Best bike size for small 5 year old

[ihaveadirtydog]

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.

Thanks Artandco. Unfortunately we've already done that and she still can't reach.

The wheel size you need will be different in different brands - because it is also about how the frame is shaped about arm reach and seat to floor distance.

Totally agree with paying a little more, and getting a lighter bike. The halfords ones weighed as much as my 4 year old when we went bike shopping last year. He ended up with a isla - its going to be passed on to his little brother, and then sold. They have good resale values.

Ours is a Halfords and it is heavy, but my 3.5 year old (at time she learnt) was fine after about 1/2 hour. She still can't reach brakes but does hills etc by braking with her feet. (Sole under toes not just toes). Bit hard on her trainers but we cycle everywhere now