Which bike size for a 5 year old?

[Narcoleptic Insomniac]

My 5 year old nephew is getting interested in bmx and always asking to come with me when I go riding so i want to get him a decent bike. I'm not sure which size would be best for him. He's about normal height for his age i think. I don't want to get him something too small that he'll outgrow in a year nor something too big that will be hard for him to handle. I'm looking for a bike that'll last him until he's 9 or so.

What's good?

[Narcoleptic Insomniac]

Oh yea, budget is $200-$300.

[hugh.]

I have no idea what size for a 5 year old but cult do a 16" and an 18".

[cmc4130]

My 5 year old nephew is getting interested in bmx and always asking to come with me when I go riding so i want to get him a decent bike. I'm not sure which size would be best for him. He's about normal height for his age i think. I don't want to get him something too small that he'll outgrow in a year nor something too big that will be hard for him to handle. I'm looking for a bike that'll last him until he's 9 or so.
What's good?

I think a kid probably needs two or even three bikes from age 5 to 9.

That's an average of a foot of growth in height and like 45 pounds up to 70 pounds (on average) in weight:

http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/data/set1clinical/cj41l021.pdf

[JFax]

I met a few parents at the skatepark and they all complain about the weight of the bikes. I think they have gotten WTP and United bikes, but might be wrong, its BMX companies though. The bikes are basically miniature versions of good bikes but weight so much that the kids cant get it off the ground, something to consider.

[cmc4130]

I met a few parents at the skatepark and they all complain about the weight of the bikes. I think they have gotten WTP and United bikes, but might be wrong, its BMX companies though. The bikes are basically miniature versions of good bikes but weight so much that the kids cant get it off the ground, something to consider.

as far as lightness and stability, there is something to be said for bmx racing mini's, micro's, juniors, etc.
http://www.jrbicycles.com/bmx-bikes-complete/bmx-race/micro-mini

the Cult CC16 is 19 pounds:
https://www.danscomp.com/products-BIKES/102555/2015_Cult_CC16_Bike.html

Max Vu on a Cult 12":
https://vimeo.com/39224503

kid on a Cult 18"
https://vimeo.com/38809212#at=0

[G]

No way you can get one bike to last from 5 to 9, unless he's a really big 5 year old and you stop feeding him...

Getting a really good bike second hand is a good bet. They keep their value way better than adult bikes so you should be able to sell on for pretty much what you paid in a couple of years time when he outgrows it.

Weight is always a battle.


G.