Schwinn Roadster 12" Tricycle Review

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List Price: $89.99
Sale Price: $87.99
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This bike is beautiful, well made, and well loved by my son who just turned 3. I had to write a review to combat another review that states that there is a height restriction of 38". The box does have a height chart on it that says Ages 2 to 4, 26" to 38". Since my son is 38" tall and just reaches the pedals on the seat setting closest to the wheel, I emailed the company to let them know of the problem and this is what they wrote back:

"Thank you for contacting us. The minimum height and age recommendation for the Schwinn Roadster is 3 yrs, 38" and up. I will be sure to have the boxes looked at to verify what they say."

Yes, apparently they've made a pretty big mistake on the box, but the fact that the minimum is 38" makes total sense. I hope this helps.

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I am surprised that Schwinn trikes are not available at conventional stores. This is an excellent product that should definitely be on top of every parent's list. We decided on the Schwinn roadster after exhaustive research considering among other trikes, Kettlers, Italtrikes, Radio Flyer, etc.. but found this to be the best not just in build quality but also great value for the money you pay (Kettler is just too expensive). Our son just turned 2 and we first thought that he might be too small for this trike after reading other reviews. For now he does reach the pedals (he is 27" tall) but has yet to learn how to pedal. He scoots around easily, as the seat is low enough. Assembly was extremely easy 4 steps, took me all of 10 minutes. It rides so smoothly. We are as excited as our son is with this trike and cannot wait for him to learn to pedal around with it. Excellent trike and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

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A quality product. Low to the ground so very hard for a little one to tip over. Easy to assemble. Can't wait for the snow to disappear so we can take it outside! Have been riding it inside, mostly using our legs (we're not yet 2 yrs old) to scoot around. However, our bigger cousin (just turned 5 yrs old) had a blast with it and could still peddle without grinding his knees into the handle bars. This trike will last a long time and thru many kids!

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Ordered this tricycle because I wanted a sturdy metal framed trike with rubber wheels, one that wouldn't tip over when my two-year-old rounds a corner. I purchased this seeing that the manufacturer recommends it for ages 1 to 4, but was disappointed to see a height restriction on the box when it arrived: 38". My two-year-old is already 37.5" tall, so we'd get next to no use out of this. Had to return it, even though it looked great otherwise. It's true my son is in the 99th percentile for height, so not everyone will have this problem, but it would be helpful if the description here noted the restriction for parents of tall kids like mine.

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I can't believe I was going to buy the crappy plastic foldup Radio Flyer tricycle. Fortunately, I noticed before purchasing that it was for 1.5 yrs-3 yrs olds and as I was buying this for my daughter who was turning 3, I turned to Amazon to find something bigger. When I saw this, I fell in love with it and BONUS! it was on clearance for $69.99! It's even more gorgeous in person--when she took it to the local playground for its first spin, the kids there actually chased her around the park because it was so stunning! The only minor drawback is that because she's still learning the physics of pedaling, she pushes the pedals and pulls on the handlebars so hard to get leverage that the handlebars go a little crooked, even after tightening them as much as we can. But I can easily fix it by twisting them back and I figure it won't happen as much once she grows taller and gets the hang of riding it.

SKS Raceblade Long Bicycle Fender Set Reviews

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List Price: $59.99
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For almost a year now, I've been struggling to find REAL fenders that would work on my 2012 Giant Defy 5. The ones made by Giant specifically for the Defy series of bikes only work with 700 X 23C size tires. They rubbed on 700 X 25C tires. And SKS Raceblade Bicycle Fender Set are merely held in place with glorified rubber bands. They didn't last long before starting to fall apart.

Funny now that these work with 700 X 25C tires, as both SKS-Germany & Amazon.com state they will fit ONLY up to 700 X 23C size tires. The ones everyone tells me will work DON'T. And the ones that shouldn't work DO!

There are no written instructions as such. But clear, easy to understand diagrams on the back of the box. It took me about an hour possibly less to install. But then again I'm old with arthritis & no bike stand. Will these work on your particular bike? I can't say for sure...unless you own a 2012 Giant Defy 5. I'll try to post a few photos.

They fit snuggly & no rattles except when going over the biggest pothole, which I missed due to lack of attention. Finally FENDERS!

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I don't have the eyelets on my road bike for fenders, so these were the best option for me. I picked these up from my local bike shop in Seattle and they were the first ones they'd sold of this new 2012 model. The first set was weird: it wouldn't fit my tires. Took them back and sure enough they were a different fender size, though they said the same size on the box. Tried a new one and it fit perfect. These fenders mount and remove easily (through quick release snaps) and are lightweight. I haven't tried them in really wet conditions, but they appear to have the coverage that I need.

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These are probably the best fenders available on the market for bikes with super low clearance in the fender region (SKS does a pretty decent job with all their stuff) BUT .... don't buy these if you have a wheel set with regular bolts (not quick-release skewers) unless you know someone with a TIG welder or a machine shop.

So yeah, I couldn't use these as-is...had to head over to my brother's "shop" so he could Dremel out a circle then drill out a larger hole to fit onto my axels. I guess if you had a welder that would work, too...but drilling it out was fairly easy.

Decent fenders otherwise (if you absolutely need low clearance fenders...if not, I'd definitely get something way better than these) .... just beware that they might require a little more work to get on than you may think!

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These are extremely easy to install and take off once you figure out which connections to use. I wish the instructions were a bit more detailed, but these are pretty straight forward. Should take no more than 5 minutes to install and figure out what to do. I bought a set of Velo Orange 700c Hammered Alloy Fenders and though they were pretty to look at, they were very loud and I had no luck fitting a 25mm tire to it even though the description of the one I ordered says it'd work. Eventually I changed out all my tires to 23mm and still never got the front to work on the Hammered Alloy Fenders. The thing with these SKS Raceblades are plastic, so they are not noisy when there is a lot of vibration of the roads. One of the connection paths I take is very bumpy and this fender set has been pretty quiet. I opted for the long over the regular for the extra coverage. Watching youtube reviews on both, the Long fender set seemed like it was more durable for long term use and the coverage is much better.

I'd recommend this to a friend if they needed fenders.

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These were pretty easy to install and keep the rain off really well. I thought they'd be flimsy and hit the wheel going over bumps but they've been great.

Buy Diego Bicycle (16-Inch, Blue)

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My son loves his Diego bike! Great sturdy nice bike. Love the bright vivid colors. Training wheels come off if desired.

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Diego Bicycle: My son just loved this bike, it is very very good quality and easy to assemble. thank you.

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My son loves Diego so I was on a hunt for this bike. Perfect size for my tall 5 year old.

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When the box arrived it was ripped open and many parts were missing so we returned it for a replacement. The replacement arrived in much better packaging and almost everything was included. Unfortunately one part was from a different bike and wouldn't fit. It was a decorative item so not essential but still disappointing and I imagine it will be hard to arrange to get the correct part sent.

The bike itself is fine but next time I will go to a store rather than order online.

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I went again every guideline when purchasing this bike. My son is three and this suits him perfectly donot buy for your three years old if they are extremely short and not too strong. (Buy a 14" if you can find that is ) This particular model is extremely well built and will last your child way into the 6-7 age range. The assembly was extremely easy (read the manual if you want to be confused) . Ther is however one draw back the bike is extremely heavy, so lifting will have to be done by an adult .

Buy Optimus Crux Stove

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List Price: $69.95
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TINY. If you want to cut down on weight, this stove is great. You may have to mind the valve a bit more than on other stoves, but it is well built, cooks fast, and provides a sturdy base for small pots.

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This thing is so small, it stores in the contours of your fuel canister! I've had no problems with the product working as advertised, however the green valve stem is very flexible. It should have been made out of a stronger material because when you turn it, it flexes and eventually will not fit around the valve for storage. It hasn't completely came off yet but it's bent and requires a bit of force to pop it into place for storage. This is a minor oversight on Optimus' part but overall it's a quality product.

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I bought this tiny little stove to go backpacking in Yellowstone with my boy's scout troop last summer. I also purchased a flint striker so I didn't have to worry about lighters or wet matches. We used only to boil water for the freeze dried food and coffee. 14 campers with three stoves for 2 weeks, my Optimus and 2 Primus stoves (optimus primus? Transformer fans...) The Optimus Crux boiled the water faster but was not as stable with a 2 quart pot. Had to keep an eye on it, bounced a bit when water started boiling. Never fell over but see the potential for it.

Have used it several times since with out any real issues. Tanks freeze up sometimes but I don't think that's a stove issue, get the same thing with 20 pound propane tanks on the grill at home.

The valve is not very adjustable and will not simmer but great for getting water hot quickly. The wire handle does not fold away when valve closed completely, have to open almost 1/2 turn to fold it away.

Overall a great stove. Certainly recommend it. Folds down small, fits into the bottom of canister, kind-of wind resistant, heats up quickly, good price. Other scout dads in the troop have purchased it after hands on comparison with many other stoves including the Primus and Pocket-rocket.

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This is an excellent backpack stove. I've used it for the past year, including a solid month of use in the Adirondacks, and it has never failed me once. Just make sure you buy quality fuel, I've had the best luck and burn time with snow peak giga and jetboil canisters. Awesome, light, tiny, hot stove.

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I purchased the stove Nov 2011 for backpacking. Normally, I'll use it to heat dinner, heat water for my nalgene to warm my sleeping bag & make hot tea. In the morning, I use it to boil water for coffee & heat up scrambled eggs, turkey sausage or oatmeal. My trips are normally 3-4 days, with occasional 1 or 2 nighters. I usually use blended gas (from wallyworld) I've used it in summer and at lows in mid 20's.

It worked dandy for about a dozen trips used it in Rocky Mtn Natl Park in Oct in mid-20's with no problem. Then in December '12, at 38 degrees, I could not get a flame. I thought it mught be the fuel cannister same thing with full cannister. Tried it again at home after cleaning, it worked ok. I also "wrapped" my fuel cannister in a wool cap & stuffed it in foot of my sleeping bag so it'd be warm overnight. I attached fuel to stove IN my tent & (know it is ill-advised), attempted to light it on a flat rock with cap wrapped around it to keep warm. Again, it didn't work at 35 deg outside temp. Used friend's stove on my fuel, worked fine. Later in the day, it worked without incident.

Having a stove to boil water when it is above 50degrees isn't as much a priority. Unreliable now. Purchased alternate reliable stove.