What’s the hottest trend in kiddie transportation? Vintage tricycles. Parents (grandparents too!) are spending big bucks to get the very best wheels for their kids.
Think you want to get in on the trend? I’ve rounded up the five best retro trikes around and have found the five coolest rides around.
1. Morgan Cycle Retro Tricycle
Design rules at Morgan Cycle: The company’s first product was this elegant ride for pint-sized hipsters. The original 1936 Van Doren toy that proved to be an American classic inspired Morgan’s tricycle. Get ready with the Amex card. Morgan’s retro tricycles cost around $149. It’s a decent value when you consider these bikes are solidly constructed with plenty of “wow” details. The Black Hawk retro tricycle is made from handcrafted steel. Vintage car aficionados will adore the chrome trim, durable steel spokes, solid rubber wheels, and leather saddle seat. The clean lines and elegant curves of this bike make it a hands down winner. If you’re really into “heavy metal” bikes, the hotrod version of this tricycle (complete with orange flames) is the bike for you.
2. Schwinn Roadster 12″ series
Founded in 1895, Schwinn is perhaps the most famous brand in the bike world. You can count on them to have easy-to-ride bikes and these classic trikes are no exception. The Schwinn roadster trikes are hard to tip thanks to their low center of gravity. Styling details, such as tassels and shiny silver fenders give them great curb appeal. Pick from five designs (including Mickey and Minnie Mouse) in a range of colors. I’m smitten with the spiffy blue model. Prices range by color and model from $64.99-$79.99. For those with a tighter budget, Schwinn is an excellent choice.
3. Air Flow Collectibles Sky King
Sure these are heavy and expensive, but boy do they turn heads. This 22″ high tricycle is simply beautiful to behold (and closely resembles the Morgan tricycle). The chrome accents make this snazzy ride a winner, but due to the old-school styling (kids sit up high) it’s a little tough for tiny cyclists to balance and pedal. Kids will stick with it though, because the Sky King has a magnetic effect. Just try to bring this to a playground without attracting a crowd of tots! I am impressed with details like working headlight and lead-free paint. Pick from pink or red and expect to pay $169.99.
4. Kettler Classic Low Rider
Known for their craftsmanship and unfussy European design, Kettler has become extremely popular brand on American playgrounds. To lure even more parents to their offerings, they’ve added a retro tricycle to their extensive line of wheeled-toys. Though it’s not as gorgeous as the Morgan or Air Flow, parents appreciate the push bar, taking some of the backbreaking work out of teaching a kid to pedal. The Classic Low Rider Tricycle features a patented 3-in-1 auto flywheel and a large 12″ EVA foam front tire. I like being able to stash a snack on the removable backpack. Other features of this $79.99 trike include a 4-position adjustable seat, and ergonomic handlebars complete with streamers.
5. Radio Flyer Classic red tricycle
No review would be complete without a mention of the Radio Flyer. Nope not the sled, the tricycle. The company has been in business for nearly a century, making me trust their overall product reliability. The delicious red color and shiny chrome handlebars make it irresistible to kids. I like the adjustable seat and sturdy steel construction, but my mini road testers report that this is a heavy bike to handle. List price is $99.99, but these often go on sale.
