12" or 14" bike? (x-posted in family safety)

[SweetPotato]

My dd is 4.5yo, ~39" tall, with an inseam just under 16 inches. We bought her a 14" bike, but now a friend is selling a 12" and I'm kind of wondering if that might fit her better. On the 14", with the seat all the way down, she can reach her tiptoes to the ground with her butt on the seat. Her crotch hits the bar when she tries to straddle the crossbar flat-footed. We have training wheels on it, though- and she can get up on it herself and peddle without too much trouble. We haven't tried the 12" yet (the 14" was from craigslist and a friend is offering to sell her 12")-- I guess I'm trying to figure out if the 14" is officially considered too big for her. I'd like to not buy the smaller one, but will if it would likely make a significant difference in comfort or safety. It's so hard to guess how quickly she'll grow!

[mrskingred]

From what you are saying the 14" sounds fine. It may look a little big, but I think the 12" may be erring on the too small size. My 3y9m DS is 103cm (~41") and can ride his 14" islabike with no problems. This bike replaced his previous 12" balance bike. The seat is all the way down and he can touch with his tip toes and pedal. He doesn't have training wheels. FYI the islabike size chart is here http://www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_page..._Chart_web.pdf (although obviously the geometry of all bikes is different), but it may give you some guidance.

HTH

[4evermom]

I'd get the 12". You can sell it next year when the 14" fits her better. Having a bike that is a little big really slows down some kids from learning/enjoying riding. Other kids are less cautious. But I do think she should be able to straddle the bar comfortably. She could get unpleasantly bruised if she comes to a sudden stop and slips off the seat if she can't get her feet on the ground.

[TiredX2]

Originally Posted by SweetPotato

the 14", with the seat all the way down, she can reach her tiptoes to the ground with her butt on the seat. Her crotch hits the bar when she tries to straddle the crossbar flat-footed.

I would be uncomfortable with this. I remember a while back reading that injuries like that are now thought to be a common cause of "decreased sensation" in that area in adulthood.

[*Aimee*]

where did you find a 14 inch balance bike? I've been looking EVERYWHERE!!!

[zeldamomma]

Originally Posted by 4evermom

I'd get the 12". You can sell it next year when the 14" fits her better. Having a bike that is a little big really slows down some kids from learning/enjoying riding. Other kids are less cautious. But I do think she should be able to straddle the bar comfortably. She could get unpleasantly bruised if she comes to a sudden stop and slips off the seat if she can't get her feet on the ground.

I agree. With our older 2 kids, we bought the biggest bike we thought was ok for them, and I think it did slow them down from learning. I have read that until a kid is comfortable riding without training wheels, they should be able to stand flat-footed on the ground with their butt in the seat.

[4evermom]

Originally Posted by *Aimee*

where did you find a 14 inch balance bike? I've been looking EVERYWHERE!!!

The OP was just talking about a regular pedal bike with training wheels but I hear people just take the pedals off regular bikes all the time. They just unscrew and, voila, a balance bike!

[MJB]

I'd buy the 12". My 41" 4 yr. old rode a 12" bike from 2 to now. We got him a 16" for his birthday but it was the smallest frame 16" we could find, and the only one that fit. He doesn't use training wheels so he needs to be able to stand up on the bike. My older son had a 16" bike to start, at 3.5, and rode it with training wheels fine but he ended up learning to ride without them on a neighbor's 12" bike at 4.5. He still, at 7, likes to ride around on the 12" bike and he's 50" tall and normally rides a 20". For learning I'd always err on the smaller side.