double strollers

Double Stroller Conclusion a.k.a. Robyn’s Soap Box ;)

by admin on February 8, 2011

>NOTES ON “JOGGING STROLLERS”

When most brands (like BOB) first released their strollers, they did not have much of a recline and had a soft hammock-like seat. This was ideal for jogging as your child swayed with you, rather than bouncing on a seat back, but was not “stylish” and the brands succumbed to the pressure and made more “mainstream” ALL-TERRAIN strollers. An all-terrain stroller is NOT designed for jogging. If you want to jog, check craigslist and you can find a great stroller with 3 air wheels that are all 16”+ for less than $100. They don’t have cupholders, or snack trays, since NONE of those things should be in use when jogging. They are made with static wheels that don’t rotate, because that is SAFER when you jog. Even wheels that “lock” are capable of “unlocking” if you hit a bump or crack in the road.
When it comes to jogging stroller, please do your research. You should NEVER jog with an infant! Regardless whether your infant is in a car seat or flat in the stroller, jogging with an infant can lead to “shaken baby syndrome.” Take a cup of water and place it in your stroller. Have someone do even a light jog towards you and watch the water spill all over your stroller. That’s your child’s brain. Babies cannot support their own heads and they will move and “jog” along with the stroller. If you read the manual for your jogging stroller, it will recommended an age of at LEAST 6 months before jogging with your stroller.
While I am on my soap box, let’s talk about car seats for a moment. They are called car seats for a reason. They are for the car. Babies should not be in their car seats for prolonged periods of time. I KNOW it’s easy to “snap” in two car seats into a stroller, but it’s not that much harder to put them in a bassinet and they are so much more comfy there. To each their own, but please do the research on infants in car seats before decided how much time your child will spend in one. Just because “everyone else” puts their kid in a travel system, doesn’t mean you have to.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope you have found some value in it. Few things are easy when it comes to being a parent, but by having a good, easy to push stroller that is comfy for your child you can help make outings more enjoyable for everyone in the family.
If you are interested in learning more about double strollers, please visit www.strollerqueen.net
For $7.99 you can see pictures of all the strollers, read personal reviews from Janet (the StrollerQueen) on each of the brands and strollers that were presented at the ABC show.
I am happy to answer any questions that I can for you.  (Please post below in comments.)
Robyn R.
FHM Mommy to 4 yr. old twin boys & 1 yr. old girl

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Stroller Review- Continued-Part 3

by admin on February 7, 2011

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 Previous stroller posts: Which double stroller do I need? , Stroller Review-Continued

5)      Bugaboo Donkey

2011 marks the year that Bugaboo finally released their double stroller. I have owned a Bugaboo and can say that they do push quite well. The Bugaboo, much like the Stroll-Air, can have either seat facing either direction. The donkey can accept two bassinets, or two regular seats. I am not sure if it will accept car seats or not.
Here, you’ll see the Bugaboo Donkey in action.

6)      Baby Jogger City Mini
The BJCM is likely one of the “up and coming” most popular double strollers. It is being sold by Babies R Us, which makes it a bit more “high profile” than the other strollers featured here.
If you are looking for “easy to fold” then you have found the stroller of your dreams. It doesn’t get ANY easier than this! You hold on to the handle that says “pull to fold” and pull it… That’s it. One part, SUPER fast and super easy. This makes the BJCM ideal in climates like Portland where you don’t want to be fighting to fold a stroller in the pouring rain.
As a TOTAL bonus, the 2011 line will include a new PURPLE colorway!  The BJCM is also the most affordable double featured here at $400.
Despite the name, the BJCM should NEVER be used for jogging.
7)      Bumbleride Indie Twin

The Indie is another “up and coming” popular stroller. It has a much larger footprint than the BJCM, but can also be used on rougher terrain, since it has air tires.

The largest advantage to the Indie is that the footrest is adjustable and you can create a bassinet-like feel to the seat, almost cocooning your baby, without purchasing anything extra. Bumbleride has FABULOUS fabrics that are machine washable and great colors.
While this stroller does have air tires, it is NOT designed as a jogging stroller.
8)       Mountain Buggy Urban Double
What sets the MBUD apart from the crowd, is the fact that it is one of few strollers that offers a “twin” bassinet option. The bassinet is also large enough to fit newborn triplets.
With an adjustable handle bar, and large basket, it’s an ideal strollers for most any family. I believe it was in 2010 when MB released the double with independent canopies. Prior years had one canopy for the two seats.
9)      BOB Duallie

If you’ve ever wanted a BOB, now’s the time to buy. BOBs are rarely on sale, but with the new 2011 models, you can find them for up to 25% off at several retailers, who are clearing way to make room for the new models. The stroller does accept a car-seat, but only one.

Robyn R.
FHM Mommy to 4 yr. old twin boys & 1 yr. old girl

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Stroller Review- Continued

by admin on February 1, 2011

>See preface to this post:  Which double stroller do I need?!

1)      iCandy Peach/Pear/Blossom
To begin, the “unique” option! I drool over this and wonder where this was when I had twins. This is SMALLER and more compact than anything else you are going to see. Easier to shop with, but in turn, perhaps not great if you are destined to have big kids, since it won’t last as long:
The pictures speak for themselves! The stroller can take one OR two seats. The combinations are endless. Two bassinets, two seats, two car seats, or any combination of the two! We have no local iCandy dealers, but you can order online. Rick (rick@hipbabygear.com) at Baby On The Run, is FABULOUS to deal with and will answer any questions you have.  Enter the code multiple on the site to get 10% off your purchase!

Check out this fun review of iCandy Pear, too.

2)      Mountain Buggy Duet

If you’re looking for a more traditional option, Mountain Buggy is releasing their new Duet stroller in 2011. This is being touted as the most NARROW side-by-side stroller, measuring in at 25″ wide. That’s a full 5″ narrower than the Mountain Buggy Urban Double. The narrowest SBS currently on the market is 28.5″, so this is a HUGE difference!

This was viewed by many at the ABC show and is planned to accept two car seats, or two bassinets!
3)      ABC Reclining Toddler Seat
The only problem with this stroller is finding one! They pop up from time to time, but since there are no US dealers, you have to import them. I owned a double with a reclining toddler seat and it was FABULOUS! For you triplet and quad moms, this is the only stroller I know about that can work FROM BIRTH until toddler-hood AND fits through standard doorways.
You can order online and have your stroller shipped. These are incredibly well made and ABC, or Adventure Buggy Company, is owned by Phil and Ted, who make the Phil & Ted strollers we see in the US.
The downfall to this stroller, is if you are short, it can be difficult to see over the top seat. At a whopping 5’2”, I could kinda see, but had to look to the side.  I have several pictures of myself standing behind this stroller. Comment below with your email if you’d like me to send a picture to you.
4)      Stroll-Air My Duo

This is a SBS stroller with two independent seats. The seats can either be forward or parent facing and each seat has its own canopy. It can also accept two infant seats (I believe this is also how the Duet will accept two carseats), or two bassinets (which I believe are sold separately).  The Stroll-Air My Duo also had an adjustable handle bar, which makes it ideal for parents of different heights, so everyone can be comfortable pushing the stroller.

A video review of  this stroller by BabyGizmo.com:  Stroll-Air My Duo

To be continued . . .
  
Robyn R.
FHM Mommy to 4 yr. old twin boys & 1 year old girl

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Which double stroller do I need?!

by admin on January 27, 2011

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Like many new moms, as soon as I found out I was pregnant, the first thing I did was to start a “secret” registry list. Secret, because I wasn’t even eight weeks pregnant, so I didn’t need family and friends finding it and thinking I was crazy, but I just LOVE all the gear! Convinced I was going to have a little girl, I put the Laura Ashley print Graco Travel System on my registry (as a side note, I am cringing as I type that!). Surprise, surprise, it’s not that one sweet girl in there, it’s two boys… There goes the registry…

When my twins were little we had the Double Snap-n-Go and the Combi twin stroller. When I sold that Combi I was NEVER so happy to get something out of my house. I hated that stroller more than anything. I had no idea there was a world of strollers outside of the Babies R Us stroller section. Thank goodness I finally got a clue and purchased my WONDERFUL BOB Duallie. It was a dream to push and I loved it to pieces. Now, with my third child, I have an obsession for all things stroller. Well, and all things baby carrier and diaper bag, too, but for now, we’re talking strollers.

Over the next few days, I’ll discuss stroller options for twins. You won’t find a Duoglider in this review. To be fair, you won’t find much in the sub-$200 range, but think of this:  A Duoglider is what, $150?  And you’ll be lucky to see $50 of that back on craigslist. If you go the “upgraded” Quattro Tour, you’re looking at $290 and still only going to get a SMALL fraction of that money back if you resell. So, yeah these strollers are more expensive, but you are much more likely to resell them at a higher price, therefore losing less in the long run. Trust me. I have owned ELEVEN strollers… (don’t tell my husband!)
Robyn R.
FHM Mommy to 4 yr. old twin boys & 1 year old girl

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