does anyone have a Tomcat trike?

[anniebear]

Just wondered what you though of it?

we are about to apply for a grant to get one for Ellie

Thanks

colt trike here

sorry, whats a colt trike?

here
dd's looks a bit different

They look fab, (the TC trike). Was going to go for one but decided it was too much of a risk factor with ds1- as to whether it would work for him or not (and they themselves said that autistic kids are the least predicatible). So decided it was too much money to just try iyswim.

We have one - we agonised long and hard over whether Ds2 would actually ride it. He was quite keen at first but then he got cold feet so I just left it in the hall and later I found him trying to get on. Once we went out he made a big fuss about keeping his feet in the pedals to start with but the straps really do hold them in and he got used to it quite quickly. So his legs go round with the pedals even though he doesn't actually pedal it. They are pretty easy to push and are well-designed to support the child and make them feel secure.

On the downside, although they were helpful at the beginning, Tomcat seem very disorganised and don't communicate well. They didn't exactly promise but they suggested a week when the trike would be ready and then nothing materialised. Each time I had to chase them up and often they would promise to ring back but didn't. Then once we had got the trike they recalled half of it saying there was a possible problem with the steering. They sent a courier but with no box or anything so I had to wrap it up in an old duvet cover to try and protect it as it is a very odd shape. Then although they had promised they would check it and send it back by return it took 3 more weeks and several phone calls before we saw it again.

In addition the trike comes with no instructions and it is not exactly intuitive - it took a bit of working out how to fit the two parts together and undo and I had to phone and ask them how to work the parking brake. Having said all that the actual trike is really nice and pretty much as they describe. Ds2 really enjoys his and it has meant we can walk a lot further than we used to with him without him having to be in the pushchair or trailing along behind, knackered.

Jimjams - we are miles away from you - but if you are ever in East Anglia you would be welcome to come and try Ds2's trike. Though in fact you would probably be closer to go and try it in their shop in Gloucs. It's a shame we can't lend it to you for a week or two.

Thanks for that

we wouldnt have a problem with Ellie not liking it, she would get straight on!!!

Can't belive it came with no instructions????? The one I want has controls (brake, steering) surely you would need to be told how to use it?!!!

Most of the controls are fairly straightforward, just putting the two parts together isn't obvious. I told them when they recalled it that I thought it ought to have instructions and they said that a few people had mentioned that and they were putting some together, so they might have got something by the time you get one. Though I wouldn't hold your breath . You can work it out (well Dh could ) but it isn't ideal.