Fisher-Price Barbie Tough Trike Princess Ride-On

My daughter is 3 years old and loves this bike. She got it Christmas Morning and got on it the minute she say it. My husband and I put it together the night before, and is pretty easy to put together and is durable for the price we paid. Besides riding it, my daughter loves to put toys in the hidden compartment under the seat.

When I bought it for my 3-year-old daughter, I was afraid that this bike might be a little small for her because she's quite big for her age. But the bike turned out to be perfect for 3 or 4-year-olds, and my daughter loves her new bike very much. She does not have any problem with the fake key in the front, since she's always been a cautious child. The only complain I have about the bike is that it is really noisy, but since my daughter won't play with it at night, I can live with that.

The Barbie Princess Tough Trike is a good beginner's tricycle and it makes a good choice for young girls who are close to making the transition to riding a bicycle with training wheels. Its Barbie design/theme will make it a huge hit with fans of Barbie and it offers young children a chance to learn the coordination necessary to operate a self- powered vehicle.

This tricycle is purchased unassembled and it takes a little bit of time to put together. One problem I noticed from the start is that the printed diagram and instructions lack precision. I can recall one part of the diagram that was actually opposite. There aren't many parts, so assembly is easy, but you need to make sure you assemble based on what your instinct tells you is correct. Don't base your decision solely on the diagram, because it isn't completely accurate.

Once the assembly is complete, it is time for a test run. This tricycle is a cinch for most children to operate, but one needs to keep in mind that some children will not be able to reach the pedals. The trike is recommended for youngsters age two to five, but those at the lower end of this age may not be able to operate this trike. Once they can reach the peddles, maneuverability is fairly easy with this toy. The handlebars move very easily and it simple for most any young person to figure out how to get from one place to the next, although the very young may need some assistance.

Because the Barbie Princess Tough Trike is made from plastic, it has certain advantages and disadvantages. Plastic construction means there is no worry about rust and the plastic is heavy enough that the trike can support a good deal of weight and isn't likely to dent. On the negative side, there is one obvious problem you will notice right away: The lack of traction. With a traditional tricycle, the rubber tires help to grip the ground surface beneath them and help to steady the ride. These wheels are plastic, and that means they are prone to sliding. This is especially noticeable if your child rides the trike indoors, on a tile floor. Then, there is the problem with the stickers. The Barbie Princess Tough Trike has stickers to make it look more appealing to children and these stickers are placed on different areas of the trike. Since these are only stickers, however, they are not likely to last. Over time, they will gradually recede from the surface of the trike and peel or tear.

Kids love to ride toy vehicles and the Barbie Princess Tough Trike is a good, inexpensive tricycle from Fisher Price that achieves its main purpose: To serve as a warm- up for future bike- riding adventures. This tricycle isn't perfect, for the reasons mentioned above. But it is still a fun toy for around the house use or outdoor use in a supervised area.

My daughter, now 6, had this trike when she was smaller. She had more fun putting stuff in the seat than actually riding it. It didn't have very good traction but I didn't expect it to with plastic tires. It is more for a child with long legs! My only problem with the trike was the position of the key. It is placed in a very bad position for a little girl. My daughter ran and jumped on it to take a ride one time and landed on the key. Needless-to-say she hurt herself "down there". We had to take pliers to remove the key. I don't know why they do not have it positioned on the side like a key for a vehicle. I am surprised this hasn't happened to anyone else. Be cautious if you have an energetic child who rides this bike because they may also run and jump onto the bike.

My daughter received this trike when she was 2. She is now almost 3 and 38" and STILL can't reach the pedals! She still has fun on it but I think she would have more fun if she could use it the right way. The seat pops off a lot too.