Kettler Kettrike Air Navigator Trike Reviews

• I'd give it 10 stars if I could.

  
  By A2WXY2WBEFVHIO on 2006-07-11
  After much research and hair pulling I ended up getting the Air Navigator for my son for his first birthday. It seems a lot of money for a tricycle but is worth every penny. My son LOVES it. His feet don't quite hit the pedals yet but he gets such a kick out of going for walks with us pushing him. He has way more fun with this than the jogging stroller we paid twice as much for. This is something we will get years and years of use out of. Even my anal retentive husband loves it! He was completely impressed by the features, durability, and attention to detail and he's an engineer. One note - if you get this especially if your child is young - get the seat belt. Great peace of mind and keeps their little behinds right where they belong. I went back and got all the accessories for this - the bell, the seatbelt, the little basket those goes on front and best of all - the deluxe pushbar. That's awesome for long walks. You can even get a tandem bar for the Kettler which will allow two kids to ride. Guess I'll be getting that as soon as #2 gets here. If you are looking for a well made tricycle that will last years and years and years - this is the one. When I think of the money we've spent on other toys he could care less about I could cringe. Save your money on that other junk and get this - besides the tricycle doesn't take batteries or make annoying noises.
  
  

• Good for pushing, not so good for pedalling

  
  By A3LI37XOSZIA8L on 2007-01-08
  I bought this trike for my daughter's 2nd birthday. When she was not able to pedal yet, it worked fine. The parent navigation system is not that easy to use, but easy enough for a short push ride around the block.
  
  The problem surfaced after she really learned to ride a trike over our holiday vacation. It was my nephew's old trike, a cheap plastic one, made by FisherPrice I think. She mastered it perfectly in a couple of days. When we came back we were so excited about her trying her own trike. But she had and is still having trouble with the auto-freewheel design. The design causes the pedals to slip a little before locking into position, and it can happen anytime when the speed of the trike is not perfectly matched with the speed at which she pedals, not just when she tries to start the trike. This makes going on any surface that is not perfectly flat more difficult and confusing. And the trike does not stop when she stops pedaling, which can be scary for a little child, and the parents too, when the road is going downhill a little.
  
  All in all I regret this purchase very much, especially considering we paid $200 for the trike. I wish I had just bought one of those cheap plastic trikes. I still give the product 3 stars since the construction is solid and the product quality is good overall.
  
  

• A disapointment!

  
  By AZE6WMUW8J1F5 on 2007-06-28
  Kettler Kettrike Air-Navigator Tricycle
  
  We purchased this item based on all the reviews, which, for the most part were great. However, we did not get what we expected for the amount of money we paid. Our son is 28 months and needs guidance with the steering, so that aspect is wonderful. He gets the pedaling concept, but cannot fully reach the pedals, except with his tippy toes as the pedal turns further away from him. This was a big bummer because Kettler's description clearing states that the age range is from 1-5. I realize that a one-year old would just be guided around, but I thought for sure that my 2 1/2 year old, who is quite tall for his age, would be able to pedal easily and this is just not the case. The length adjusts, but not enough. This was the biggest issue for me, as the most important thing to a tricycle is that it is the right size. I know that he is growing quickly, but we got it for him to ride right away, not 6 months from now...if they are going to advertise it for 1 year olds, it should adjust more. This is deceiving.
  
  Also, there is no way a child that is a year old should be pushed around in this without a safetly belt, which doesn't come with this model for some reason....crazy!
  
  Also, this "powder coat" that they talk about is not the greatest. We attached a bell and because the ring that attaches to the handle bars is metal(as most are), they are already scratched from just a slight movement of the ring. "Powder Coat" means nothing, just a fancy term to make you think you are getting something extra.
  
  Oh, another thing is the dump bucket in the back. Yes, it tips down, but it touches the ground, it does not dump out...the stuff has to be taken or pushed out. This is minor, I guess because it is not necessary in a tricycle, but it was a feature that pushed us towards this particular model.
  
  Since our son still needs the push bar and we haven't tried it without...I am curious to see how it will maneuver when the back wheels are locked into place and he has to control it on his own. It doesn't seem like the easiest thing to pedal.
  
  Oh, and that brings me to another issue....his feet slip off the plastic pedals all the time...hard to learn to pedal when the pedals are too far away and slippery. They need a velcro strap or to be made with grips or something. Rediculous for something so expensive.
  
  All the reviews I read before buying this stated that it is still a better bike than any other out there and they would buy it again, but I'm not sure I would. I would seriously consider somthing cheaper. I have to end with the steering bar being the best feature, but if you can find another with similar steering and a better price, I would go with it!
  
  Hope this helps you.
  
  

• Pretty slick ride for a 2-3 year-old

  
  By A25NP9KQKLSKYA on 2007-07-25
  My son has had the Air-Navigator for about a year now and loves it. The bucket is a nice addition - he likes to collect rocks and leaves on our rides and throw them in there. The handle works well and is long enough that I (6' 1") don't have to lean over at all on our walks/rides.
  
  I have two complaints about the item:
  1. The tricycle has a locking mechanism in the stem that, when engaged, prevents the front wheel from turning significantly. This helps the bike track better when engaged. Unfortunately, this locking mechanism doesn't work very well and keeps coming disengaged.
  
  2. The tire valves are very short, stiff, and angled towards parallel with the inside of the wheel rather than outwards. I've had trouble finding a pump that can latch on to these valves to reinflate the tires.
  
  

• Buy this trike

  
  By AG851JFHBDHKS on 2006-10-14
  We had originally chosen this trike 2 years ago for my now three-year-old. But, before we could buy it, my father-in-law went out and got the Radio Flyer similar-looking trike. He had it all put together and was very proud of himself, so we sighed and dealt with it. Now the Radio Flyer is falling apart and we've purchased this one. Thank goodness! It's a great trike, sturdy, durable, and the air tires are great for going over the bumps. The Radio Flyer couldn't make it through one of my boys, but the Kettler is going to last through both.
  
  
• Best trike on the market
  By A2J10WMV1R802R on 2007-01-16
  We just bought the Kettler Kettrike Air-Navigator for our 11-month-old. It may be a while before his feet will reach the peddles, but HE LOVES IT! Kettler is the Mercedes of tricycle manufacturers, and the Air-Navigator is the star of the Kettrike line (top-of-the-line and the most expensive one). The age range is from 1-5 years, longer than for most other trikes. Small toddlers ride while secured by the 3-point harness (sold separately) and pushed by an adult using the removable pushbar (included). The front wheel locks in place and the peddles don't move when the trike is being pushed forward. Once the child is older, unlock the front wheel to allow them to steer and peddle on their own, but you can always add the pushbar back on whenever they get too tired.
  
  From the parents' point of view, German engineering has created a high-quality, well-built, sturdy tricycle. The body is made of durable steel; the seat and the rear bucket are made of brightly-colored, thick, hard plastic. The air tires are big, cushy, and smooth - much better than the other plastic ones out there. We also got the optional harness, and will probably order a bell and a helmet too. DH took about an hour to assemble it.
  
  The pushbar is a great feature. Since it's winter, we took it to the mall and pushed DS around in the trike. He had a ball! The pushbar is not quite as easy to push as a stroller, and the rear-wheel steering is not as maneuverable, hence I couldn't give it the full 5 stars. Especially when you're trying to back up and turn the trike at the same time, lifting the rear wheels may cause the whole thing to tip over. (It didn't. And we're still learning how to use it better. But since we're new at this, if someone has any tips, we would certainly appreciate it!) I also wish it had a brake.
  
  This is indeed a "luxury" item for your child, but it is one that will likely last through all of your kids. It is a most gorgeous and fabulous toy for your most gorgeous and fabulous child. My only question is if the Air Navigator is compatible with the optional tandem insert? It would be great for both the kids to be able to ride in it together someday!
  
  
• great, but there's a deal breaker
  By A1VBHX96TQPUXK on 2007-09-28
  So I can echo all the positive things about build quality and longevity, but there's an engineering flaw that, for me, would be a deal breaker if I didn't already own it.
  
  The mechanism by which the handlebars attach to the steering column is VERY poorly designed. Its held together by one bolt that applies pressure to a ring which grips the steering column by squeezing, transfering the motion of the handlebars to the wheel. If this single bolt isn't tightened 110%, to near the point of snapping, the handlebars can turn but the wheel stays where it is.
  
  This happens regularly with my 2 1/2 year old daughter and the bike instantly becomes unusable until someone tightens that bolt. If we had stairs around the house or backyard I wouldn't let her ride it for fear that she'd turn to avoid the stairs but the bike would keep on going straight.
  
  If there's a fix for this I'd love to know it because other than a critical thing like STEERING, this bike is top of the line.
  
  
• Kettler Air Navigator - mixed review
  By A3RM7Q8ENZ1ZAK on 2007-08-21
  On the plus side: 1)The trike is well made of excellent quality materials; 2) My 3-year-old can ride it on grass, gravel or the street easily. The BIG problem - 3-in-1 free wheel is advertised as offering peddling, coasting and braking; however, the brakes are a bad design. The pneumatic tires allow the bike to coast pretty fast on inclines, and when the peddles are reversed the trike lurches like a car that popped the clutch. Brake design consists of metal gears that are forced together. Why did Kettler try to reinvent bicycle brakes? Who knows, but I suggest trying the Air Happy with the hand brake, although that's an odd braking system, too.
  
  
• Very pleased!
  By AKJCHDWY8M5K on 2006-11-27
  After having used this item for the last couple of months, I can only say: what a great product. For my older son we had bought a different tricycle, because we thought the Kettler ones were too expensive. Well, as it is, I should have bought the Kettler tricycle the first time; I would have been able to use it for both of my sons. The quality is outstanding. The ride is very smooth with the air tires. The navigation system is a big improvement over the standard tricycle, even though it does not always work that smoothly. The assembly was easy enough. We also bought the deluxe stroller pushbar (which works great for longer walks), in addition to the seat belt and the bell. Although for the price, it would have been nice if these last two items would have been included!
  
  
• Great first trike
  By AV4FONTTWL1YX on 2007-01-09
  I bought this for my daughter who will be three in 3months and it has been a great bike for her.
  The wheels are great with air tires- much better than plastic ones and the pushbar has been a must. I didsn't think we'd need the pushbar because she is big enough to pedal but since she is still learning to pedal and steer at the same time it has been nice to rescue her from going too fast or help her go uphills.
  I would recommend this bike and I'm glad I can use it for my son once my daughter outgrows it.
  
  
• Great tricycle!
  By A7O1WY0DW6AYS on 2007-07-19
  After researching many of the tricycles on the market, I decided on the Air-Navigator mainly because of the rubber wheels, the rear navigation and the overall strong construction of the Kettler frames.
  
  Here are the positives:
  My 1 year old son loves it. The rear navigation is great, it makes pushing the tricycle around a snap! The air tires provide a smooth ride and are whisper quiet which is very important! I would highly recommend this model as some of the other Kettler trikes don't have the "real" rubber tires. The back basket is great to carry around toys. The seatbelt is a must for children this age and provide peace of mind.
  
  The negavite:
  The only reason why I'm giving this tricycle 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the front wheel cover snapping off the frame very easily. My son's feet don't reach the pedals yet, and he will rest them either on the frame or on top of the front wheel cover. The cover snaps into place but it comes out very easily, especially when little feet press on it. You'd think that Kettler would have thought about this when they designed it, especially for the little riders. Other than that, I love the tricycle and once my son is old enough to reach the pedals hopefully that won't be a problem anymore.
  
  
  
• Quality Control Issues
  By AJG6CQJN7CHEE on 2006-09-24
  The first Air Navigator I received was so scratched up(frame) I had to send it back. The next one I received was not scratched on the frame but the front fender was totally scratched up. In addition there is a key component to keep the little dump container up and it was broken but looked as if someone attempted to glue it with no success.
  I simply feel that for $200 this tricycle should be flawless...
  I do think the overall quality is good and should be for the cost of the product. The assembly directions are terrible.
  Overall I am certain my son will like the tricycle very much.
  
  
• Great product, but 1 key selling point is quite poorly designed.
  By ADGBUAWZUWB4M on 2007-01-09
  My 2yo daughter loves the tricylce, and it's built well, constructed almost entirely out of steel. I have no doubt that it will last her until she's ready for a bicycle. The pneumatic rubber tires won't wear through on pavement and concrete like hard plastic hollow wheels do.
  
  My only gripe is with the design and fabrication of one single part, albeit a major one. This tricycle has a feature that allows you to lock
  the front wheel straight, so the parent can steer with the handle.
  
  The part inside the steering shaft that slides up and down in order to lock the handlebars is made of plastic, and the pin that slips into the locking mechanism is metal. If you do not have the handlebars completely straight when depressing the lever to lock the wheel, you will push the metal locking pin up into the plastic assembly, and it will not lock anymore, unless you disassemble the tricycle, and figure out how to fix it.
  My suggestion is to lock it, and duct tape it in the locked position, and forget about it until the child is capable of pedalling and steering on his or her own. Other than this, I believe it is a quality product.
  
  
• High Quality Product
  By AJRLDYWMEA9JM on 2007-05-18
  I have done a lot of research, and I chose this bike for my bestfriend's 2 year old son because of its quality, features and safety. I picked the "Air" version of the Navigator is because of the rubber tires rather than plastic. After receiving the tricycle, my bestfriend's husband commented that he now understands why the tricycle is so expensive. He said that it is a high quality tricycle. They are very pleased with the tricycle, and their son is having so much fun with it. For a bike that will last a child a few years, it is money well spent.
  
  
• Not a great design
  By A2CBWM180NBN93 on 2007-10-29
  We have had this bike for a while now, and I frequently have to tighten the steering bolt as my daughters seem to keep loosening it up. As one of the earlier posters mentioned, this is a poor desing for such an expensive toy.On the good side, the kids love it when it works, and it is great for taking them on walks when the little one wnat to 'ride'.
  
  
• Rear-wheel steering explained
  By A3H46YU0650M3B on 2008-09-10
  The whole time I was researching this product, I thought that the rear wheel steering was linked to the front wheel - countersteering to provide a reduced turning radius. And I couldn't see from any of the photos or the owner's manual how that was supposed to happen.
  
  Since neither Amazon's nor the manufacturer's description makes this clear, here's how it works:
  
  The rear wheel steering is only used when the parent is pushing with the pushbar. You lock the front wheel, unlock the rear wheels, insert the pushbar, and you can steer it from behind. When it's the kids turn to drive, you remove the pushbar, lock the rear wheels, and unlock the front wheel.
  
  Maybe it's just me, but this certainly wasn't clear from anything I'd read online.
  
  
• Kettler Air-Navigator Trike
  By A3IWZASAZ3WIWX on 2007-09-27
  My 2 year old daughter loves the trike. She is tall (90%)and fits the smallest setting. She can reach the peddles and is just starting to figure out how to ride. Mostly she likes to be pushed around. It is easy to push but does veer off to one side at times.
  
  The directions are poorly written so it was a little difficult getting it together but not imposable. Mostly I looked at the photo on the box and that gave me more insight than reading the instructions. It took me about an hour to put together.
  
  I have to tighten the screws on the handle occasionally but so far it is not too big of a problem. I would recommend this product if your looking for a sturdy trike.
  
  
• Great and safe stroller replacement
  By A2SIKWV4B086GA on 2006-10-14
  We got it as a gift for our son's first B-day. Even though his legs do not reach the pedals yet and he does not understand the concept of a bicycle, he loves going for walks in it. It is easier to navigate than a stroller AND he likes it, unlike the stroller. I am happy about the whells, they are very stable and thick. And, overall, it is an excellent product.
  The shipping was fast and it arrived absolutely undamaged.
  Assembly didn't take us long either (but then again, my husband did it...) :)
  
  
  
• Fun for the kids
  By A3EBK5ZX9XAXNS on 2007-01-09
  I brought two of these and the kids love it. Was a little complicated to put together but very doable. It took me about 30 for the first bike and much faster on the second. Would have given it 5 stars but occasionally the wheels don't lock like they are supposed to.
  
  
• complicated but good
  By A2KD6DGRCDEMM6 on 2007-01-11
  We bought this tricycle for our two year old granddaughter. Even though we raised three active boys, it is by far the most complicated riding vehicle we have ever put together. I felt like I needed to offer a seminar to her parents on the trike's features when we gave it to them. That said, it seems great and I like the adult steering handle for a child her age. It is well built and hopefully will last a few years, through any siblings she may have. I also like the big tires and the rear basket. She,of course, loves it,which is its most important feature. It is supposed to grow with her until she is five, but is seems a little small for that - I could be wrong.
  
  
• this is the model everyone wants
  By A13BX9O5UDBILC on 2007-05-12
  we had trouble with the first shipment where the thread was stripped, but after a replacement model arrived (great amazon customer service as usual), have been happy with the product. spend the extra $$$ to get this model which will grow with your kids.
  
  the steering alignment could be better (not a teutonic bmw-like at all) as it takes a lot of effort to steer for the child. also, the separate basket doesn't stay on as well as we'd like over bumps.
  
  otherwise, don't buy the basket online as the shipping is prohibitive.
  
  
• Great purchase
  By A2X2Q6N44PX1J5 on 2007-07-16
  My 2 year old loves this bike. We can attach the bar to override her stearing or she can stear herself. It is a great precursor to a real bike. It's been durable and she loves the little basket in back for carrying juice, sticks, etc. Great purchase -- exactly what we were looking for.
  
  
• Rolls Royce of trikes!
  By A6PTPOL5V9CIV on 2007-08-29
  As proud grandparents, we love this trike. of course we're expecting it will last thru' more than one child! The air tires run easily on grass.
  
  
• Kettler Trike
  By A1GSSN23YNSNTN on 2008-01-15
  After much research I ended up getting the Air Navigator for my son for his first birthday. It seems a lot of money for a tricycle but is worth every penny. My son LOVES it! We use this or his wagon for everything...no strollers!
  
  Pros:
  Quality/Durability
  Style
  Function
  
  In terms of quality, this trike is solid! It's not a flimsy plastic trike by any means. Yes, putting it together is a pain (not as dramatic as some make it seem!) but once together, you needen't worry about it falling apart! The rubber/air tires too are a huge plus, bouncing us on even the roughest terrain!
  
  It's a stylish trike, getting us many looks as we cruise through the neighborhood! I love the primary colors...so happy.
  
  Functionally I love the many options I have with this trike. You are able to lock the steering, which is nice as it gives you control while pushing your child. The pedals don't rotate unless pushed, so no injuries to shins, and an included pushbar is perfect for those unable to reach the pedals, but still wanting a trike of his/her own.
  
  In all fairness I'm including some cons.
  The push bar as menitoned does take awhile to get used to, but isn't that tough to master and the handle bar lock sometimes pries "loose". An annoyance, but not a deal breaker.
  
  Final thoughts are to include my son's favorite features: his love of the bucket on the back and the (optional) bell, which is worth the extra few dollars.
  
  
• What an awesome trike!!!
  By A3S9IYLGGUNFWD on 2008-01-18
  It is a bit pricy... But you're going to love it. I had no idea what I was getting when I found this tricycle. But after receiving it and putting it to use I could not be happier. I had a misconception that the "Air Navigation" meant that the back wheels turned when the child steered the with the handle bars, in unison with the front. That is not the case and probably for a good reason, but the option to lock the front and steer with the back wheels is so perfect, especially for the little guys who can't quite reach the pedals or can't complete a full revolution because of short legs. My son is two and about 35" tall, I thought for sure he'd be able to pedal on his own. His feet reach the pedals, but his legs are not long enough to ride on his own. When you are pushing using the push poll, the ability to steer from the back is priceless. The huge tires are amazing, you can push this tricycle anywhere, and the kid loves it!!! It comes apart great for traveling. I don't know if that was an intended feature, but it sure works well. I got mine for a Christmas present, but as soon as it was given it was time to pack up the car for a six hour road trip. And yes the new trike came with us, among everything else, and it all fit fine.
  
  I have zero regret, this is the perfect start to riding a bike for a little one...
  
  
  
• most popular trike on the block
  By A3A9Y2NZHFTSY7 on 2008-08-17
  We have had this trike a little over 2 years now. It is a great tricycle, but some of the features were not as useful as I thought they would be. The trike is sturdy, and gets a lot of use being as it is the favorite of the younger kids on the street.
  
  Some particulars:
  
  The push rod. We used it a fair amount. The push rod is the only parental-control feature we really needed. Probably the best use was as a back-up in case the child got too tired. I think I had visions of taking some of the same walks with the push-rod as we did with the stroller, but I now know that if you need to push the trike the whole way, chances are the child is young enough he/she doesn't really care what the mode of transportation is, and you are better off (and happier) with the stroller.
  
  The auto-freewheel is a disadvantage for the beginner, but turns into an advantage later. I think the marketing angle is that you can push your child using the push rod and their feet can just rest on the pedals. That's fine but once they can do it themselves you won't be pushing much, and if the need to be pushed a lot, then probably they would be just as happy if not happier with a wagon. What I didn't realize is that a child who doesn't have access to a regular trike (where the pedals always move) can have a hard time catching on to the pedaling motion since these pedals don't force the motion. This was more of a problem than I expected. However, later this feature makes the trike more fun because they can pedal really fast and then coast.
  
  The rear wheel parental steering is unnecessary. Using the push rod you have leverage to lift the front wheel off the ground, thus you can steer when you need to, so I rarely used the real wheel steering and I forgot it existed.
  
  The front wheel steering lock keeps the child from turning the steering wheel. I used this some, but if you're using it because the child isn't cooperating direction-wise, then they will probably figure out how you locked the steering and unlock it anyway.
  
  I like the air tires. It makes for a smoother ride on our cracked streets.
  
  Get the red bell.Kettler Bell Red Metal Bell
  
  The dump bucket on the back is not essential but the kids like to carry things around in it.
  
  We later got the tandem insert, and you can look for my review on it. I'm not as happy with the tandem as I am with the trike, but it too is much enjoyed by the kids and made the trike even more of a hit than it already was.
  
  We bought the trike for a 2yr old, but in retrospect there was no rush, and a wagon would have been just as welcome and easier to figure out at that age. I'm surprised that the product description says the age range starts at 1, I would say it should start at 2. One thing I've noticed, the Air Navigator can't seat a child as close to the handlebars as some other trikes (in fact the tandem insert seats a child closer to the handlebars than the bike can do without the tandem!), so if your child is 2 or less, you might want to go see this trike at a bike shop and see how it fits.
  
  I've discovered that other sturdy trikes do exist. If you don't need the parental control features, visit a bike shop and look at a Trek Trikester.
  
  
• Love it
  By A34HV3MVCGRW9K on 2007-04-10
  My daughter loves this tricycle. Not sure what everyone was crying about putting it together, it only took me 30 minutes. Though it was alittle expensive, I'm glad we paid the extra money. Love the way you can stear it with the handle. She cant reach the pedals yet, so she mostly just rides. It will grow with her.
  
  
• Love it!
  By A3VZXJY3UGRWKK on 2007-12-30
  We bought the Kettler Air Navigator for our son's first birthday. After looking at a lot of different products we liked it the best. Our son LOVES his tricycle! It was worth every penny. The parental steering is great and switches over ealisly. Because of his age we also purchased the seatbelt, this is a must. This is a good quality built item that will grow with our son.
  
  
• Our son doesn't enjoy this trike
  By A20XKMNKIZ2EIS on 2008-10-18
  We bought this tricylce when my son was two with the understanding that he'd be about three before being able to pedal it. Our son is a tall child (38" tall and 38 pounds) and has trouble pedaling this tricylce. I think the problem is that the trike is too low and too heavy. He rides the more typically designed trikes with ease (trikes with a higher seat that allows the child to pedal down rather than out). This trike is more like a recumbent exercise bike which is a lot harder to pedal. We've also been very disappointed with the handle bar. It constantly twists out of alignment and has to be readjusted and the pedals skip which might have to do with the auto free wheel. Kettler USA, however, has been very easy to work with and their customer service has been excellent. They replaced the handle bar with no problems and questions asked. But, we are going to sell this very expensive trike and look for something that's easier for our son to ride (and probably cheaper!).
  
  
• Fun and quality product
  By A18SHG99Z4FI1J on 2008-04-06
  Great build quality, great fun. Your child can rest his/her feet on the pedals if you do not feel like biking. We purchased the tandem extension as well, so big sister can drive around small brother, both of them enjoying the ride.
  
  

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