What size bike--causing family drama!

[Grace and Granola]

My in-laws have purchased new bikes for my two boys, ages 3 and 4.5. I am SO grateful! BUT, my husband took the kids over to their house today where the big surprise was revealed, and it is causing me stress.

At home my 4yo is still riding his 12", though I know he's ready for a bigger bike and the 3yo doesn't have his own bike yet, but I've seen him get on the 12" and he's fine. So, dh told me that they got my 4yo a 16" bike and 3yo a 12". He said my FIL thinks the 16" bike is too small for the 4yo, because his knees are bent when he rides. I asked if he put the seat up and he said no. Now they want to give the 3yo the 16" bike and go out and get my 4yo an 18". I haven't seen the kids on these bikes, but I just don't feel right about it.

I have a feeling economics is coming into play more than a good fit and safety. They are *ahem* cheap, and they want the bikes to last a few years. I was planning on buying each of them a 14" bike this year, so I just can't see how they are going from that to getting my 4yo an 18" bike. I'm a control freak and so is my FIL, and I'm probably overreacting because he's going to get HIS way over me getting mine....so help me feel better about this!

If it helps, my 3yo is about 40" tall and 4yo is about 44". Is there a bike sizing guide out there somewhere?

[hakeber]

http://bicycling.about.com/od/howtor...bike_sizes.htm

Here ya go! Hate to say it but based on your tall tall kids, your FIL may be right.

ETA: here's another: http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/comm..._cardinal=3#16

[hakeber]

You got me thinking so I just measured ds' bike wheels and him...

His bike is 16" wheels, and he is 45 inches tall, but his torso is proportionately much longer than his legs, which think has to make a difference.

[Grace and Granola]

Thanks for this It's hard for me not being there, they live an hour away, and just knowing how my FIL is...it's my issue. I just want them to be safe. It seems from the chart they it could go either way, so I'll just let it go.

[eepster]

I wouldn't base this on a chart about heights. A person who has very long legs but a short torso will needs a larger bike than the chart says, but a different person of the exact same height with short legs and a long torso needs a smaller bike than the chart says. The variations in leg to torso proportions is huge. My DH is about an inch taller than me, but when I have on occasion borrowed his pants, I need to unroll the cuffs he rolled up for himself.

Knees bent on the petals isn't really that relevent, it's how well he can touch the ground. What is important is that your DS's feet firmly reach the ground while he is sitting on the bike. His knees shouldn't be bent, but he also should not be standing on tip toes. Obviously you want to start with the bike on it's lowest setting to allow for grow room, but that lowest setting should fit well.

Can your DH send you a quick picture of your DS on the bike? Does he have a camera phone?

[hakeber]

Originally Posted by Grace and Granola

Thanks for this It's hard for me not being there, they live an hour away, and just knowing how my FIL is...it's my issue. I just want them to be safe. It seems from the chart they it could go either way, so I'll just let it go.

I understand that very well. My mom is like this, and it just makes me want to scream!

[MJB]

We just got my 4yo a 16" bike with the lowest seat we could find and it's a little big. He's about 42". I would definitely get a 12" for a 3 yr. old at 40" unless he has really long legs relative to his torso. *Maybe* a 14" but no way would I get a 40" 3 yr. old a 16" bike. It's important for them to be able to put their feet flat with knees bent to learn to ride without training wheels. My oldest son learned to ride on a 12" bike at 4.5 and once he learned, could easily ride a 16" but he couldn't learn on his 16". My little one learned at 2.5 and his 12" was actually a little too big, so he always needed me to hold it up while he got one and took off, until he was taller.

[Grace and Granola]

Originally Posted by eepster

I wouldn't base this on a chart about heights. A person who has very long legs but a short torso will needs a larger bike than the chart says, but a different person of the exact same height with short legs and a long torso needs a smaller bike than the chart says. The variations in leg to torso proportions is huge. My DH is about an inch taller than me, but when I have on occasion borrowed his pants, I need to unroll the cuffs he rolled up for himself.

Knees bent on the petals isn't really that relevent, it's how well he can touch the ground. What is important is that your DS's feet firmly reach the ground while he is sitting on the bike. His knees shouldn't be bent, but he also should not be standing on tip toes. Obviously you want to start with the bike on it's lowest setting to allow for grow room, but that lowest setting should fit well.

Can your DH send you a quick picture of your DS on the bike? Does he have a camera phone?

dh has already left and come home. I just talked to MIL and she said it's out of her hands now because FIL has taken over :irk. He has already decided that the 16" is going to be for my 3yo. I am not happy with this. This is coming down to money and not what's best for my kids.

I am going to email a chart I just found for MIL to measure the boys' inseams to determine the right size. She told me that when they went looking at bikes, the 16" looked big, but they ultimately bought at Sears and both bikes look smaller than at all the other stores. She said my 3yo rode the 16" just fine, but I'm sure they had to put him up on it, how could he get on it by himself? We're all frustrated, except FIL because he's calling all the shots. bah.

[eepster]

You mention in your OP, that your older DS has a 12". Maybe you could put your 3 YO on the old 12" and your older DS on the 16" that FIL means for the 3yo, and put the 18" one away till he's ready for it. (Unless once you see the kids one the bikes you agree with FIL about the sizes.)

If you were feeling really ornery, since you know where the bikes came from maybe you could just go back to Sears and exchange them for the right sizes.

[TiredX2]

It really depends on the bikes, in my experience.

The last bike I got DS was a 20". He was only 6 at the time and there were 18" ones that were too big but because of the build of the bike the 20" one actually fit him just right. The same with DD's bike.

All along we have had to try bikes out in person. There is considerable overlap between sizes. DS was *not* tall and got a 12" bike at 1.5, but, once again, it was as small as the 10" bike right next to it.

[mrskingred]

Originally Posted by TiredX2

It really depends on the bikes, in my experience.

Yes, it all depends on the bike geometry.
DS got a 14" bike for Christmas - I was torn between getting him that or the 16", but the 14" is better for him, as although he's tall, its more torso than leg. http://www.islabikes.com/bike_pages/..._Chart_web.pdf

It was still abig jump in size for him from his previous 12" bike.

DS is 33/4 years today and is 104cm tall

[RiverSky]

Are the bikes only for use at the in-laws' house?

[Grace and Granola]

Originally Posted by RiverSky

Are the bikes only for use at the in-laws' house?

I'm hoping they get to come home with them and they can go back back and forth. If not, then I won't worry about it.

[Bug-a-Boo's Mama]

I think the 3yo should definitely have a 12" bike. That is the size we bought DS for Christmas right after he turned three. And I did consider buying a bigger bike. I really don't think the 4yo should have an 18" bike. That just sounds too big.

During research, I found that while sitting on the seat, the feet should be flat on the ground. Now, I know that isn't the case with my bike, but then I know how to ride it-and well.

I would buy the 3yo a very inexpensive bike, even pass down his brother's. And buy the 4yo a moderately priced 16" or even the lowest priced one. When they have 100% mastered riding w/o training wheels, then I would look at bikes again-if they need them.

[peaceful_mama]

My 5/yo has a 16 in. He was really struggling to learn to ride it last summer, even took him longer with the training wheels, cause it was kind of big. (made the mistake of not having him with me.) (his first 2 wheel bike)

He was able to ride his sisters' and the neighbors 12 in. faster.

I would go with the smaller bike, especially if you are going to take off training wheels. It seems like it's easier for them to learn on the smaller bikes.

(like somebody else said I might let him ride the 16 in, let the 3/YO ride the older one's 12 in. and save the 18.)

[Grace and Granola]

Well, it has been decided. My 4yo is completely attached to the 16" lightning mcqueen bike! So they are going to let him keep it. YAY! My 3yo is disinterested in the whole situation, so they are going to return the 12". We will see if 3yo can ride our 12" and if he gets interested in it, they will buy him a bike that fits him. For now, he is content riding on the big wheel trike.

Thank you all for your advice and support! Way too much drama over a couple of bikes!

[4evermom]

Glad that's settled! I'd hate having my kid on a too big bike.

The bike size charts always said something way too big for my ds and I don't think he has short legs though they definitely aren't long. I think I'm going to buy him an 18" bike this spring and he is 8 1/2 yo and 52" (50%). The 16" was a little small by the end of the summer but not bad with the seat all the way up. And it was a little big when we got it. I wanted a 14" at the time but they aren't as widely available in boy designs.

[sapphire_chan]

So you're going to end up with 12" 16" and 18" bikes?

3 yo gets the 12"
4 yo gets the 16" (or you buy him a 14" as you planned depending on if his feet touch the ground)
18" (and 16" if it won't work for your 4yo) live in the garage for the 6 months to a year it'll take your LO to grow into them

You thank FIL for the bikes that "the kids will love!" and keep your fingers crossed that everything he's a bully about is something that they'll at least use *eventually*.

ETA, just read your update:
OMG, they want to save money by buying HUGE bikes but they bought the 3yo a new bike when you already had a 12"??

[Grace and Granola]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

ETA, just read your update:
OMG, they want to save money by buying HUGE bikes but they bought the 3yo a new bike when you already had a 12"??

Yup! I guess the reason behind it was that last week my 4yo blew the tire out of the 12", so it was going to need repaired. MIL, MIL, MIL had the idea to get the kids new bikes, and then FIL took over and became the bully about it. So, we'll have the one new bike for now and we may or may not get our 12" repaired depending on if 3yo even cares.

Apprently, when FIL was learning to ride a bike, he learned on a 24" so he thinks you should get the biggest bike possible so it will last the longest!

Thanks for going on this ride with me! It was great to be able to hash it out with all of you, because my DH HATES to be caught in the middle when I don't agree with his dad. I get that.

[musikat]

I am late to reply and it looks like it has already been decided, but I wanted to add that, with kids, I personally think smaller (or "just right") is much better than a little big when it comes to bikes. They need to feel safe and not too high off the ground or they won't ride.

My just turned 8 son still rides his 18" and not the 20" because it feels more scary and he doesn't feel as in control. My 6 year old has a 16" with training wheels and does just fine. I think the sizes you ended up with sound perfect for your kids' ages.