Kettler Kettrike Air Happy Tricycle Reviews

• Outstanding quality, but Kettler needs to work on assembly instructions

  
  By A2RDR5G65D9H84 on 2007-10-01
  First let me start with the good news. This is an excellent tricycle, of solid construction and that has a definitely smooth ride. It does not have the klack-klack-klack sound when pushing it that some other options have, and which drives me crazy. The wheels are of a much better quality than everything else I have seen, and the option to lock the handle in a fixed position is really useful. Finally, the fact that you can adjust both, the position of the seat and the length of the body, guarantee that your kid can use this tricycle for a long time.
  
  As you can see, once the product is assembled, you will be hard pressed to find anything better in the market. The problem is that the process of putting this thing together is not a pleasant one. It is not that it is impossible to assemble this toy, but what frustrated me was that it took me one hour to do something that I could have done in fifteen minutes with the proper instructions. The steps are communicated only through drawings, and in some cases these are not clear at all.
  
  I have a couple of pointers for people that are going to go through the process of assembly. The first thing I would recommend is that you try to figure out which screws / bolts are to be used in each step, and only start constructing after you do this. If you are used to assembling US products you know that you should try to avoid over tightening the screws and bolts. You need to forget about that rule in this case, since you are going to have to really put your strength behind this process, if not things like the handle will pop up after you are done. Lastly, even though the drawing on step 6 shows that you need to use a screwdriver to fasten the foot rest to the body, you will have a much easier time using the wrench provided by Kettler. At first it will seem that the screw is too big, but with the wrench you will be able to tighten it without trouble.
  
  If you can manage to go through one frustrating hour while putting the tricycle together, then this is a product really worth buying. I recommend Kettler that they update their instructions and make them clear, since this would make their product perfect.
  
  

• Consider me Air Happy with this...

  
  By A11JQPMJ11EGVS on 2007-08-09
  I am constantly using these reviews to make purchases, so thought I should contribute as well. I purchased the air happy kettrike a couple of months ago for my 2-year-old daughter and I am very happy with it. To respond to a couple of themes I've seen:
  1) Setup - took me about 1.5 hours. All the pieces seemed to fit fine for me. I would say I am about average ability in putting things together, so you could do it faster or slower. The bike seems very sturdy and seems like it will last a long time.
  2) Steering - I was originally going to buy the other model that you can steer the back wheels, but have found this to be a non-issue. When you need to take control, you can just use the push handle and raise the front wheel off the ground a bit. Not a problem at all.
  3) Air tires - are great. Smooth and quiet ride.
  4) Problems - Ironically, the biggest problem we have is that a lot of toddlers in the playground (NYC) try to hijack the Kettrike from my daughter. Might be the nice paintjob, but you really have to guard them when they are on it.
  
  Overall, a great purchase. My daughter loves it and get excited everytime we go out with it. One of her favorite toys. Highly recommended.
  
  

• Great product...once it's finally assembled

  
  By A2EZ2VY56XUJLN on 2007-08-17
  Kettler Tricyle's are solid products and the Air Happy is no exception. The design allows for it to grow along with my children so it's not obsolete after just one year. I also like the fact that it rides low to the ground for easy access by my young children. The "push pole" is a must when they're not yet able to master peddling. I chose the Air Happy for it's hand brake and steering lock.
  
  One important suggestion: pack your patience when assembling this item. The instructions do not include written steps, only diagrams. The ones that illustrate a screw or bolt I found confusing; the drawings are small and many of the screws, bolts, and/or nuts look alike (suggestion to Kettler: use to-scale drawings or better yet, PHOTOS!). Tools are included but they're of poor quality and don't include a screwdriver, which I found necessary.
  
  The worst part of the assembly process by far is the fact that many of the screws and bolts don't fit well into the predrilled holes. The included washers don't fit at all onto the bolt that secures the seat to the frame. These facts turned what should have been an easy 15-20 minute assembly into an hour-long ordeal that included running to the garage to fetch my own collection of better suited tools and hardware. Considering the price of this item and the sturdiness of the frame I'm surprised and disappointed that the hardware is of such poor quality.
  
  

• Great Quality

  
  By ALQFS33SAKQ0M on 2006-11-29
  Worth the top dollar price. It's very well made. Much less prone to tipping over like the traditional Radio Flyier trikes because of the lower center of gravity. Ease of use of the push handle is a big plus. They also seem to retain a much higher resale value after searching craigsl*** and other local sites.
  
  

• Beware...Assembly flaws!!!

  
  By A3Q0PCKVXIO3LK on 2007-01-29
  I just assembled this trike and had serious troubles!!! The plastic piece that "pops" into the front wheel guard won't seat into the wheel guard because the weld on the steering column is uneven. The hole for the screw that attaches the step plate over the back wheels is not the correct size (too small)...so, I had to leave the step plate off. The bolt that holds the base for the adult push handle interferes with two of the four bolts that hold the seat on...so, you have limited choices for positioning the seat. Finally, the two bolts provided for the seat were too long for the cap nuts. To stablize the seat I had to buy additional washers to snug up the bolt!!! I'm very disappointed since I feel like we paid extra to buy a quality bike and therefore expected it to be easily assembled into a safe, quality product! It does seem sturdy despite the flaws, but, I'm seriously considering sending it back!
  
  
• Great 1st bike!
  By AXPVNX4NI0SDA on 2007-05-10
  Got this for my 18month old son, and he loves it! Prefers it to the stroller. I love the fact that you can lock the handlebars and push it around. The only thing I would recomend for someone buying this for a younger child is that you purchase the seatbelt and foot rest. My son feet will drag on the ground if I don't use the foot rest (he dosn't quite understand to put his feet on the pettles yet) I thought about getting the navigator version, but I'm pleased with this version. I really dont have any problem stearing it, even though the back wheels don't swivle. You just slightly lift the front wheel with the push bar, It becomes second nature after awhile. I love the air filled tires, which work well if you use it on dirt trails or gravel roads. All around a very sturdy bike. Get it for your first child and I bet it lasts through all your children, even boys!
  
  
• Sucktacular -- It is literally, falling apart
  By A735M4VH087H8 on 2008-05-12
  This was given to my son as a gift and my husband and I are truly unhappy with the item. It had such a promising look and feel with parts being heavy metal and colored brightly. Here are the issues:
  
  1) the assembly was a nightmare -- I am not inexperienced in putting together furniture nor toys and the directions as mentioned in other reviews, needs some serious improvement;
  
  2) I could have dealt with the bad instructions and just chalk it up to the usual, "assembly required", experience that everyone has faced at some point, however, the fact that it came to us damaged was another issue. The damage was not debilitating but it had an impact; the right wheel pin was crooked so the alignment while riding veers somewhat. We can live with that;
  
  3) 2 of 3 wheels including the front have fallen off. The tension clips popped off for the side one which I repaired using a paperclip while the front wheel fell right off after a ride. I suspect that the nut/clamp holding the stem got stripped because prior to this the wheel was unable to be used for steering so it was in parent push mode the whole time;
  
  4) The bell ringer that came with trike literally broke after one day. The break was in the plastic clamp that attaches the bell to the trike.
  
  This is the first time I have REAMED a product like this but for the amount of money I expected so much more then sub-standard parts and product. My son's cheaply done, Thomas trike was better made and functional than this.
  
  In essence, do not get this trike unless you are sure you can return it painlessly. Since we got it as a gift from distant relatives we are stuck with it. What kills me is that my son really wants to ride the thing and cries every time it breaks. We have hidden it away so he can't see the thing. This weekend we are planning to rebuild the thing and give it one more shot.
  
  
  
• Love it!!!!!
  By A3Q9WTPAKGMBM3 on 2007-02-08
  We got this for our one year old son three weeks ago. (younger than the reccomended age, but he is large for his age). It is wonderful! It was easy to put together. The frame adjusts and he appears comfortable. The parent push bar allows us to take him for walks throughout the neighborhood. He can't get enough of it. This model does not come with a seatbelt, I would reccomend bying one for younger/ smaller children.
  We love this product and would highly reccomend it.
  
  
• very well made
  By A1TENW9IFQNWMY on 2007-01-24
  im very happy with this bike. wish i got the air navigator though so i could add another seat and have the bucket too. but very pleased to get this one.
  
  
• Pricey but worth it!
  By A2X7GBIKC5SW8G on 2007-02-14
  We knew this would be a quality item based on the company's reputation, but it exceeded our expectations. We didn't have any assembly issues.
  
  
• happy tricycle, happy ride!
  By A3BI7MH5S4U9JI on 2007-04-10
  I love the Kettler Air Happy tricycle--the air tires give my 16 month-old son a cushy ride. The metal tricycle frame seems very sturdy, and I like that it can shrink down to his size right now, yet will expand for many more years of fun. The pushbar that comes with the tricycle makes it so easy for me to take him on rides outside on the trike too. This was a great purchase!
  
  
• Great quality but a few improvements necessary
  By A1QS3SU7U6NGEG on 2007-11-29
  Very decent and honest quality which I like but while there are $50 Chinese copy products flooding the market,it needs more perfection than it has now. As my 2 year old boy Joey walks as he rides the tricycle and tries to bring the tricycle up to side walk, the brake system gets pushed into the tire tread thus brake gets engaged preventing him to move it up. He gets very frutrated! I hope the brake shaft that is pused to the right tire does not get in a way like it. Also, front fender is not securely fixed to the steering mechanism. It constantly drops and rubs onto the front tire although it is nothing but some scrubbing and making noise. But it is not confidence inspiring like the price indicates. I will have to find a way to use a screw to fix it from below. Those criticism aside, I like the way the size can be adjusted in so many ways and mist importantly it has solid feel. It is good product that does not disappoint buyers and resale value is excellent! I am amzed how much used Kettlers are on eBay!
  
  
• Great Quality, Auto free wheel is good & bad
  By AI58Y0VCM65EP on 2007-12-21
  Overall a great trike. Very solid, very adjustable, air tires are great. Has been dumped on the concrete many times over the past year & still looks brand new.
  
  A few considerations -
  (1) Assembly did have a few head scratchers - but after reading some other reviews I prepared myself for the worst & it went fine.
  
  (2) Peddles could have a little more grip to them
  
  (3) One feature of the bike has actually caused us some issues - the auto freewheel. As others have noted, this feature (which is on most upper end Kettler models) is great for pushing kids around (they can rest their feet on the pedals & they don't move as the wheel does)... but there is a potential downside: When it comes time to learn how to peddle, this feature can frustrate the kids because there's a little "slack" between the peddle & the wheel moving... when starting & even when rolling along. Also, in order to stop the child needs to understand that simply stopping peddling will not stop the trike... he / she also needs to master the handbrake &/or reverse the pedals. For most kids, this probably won't be too much of a problem, but for some it may lengthen the learning curve a bit.
  
  If you don't plan on using the trike as a "stroller" to push them around before they learn how to peddle... I would recommend going with a another (less expensive) Kettler model (e.g., the new Kettler Oceana - which doesn't have auto freewheel - which we ended up buying as well)! With three toddlers, we figured we'd get use out of both trikes.
  
  
  
  
• Outstanding German Engineering and Quality!
  By A27A8BH70HATT6 on 2007-12-23
  This beautiful little German Kettler Kettrike tricycle exudes quality through-and-through! Few products for children compare to the safety and precision-workmanship of this product, and the end result is well worth the relatively high price. Perhaps this is the BMW of tricycles!
  
  Some reviewers have complained about the assembly instructions and/or difficult assembly: while assembly is not simple, anyone should be able to assemble this trike with patience and care. There were no mis-fitting parts unless something is assembled backwards or upside-down, and the little vehicle goes together precisely. Once assembled, this trike is quiet, safe and very stable for tots. It has many safety features that simply don't exist for most childrens' products of this nature. This is a highly recommended tricycle for children, and well-worth the price!
  
  
• This is the BMW sport model
  By AF8R3CYJAQXIF on 2008-11-13
  Our family went to the local bike store and had the luxury to compare the Air Happy and the Happy Navigator models in person. We decided to go with the Air Happy for the following reasons:
  
  It is more compact
  It has a stand/foot-rest over the rear tires where a child may stand and push the bike.
  It was actually easier to steer with the parents' pushbar without the Happy Navigator's special navigation system--especially in reverse.
  A child may brake by pedaling backwards or using the hand brake.
  The plastic clip which secured the rear bucket on the Happy Navigator appeared flimsy
  
  We cannot comment on the assembly as the bike shop put it together for us and pumped up the tires, but overall, this is a great tricycle for our 18 month old. For her age, the specialist at the bicycle shop thought that she should wear a helmet, but perhaps not the seat belt as she is old enough to be developing her sense of balance. I initially really wanted the Happy Navigator to be the trike of choice because of its popularity and the assumption that because it's more expensive, it must be the more deluxe model, but in person, the Air Happy is simply a sturdier, better design.
  
  Overall, a general comparison can be made between the Air Happy and the Happy Navigator in the same way that a BMW can be compared to a Mercedes. Both are beautiful and well designed, but the BMW (the Air Happy) is the sportier of the two in design, handling, and response.
  
  

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