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Parenting

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Original poster

Best bike size for small 5 year old

28 replies

ihaveadirtydog · 06/04/2014 18:12

Trying to find a bike for my daughter's 5th birthday. She is small for her age (99cm) with an inside leg of about 17 inches.

I took her to try some at Halfords today and the assistant there recommended a 14" (although he also siad she looked fine on a 12" and didn't really seem very interested!). However she didn't find it very easy to get on and off those ones and her arms seemed stretched rather wide. I don't think she'd be able to manage it without stabilisers.

So I wondered if it would be better to get her a cheap 12" one just for this year in the hope she could get the stabilisers off. But would getting a cheap one be counter productive?

Any ideas? Budget is under £100, preferably under £50 if I get the 12" one.

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Artandco · 06/04/2014 18:16

I would take her to a proper bike shop and try some. Halfods isn't a specialist at all and many staff have no idea.

I would have thought a 14'' with the seat down would be ok though. Get one with the bar low to step over. In comparison my almost 3 year old is on a 12'' without stabilisers and its getting too small tbh. He flies around on it, but he is average/ tall.

blueberryboybait · 06/04/2014 18:20

My 4 year old is 98cm and has a 12in simply because with the reach to the handle bars being that little further she had trouble stretching to steer and pedalling at the same time. We bought a second hand one from a free/for sale board on FB for £5 and once she can ride without stabilisers we'll splash out on a new bike.

Artandco · 06/04/2014 18:38

Ah my 2 year old is 110cm so maybe he is tall for age?

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blueberryboybait · 06/04/2014 18:40

Art - my 6 yo is only just 109cm :o

Original poster

ihaveadirtydog · 06/04/2014 18:53

That does sound tall!
Yes I know halfords aren't great but we were passing and thought it might be a useful starting point.
Have had a look on ebay etc. for 2nd hand ones but the local ones all look a bit scruffy for a birthday present.

OP posts:

blueberryboybait · 06/04/2014 19:48

DD1's bike came from Sports direct, we had to assemble it ourselves but it was better than the 4 week wait for our local halfords to assemble it and £100 cheaper than buying from our local independent shop (we'll save that for bikes that will last longer!)

MeanwhileHighAboveTheField · 06/04/2014 20:42

My small 3 year old (93cm?) rides a 16" wheel bike. The islabike size chart would have her on a 16" wheel and Frog Bikes would be 14".

I couldn't find size chart for Ridgeback bikes, but if you go to a bike shop she could try the 14 and 16 then look for a second hand one. Some bike shops might even have second hand bikes.

MeanwhileHighAboveTheField · 06/04/2014 20:43

Her as in your daughter, not my three year old

MeanwhileHighAboveTheField · 06/04/2014 20:44

And frame is quite small on my 3 year olds 16" inch btw

Artandco · 07/04/2014 07:12

Blue - 2 year old 110cm, 4 year old was 118cm last time doc measured.. I think they may grown into giants..

MeanwhileHighAboveTheField · 07/04/2014 09:34

That is really tall for 2! The 12" bike must look pretty tiny

Artandco · 07/04/2014 09:53

It is! I'm just waiting for ds1 to need 16'' so ds2 can have his 14

threepiecesuite · 07/04/2014 09:56

We got a 14" for our 96cm 4yo. She's a long way off no stabilisers yet so we're not worried.
Smyths had some good deals and the staff were knowledgable.

WeAllHaveWings · 07/04/2014 10:33

I would go to bike shop and get them to advise you, each time I've went they've told me to get bikes that looked too big in the shop but when we got home they were spot on.

Also, we have bought cheap bikes that were too heavy/stiff and turned ds off. Favourite was a £120 ridgeback which lasted only 18 months but it was still in great condition and we easily sold on gumtree for £60. £60 cheapie bike went to the dump.

Original poster

ihaveadirtydog · 07/04/2014 10:56

Thanks - yes think I will take her in - we have some good shops not too far away.
I realise she might be turned off by a cheap, heavy bike but I really can't see her being great at it either way yet (she is still not particularly confident on her micro scooter!) and it seems like a lot of money to shell out for something that is probably just going to trundle round the park a few times.
Her main priorities are handle bar tassels and a dolls seat (I despair!)

OP posts:

MeanwhileHighAboveTheField · 07/04/2014 13:00

If a bike has stabilisers it doesn't matter quite so much if it is a little big. It is important that the bike isn't too big when first learning to ride without stabilisers and they can get both feet comfortably flat on the ground.

But when they are more confident they can get away with being able to get the ball of a foot down.

Artandco - your 4 year old could probably fit a 20" soon! You have produced giants

Artandco · 07/04/2014 13:04

Hmm dh is 6'6 so I doubt we would have tiny children tbh. However does mean people ask why they aren't in school when neither have started yet!

Cakecrumbsinmybra · 08/04/2014 13:08

I know an Isla bike is over your budget but I really recommend them - particularly as you can sell them afterwards for £££. So if you can splash out a little more now it will be worth it in the long run.

Original poster

ihaveadirtydog · 08/04/2014 18:25

I have considered Isla bikes but once I've added on stabilisers plus the all important tassels and dolls seat etc. it's just too much outlay, especially as she's having a big party as well.
Latest contender is a ridgeback-think I should be able to pick one up for around £100 online but will take her to try a few different ones out.

OP posts:

Artandco · 09/04/2014 10:33

Tbh I wouldn't add stabilisers at all. At 5 you can just run with her and teach to ride without. It will be far easier than later on as the bigger and older she is the further she will have to fall and the heavier the bike

SavoyCabbage · 09/04/2014 10:36

I think 14 inch.
12 will be too small for her to not put her feet down all the time.

CokeFan · 09/04/2014 10:39

We have a bike problem too. DD is 5.5 and average height (about 110cm) so she's got a 14" balance bike and a 16" pedal bike with stabilisers. The problem is she's got such small hands that she can't reach the brakes so we can only take her riding places that are completely flat so she can stop by putting her feet down.

Has anybody found a bike with a different braking system for children?

Artandco · 09/04/2014 10:41

Coke - the brakes should be adjustable via the little screw in them and adjusting the brake blocks etc. ie you can have the brake handle pulled half way in but that's off at the actually break on wheel so it's closer to pull

VelmaD · 09/04/2014 10:43

Try your local independent shop, they are normally great.

Ds2 is six and 115cm/120cm (around that) and we've just put stabilisers back onto the bike his brother learnt to ride on at the age of 4. he just has no core strength or confidence. Ds1 is away riding all the time, but ds2 after some frazzled days over the park we have gone with stabilisers again.

doodledotmum · 09/04/2014 10:47

I got my 3.5 year old a 2nd hand 12 inch for £20 - she loves it. Took stabilisers off immediately. She us quite small but the seat goes up so will do her to she is 4.5 and then I will see. It is unisex so will then go to her brother

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