Bicycle and wheel size - sorry, prob been done before

[mizu]

Hi

Want to get dd2 (5 years 9 months and tall for her age) a bike for Christmas. Her sister is just 7 and has been riding a bike with 20" wheels for a while now. Do I get one the same? She can ride her sister's bike fine. Or do I give the younger daughter the old bike and get the 7 year old a bigger one? Bit confused. Will be getting second hand and a lot of the bikes on the local website just say suitable for age 8-11. Seems like a big age gap to me.

Can anyone help?

Can't you take them/her to a bike shop under the guise of getting a puncture repair kit or something, to try the sizes whilst there? Only you will know if your older daughter is ready for a bigger bike, or if you're happy giving a hand me down as a gift.

I would expect a tall nearly 6 year old to be OK on a 20 inch and look a bit "big" on a 16inch. BUT frame sizes vary MASSIVELY, its frame size that is critical rather than wheel size. Get thee to a bike shop and try things. or at very least work out her inside leg measurement ( floor to crotch with shoes on) and then talk to a bike shop.

Thanks. Yes of course, I will get us to Halfords and try some bikes out.