2007-03-27 05:57:45 · 6 answers · asked by tonypanh2o 1 in Sports ➔ Cycling
go to your local bike shop and check out the different sizes
but please don't go to Walmart, Kmart, Target, Sears, etc... go to a real bike shop for quality and durability, otherwise as soon as your child breaks it, it will stay broken.... most department and big box and toy stores have no idea how to fix a bike, let alone assemble one properly
2007-03-27 06:47:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firstly, go to a proper bike shop: I'm not with d.w on this one - after having worked in both chain store bike departments and good independant bike shopsover the last 10 years I can totally confirm that the vast majority of chain stores employ staff that are not passionate about the products they sell; therefore they are most likely to sell you whatever they have, or whatever their manager told them to get rid of first. A good independant shop has a vested interest in keeping your business, and buying the right bike for your 4 year old is just as important as it is for yourself or any other adult so its really worth spending a bit of cash to get something that will work and last for a while without endangering your child.
Size wise, check that he can stand (feet flat) on the floor with the cross bar (top tube) of the bike between his legs and it NOT TOUCH HIM AT ALL. This is crucial; he must have clearance to get off the saddle and not damage himself (I remember with a tear in my eye the first time I got off my first bike in a hurry!) an inch is a good guidline for clearance.
Secondly, can he reach the handlebars and pull the brakes without having to stretch? this is a common problem with little hands, and a good shop will happliy make sure this is right.
Thirdly, a good shop will not encourage you to buy a bike that is too big for your child: this is how bad accidents happen, and a good shop will know that and encourage you to buy a bike that will adjust to fit as he grows. My reccomendation for brands include trek and specialized: they both make really good quality kids bikes that last and are well specced and made. Check their websites at www.trekbikes.com and www.specialized.com
Finally, dont be fooled by kids bikes that offer suspension: I have broken the hearts of too many children by telling them I cant repair their nearly new "destroyer" full suspension hulk beacuse nobody makes the spares for them...
2007-03-27 16:27:19 · answer #2 · answered by jj 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just take him to a bike shop. They can help you and answer all the questions for a kid of that age.
2007-03-27 13:02:52 · answer #3 · answered by gangstawannabe1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
4 is kind of young for a bike. I was still on a tricycle when I was 4.
Remember the Big Wheel, and the Green Machine?
Mattel has sold the rights to the Green Machine to Huffy.
Huffy now makes the Green Machine, and it has a steel frame and rubber tires. The old style Mattel Green Machine was all plastic.
2007-03-27 14:54:15 · answer #4 · answered by AviationMetalSmith 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
take him to the store and have him to sit on some different size bikes. it depends on how tall he is but at that age, toys 'r us, target, wal-mart, k-mart, fred meyer's, and stores like that have a vast selection of inexpensive bikes anywhere from 10" to 16" that he should be fine on.
2007-03-27 13:07:15 · answer #5 · answered by d. w 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
When he sits on the saddle, his feet should be flat on the floor on either side of the bike
2007-03-27 13:06:58 · answer #6 · answered by Kate J 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋