a bike for a 4 year old

[skj_rmkj]

My DD turned 4 a month ago. She likes to stay inside to play, and we never let her practice riding a bike before, not even a tricycle. Now we would like to get her one. I don't know where to start though.

To us (like most moms and dads...), safety is most important, design comes second.

Is there any particular model/maker that stands out (in a good or bad sense)?

Is there any retailer/maker that I'd better avoid to buy one from (safety-wise)? Should we buy one at a TRU rather than, say, a Wal-Mart?

In terms of design, I personally prefer one without any popular TV/movie characters on it, and possibly something that would work either for boys or girls.

Are there any particular functional characteristics we should look for or avoid? Anything we should know that's "overkill"?

TIA for any input!
skj_rmkj

[SillyCrab]

We got Justin a Trek bike in May when he's a little over 4 yrs old. Here's the link: http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike...d=1574000&f=33
Since this is his first bike, DH and I also wanted something safe and sturdy. We noticed some bikes in TRU before whose metal arms holding the training wheels looked so flimsy that we said to each other, "Wow, the kid who gets that bike better learn fast before those training wheels break!" Of course those were just a handful and there were also other bikes which looked good enough. Anyway, to eliminate guesswork on our part, we just decided to buy one at a bike shop. However, it's kinda expensive: almost $200 for the bike and the helmet. But then, he has a 2-yr-old sis who can use it later.

BTW, Justin learned to pedal a trike when he's 2 1/2, Emily when she's 2 yrs 1m. I think a trike is easier to pedal than a bike (w/ training wheels) not to mention the former being more stable in general (off topic: my neighbor bought her 3 yo DD a pink trike that tends to tip. One of ours is a Fisher-Price Rock, Roll n Ride trike that's low to the ground and is very stable). Maybe you can get a hand-me-down trike for your DD to practice on first IF she's not too keen on a bike.

Good luck!

[skj_rmkj]

Thank you for your reply.

Not surprising to hear that you ended up getting something expensive after searching for one that's reliable.

Your tip about letting my DD learn to pedal using a trike that's low to the ground first, made sense. Our family friend has a boy who's a month younger than our DD. We saw him riding his trike really well and fast at 2, but I also saw this trike tipping a couple of times and I thought it was a bit dangerous. (his parents didn't worry too much about it though... he was riding it on the grass)

Actually, when we were staying with my mom for awhile, she got my DD a bike with training wheels (without asking me first...). DD was 2 1/2 yo then, and the bike was too big for her so we never really used it at all. Then about a month ago, we visited my mom again, when DD was too big to ride this bike. I'm sure we could have adjusted it somehow, but DD is rather tall for her age and her legs quite long,,, Given that, trikes may be hard for her to ride on at this point.

anyhow, thank you for your help!
skj_rmkj

[rclasco]

Continuing what the previous poster said. Take your DD to a bike shop & let them fit her for a bike & helment. She can test drive the different brands they have.

We didn't care for the quaility of bikes at Toys R Us or Wal-mart. We wanted something that would last a couple of years.

My son test drove bikes at two bike shops - 5 brands in all. We ended up buying a Trek as well. We also liked the Raleigh brand, but chose Trek because my husband & I have Trek bikes.

[skj_rmkj]

Hi Regina,

Thank you for your input. Obviously, it doesn't seem to be the greatest idea any more to consider purchasing a kids bike at TRU or Wal-Mart... I will make sure to let my DD test drive different brands and models. Trek bikes sound good. Thank you for mentioning another brand "Raleigh" also.

You mentioned you wanted a bike "that would last a couple of years." It reminded me of an advertisement I saw when in Japan of this one model. It is originally a tricycle which turns into a bicycle by re-building it yourself (by adding parts). It was about US$700-800, but it was advertized as something your kid can ride for many years (3 to 9 of age, if I remember correctly). I like the idea though I'm not exactly sure how safe it is!

Thanks again,
skj_rmkj

[krisgus]

A friend who works at a bike store told us that the a lot of the safety involved in bikes, especially for kids, is in how well it is assembled! As there are no "bicycle specialists" at Walmart, who knows who is assembling it?! Best bet? Double check all part of assembly. Don't look for DD's first bike to last a couple years. The bike should fit NOW...not be something to grow in to. I wouldn't go broke on the first bike. Chances are you may only have it a year or two max.

Just my opinion! Good luck!