Sorry this is so choppy, hopefully I'm going to edit all these posts so that they make some sort of sense/order.
I am constantly being asked about double strollers. There are so few doubles that push well and even fewer that you'd want to take indoors. Sure those double joggers push great, but I wouldn't want to be the poor person standing next to you in the baby gap!
So without further ado I present COOL DOUBLES:
1. The Jane Powertwin
This is my absolute favorite double around! It's a perfect hybrid and a true do-it-all stroller.
It looks like an extra long single jogger, but has 2 full seats on it. It's got 3 air tires, an aluminum lightweight frame, disk brake (!), great basket, adjustable handlebar, and 2 full decent sized hoods.
The steering is really great. Even one handed!! The size of it is fabulous for all the features you get. Open the size is comparable to the E3 with toddler seat. Closed it is not as huge as a full double jogger, but it can be pretty bulky. Still, at only 30 pounds (or 2 pounds less than the double maclaren) you won't mind the in/out of the trunk thing so much.
The back seat has 3 seat positions, one of which is fully reclining. I really wish they would find a way to lift the footrest in back to enclose a baby. Otherwise please keep you baby strapped in at ALL times! the fabric is a little slippy and the kid'll just end up in the basket.
the front seat reclines part way. Once baby is a little older I'd put them up front b/c the steering is soooo much better with the heavier kid in back.
The hoods are good. not perfect. but good.
The main complaint ppl have about the Jane is the size of the seats. Ok, yes, the seats are on the small side. However, I've never had any problem getting my nearly 4 year old to sit in it for a long stretch of time. In fact, she really seems to enjoy the small space, and if you sit in the back and pull the shade down it kind of feels like a fort:)
This stroller excels at the mall, it is really unobstrusive which cannot be said for most doubles. The push is so exceptional that it can be done while holding a latte (and for those of you that want a cupholder the baby jogger liquid holster does great).
This is also an excellent outdoor, neighborhood, long walks stroller. After all it does have adjustable suspension and air tires.
If you are looking for something that folds tiny and want to take it in and out of the car all the time, this is probably too much stroller for you. (the eddie bauer transit tandem is probably a better option)
At $549 this is no cheap thrill, but when you factor in the double duty it'll be pulling..both outdoors and in...and if you factor in the most fabulous customer service on the planet.....well it all just adds up.
GO BUY ONE:)
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Mutsy- a contender?
Well I thought the Mutsy 4rider was going to be the perfect stroller for me and I was on the brink of buying one. However, while this seems like a fab stroller on paper, it doesn't quite measure up in real life.
the goods: the Mutsy has a reversible seat, bassinet, and can take a car seat. It has great big air tires in back and small swivel wheels in front. a decent basket, nice adjustable handlebar, and my favorite part- a real seat!
what i mean is that unlike the bugaboo, stokke, micralite and orbit--the mutsy has a full seat and not a bucket seat. So you can independantly adjust the seat back to recline and the footrest to be in any position. This way you can recline the seat and put the footrest up and create a sort of bassinet which encloses the baby. This is a feature I was so excited about when I saw the mutsy.
The seat also has a cool feature (which takes time to figure out- hey it's European of course it's impossible to figure out) - the seat has an adjustable depth so that little babies are more comfy and big kids get more room.
Oh- and another great feature is that the bassinet sits very high up (i believe as high as the stokke bassinet) soooo helpful when you have a newborn and need to pick them up every 5 minutes. And when you're changing diapers it's great to have somewhere easy to do it.
So what is my beef with the Mutsy?
The steering, the heavy bulky fold and the width.
I really think that the steering is just not as easy as it should be. It feels like you need 2 hands on the handlebar to take sharp turns and steer straight. It is a heavy stroller (around 30 lbs) and you feel this weight when strolling. For $679 I would really like some fabulous steering. The bugaboo delivers, the stokke delivers, the micralite delivers (according to owners the orbit delivers)- but the Mutsy seems to lag behind.
The fold is huge and very heavy so that it feels nearly impossible to pick up. For an outdooors only stroller that doesn't make a difference, but for frequent trips to the mall you're gonna wish you had something else.
The width is 26 1/2 inches. This is just a very wide stroller for indoor use. Again, for this much money you shouldn't be pushing around a monster. If you like prams- this is probably the a good urban subsitute, but for the average stroller user the Mutsy is just not practical.
The conclusion- a good outdoor stroller- not too great for everyday car use.
the goods: the Mutsy has a reversible seat, bassinet, and can take a car seat. It has great big air tires in back and small swivel wheels in front. a decent basket, nice adjustable handlebar, and my favorite part- a real seat!
what i mean is that unlike the bugaboo, stokke, micralite and orbit--the mutsy has a full seat and not a bucket seat. So you can independantly adjust the seat back to recline and the footrest to be in any position. This way you can recline the seat and put the footrest up and create a sort of bassinet which encloses the baby. This is a feature I was so excited about when I saw the mutsy.
The seat also has a cool feature (which takes time to figure out- hey it's European of course it's impossible to figure out) - the seat has an adjustable depth so that little babies are more comfy and big kids get more room.
Oh- and another great feature is that the bassinet sits very high up (i believe as high as the stokke bassinet) soooo helpful when you have a newborn and need to pick them up every 5 minutes. And when you're changing diapers it's great to have somewhere easy to do it.
So what is my beef with the Mutsy?
The steering, the heavy bulky fold and the width.
I really think that the steering is just not as easy as it should be. It feels like you need 2 hands on the handlebar to take sharp turns and steer straight. It is a heavy stroller (around 30 lbs) and you feel this weight when strolling. For $679 I would really like some fabulous steering. The bugaboo delivers, the stokke delivers, the micralite delivers (according to owners the orbit delivers)- but the Mutsy seems to lag behind.
The fold is huge and very heavy so that it feels nearly impossible to pick up. For an outdooors only stroller that doesn't make a difference, but for frequent trips to the mall you're gonna wish you had something else.
The width is 26 1/2 inches. This is just a very wide stroller for indoor use. Again, for this much money you shouldn't be pushing around a monster. If you like prams- this is probably the a good urban subsitute, but for the average stroller user the Mutsy is just not practical.
The conclusion- a good outdoor stroller- not too great for everyday car use.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Micralite Toro - (my secret crush)
Ok, we will begin with the fact that Micralite is a fabulous company to deal with. Their customer service is top notch and they are small enough to take a personal interest in each customer.
At only 18 3/4 pounds the toro is super lightweight for a full featured stroller. It has 2 air tires in back and 2 small tires in front (that I hope are made of rubber and not plastic- i'll update when I know). With a fully reclining seat, Micralite is finally ready to play in the big leagues. Unlike the current model- the fastfold- the toro comes with a bigger hood, bar in front, bigger basket!, and a full seat that can fully recline. It also has some nice extras like a zip in raincover and footmuff.
What sets the toro apart is the unbelievable steering. It is super responsive, nimble, smooth and feels like you are pushing nothing since it is so lightweight. The design is also just terrific and so well thought out. It closes with one hand and stands closed when folded up so there is no bending involved!:) This really takes it a step higher than a maclaren for this feature alone.
I'm sad they haven't come up with a way to fit this baby with a reversible seat but at least it has the option for a bassinet. When you remove the seat fabric, canopy and bar you are left with a frame that has an attatchment site for the bassinet to click into. Now this seems like a pain to do every time you want to use the bassinet so you will have to leave it in bassinet mode while baby is little. Not that big a deal, but if you were planning on using it for a toddler when baby is not with you, now you know it probably won't be a good idea.
The micralite also takes the snugride carseat with an optional adaptor. I believe it has the same issue with removing the seat in order to use it with a carseat.
Time will tell how the seat removing issue affects its useablity, but I'm doubting it will be any worse that the bugaboo where you can only use the seat of the bassinet as well.
I love the styling of the micralite and it is going to come in very funky colors. With it's unique frame design and cool fabric options this is not for the timid or shy. But at least you won't be another bugaboo. And while others compain about loading their big bulky bugaboos and stokkes into their trunks, you can feel superior with your micralite toro.
At only 18 3/4 pounds the toro is super lightweight for a full featured stroller. It has 2 air tires in back and 2 small tires in front (that I hope are made of rubber and not plastic- i'll update when I know). With a fully reclining seat, Micralite is finally ready to play in the big leagues. Unlike the current model- the fastfold- the toro comes with a bigger hood, bar in front, bigger basket!, and a full seat that can fully recline. It also has some nice extras like a zip in raincover and footmuff.
What sets the toro apart is the unbelievable steering. It is super responsive, nimble, smooth and feels like you are pushing nothing since it is so lightweight. The design is also just terrific and so well thought out. It closes with one hand and stands closed when folded up so there is no bending involved!:) This really takes it a step higher than a maclaren for this feature alone.
I'm sad they haven't come up with a way to fit this baby with a reversible seat but at least it has the option for a bassinet. When you remove the seat fabric, canopy and bar you are left with a frame that has an attatchment site for the bassinet to click into. Now this seems like a pain to do every time you want to use the bassinet so you will have to leave it in bassinet mode while baby is little. Not that big a deal, but if you were planning on using it for a toddler when baby is not with you, now you know it probably won't be a good idea.
The micralite also takes the snugride carseat with an optional adaptor. I believe it has the same issue with removing the seat in order to use it with a carseat.
Time will tell how the seat removing issue affects its useablity, but I'm doubting it will be any worse that the bugaboo where you can only use the seat of the bassinet as well.
I love the styling of the micralite and it is going to come in very funky colors. With it's unique frame design and cool fabric options this is not for the timid or shy. But at least you won't be another bugaboo. And while others compain about loading their big bulky bugaboos and stokkes into their trunks, you can feel superior with your micralite toro.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Higher Powers-II
Ok, I'm back.
Let's move on to the other top contenders- The Orbit, Micralite Toro and Mutsy.
The Orbit is a fantastic stroller that really shows it's strength if you're buying it for a new baby. That is b/c the Orbit has redesigned the basic carseat concept.
The orbit carseat can click onto the car base from any angle! A very useful feature if you are parked to close to another car, hate the "twist and bend" that most carseats entail, or just want a unique product.
This same concept applies to their stroller frame as well. The orbit carseat can sit on the frame forward, backwards and even sideways!
Now for those of use who don't subscribe to babies spending long amounts of time in their carseats (it can cause a flat head problem), orbit has just released a stroller seat as well. same concept when it comes to the way it fits on the stroller frame, but this has an upright position and a full recline. I'm not sure I would put an infant in there since it doesn't seem too cushy, and doesn't have a great legrest.
Some unique aspects to the orbit include a super easy fold. the toddler seat and frame fold in seconds with one hand. plus the seat can fold up even when rearfacing (take that bugaboo:))
It's got a fabulous drop down sunshade that once you see IRL you will wonder why every other stroller doesn't do the same.
it comes with alot of little extras like sun and rain shields, 2 parent cup holders, a funky basket that can become a purse (but looks a little awkward to me) and more.
You can purchase a bassinet separately but it's already pricey and too be honest this isn't the stroller I would use for long walks anyway. It seems like the PERFECT car stroller, but the handling is just not as smooth as some other strollers in it's class. It steers more like a race car, fast and nimble but not super smooth.
The price is obviously over the top at $900 for just the base and carseat and over $1000 for the stroller seat, but this has paid off for Orbit since it has become the celebrity go-to stroller lately and noone wants to be "seen" pushing anything cheaper:)
all in all, an excellent stroller for in and out of the car and you probably won't even need to buy a maclaren when your kid gets older cuz your sick of a big bulky stroller.
gotta run....more to come so stay tuned:)
Let's move on to the other top contenders- The Orbit, Micralite Toro and Mutsy.
The Orbit is a fantastic stroller that really shows it's strength if you're buying it for a new baby. That is b/c the Orbit has redesigned the basic carseat concept.
The orbit carseat can click onto the car base from any angle! A very useful feature if you are parked to close to another car, hate the "twist and bend" that most carseats entail, or just want a unique product.
This same concept applies to their stroller frame as well. The orbit carseat can sit on the frame forward, backwards and even sideways!
Now for those of use who don't subscribe to babies spending long amounts of time in their carseats (it can cause a flat head problem), orbit has just released a stroller seat as well. same concept when it comes to the way it fits on the stroller frame, but this has an upright position and a full recline. I'm not sure I would put an infant in there since it doesn't seem too cushy, and doesn't have a great legrest.
Some unique aspects to the orbit include a super easy fold. the toddler seat and frame fold in seconds with one hand. plus the seat can fold up even when rearfacing (take that bugaboo:))
It's got a fabulous drop down sunshade that once you see IRL you will wonder why every other stroller doesn't do the same.
it comes with alot of little extras like sun and rain shields, 2 parent cup holders, a funky basket that can become a purse (but looks a little awkward to me) and more.
You can purchase a bassinet separately but it's already pricey and too be honest this isn't the stroller I would use for long walks anyway. It seems like the PERFECT car stroller, but the handling is just not as smooth as some other strollers in it's class. It steers more like a race car, fast and nimble but not super smooth.
The price is obviously over the top at $900 for just the base and carseat and over $1000 for the stroller seat, but this has paid off for Orbit since it has become the celebrity go-to stroller lately and noone wants to be "seen" pushing anything cheaper:)
all in all, an excellent stroller for in and out of the car and you probably won't even need to buy a maclaren when your kid gets older cuz your sick of a big bulky stroller.
gotta run....more to come so stay tuned:)
Monday, June 11, 2007
The higher powers
ok, lets begin.
For single strollers there are so many options that it is mind blowing. A good way to narrow it down is to figure out which features are most important to you. Does it have to fit into a small trunk? Will you be trying to push it while chasing a toddler at the same time? Is basket size a consideration?
There is no perfect stroller. At least not for every situation. Something is going to have to give, and in most cases the higher end strollers don't have cupholders and trays included, but remember you can always add on accesories.
Starting at the top there are the Bugaboo competitors. I say this b/c they cost in the $800+ range just like the bug.
1. The Stokke Xplory
2. The Orbit
3. The Micralite Toro which is coming soon
4. Mutsy 4rider
The Stokke: I heart the stokke. It didn't start out that way. When it first came out I was happy to make fun of it from afar, after all it DOES look like a highchair on wheels, it is mostly made of plastic and it costs the insane price of $770 for the basic and over $1000 for the complete package that comes with a bassinett and optional carseat adaptor.
But then the reviews trickled in and as it turns out this baby has quite the following. And let me tell you why.
The steering is fantastic- it pushes like butter. the ride is smooth, think a luxury sedan. you don't feel bumps, you don't feel pebbles- it just glides.
The weight is a very managable 22 pounds and it just feels lightweight as you push it.
The seat is super plush and comes with an infant insert which you can use till the kid is over a year. very cushy.
The hood is surprisingly good in that the bubble shape seems to sheild baby's face more, I also like the easy flip on the back of the hood which reveals a mesh material for additional venitilation- great in the Florida sun
The basket is so unique but so smart. it is basically a big bag that sits at the front of the stroller. when not in use it is very compact and sleek, but open it up and you can pack it like a big duffel bag. shoes, blankets, shopping bags, bulky toys- you name it, the stokke bag can handle it. and when baby is rear facing it has so much room that it can hold bulky items you normally can't cram underneath the stroller seat. also, you don't have to empty the basket to close the stroller- either take the bag off entirely (like a duffel again) or leave it on- it won't be in the way.
The #1 thing I love about the stokke is something entirely subjective, but completely important nonetheless- Baby Avigayil LOVES it! I mean she will sleep in this stroller like no other, fall asleep in it and even when she wakes up she will just hang out there content to watch the world around her. I mean- even I thought it was gimmicky when I read the "higher is better" line Stokke touted, but it's true! She just feels like she's part of thing and will sit in there for hours without complaining.
Stokke shortcomings include a big fold- this is not for the small of car. It can't take a board on back for the older sibling b/c of the way the frame is built. It is fiddly to fold up in rear facing mode- but not a big deal- just a few extra steps to take the footrest off.
and while I have found the perfect diaper bag for it (a fleurville sling tote- hangs off the handle like a dream) it's definitely not equipped to take them all.
Outdoors it handles normal terrain fine- but I wouldn't take it off roading- it's just not meant for that. It is really an urban stroller all the way (after all what other stroller folds up to 2 wheel mode with the kid in it so you can go up and down steps with it like the subway?)
In short- the stokke is super funky, pushes great, and is super comfy. It is big, it is lacking in the "fold and go" department, it has it's quirks- but best of all if you give it a shot and hate it, it's got a great resell value- just try and buy one used:)
tricks * I already mentioned the fleurville sling tote-but I will say again that this is the pefect match for this stroller as it hangs off the adjustable handlebar perfectly.
for an adult cupholder the baby jogger liquid holster works great- it holds one bottle or drink and has the same great plastic so it looks like they were made for each other.
ok-wow. i wrote so much and only covered one stroller! how am i going to get thru the other top 3?
guess that is for another day.....
signing off - Chani:)
For single strollers there are so many options that it is mind blowing. A good way to narrow it down is to figure out which features are most important to you. Does it have to fit into a small trunk? Will you be trying to push it while chasing a toddler at the same time? Is basket size a consideration?
There is no perfect stroller. At least not for every situation. Something is going to have to give, and in most cases the higher end strollers don't have cupholders and trays included, but remember you can always add on accesories.
Starting at the top there are the Bugaboo competitors. I say this b/c they cost in the $800+ range just like the bug.
1. The Stokke Xplory
2. The Orbit
3. The Micralite Toro which is coming soon
4. Mutsy 4rider
The Stokke: I heart the stokke. It didn't start out that way. When it first came out I was happy to make fun of it from afar, after all it DOES look like a highchair on wheels, it is mostly made of plastic and it costs the insane price of $770 for the basic and over $1000 for the complete package that comes with a bassinett and optional carseat adaptor.
But then the reviews trickled in and as it turns out this baby has quite the following. And let me tell you why.
The steering is fantastic- it pushes like butter. the ride is smooth, think a luxury sedan. you don't feel bumps, you don't feel pebbles- it just glides.
The weight is a very managable 22 pounds and it just feels lightweight as you push it.
The seat is super plush and comes with an infant insert which you can use till the kid is over a year. very cushy.
The hood is surprisingly good in that the bubble shape seems to sheild baby's face more, I also like the easy flip on the back of the hood which reveals a mesh material for additional venitilation- great in the Florida sun
The basket is so unique but so smart. it is basically a big bag that sits at the front of the stroller. when not in use it is very compact and sleek, but open it up and you can pack it like a big duffel bag. shoes, blankets, shopping bags, bulky toys- you name it, the stokke bag can handle it. and when baby is rear facing it has so much room that it can hold bulky items you normally can't cram underneath the stroller seat. also, you don't have to empty the basket to close the stroller- either take the bag off entirely (like a duffel again) or leave it on- it won't be in the way.
The #1 thing I love about the stokke is something entirely subjective, but completely important nonetheless- Baby Avigayil LOVES it! I mean she will sleep in this stroller like no other, fall asleep in it and even when she wakes up she will just hang out there content to watch the world around her. I mean- even I thought it was gimmicky when I read the "higher is better" line Stokke touted, but it's true! She just feels like she's part of thing and will sit in there for hours without complaining.
Stokke shortcomings include a big fold- this is not for the small of car. It can't take a board on back for the older sibling b/c of the way the frame is built. It is fiddly to fold up in rear facing mode- but not a big deal- just a few extra steps to take the footrest off.
and while I have found the perfect diaper bag for it (a fleurville sling tote- hangs off the handle like a dream) it's definitely not equipped to take them all.
Outdoors it handles normal terrain fine- but I wouldn't take it off roading- it's just not meant for that. It is really an urban stroller all the way (after all what other stroller folds up to 2 wheel mode with the kid in it so you can go up and down steps with it like the subway?)
In short- the stokke is super funky, pushes great, and is super comfy. It is big, it is lacking in the "fold and go" department, it has it's quirks- but best of all if you give it a shot and hate it, it's got a great resell value- just try and buy one used:)
tricks * I already mentioned the fleurville sling tote-but I will say again that this is the pefect match for this stroller as it hangs off the adjustable handlebar perfectly.
for an adult cupholder the baby jogger liquid holster works great- it holds one bottle or drink and has the same great plastic so it looks like they were made for each other.
ok-wow. i wrote so much and only covered one stroller! how am i going to get thru the other top 3?
guess that is for another day.....
signing off - Chani:)
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Ready! Set! BLOG!
Welcome to Notabug. I want to start off by saying that I am not anti-bugaboo. In fact I recommend it to lots of people when I think it'll meet their needs. However, there is a whole world of strollers out there that are so great and are getting overlooked in this age of the "bug".
Therefore- I present to you- Not A Bugaboo. A blog. A journey...into the wonderful world of strollers
:) Chani
Therefore- I present to you- Not A Bugaboo. A blog. A journey...into the wonderful world of strollers
:) Chani
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