Help! I need to find a bike for 4yo DD that doesn't make me want to hurl

[swingsofglory]

Can anyone recommend a bike for a small 4yo girl which isn't covered with fairies / glitter / sparkly pink bits please. I am not sure I could hold my head up in public if accompanied by DD on one of the sugary confections of bicycledom from the Argos website.

No doubt some of you will think I'm a mean anti-pinkist hag not to get her a pink spangly one (DH does too) but I would like a bike for her that looks like a bike - not a girls bike or a boys bike - just a bike. Why does that have to be such a big ask?

[nulgirl]

I have just bought my dd a ridgeback melody. It is pink but with no stupid streamers/ baskets etc. It is an excellent bike and should last her a couple of years. They also do a smaller version - think it's called Honey. If you don't want to get her anything pink they also do a bike which is plain silver. My friend bought it for her dd as it is neutral.

[OddBoots]

What about something like this?

[YougreatPumpkinmousse]

Is this along the right lines?

[swingsofglory]

Thanks nulgirl and oddboots.

Both those recommendations look pretty good. I'm not sure that she would be big enough though. DH informed me that she needed a 12" wheel having sat her on one that size in a bike shop. The 14" wheel ones do tend to look a lot better. Perhaps it's the difference between something that is less of a toy and more of a bike. I might be tempted to go for the larger one anyway and she can grow into it.

[swingsofglory]

Xposted yougreat.

Yes, that's the best I've seen with 12" wheel. Pricey isn't it!

[DooinMeCleanin]

dd2 has a sky blue one with bees on it from Halfords. She loves it.

[nickelbabe]

this one's red

[swingsofglory]

Thanks Dooin and Nickel - I'm heading back to re-engage DH on this. All more ammunition against the pink sparkly one! I think the blue one with bees is very sweet actually.

[DooinMeCleanin]

You can get matching helmets and accessories for the bee one.

[EchoBeached]

Hi Swings, how much are you prepared to spend and how much use will she get out of it? This Islabikes one is brilliant - definitely the best quality one on the market. The parts are great, the brakes are easy for little hands and it is lightweight (you'll be lugging it around half the time...) It comes in red, purple and blue. No spangles in sight. It's pricier than Halfords etc, but you can sell them for a good price second hand when outgrown (or you could try to buy a second hand one). Our DS loves his