ;)

[draught]

Janet
don't suppose you remember the brand? I suspect we will experience the flapping rider quite a bit!

Martha
Just read your edited post - those giant bikes look fantastic! But can we get them in Australia? Get your bike mad man onto it!

[Chickadee]

Theresa, there's a bike shop not too far away from us that is a Giant dealer so will check. If they have to special order it you can expect the price to be closer to AUS$200. DH might be able to order direct from the USA cheaper though, even with shipping sometimes. It doesn't have all the extras of some bikes, but I do like that the back step is a step, not a tray. When we were looking the other day most of the trikes had a warning label in the back tray that you shouldn't stand on them, but I remember doing just that all the time as a kid and using the trike as a scooter. Are kids better behaved these days?! lol

[draught]

No - they are definitely not better behaved. The way DD2 climbs onto and into everything, the tray will definitley be used as a scooter from day 1 by her. At the moment she uses the wooden push trolley as a scooter (yes - she is only 1 but is very fast!). DD1 uses it as a wheelchair - sits in it and uses her hands to push the wheels around - quite a sight to behold as she is a very tall girl and the trolley is very little! Needless to say she doesn't move very far or very fast. hence the need for a trike! :)

[LucyE]

Have you considered hiring one from a toy library to try first? We hired a Eurotrike and found them to be fairly ordinary. The wheels are plastic so were no good on anything other than a very even footpath. It's noisy and shudders with very little in the way of suspension. DS refused to ride it if it was 'off road'. I found the handle bars to be spaced too wide apart although I suppose they will grow into it... It's made in China and I just wasn't very happy with the quality overall.

We decided to buy a Berchet trike. They come in varying models (with price tags to match). The cheaper ones were very plasticky and flimsy but the upper models are quite well made.

If you can afford it, go for the top model Berchet (or equivalent brands), otherwise I would go for a Eurotrike over the cheaper Berchets.

[draught]

Good idea Lcuy - don't know why I didn't think of it myself - I have done that with other toys before buying - my brain must be on holiday!

[clairbear]

I bought one from Target for sixty bucks called a WEERIDER which is absolutely fantastic! People stop us in the street all the time and ask where we got it. The handle is very sturdy and has adjustable height, making it comfortable for my DH and I as we are both 6 ft 1 ! It has a great sunshade over it, a seat belt to keep our son strapped in safely, pedals and a footrest for him to choose from and thick rubber wheels. It also has a safety brake, and is made from steel not plastic (except for the seat). The handle can be removed later for when the child is able to ride by himself.
Unfortunately lots of my friends tried to get one at Target but they were sold out. Someone told me they saw them at Toysrus for a higher price. Maybe you can find them on the net....Good luck!

[nemosmum]

Lucy E thanks for the info on the euro trike hmmmm not happy Jan Ill see if I can stop my order.

Clair the weerider sounds ideal, Ill start looking :)

[Jenko]

Thought I would add my bit on trikes- we got J the Berchet for her 1st birthday. It is expensive ( about $325) but it is great. Because she is still too young to peddle I figured the money was worth it cos she will have years of use out of it. (Had to justify it somehow! :) The wide handle makes it really easy for parents to steer without it tipping over.

[razzle]

Martha I was just strolling through ebay and came across this - is this the sort of thing you're looking for??

click here (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BNIB-Learn-Ride-Tricycle-Trike-for-Christmas-Gift_W0QQitemZ7726590844QQcategoryZ2989QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem)

[Chickadee]

Yes Rach, something like that. I wouldn't buy that one off Ebay though, simply cause I'm not familiar with the brand but suspect I can get the same or very similar at my local toy store for less or without having to pay $18 shipping!

I've been very slack at looking for a trike since posting my question on here. Bad mummy. But I did buy DD a train set, lol :D

[Chickadee]

DH bought the Giant tricycle for DD on the weekend. It was $128 if anyone's comparing prices. It looks like an old fashioned trike & doesn't have a lot of the features mentioned by Clairebear on the Weerider she bought - ie no seat belt, no sunshade, no foot rests. It is an all steel frame, excellent bearings at the wheels, adjustable seat and we have a parent handle on order to bolt onto the back. Steering with the parent handle looks to be impossible though, and I'm not sure if there is a brake on the handle or not but doubt it.

[Jaroslava]

If anyone is looking for a great alternative to a Trike or Bike with a Parent Handle we have just brought a product called Push me Home which can attach to any Trike or Bike and it works great.
They are available on line through Jestomic at'

www.jestomic.com (http://www.jestomic.com)

they apparently are also available through bike shops but i purchased online and delivery was secure and prompt

[Seacretsquirrel]

We have the smart trike (from Target etc) it is rather flimsy and a royal PITA the kids have a tendancy to counter steer so the steerable parent handle while good in theory I am finding its not so great.

It also has plastic wheels and is VERY noisy too.