After a little trial and error, the tricycle can be assembled quite easily. I wish the handles were longer or set higher. I'm 5ft 1" tall and I still kick the back of my tricycle when we're going for a ride. Shade provides adequate shade which is comfortable on hot sunny days. My daughter is 20 months old. and loves to tricycle and ring the bell, my only real complaint is the footrest doesn't go all the way down and stays at a 45 degree angle to her feet making it very difficult for my daughter to position her feet comfortably and she's still too small to reach the pedals, so her legs just hang down. The bike's frame is solid, but the panniers appear to be made out of cheap plastic. We haven't used the baskets much so I'm not sure how they will hold up to toddlers' clothing.