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Parenting

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Original poster

Smart trike

10 replies

tgrayson · 22/04/2014 22:42

Hello, my parent would like to buy my ds a smart trike for his first birthday. The online reviews seem very varied. Wondered if anybody could offer any advice. Are they as good as they advertise? Would anyone recommend a smart trike? Or suggest any alternatives?

Thank you

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PansOnFire · 23/04/2014 00:39

We bought one last week and it's great! DS is 17 months and I wish I'd been able to get me sooner but the weather hasn't been good enough. We have the ladybird smart trike which is quite boyish, it's also more robust than I thought it would be as it's a mid-price version. The alternative trikes we looked at were all quite difficult to steer, the more expensive smart trikes had accessories like toy phones but also had a brake which ours doesn't. They all were able to have the steering and pedals disengaged so that the parent is in control rather than the child and these can be changed separately. The more expensive ones were also steered from the handle at the back which moved the wheel at the front whereas ours is 'touch-steer', you push the handle and it goes the correct way

I bought the ladybird because the more expensive ones were either pricey because of the accessories or because that had more features for younger babies (reclinable seats, extra padding etc). Our seat has a comfortable cover on it which can be removed but they all have harness straps which are a necessity.

Toys r Us had loads of different types which we tried, the cheaper ones seem to do the same as the more expensive ones but the non smart-trike makes didn't seem as streamlined or easy to push.

NorthEasterlyGale · 23/04/2014 08:37

We've got one for DS1 (22 months) - got it for his first birthday too (I couldn't think what else to get and found a good deal as I had a discount voucher for somewhere or other!). We find it very handy if one of us is taking him out without his younger brother; it's easier to push than the pram and he enjoys being in it. My dad loves taking him out in it when my parents visit!

DS1 has had a go at steering it now and then, but we haven't progressed to peddling yet!

Thin ours is the 'Dream' 4-in-1 version. Only bit of advice I'd give is don't put anything heavy in the tray at the back as it'll come off! Also, don't let your toddler steer when you're in a shopping centre with shiny floors and are in a hurry - it makes the steering very easy and you'll find yourself going wherever your toddler wants you to

cloggal · 23/04/2014 19:26

I have the little tikes one ready for 1st birthday - bought on the recommendation of a friend whose DS loves his so much he wanted to sleep strapped into it :) I'm hoping my DS enjoys his half as much!

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AMillionNameChangesLater · 23/04/2014 20:28

Ds1 got one at 15 months and hated it, still does.

Melonbreath · 24/04/2014 09:38

We just got one half price from tescos. 16 month old dd LOVES it.

ToysRLuv · 25/04/2014 18:58

We had one, but it was a pain to push around. Buggy was loads easier. I would go for a balance bike in a year or two and by-pass trikes.

whatcolour · 28/04/2014 07:41

I thought they were very expensive and people who had them rarely used them. Good if you walk every day and intend to push them in it everywhere... But most people just had it sat around the house. Scooter at 18 mths and balance bike at 2 for us both times.

wheresthelight · 28/04/2014 07:54

I have the little tikes one for dd (8 months) and she loves it! My dsc's love playing on their bikes so got it so I could take her with them. Steering is very easy as long as you remember to twist the thing on the front wheel!

I have a few friends who love it! The only thing I find a faff is the sun shade thing so was grateful mine didn't have it (got second hand)

BikeRunSki · 28/04/2014 08:11

They are awful, v badly made and v expensive for what they are. Too flimsy to go far, certainly not a pushchair alternative. We have had 3- ds had one for his first birthday - wheels wore through and steering went with about 6 months occasional use. Certainly not reusable for dd 3 years later. Dd got one for her 1st birthday - handle snapped and steering went the 6th time we used it. ELC replaced it - handle snapped. Gave up. Toddlers trikes are great , just not Smart Trikes. Much better from Puky. Or cheaper ftom Argos. But Smart Trike manage to be v pricey and poor quality!

NowthenMcmardybum · 28/04/2014 08:16

DD got one for her 1st birthday a month ago. She LOVES it- she is forever trying to get in it in the house! She was walking at 10 months so is running about happily now but obviously can't manage long distances. She gets frustrated in her pushchair but loves going in her Trike because she can sit and nosey and doesn't feel strapped in, despite the 5 point harness. We have this one www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1518986.htm seems to be good quality and steers well once you get the hang of it!

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