A bike for a 4 year old

[snickersnack]

Want to get dd a bike for Christmas - is there really any difference in the different models at this age? I've seen ones on various websites for £50, with stabilisers, but it seems very easy to pay twice that for no obvious difference. I don't want to get something that will fall apart, but on the other hand it isn't as if she's going to be doing 10 mile round trip daily commutes on it!!

Also, she's a slightly shorter than average nearly 4 year old (4 just after Xmas) - do we go for a 12 inch wheel (3-5 years) or risk a 14 inch wheel (4-6 years). The obvious answer would be to take her into a bike shop and try some out, but I really want it to be a surprise...

We have a small 4 year old and she has a 14 inch.

How about you take her inside leg, height and arm measurements to a bike shop and see what they think.

Our bike shop man recommended NOT getting the smaller size at that age for our shorter than average DD, because he said it wouldn't last long. Also when they've got stabilizers it doesn't matter so much if its a little large.

12" bike is very small - DD is 4.7 and rides a 16" bike, she is a little taller than average. She had a 12" bike when she was 2. I would think 14" would do nicely. £50 should get a decent bike, I think a key thing to look out for is metal spokes, plastic spokes tend to indicate cheap and not great quality.

Great! A 14 inch, £50 bike it is! She'll be thrilled (especially if I bow to my instincts and get her one with tassels on the handlebars and a seat for her doll on the back!)

Snicker - I'm struggling to find a 14 inch bike for dd for 50 quid - I've been quoted a lot more. Where are you looking? I've got all the pressies and was only going to get small things but now dd (a very big 3.5) is adamant that she wants a bike

Will be looking for second-hand too but not seen anything yet.

Acinonys - try here

Thanks!

Looks like it will be bread and jam for Xmas lunch though...

Not that dd will care!

Also here.

Cheers!