Customer Reviews

Kettler Kettrike Junior Tricycle

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
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We bought the Kettrike Junior for our two-year old son this Christmas. I just got done putting it together and figured I would write an initial review to help others who may be thinking about getting a tricycle for a Christmas present and considering this one.

Right off the bat, just wanted to make sure people understand which model comes with the push bar -- you have to make sure you are ordering model "8152-599" if you want the push bar. I don't think any other model of the Kettrike Junior comes with the pushbar included (so if you bought a different model number, you'll have to buy the pushbar separately).

After reading the other reviews, I decided to make sure I put this thing together well before Christmas Day. It took me about an hour, going very slowly and methodically through the instructions. Everything went smoothly, so it's not bad provided that you take your time and pay attention - I would recommend NOT waiting until Christmas Eve to put this together!

The directions are pictorial only, and one thing I realized only midway through is that each time you are screwing any bolt/nut, you're supposed to use these little tools they provide you with to really make sure you've got it tightened. The directions don't explicitly say anything about that, but you'll realize halfway through that everything is way too lose (seat especially) if you just try to hand-tighten it. So just a heads up.

The trike feels solid and well built; the frame is metal and the parts that are plastic seem pretty strong. This is German-quality, not the cheap stuff made in China these days. I left everything set by default to the "smallest" setting since my son is only two, but there are some adjustable settings that we can expand as he gets older.

I'll update this review after the holidays with information about how the trike actually rides when my son is using it, but I'm pretty sure he's going to love it.

I'm glad I bought the Kettrike Junior as his first tricycle - it looks like it should last a long time.

UPDATE: 9 months later and my son loves the tricycle, it's holding up very well and rides great on sidewalks, although he hasn't gone "off road" with it very much. He loves carrying stuff in the bucket "trunk" too.

My son has had this trike since last summer. It is a heavy, study bike that he rides every day. We have to keep it in the house all winter so he can ride around the house. It doesn't tip over easily (but it does tip over if my son is messing around). I put it together myself and it was pretty easy to assemble. I recommend this trike for bigger toddlers (age 2 and up) since it's pretty heavy and even at the most compact setting most kids under 2 won't be able to reach the pedals. My son is almost 3 and still doesn't pedal consistently because of the weight of the bike.

Parents: This is a GREAT first tricycle. It is very well made and constructed. The quality of the components (hardware and parts) is very high and so it is well worth the price, if you appreciate well made hiqh quality devices.

It comes with several small tools that permit assembly without any other items, but a large flat-blade screwdriver is useful to assist with attaching the seat. If you can assemble a bicycle or metal furniture, you can probably assemble this tricycle without too many mistakes. The instructions are pictorial and are easy to mis-understand. The sequence of assembly may not be exactly right, but the parts fit together very well and it is a solid bike when finished. Hint: if the parts don't seem to fit well, check and re-check the way you are putting them together. No persuasion is required, and if you think you need a hammer, you're making a mistake.

The little plastic bucket trunk is great! One thing you can do to improve this: drill a small hole or two in the bottom to allow water to drip out, if this trike will be in the rain or sprinkler splash.

The handlebar must be aligned with the front tire to be straight. There is a safety feature designed into the way the the front wheel's mount so that it may not turn more than about 45deg either way. The splash-guard fender must be placed the correct way for this to work. There is a tiny arrow pointing forward on the underside of this fender. The instruction diagram does show this, but it can be easy to miss this kind of detail when assembling the tricycle. And aligning the handlebar so that it is straight isn't too hard, but it requires attention when you are tightening the bolt. These steps in the instructions are not easy to figure out if you don't have any idea how to put a bike together. I have experience working on seasonal bike assembly from years ago, and so I didn't have a problem not understanding the way it should work. But, if you don't understand, then it may take you a while to figure it out. Don't do this while the child is watching.

This tricycle may be a new model (it's June 2008) because it isn't listed on the Kettler USA website (www.kettlerusa.com) and I have not seen it in any stores.

So... if you don't know how to put together a bicycle or perhaps metal office furniture, and you don't think you can figure out how to with only some pictures, consider getting assistance with assembly. But, don't be discouraged about getting this tricycle; it is well worth the money and the assembly is only hard because the design and construction have so many intricate and well designed features. This is about as well constructed a tricycle as I can imagine. Great for the very youngest riders, with about six months walking experience. My nineteen-month-old is on it and eager to for for a ride after just thirty minutes of practice keeping his feet on the pedals and such.

I think this is a great first choice tricycle. Other reviewers point out that the accessories are included (that's right) and that other models have a mechanism that allows the front wheel pedals to free-wheel. This trike doesn't have that, and I think it's better because of it. Read the reviews about other Kettler tricycle models if you don't understand what this is about.

I bought the Kettler bike for our 2 year old boy. His older brother used to ride a "Radio Flyer" trike but it didn't last. So far I am impressed. It seems undestructible; consists of metal frame with plastic components such as wheels, seat, cargo loader. It was easy to assemble; approximately 30 minutes. I concluded it was the BMW of tricycles (did I mention Kettler is designed and built in Germany?). The seat position is adjustable; so it should fit most kides between 18 mos to 3 yrs. I also recommend buying a $17 dollar push-bar for those toddlers that will need some assistance at first. Just like with other German vehicles, I am certain this one will have a great resale value at a garage sale.

Just wanted everyone to realize that apparently this model now comes with the push bar. The specs here online don't indicate so, and one or two other reviews recommended buying the push bar separately (which I did). Seems that this model now comes standard with the push bar, so I have to figure out how to return mine. Otherwise, seems like a great little bike. My son has always loved the trikes he can push around the block with his feet. This is his first with pedals. He's still getting the hang of it, but this bike rides very smoothly and I think will get a great amount of use for a number of years. Just don't buy the handle separately.

I started my search for a tricycle on the department store shelves and expected to spend about $30. Everything I found was at least $40 and either cheaply made or not expandable enough (typically, a seat that can be moved back about an inch). Leave it to German engineering to come to the rescue with the Kettler line of solidly built trikes. The Junior is of simple design, strong as nails, extremely functional, and cute as a button. My son is learning fast, which I believe is partly due to the Junior's solidity and ease of riding. He loves it, and I don't regret paying more for it.

My 19 month old boy can't reach the pedals yet but loves to ride it anyway. My 5 year old boy always wants to ride the trike - around the house. They both love riding the trike.

So far so good. My son is only 15months, but loves to sit and play on this bike. It seems really well made and it was easy to put together. Well worth the price.

We had a bought a different trike for our first son and regret not having bought this one - this one is much better made and hard to tip over.