A Complete Buyer's Guide to Vintage Tricycles on eBay
Whether you're buying it for a kid to ride or for your own collector's, hobbyist's, or nostalgic interests, you can find an abundant selection of vintage tricycles on eBay to choose from. Learn how old tricycles are classified and how to tell which ones are worth buying.
How are tricycles classified?There are several different criteria by which different tricycles old and new alike are distinguished, the key ones being the following:
- Brand - You can find an old Schwinn tricycle or a vintage tricycle made by Raleigh, Sears, Colson, Elgin, or Roadmaster.
- Gender - You can find a vintage three-wheel bicycle made for boys, girls, men, or women, or unisex tricycles for children or adults of any gender.
- Frame and wheel size - A vintage three-wheel bicycle, aka a tricycle, can be found on eBay with a 20-inch, 22-inch, or 26-inch frame and with a 20-inch, 26-inch, or 29-inch wheel.
- colour - Vintage tricycles come in almost every colour you can imagine, including white, black, yellow, pink, red, brown, and blue.
In addition to standard vintage tricycles for sale, you'll also find several specialty types of tricycles available, including the following:
- 1977-1982 “CHiPs” TV show California Highway Patrol Ride-On Tricycle
- 1940s Colson Big Wheel vintage three-wheel bicycle
- 1936-1950 Hedstrom Union Co Tubecraft vintage three-wheel tricycle
- 1983 Sears BMX Motocross Dirt Bike style tricycle
- 1890s Tiller Treader adult antique tricycle
- Elgin Racer sidewalk cruiser airflow art deco tricycle
If you can find a vintage tricycle new and unused, it'll be a rare find indeed. Most vintage and antique tricycles for sale on eBay, by far, are sold used. This makes it all the more important to pay attention to the condition of vintage or antique tricycle you are considering buying to make sure it rides perfectly. Make sure it comes with its wheels, seat, and handle intact. If the tricycle was originally sold with a built-in basket, make sure that is included as well. In addition, check any vintage tricycle you're considering buying closely before you buy it to be certain it has no significant dings, dents, scratches, holes, excessively chipped or peeling paint, or other damage. Likewise, check if it has any stickers, decals, markings, or other elements that were not on the tricycle when it was sold new, but rather were added afterward by the previous owner. Similarly, you may want to know whether a used tricycle you're considering buying has be repainted or still has its original paint job.