Schwinn Tiger

Pros: incredibly comfortable, smooth gear system, great value for the money
Cons: a little on the heavy side

About a year ago I completed a bicycle training course for my job. It had been a long time since I had ridden a bike and I had forgotten how much fun it is. Not to mention a great form of exercise (during the week long course I lost 6lbs). After the...

Pros: Great looking bike, light weight and easy for us adults to carry!
Cons: Perhaps a little too high priced for a first bike, but was still worth it!

We bought my son his first 2 wheeler for his third birthday. This Schwinn Tiger was an absolute hit. Here it is 3 years later and this bicycle still looks brand new and rides perfectly. It's too small for him these days, but he doesn't want to give it up, although he finally agreed to donate it to a local shelter. I have to say, it was the best choice, hands down in looks and quality.

Pros: Great bike for the money. Very comfortable.
Cons: non-adjustable front shocks.

I just purchased the above @ $250 from a local dealer. Although it has a 'moly' steel frame which feels about 3-4 lbs heavier than the upper model's aluminum frame, this bike is very manageable on the road as well as light trails(without much loose gravel or sand). The seat and handle setup are very comfortable, with a wide range of adjustments, for long rides. The only thing more comfortable is a beach cruiser! As for gearing, the front sprocket is a fixed 'middle' gear and there is a twist grip shifter for the rear. You won't reach any super high speeds or climb any steep dirt hills, but the gearing is perfect for around the park cruising. If you look closely, you will see variances in the quality of the adjustable aluminum neck on each bike as well as frame welds. But, this is the trade-off for mass production. Overall, a great bike!

Pros: Decent price for a QUALITY kids bike. Very cool style.
Cons: Would be nice if it came in other sizes beside the 12"

We purchased this bike for our son when he was 3. It has lasted until his 7th birthday when he will get a new one. He LOVES this bike and so do we. The training wheels are very easy to adjust and/or take off. This little bike has some speed for such tiny 12" tires. A great first bike for any kid under 5. (Our boy is small and started growing out of it at 6).

Not very good without the training wheels with such small tires. Highly recommended with training wheels, though. No rust in 4 years!