Bikes for 4 and 6 Year Old

I have 2 girls - almost 4 and almost 5. We bought them new bikes recently at Walmart - in the $60 or $70 range. The 5 yo is using an 18 inch size and the little one has a 16 inch size. Last year they both had 12 inch bikes which I bought used on craigslist for $20. It is very important for them to have the right size. IMO don't spend hundreds on a bike for a young kid. Once they are older and using their bikes all the time, it may make sense. But at this age, it will only last maybe 2 seasons or so. And then they will grow out of it or want a different style etc. If you really want a pricier nicer bike, check craigslist.

I don't have a brand suggestion for you but a 20" bike will last a longer than the smaller sizes have so far. Buy cheap. It won't be long and they will have opinions on what they want.

We have a 3.5 year old and a 7 month old. Our thought was that we will get 2 uses out of the bike so spending more was worth it. A lot of our neighbors have the Target type bikes but they don't feel very stable or solid. We found a deal on a Trek and I love it. It makes me feel better because it doesn't feel like it could tip at any second. Maybe try Craig's list.

There is no reason to spend a lot of money on bikes for kids that age (my kids are 4 and 7). They grow so fast and move into the next size and then you've spent all that money.

I got both of my girls the Tony Hawk bikes at Toys R Us. I paid around $75 for each. My seven-year-old got the 18-inch and my four-year-old got the 14-inch (I think?) with training wheels. They have both hand brakes and pedal brakes, which I like, because my four-year-old is not strong enough to squeeze the hand brakes. They are very sturdy unlike those nasty wal-mart bikes that have the crappy hardware that doesn't last. We love the bikes, and so do my girls.

Go to garage sales. I bought bikes for my grand kids for $10 each. No need to spend $100 unless its burning a hole in your pocket. You get better quality bikes in rich areas.

Good luck to you and yours

I have a 4 & 7 yo and we while my husband and I do know the value of a "good" bike having worked in "the industry" leading tours, my brother owns a bike shop, etc.
We went the walmart route for the first bikes. My 4 yo is really cheap (maybe $50) he is going to grow out of it in about another year and my older son's was closer to $100 because we realized it would be used twice. Many of these "cheap" bikes are adjustable and have a lot of good traits for beginners.
However, if you are planning on doing a lot of trail riding or planning a vacation where you are going to be biking everyday and they are really, really going to be using these bikes more than just the around the neighborhood riding - splurge!
bottom line get them the bikes they think are "cool" and enjoy them. but maybe wait on the "good" bike until they really need it.
rambling a bit - have fun! picking out your first bike is soooo exciting!

Buy the least expensive bikes you can.

At 4 and 6 they will be growing their adult feet, hands, face bones, teeth, ears, etc...in the next few years plus reaching much of their adult height. The bikes will be outgrown before they can use them up. Even if the older one passes his bike down each year you still are spending less that way. When they get to be about 10-12 and can use the same one for couple of years until they start thinking about driving instead of biking then buy a better quality one.

A 20" bike should last them a year or year and a half but the smaller 16" won't last more than a year for that younger one. Our 4 year old went from a 12" to the 16" and she outgrew the 16" in 6 months. It was from Walmart and the seats have a lever that flips up and the seats raises up easily, she can do it herself. She finally got tall enough to ride a regular 20" this spring. She can sit on the seat and touch her feet flat.

She has been riding a 20" BMX bike, Redline, for a couple of years now. The seats are not used and are set at the lowest point so she could touch the ground standing without working too hard.