4-year-old's first bike: 12 or 16 inch?

CubbyMama

K turned 4 in October and has never had a bike before. The people at Toys R Us recommended a 16-inch bike so she can "grow into it," but it seems huge! Is a 12-inch too small for her age? She's average height/weight for her age...

firefightersgal

We bought a 16" for DD this past spring.  She hasn't had any trouble riding it and it doesn't seem too big.

KoriBrett

16

veloelle

Def. 16. We bought DD a 16 on her 4th bday, and she does great on it. DD is average to small for her age.

j-w

16 for sure!

xbrooklyngrl

16! My mom got B a 12 in for her 3rd Bday and this summer we had to get her a 16 in already

Carol*Brady

16 if you plan on keeping her in training wheels for a few years.  If you want her to ride a 2 wheeler, it is much, much easier for kids to get it on small bikes--their balance, ability to catch themselves & confidence is much greater when the bike is small.  Actually I'd get your DD as 12" & then just get her a 16" in a year or so & pass down the 12" to your DD#2.

michaeltrish

So glad you asked this because it was my next post.  Thanks!

CubbyMama

Ah, tough call, then! I got one on craigslist for $20 practically new, but it's a 12-inch and then I started having second thoughts. I'm not actually sure how much she'll ride it--we never go in the front yard now, but obviously we will have to start--so spending $70 on a size I wasn't sure about made me nervous. I guess for $20, if the 12-inch turns out to be too small within a year, we can just save it for DD2 like Carol said.

Alliebella

i agree with the 16".  DS is tall for his age though, but still, I would've bought the 16".   Precious siggie btw! They are soo cute!

shopgirl78

DD has a 16 inch bike.  She got it for her 4th birthday.   She didn't start really riding until she was 4.5.   Her bike still fits her well.  They have 14 in too.  DS has one.