First bicycle questions!

dnagal

So, for DD's 4th birthday, I'd like to get her a bike. 

I'm not interested in a balance bike...I don't think she'll use it long enough to make it worth the $$.

So:  

What is a good first bike?

Are there models that make it easy to leave the pedals off to use like a balance bike?  

For a tall 4 year old, will a 12 inch bike be too small? 

Anything in particular that I should take into account?

 

Thanks! 

Temp86398625009737

we got DD a 14 inch from TRU last year for her 3rd and it was perfect.  16 was still too big a year ago.  now at 4 it may be good, but the 12 was for sure too small for her.  She is 43 inches now and just turned 4

peekaboo716

DS was outgrowing his 12" bike last year at age 4. He's not overly tall (50% for height? Not sure how many inches last year), but I would think you need to go bigger. Can you have her look at them in the store? Or are you trying to keep this a complete surprise?

We will be getting DS a larger bike this year for his 5th birthday. I want to see him on a 14" and a 16". I think we're headed for the 16.

passar3588

We got a 16" Giant for our DD for Christmas. She turned 4 in August and is pretty tall for her age (75th%). It is perfect for her.  I asked this same question on this board back in November and had several people tell me that a 16" would be too big for a 4 y.o. Not the case for us.

Unless your DD is very small for her age, I'd go with the bigger bike. We got a 12" for our DD#2 who won't be 3 until April and it's perfect for her. And she's pretty short for her age - I think she's about 34".

DevonPow

We got DS his first 2 wheel back for his 3rd birthday - he started with a 16 inch bike and it was a good size for him. He was easily able to pedal and will still have room to grow with it. He was a touch under 40 inches. I can't remember what the name of the bike it, but we got it at Toys R' Us - it was about $80 if I remember. They had a good selection there.

shopgirl78

DD is 5 but only 43 inches and she is a pink Princess 16 in Huffy bike that she loves.   She does really well at riding it too. 

jettagurl

I'd probably have her try them.....maybe make a special/big trip to pick one out.  You really need her to sit on them and try pedaling.  The measurement is dependent on the tire, but the actual seat heights will vary between the 12", the 14" etc. (so not all 14" bikes have the same floor-seat height).  DD got a 12" at 2y9m, DS got a 14" at 3yr. DS will be getting a new one this spring because he's really too big for it now (and we'll probably end up skipping the 16" size.