Are you thinking about getting a new set of wheels for your toddler? Here are the best strollers that turn into trikes and everything you should know about them – including their benefits and drawbacks!
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Tricycle stroller combo has 3 major benefits that may encourage you to invest in such a product:
- There are push trikes that offer parent-facing position, so you can start using them from about 6 months. This way it grows with your baby from infancy well into toddlerhood. It may be an alternative for a lightweight stroller!
- It stimulates baby’s motor, physical and cognitive development. It helps to teach the kids riding a bike, rules of the road, it’s a great way to practice coordination and learn cause and effect. With parents help and assistance, babies can reach next developmental milestones. You can use it at first as a push bike, until your baby masters pedaling. It’s also a great help for teaching independence. When your baby is ready, just detach unnecessary items (like grown-up handlebar, footrests, backrest and bumper bar).
- It is so much fun! Kids just love trikes and usually they can’t wait to hop on and go for a ride.
Of course as all baby gear items, tricycle stroller has some disadvantages too. Some models are quite expensive, some has pretty heavy construction (it’s a trade off for durability…) and some don’t fold down.
But don’t worry! I picked 4 amazing trike strollers that offer best functionality and price-quality ratio. Below you can read my reviews. At the end I included also a cheaper alternative.
Recommended by 92% of verified buyers!Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Tricycle Stroller Combo – Reviews
The biggest differences between standard tricycle and tricycle stroller combo is that the latter one includes a push handle for caregivers who can steer it while their little one is learning pedaling. And as I mentioned earlier, some offer parent-facing mode which makes them similar to strollers.
Such a combo grows with babies, thanks to detachable elements you can use it in a stroller mode, push trike mode, and then when your baby is ready – in a tricycle mode. Good-quality tricycle stroller is something that will serve your family for a few years, as your little one gains new skills (usually from 6-9 months, even up to 3-5 years).
Each of these tricycles that I recommend here allow children to keep their feet on pedals and move the trike’s handlebar as if they were riding a bike, without actually steering it or controlling the wheels. Until you decide that your kiddo is ready to steer the trike, you will have the full control.
Now let’s get straight to the point.
The best tricycle strollers are:
1. SmarTrike Folding Stroller Trike (BLACK FRIDAY SALE: 25% OFF)
This is the most inexpensive tricycle stroller in my ranking. It has so many great features and affordable price – I just couldn’t miss it.
In my review I will focus mainly on the most advanced version – STR7.
It can be used from 6m+ and thanks to a revolving seat, your kiddo can face you or the world. Of course it’s deeper in parent-facing mode, but generally speaking it should be sufficient for a comfy nap on-the-go.
I wish the seat padding were a bit more cushy, but it’s still fairly okay. There is a 5-point harness, belly bar and pretty big rotating canopy that comes down pretty low, providing good protection from harmful sun rays.
SmarTrike offers removable footrest for infants, foldable toddler footrests (12m+) and bike pedals for older kids (24m+).
As the baby gets older you should encourage him/her to ride in more upright position, and you can start removing piece by piece. First, you can detach the sun hood (18m+), and the safety bar (24m+). You should keep the handlebar and control the tricycle, until your baby is 2.5 years old.
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Of course he/she will be able to move the steering bar and place their fit on pedals, without actually navigating it. When kiddo knows how to pedal and steer the SmarTrike, you can turn it from a push tricycle into an independent toddler tricycle, by sliding the handlebar all the way down.
Speaking of the handlebar – SmarTrike uses patented technology called touch steering which allows you to easily push and maneuver the tricycle, even with one hand!
There is a fabric parent console at the handlebar so you can keep your essentials at hand. And in case you need more space for your belongings, you have larger storage bag between the rear wheels.
| SmarTrike is available in 3 versions right now: STR7, STR5, and STR3. If you’re wondering which SmarTrike is best, you should know that only the STR7 has parent-facing mode. STR5 and STR3 have only forward-facing seats, the former one is suitable from 9 months, while the latter one – from 10 months. Moreover, STR5 has plastic parents console, while STR3 doesn’t have it at all. Another important difference is the tricycle stroller weight. STR3 is the lightest one (16.6 lbs), STR5 is slightly heavier (17.2 lbs), while the STR7 is the heaviest one (18.9 lbs). If you asked me which SmarTrike is best, I would choose the STR7, because with the rotating seat it’s a fantastic, inexpensive stroller that turns into a tricycle and can be used well into toddlerhood. But if you’re on a budget or want a tricycle stroller suitable from 10 months, STR3 should be sufficient for you too. It’s much cheaper (see more details). Regardless of the version you will choose, you will love the fact that this tricycle stroller folds down. At the beginning it may seem a bit complicated, but it gets easier with practice. |
The last thing – wheels. Front one is bigger and has built-in shock absorbers. This cushions the ride a bit, when you hit a crack in a pavement. But keep in mind that SmarTrike wheels are plastic and have EVA foam tires which are not suitable for any off-road strolls (grass or sand will be too bumpy for the little passenger).
| Trike | Info |
|---|---|
| Tricycle Stroller Weight | 18.9 lbs |
| Dimensions | 40.16" x 18.9" x 38.8" |
| Min. Age Recommendation | 6 months |
| Max. Age Recommendation | 3 years |
2. Doona Liki Trike Review
What distinguishes Doona Liki Trike is that it’s the most compact folding tricycle stroller! This makes storage and transportation much easier, ideal for small apartments or bringing Doona for a travel.
To fold the Liki down you just need to push a button, everything takes just a few seconds. Once it’s folded, it doesn’t take up a lot of space and fits even in small car trunks.
Another thing that I really like about this tricycle stroller combo is its weight. Liki weighs only 14.7 lbs which is similar to lightweight umbrella strollers! You won’t have any problems with carrying it or lifting to the car trunk.
Let’s check other the functions that Doona Liki Trike can offer your toddler.
It’s suitable from 10 months, in a “parent mode”. In this mode you have the seat facing out (unfortunately it’s not reversible), and offers a slight recline so your child could rest a bit after all that excitement and exploring surroundings.
The backrest is nicely padded and cushy. For your child’s safety Doona tricycle is equipped with a 5-point harness and a belly bar.
What I really like about Liki Trike is that you can mount the pedals higher or lower, so they double as foot rests for younger baby. These pedals have straps to keep your baby’s feet securely in place, which I think is a big plus.
Around 18 months you can switch into “push mode” and remove the belly bar, as well as the sun hood – depending on your preferences, and the weather.
Around 24-30 months it’s time to turn the stroller into a “toddler tricycle mode” and move the pedals lower.
And when your kiddo is ready, around 30 months, you can detach the parent handlebar and the backrest. This way he/she will be able to use Doona Liki in a “bike mode” and pedal by him-/herself.
But before your kid is ready to steer Liki, you will have the full control with the adjustable push bar. There is a storage bag attached to it, which looks like a sack. It’s not huge, but it should fit your jacket or a blanket, some snacks and a bottle of water. It has capacity of 3.3 lbs.
In my opinion, additional toddler cup holder, that Doona Trike features, is a big advantage. You can put their a sippy cup, small snacks or your kiddo favorite toy.
Doona Liki Trike S3 vs S5 vs Midnight – Which Tricycle Stroller Is Best?It’s noteworthy that Doona has three types of tricycles right now: S3 Premium, S5 Deluxe and Midnight. What are the differences between these tricycles?
The biggest difference between Doona Liki Trike S3 vs S5 is that the latter one comes with a slightly different storage bag, features wooden handlebars (instead of rubber ones) and includes a travel bag. The Midnight tricycle version also comes with a travel bag, but this one has faux-leather handlebars and black aluminum frame. It is also the most expensive version. In my opinion S5 tricycle is the best out of these 3 options, considering it’s price, quality and functionality. But if you have smaller budget or don’t plan to travel with it, the S3 tricycle will be a fantastic choice too! And in case it turns out later that you need a travel bag for it, you’ll be able to order it separately (I found it for example on Amazon). |
Doona tricycle stroller has larger wheel in the front and two smaller wheels in the back. Each has a wide and thick tire. They are non-inflatable and are pretty much smooth (no tread), so they work best on flat surfaces. On pavement with small cracks it should be fine too, but I wouldn’t take it off road.
Considering Liki size, I wouldn’t say that it’s a big kid tricycle. But it’s lightweight, foldable, durable, and in a medium-price range. All of that makes Doona tricycle stroller combo a good value for money.
| Doona | Info |
|---|---|
| Tricycle Stroller Weight | 14.7 lbs |
| Dimensions | 36.8" x 19.6" x 40.35" |
| Fold | 12.5" x 23.6" x 9.1" |
| Min. Age Recommendation | 10 months |
| Weight Limit | 44.1 lbs (3 years) |
3. Joovy Tricycoo LX
In terms of features that Joovy tricycle offers, it is very similar to Bentley tricycle stroller and it can be a good, more affordable alternative for parents on a budget.
You can start using it around 6 months, with the seat facing you or out. It rotates, so you don’t have to detach it and lift it to reverse it. Keep in mind that in “parent-facing mode”, the seat recline is deeper, allowing the kid to take a nap.
This tricycle has generous, comfy padding, 5-point safety harness, bumper bar and additional detachable foot rests for younger passengers, just like Bentley stroller trikes.
Around 9 months you can start using the fully upright position. If your toddler likes to look around and observe everything during the stroll, he/she will love how straight the backrest is.
A big advantage is the sun canopy – its size is really impressive, and it also has a useful peek-a-boo window.
From 12 months and up you’ll be able to use Joovy in “push trike mode” – just detach the additional foot rests, and allow you toddler to use the basic (foldable) foot rests. Around 18 months you can fold the basic foot rests, so your little rider can place their feet on pedals without controlling the wheels yet. He/she can also move the handlebar without actually steering the tricycle. At this time you can also remove the canopy.
According to Joovy’s recommendations, at 24m+ you can remove the parent handlebar, and at 30m+ you can detach the backrest and bumper bar, if he/she doesn’t need the support anymore and is able to pedal and steer by him-/herself finally.
As you can see Joovy is another stroller that turns into a tricycle, just like Bentley tricycle stroller combo. The main difference between these two tricycles is the wheel design. Joovy doesn’t have air-filled tires. Instead, it has EVR wheels – a mixture of EVA plastic and rubber. For hard-packed, flat terrains and indoor surfaces, they are sufficient.
| PRO TIP: If Joovy Tricycoo LX still exceeds your budget, there is more pocket-friendly tricycle: Joovy Tricycoo 4.1. The main difference is that the latter one doesn’t offer parent-facing mode and it’s suitable only from 10 months+, up to 44 lbs. But it weighs only 14.4 lbs and it is half the price of Tricycoo LX! You can find this tricycle >> here <<. |
Joovy stroller trike combo is definitely worth consideration – it’s about half the price of Bentley! If you’re okay with wheels that work good only on smooth surfaces, than Joovy may be a good choice for you!
| Joovy | Info |
|---|---|
| Tricycle Stroller Weight | 25.4 lbs |
| Dimensions | 39.4" x 20.9" x 41.1" |
| Min. Age Recommendation | 6 months |
| Weight Limit | 55 lbs (5 years) |
4. Bentley Stroller Tricycle (6-in-1)
Bentley is a high-end, more luxury option in my ranking. It is a stroller that turns into a tricycle – isn’t it just super useful and practical?
From 6 months you can use it like a stroller – with the seat facing you or the world. The seat actually rotates, so you can easily change its direction, without the need to remove and lift it. It’s very convenient.
Bentley stroller was designed with infant’s comfort in mind and the brand added additional footrest. So if you want to use it with younger baby who cannot reach to trike pedals yet, you don’t have to worry that his/her feet would be dangling.
There is a footrest for younger infant which you can use both in parent-facing and front-facing mode. Once the child gets taller, you can start using the basic footrest that is mounted lower – this one works only when the kid is facing out. And once your kiddo gets big enough to reach pedals, he/she can start using them.
The seat is pretty up (curious toddlers will love it), but you can also recline it a bit in facing-parent mode. I assume that riding in Bentley will be so exciting that your child probably won’t fall asleep… But in case he/she gets really tired, the recline should be sufficient for a quick nap on-the-go.
There is a 5-point harness to keep the child securely in place, and a bumper bar – for added safety.
The seat, the backrest and the headrest are nicely padded so your little one will be comfortable at all times.
Above the seat there is a canopy. Honestly, this is the most generous canopy I’ve seen on a toddler tricycle stroller combo. It provides lots of shade, and thanks to 50 UPF waterproof fabric your child is well protected from harmful sun rays and rain too. It is mounted pretty high which makes Bentley trike stroller comfortable for taller toddler too.
The canopy has a peek-a-boo window so you can check on your little one whenever you want.
For parents convenience there is a storage basket right between the rear wheels. It’s not huge but your necessities should fit in there. There is additional storage – parent console – on the handlebar. It’s very handy for keeping your valuables and cellphone within reach.
The thing that I love most about Bentley stroller trike combo is the quality of the wheels. Most of toddlers tricycles have small plastic wheels with thin EVA foam tire which makes them wobbly even on small bumps. But that’s not the case with Bentley.
It has rubber tires filled with air, like a real bike! The tires are really wide and thick so the ride is cushy and the child doesn’t feel all those shock when you hit the bump or crack in a sidewalk. If you’re looking for a tricycle stroller that provides smooth ride – this is your best choice!
As I mention at the beginning of my review, Bentley is a stroller that turns into a tricycle – as your baby grows you can remove some parts, one by one, and adjust it to your child’s age and developmental stage. This way Bentley will be always as much comfy and safe as possible.
Around 18 months you can remove the additional footrests, and depending on the child’s height and preferences you can keep or detach the canopy and the basic footrest.
You will still have a full control and steer it with the parent handlebar. It’s possible to push Bentley with one hand when going over smooth surfaces.
Around 24 months (or whenever your child is ready) you can remove the bumper bar and parent handle, and allow your kiddo to pedal by him-/herself. Around that age you should sill keep the back support and the harness, for your child safety.
When your kid turns 3, you can remove the backrest and harness belts – if your kid is ready to ride on the tricycle without any support.
The quality, craftsmanship and all details are fantastic. It can hold a kid up to 55 pounds so it may serve you for a few good years! In my opinion Bentley is also the best big kid tricycle.
I only wish Bentley trike could fold down. This is the only downside that I found, but majority of parents who have bought it agree it’s still a worthy investment.
| Stroller | Info |
|---|---|
| Tricycle Stroller Weight | 28.2 lbs |
| Dimensions | 32.7" x 41.5" x 19.9" |
| Min. Age Recommendation | 6 months |
| Weight Limit | 55 lbs |
| Passenger Height | 24" to 3'8" |
Cheaper Alternatives – Inexpensive Push Tricycle
If you’re on a really tight budget, you may want to consider cheaper tricycle like Radio Flyer Deluxe EZ (you can see current price here). It has some advantages: it’s suitable up to 5 years, it folds down, and it weighs just under 20 pounds so it’s fairly lightweight.
But there are some downsides which you should know about: the seat doesn’t recline, lot’s of parts are made of plastic, including the wheels and seat, which lacks any kind of fabric padding.
But for occasional use in the backyard or short rides on a smooth pavement, Radio Flyer tricycle may be sufficient. I would say it’s good for beginners, 1-2 year old kids who are just learning to ride a tricycle. I’m not sure if it would survive till 5th birthday. 🙂
This is more like a push tricycle that turns into a toddler’s tricycle, but if you’re looking for a tricycle stroller combo, that will serve you longer and that would be more comfy for longer rides, it’s better to choose one of the models that I reviewed above.
Tricycle Stroller – Safety Tips
- When it’s time to turn the stroller into a tricycle – don’t forget to strap a helmet on your baby’s head. Use it every single time.
- Invest in a tricycle stroller that is sturdy and stable – remember that trikes fully made of plastic will be more wobbly and prone to tip over.
- Choose tricycle stroller with footrests – before your little one is big enough to reach pedal, footrests will provide additional support. Riding with dangling feet is not safe, and not comfortable at all!
- Assist your child – use the tricycle stroller push handle to support your baby while he/she is learning steering and pedaling.
The purpose of this article is informative. It’s not a substitute for medical consultation or medical care. Remember: safety first! The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. The article contains affiliate links – your support helps us run this blog!
Source of pictures:
Pictures of Doona Liki Trike belong to Doona. Source: https://www.shopdoona.com/
Pictures of Bentley trike belong to Bentley Motors. Source: https://bentleytrike.com/
Pictures of Joovy Tricycoo LX belong to Joovy. Source: https://joovy.com/
Pictures of SmarTrike STR7 belong to SmarTrike. Source: https://www.smartrike.com/
Pictures of Radio Flyer Tricycle belong to Radio Flyer. Source: https://www.radioflyer.com/
Hello Moms! I am Zooey. I am a wife and a mother of three amazing kids: almost 5-year-old Haley and 2-year-old twins Jesse and Matthew. I am a jogger, cooker and blogger.If you have a question or a comment, do not hesitate to write to me! 🙂
I do not believe the smarTrike STR7 rotates to face the parent, that was only the old 700 model which has been discontinued. May want to update your post.
Hi, Zooey,
I see you’re a jogger. Is this jogging friendly? I want to start running with my toddler but still want to offer a way for him to be active.
Hi,,, I am wondering which tricycle stroller is the most stable maybe for like GRANDMA or Grandpa to push, and kind of use it to lean on a little. Like for example Grandma says that she likes pushing the UPPABABY storller. It is easy for her to push it and easy to lean on a little. Where the Step 2 Car is not easy for her to push and lean on. It will tip a little, making it not as easy for an older person to walk. Now I am not saying that Grandma is using this as a walker, just to aid in walking too. I was thinking between the Doona and the Smartrike. I like the Doona, but I noticed the handle bar is smaller, making me wonder is it still as sturdy. Where the smart trike has a full handlebar