Looking to get 4 year old a new bike got questions

I got my son a 16" Mirraco when he was 4. It was a bit big but it lasted him until he turned 7 and got an 18".

I was going to go with a 16” until I started watching videos and looking at pictures and I’m pretty sure it’ll be to big. He has a blast riding now so I don’t want to crush his confidence by getting something to big

14 wasn't an option for me. It's too bad you can't try something out first.

My son just turned 4. I got him a 16” Specialized Riprock. Great little bike and fits him well. I’d suggest taking him with you to your local bike shop and getting him on a bunch of different bikes. You don’t want to buy one without seeing him pedal it first.

My almost 5 year old was on a 14" tony hawk bike that had handbrakes AND a coaster brake until spring. He is now on a 16" random junker.

He isn't as big into BMX as we thought, so I am not going to spend a few hundred on a bike for that. If he gets into it, I will spend the cash.

I think 14 inch would be a good bet if you can get one.

I have a 5 year old boy. We bought him a 12" Cult Juvenile when he was 3 and a half hoping he'd get 2 years out of it. There was no real options for 14 inch back then. Believe me, i searched everywhere.

The top tube on the cult is pretty long, much longer than most 12 inches so he is 5 now and still has loads of leg room on it but the bike is starting to look small on him. Probably similar to an adult on a 20 inch BMX. Loads of leg room with the right Top Tube but just looks small.

If the 14 inch Kink was available 2 years ago i'd have bought that and i think it would have been ideal.

If not, keep an eye out for a used Cult Juvenile 12 inch. He'll probably only get 18 months out of it but its a bike he should feel comfortable on right away.

A 16 inch would be fine for cruising but i think might be a bit big to try and jump for a 4 year old.

I honestly can’t believe anyone thats lived the bike life would even consider putting there kid on a bike with a coaster brake lol

OneGuyIlluminatiEye wrote:

I honestly can’t believe anyone thats lived the bike life would even consider putting there kid on a bike with a coaster brake lol

Can you just fuck off?

OneGuyIlluminatiEye wrote:

I honestly can’t believe anyone thats lived the bike life would even consider putting there kid on a bike with a coaster brake lol

CHILDISHGAMBINO wrote:

Can you just fuck off?

Awe

OneGuyIlluminatiEye wrote:

I honestly can’t believe anyone thats lived the bike life would even consider putting there kid on a bike with a coaster brake lol

As a parent of a kid and having "lived the bike life" I can honestly say it is PURELY because NO BRANDS make brake levers that aren't 2-3 inches away from the bars. If someone could make a smaller lever that sits closer, I would have gone that route. And YES, I have tried dialing in the reach. It's not enough/compromises the brakes.

OneGuyIlluminatiEye wrote:

I honestly can’t believe anyone thats lived the bike life would even consider putting there kid on a bike with a coaster brake lol

dave lawrence wrote:

As a parent of a kid and having "lived the bike life" I can honestly say it is PURELY because NO BRANDS make brake levers that aren't 2-3 inches away from the bars. If someone could make a smaller lever that sits closer, I would have gone that route. And YES, I have tried dialing in the reach. It's not enough/compromises the brakes.

I was thinking brakeless lol

OneGuyIlluminatiEye wrote:

I honestly can’t believe anyone thats lived the bike life would even consider putting there kid on a bike with a coaster brake lol

dave lawrence wrote:

As a parent of a kid and having "lived the bike life" I can honestly say it is PURELY because NO BRANDS make brake levers that aren't 2-3 inches away from the bars. If someone could make a smaller lever that sits closer, I would have gone that route. And YES, I have tried dialing in the reach. It's not enough/compromises the brakes.

The brake lever on my sons 16” riprock can be wound right in, really easily, and they still work perfectly.

I definitely appreciate the responses. Looks like the 14” is going to be the best bet. He may not be into bmx at all but he rides atleast 30 minutes every afternoon rain or shine. I just want to get him something that isn’t half ass made and heavy. Was looking at the spawn yoji 16”. I ride a lot of mountain bike cross country trails too

Another thing to keep in mind is that wheel size doesn’t determine how the child will fit on the bike. Cheaper kids bikes generally have terrible geometry, commonly too short in the top tube. Just another reason to have him try the bike first.

Spongeworthy wrote:

Another thing to keep in mind is that wheel size doesn’t determine how the child will fit on the bike. Cheaper kids bikes generally have terrible geometry, commonly too short in the top tube. Just another reason to have him try the bike first.

Sounds like a 14" is where you need to be. Kink has one out this year and they did an amazing job on it. Check it out.

https://www.albes.com/kink-pump-2020-14-bike/
www.albes.com

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