Customer Reviews

Kettler Kettrike Junior Tricycle with Pushbar

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I purchased this product for my 16 month old daughter who loves to "ride" on the Big Boy tricycle but can't reach the pedals and can barely hang on. The two main selling features were the pushbar, and the ability for the pedals to "free-wheel" while being pushed. Unfortunately, THIS MODEL DOES NOT FREE-WHEEL! (contrary to the Amazon product description). The pedals spin when the front wheel rolls. Search the web for other resources that more accurately describe the features that this bike has. We bought the foot platform (useless without the free-wheeling), and the seat-belt.

The adjustable frame and seat are nice features so the bike can grow with the child, but I'm not sure we'll use the bike very much until she's a little older. My daughters feet dangle and get caught in the wheel and hit by the pedals.

I just received and put this trike together last night. Seems cute and sturdy. However, I am now returning it. WARNING: this amazon product description states it includes the "3-in-1 Auto-Freewheel." IT DOES NOT. If you want this feature in a Kettrike, you need to buy a different model. I called amazon to report this and they said they would change the product profile, but have not. I gave it 4 stars because I like the bike, I just wanted that product feature too.

Kettler Kettrike Junior Tricycle with Pushbar

I purchased this for my three y.o. daughter. Relatively easy to put together, it took less than 30 minutes from opening the box to having my daughter riding it (and this was with constant bombardment of "is it ready yet?!"). It does not have the autofreewheel feature as described under "Product Features" as several other reviewers have correctly pointed out. I am actually happy for it because I want my daughter to learn how to pedal, and to associate the foot/pedal movement with movement of the tricycle. If I wanted the freewheel feature, I would have opted for the Kettler Airs (Navigator or Happy) and would be my suggestion.

I have yet to figure out exactly what "Maxxtread" tires are. It is not the same tires as the Kettler Air series (which are actual rubber tires with air), but does not feel completely plastic either, since it feels rubbery to the touch. It may be that there is a rubber coating on the tires. My preference was for air (and rubber) tires, but the tricycles with these tires do not have a fixed-wheel feature (all freewheel). Will update as the tires get more wear and tear.

I gave this a 4-star rather than 5-star for two reasons: First, my preference would be air tires and no freewheel. Unfortunately, Kettler does not provide this option for any of the models. It seems to be one or the other, and not both. But because my preference for no freewheel supersedes the rubber tires, I finally opted for the Kettrike. Second, I have no use for the pushbar. My daughter is very independent and does not want me to push her while she is riding it. I would have rather saved the $20(?) from the pushbar and upgrade the tires (if it was at all possible).

I purchased this with the toddler safety helmet and the bell:
Bell Lil' Bell Shell Toddler/Kids' Bike Helmet
Kettler Bell Red Metal Bell
I did not get the seatbelt option.

Overall, I am happy with my decision and purchase (so far), and my daughter is very happy with her tricycle. Will update in a month or so.

This is the first product I have ever written a review for, and I think that I am doing it only because I am so disappointed with this tricycle. Like many other people, I had spent over a month looking at the options for a tricycle for our three year old that has spina bifida. His PTs had recommended that we get a tricycle to help with his leg strengthing...we were very excited to get the tricycle, it was fairly easy to assemble, but we noticed right away that you couldn't put the seat back in the last couple of holes (as the child grows) and still use the pushbar. The tires are plastic, I think they use the name Maxxtread, and it may conatin a minimal amount of rubber, but it looks and feels like any other plastic tire. We keep tightening the handle bars but they keep getting misaligned with the front wheel anytime he rides on a non-smooth surface. The bucket seat is very small. And last, the tricycle has tipped over several times with him riding it, one of the claims of the company is that it has a lower center of gravity which is supposed to prevent this. I would return it, but Amazon said that it has to be in new condition with all of the packaging, oh well, I'll know better next time. Hope this review helps.

I bought this trike based on the Amazon description where it lists that it has "3-in-1 Auto-Freewheel". Be Warned that this is NOT correct. This trike does not have the Auto Freewheel so the pedals will continue to turn as you push it and if your child does not yet know how to pedal then he has no where to rest his feet! Unfortunately we did not realize this until we purchased the bike and put it together.. so we then had to take it apart and return it. I let both Amazon and the company that we got it from that the description on the web site was incorrect but nearly a month later it's not changed. Also note that this trike does not work with the Lil-Foote Kettrest because it does not have the Auto-Freewheel so the foot rest can not attach to the pedals. Probably a great trike for older kids but for the tiny ones who are just learning to sit and use a trike... not a good fit.

Please note that the item shipped is NOT the SAME as the item in the description. While all Kettler bikes are probably fabulous, I specifically purchase this one because the item escription stated it had the free wheel system so that my 1 year old, who can not yet pedal, could still ride without constantly being whacked in the shins by the pedals. THIS BIKE DOES NOT HAVE THAT FEATURE. At first, Amazon gave me a hard time accepting the return since we took more than a month to send it back and it was already assembled. When I pointed out that this was obviously a recurring problem based on all of the recent reviews (posted after my purchase) they agreed to accept the return.

I thought my 2 year old would love this. But the handlebar keeps slipping and won't turn the wheel accurately, no matter how much I tighten the clamp around the stem, so he has a hard time pedaling it and steering. He gets frustrated and asks to walk. Without the freewheel feature and the ability to steer, it's just become an inconvenient backbreaking stroller. Unfortunately, I hear that the slipping handlebar is a common issue for Kettler trikes.

My husband and I purchase this tricycle for our 2 year old son for Christmas. Our son loves it and enjoys putting all sorts of toys in the back. He likes the "parent" handle on the back and is learning what steering and peddling are all about.

The only two negative things are a couple screw were missing but my husband, an engineer, was able to make things work. The screw that holds the handle bars to the main frame isn't the correct one so the yellow plastic piece at the joint doesn't fit as it should. Our son doesn't notice and it works for us...We'll change it soon. The drawing on the assemly directions isn't very good at all...my husband figured how to assemble it with some tinkering but didn't find the assemly process too lengthy or frustrating.

This is a great purchase and it has been a joy to see our son enjoy learning how to ride it at our local park.

This tricycle has been perfect for my son. We got it for him when he was 2 and he is now almost 4. The pushbar came in handy not only to teach him to pedal but once he was able to pedal I was able to push when he got tired. Several reviewers complained that the description is wrong, that it doesn't have the free wheel feature. It doesn't have that feature but that wasn't an issue for us, in fact we are happy it doesn't have it. Since the pedals move when the tricycle moves I think it assisted better with teaching him since he didn't have the option to coast. Now he's a pro on it. Another thing that I like is that it doesn't tip over easily like the other ones he tried. It is a sturdy bike that can be passed down to younger siblings.

This is made in Germany and solid! It holds up to 200 lbs. My 2-year-old loves this one, and it's the only bike he can actually ride up or down hill. It is very easy to pedal. The push bar is a HUGE plus and makes it easy for mom/dad to help out on really steep hills, or to keeps tabs on your child. There are no cons to this bike for us. It will last through grandkids. We even bought the bell to add on, and it's very cute! My son is 39 lbs. and 40 inches so I don't think it will fit him until age 6 since he is so tall. But hey, it's still worth it for our 3 kids!

Note that is does not have the pedal lock option like some of the more expensive Kettler versions. So, if you need that option, you'd need a different model.