queenofallevil's Full Review: Schwinn 12" Roadster Tricycle
When buying a tricycle for my toddler - I was faced with the question: Buy the standard cheap red tricycle, or go "all in" on a Schwinn?
Ever since I was just a kid myself, I've had what one could call a love affair with Schwinn. My very first Schwinn came to me when I was much older than my own son, I was 10 and it was my second bike - a pink Schwinn Stingray, complete with sissybar and banana seat. Of all the bikes I've ever owned that was the one bike that could take a beating again and again. My memories of my own first tricycle are not that wonderful. Granted, it was the 70's and back then us kids had toys that would make the modern world cringe - complete with all the dangers. Lead paint? Check. Sharp metal edges? Check. Things that easily caught on fire? Check. We lived dangerously back then, but hey - we loved it. :) My first tricycle was more of a TRYcycle - you TRIED to play with it without getting hurt. It was the standard red metal tricycle, and my favorite game was not to ride on it, but to stand on the back and kick my way around like it was a scooter. I think I still have permanant scars on the top of my feet from when I would misjudge my kicks and my foot would get sliced on the bottom sharp, rusty edge of the back standing plate.
I looked through the aisles of all the new "safer" tricycles of today's generation. Though many of the new models were indeed safer - rubberized and padded.....and some mostly made of plastic....my eye kept swinging over to the shiny blue 12" Schwinn Roadster Trike. I'm not sure if it was all the shiny chrome, or the leather handlebar streamers, or just nostalgia from my own Schwinn days, but I sucked it up and paid over $100 dollars for it, knowing that my husband was going to respond with a "YOU PAID WHAT???" when I got home.
Though he wasn't pleased with what I paid that day, looking back now we know that this purchase was worth EVERY CENT.
Assembly was very easy. I've assembled my share of bicycles before, but the instructions that came was very clear and easy to navigate. In all, I'd say 15 minutes was all the journey took from box opening to completion and ride-readiness.
But what about all the bells and whistles, Val? What makes this tricycle worth all that cash?
Well, here's my own rundown of what this tricycle has to offer:
LOW CENTER OF GRAVITY: Perhaps the biggest plus of this trike, Schwinn modeled it to look "retro" and "old school" but in the design they also made sure the bike had a very low center of gravity and a very wide back wheel spead. This means less chance of toplling and injury. Schwinn proved it - you can make a "cool" looking bike but still make it safe!
COMFORTABLE BUCKET SEAT: A nice comfy seat with a full back, so your little one won't be afraid to test higher speeds and at the same time be able to go longer distances. The seat also comes with a "handle" cut out in the back for parents! :)
STRONG METAL FRAMEWORK: Not only is it strong, it is low to the ground and very easy for even the smallest child to climb into. They won't have to lift one leg high to get in like traditional trikes, and one feel of the framework and you'll know what a quality product this is - it is suprisingly VERY HEAVY, which would be normally a concern, but since most toddlers can't tip it over it becomes more of a plus.
REAL LARGE SIZED AIR-FILLED TIRES: Just like a real bike - gives the trike a much smoother and more comfortable ride than solid tires, the large circumference adds to the stability and speed the trike can achieve, and makes getting around a lot less...well, if you'll excuse the pun...tiring (literally!). In terms of Physics...larger tires mean less effort to push per distance.
SNAZZY PAINT JOB AND FULL CHROME: The Schwinn 12" Roadster Trike comes in three colors, Pink, Red, and Blue (I opted for blue) and is covered in lovely chrome details - chrome handlebars, chromed bell, chrome-tipped grips and lovely paint/chrome combo fenders for all three wheels for added safety. All three tire frames are also chrome with spokes.
REAL WOODEN BACK DECK: Unlike my old "ankle biter"; this trike comes with a stylish and very safe real wooden back deck to stand on, complete with a burned in Schwinn logo. SWEET!
HANDLEBAR TASSLES: Black leather tassles on the rubberized and cushioned grips make this trike look stunning. But in case you worry that tassles aren't your child's "thing", (Boys may associate tassles with "girl bikes") they are removeable and can be taken off easily. ;)
WIDE PEDALS: The pedals are perfect for little feet, they are wide with almost a paddle design, have no holes designed in, and are completely rubberized for secure gripping.
EXTENDED LIFE: Most people would probably shy away from this trike's price tag alluding that "My child will grow out of this too quickly for me to spend so much on it". But let me assure you, this is no average trike. The quality and design of this trike means your child can use it for years after most standard trikes have hit the scrap heap. This is a durable quality product that can even accomodate kids past the toddler years. Our next door neighbor has a daughter who is six and I still see her borrowing it time to time. ;)
The only "downside" I think most parents will have beside the price is the fact all the wheels have spokes, which many of us have learned can be potentially dangerous if curious kiddos try to flip the trike over, run the wheel and then stick their fingers inside. (I know I used to do it as a kid!) It appears Schwinn anticipated that, and though the tricycle has spokes, the handlebars and the seat are rounded in design and can not be placed upside down - and the weight of the framework also adds in to the unlikeliness that your child could ever do so.
In all, this is a great product and one I am proud to recommend to anyone in the market. Though the price may be steep, it is well worth purchasing. You can't go wrong with Schwinn in getting all three S's included in your purchase...Stylish, Sturdy, and Safe!
More can be found about Schwinn's youth trikes and bikes here at the official website (kid's section):
The Schwinn& Roadster 12-in tricycle is crafted around a retro-styled frame with a low center of gravity and a real wood deck. It has mustache-style c...More at Sports Authority
With the Schwinn 12" Roadster, Schwinn has added all the cool extras like fenders, streamers, a bell and rear wooden deck. They added on the custom ha...More at TricycleKids.com
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