Source: iCandy
Source: Bambino Goodies
Mama's A and H and I have been having an email discussion about the best strollers for transporting our expanding broods. I've opted for the Baby Bjorn option for Master T with Master R in the regular old Bugaboo and only have a double running stroller (which sadly is Master T is too small and wobbly for). Once Master T is too heavy I'll put him in the Ergo carrier. But after that I'm not too sure. There are some times when you just want to push them and not carry them. (And it limits your wardrobe options ha ha.)
I bought a buggy board before I left the US and subsequently discovered that they give them away for free here in my (underprivileged) borough to encourage safety. However Mama A and I both agree that our boys are far too energetic to be safely constrained to it.
Mama A saw was told about this British brand iCandy "pushchair" as above that is coming stateside in a couple of months. I don't know anyone who has one but will check it out in the next few days and see if it could be suitable for Master X.
This morning I saw a mother pushing her three kids - two in a double and the older on the buggy bike above. If it has a seat belt (doesn't look like it sadly) it might be a better option than a buggy board and much more fun for Master R. We'll have to fight to get him off rather than the usual getting him in tantrum.
What do you think? What are your plans or do you currently use to transport your babes?
Edit: Just saw this convertible pushchair to bike. Brilliant - for one only sadly.
I had been leaning toward the Phil & Ted's double stroller, but I really like the sleek design of the iCandy double options. They even have an option for two bassinets. Mama J sent me a digital brochure for iCandy with photos of "mom" models posing with the stroller decked out in their 5-inch heels, looking completely primped and proper with the backdrop of a contemporary, spacious home with lots of fragile furnishings that would never withstand the curiousity of a toddler. It gave me a good laugh as I looked at it laying on my couch in my well-worn black leggings and cotton maternity dress.
ReplyDeleteMy plan so far is to use my Stokke with the basinette for the twins when they are newborns. Then I am going to buy a double stroller for them. Miss L is doing more walking than strolling now, which is easy here because our walks are just in the neighborhood or we drive somewhere and then walk around. If Miss L did want to sit in the front of the double stroller, then I could ergo one twin and put the other twin in the back. I think this could work for the first year. And by that point Miss L should be a seasoned walker by SF standards.
I'm worried as well about what double stroller to buy. I've been doing the bugaboo and sling but my jaunts in the afternoon keep me out three to four hours and it is terrible for my back. I haven't bought the double yet b/c I'm scared of making the wrong decision and I don't want to store it- but I don't know that I will be able to wait till spring like I hoped. Mister R and I took a trip by train with the boys over the weekend w/the snap n go and the maclaren- which was cumbersome but allowed us to move about easily. I know subways will be impossible w/any double stroller (I guess i'll be getting another maclaren as well) which is sad. I am very interested in the icandy stroller as well though I'm sure it will be pretty pricey. Could you imagine if it was double a Bug's price. I guess we'll see- maybe we can do a mama trip up to schneider's or albee's baby. They should have them in 2 weeks.
ReplyDeleteI know there is no great solution- some of the smaller strollers I hear they will grow out of too quickly- the big ones- you may not fit through some doors. I don't see breaking down a stroller to go places as being practical at all. It is not fun trying to get Master A back into his stroller if we are in the park with Master L hanging in front. I know I look insane with one hanging off of me and one dangling from me kicking and screaming, fighting going back in the stroller...
Mama H I had to laugh when I saw that picture on the homepage of the icandy website. It's just so British! The slightly rock chick with the heels. An American ad would have a very preppy blonde mama with lovely flat Tods and sleek hair lightly curled. It's just the perfect example of how British women and American women differ in style. That said in my area NONE of the women look like that - they live in horrible oversized tracksuit pants and too tight tops with their muffin tops hanging over the bottom.
ReplyDeleteMama J I know exactly what you mean! I'm the mama in the park the others are feeling sorry for as I have Master T in the carrier and struggling with a kicking screaming Master R trying to get him back into the stroller. Oh what fun!
Have you ever tried the Ergo? It really is so much easier on your back than the Bjorn. I'm sure one of the TKMamas can lend you one for a couple of weeks to see if it works for you. I'll be switching to that in a couple of months.
I just searched for a stockist on the iCandy website and there's 3 stockists only a short walk from me. I'm a little concerned that a stroller like that would be available in a very low income area that I live in. It might not be as nice as it looks online but I'll check it out tomorrow and report back.
Okay, Mama with the singleton baby but an abiding fascination with all things stroller is chiming in... I spotted the coolest double tandem stroller yesterday in the elevator at our building, so had to see if you detectives had already discovered and discarded it...the Jane Powertwin! Here's a link: http://www.strollermama.com/Jane-powertwin.htm
ReplyDeleteNow according to Strollermama, it is no longer being manufactured. But according to Amazon and other vendors, it's in stock. I say grab it now and enjoy!! The elevator mother I spoke with was very pleased with it. And the tires were air-filled and looked seriously sturdy.
Meanwhile I am very interested to hear Mama N's upcoming EyeCandy report.
Okay, with that, I return to reading this month's book club winner. Nary a stroller mentioned in the first 45 pages, but there's always hope.
-Mama V.
I saw the very enticing Jane on Amazon and did some research. Apparently the seats are only adequate for smaller toddlers... what size were her kids? It's something I fear may also be the case with the iCandy. With what these things cost, it would be a pity to have our older ones outgrow them before we get our money's worth! Geez. Who knew this would be such a challenging decision?
ReplyDeleteMama A I also read on an ebay advert that the Jane was too small for the seller's 2.5yr old boy and that's why she was selling it.
ReplyDeleteFor you New York mamas, Schneider's baby on 25th (I think) should have the iCandy strollers by the end of next week. Apparently the double will be somewhere in the $700 - $800 range, so definitely not cheap. The problem with Schneiders is that the owner and his wife are rude and I vowed never to buy something from them again. On the other hand, I may just eat my words if this stroller is too good to be true! Off to New Jersey to road test all the side-by-sides.
ReplyDeleteWe bought the Phil and Ted's Vibe with very little research. The thought process went something like this: side by side NO, double decker YES...Phil and Ted look nice...Sport or Vibe? Vibe folds easier and is lighter...walked to Giggle was in stock bought it.
ReplyDeleteMy advice is not to get anything until you find yourself saying, wow we really need a double stroller today. In the beginning I felt wearing Master G best. After a few months of that it was necessary to have one. A short time after that Master D didnt want to ride in the stroller and wants to walk. We have tried the boogie board and it is a bit tricky however I feel in a few months should work just fine possibly making the purchase of the Vibe completely unnecessary!
With all baby gear I feel like there are short windows of time when things are really best.
Two things I have learned: Make sure the tires are pumped up or the pushing and stearing are very difficult (goes for the bugaboo as well) and the Lascal board is preferable to the Bugaboo Board because it does stick as far out so that you can walk behind the stroller while Master is onthe board as apposed to walking off to the side.
We finally caved in and bought a double stroller. After torrential rain last week soaking me and Master T I decided we needed a stroller so we could use the rain cover - and save my back!
ReplyDeleteI went out thinking I would buy a Maclaren Triumph and was dead against any of the tandems. My priorities are lightweight, easy to fold and get into the car and able to get down the stairs at nursery (long non-slip stairs that are a pain to get up and down, but that's London!).
We went to two retailers. Sadly none of them stocked the iCandy. I tried the side by side but decided I didn't really like them. The wheels are hard so it's quite bumpy and not easy to drive. We then tried the Jane Powertwin Pro and I have to say I don't like it. It's REALLY long and I wouldn't be able to cross the roads here to the traffic islands or even get around the corner into the door at nursery. I didn't rate it at all.
We were about to give up when I saw the Phil and Teds Vibe. We gave it a go and it was great. I like the way that the extra double seat is so easy to take off and can be stored underneath when you just have the baby. It was easy to get up a curb, and as Mama LS said, lightweight and easy to fold. It will fit nicely in the boot/trunk of our new car.
I took it for the first ride this morning to nursery. I was able to get it down the stairs, lift off the top seat, store it and then push Master T home. Wonderful!
Mamas, I have seen the iCandy! Since I work out with my trainer nearby, I stopped at Schneider's to check it out. They arrived this past Wednesday. They will also be carried at Babesta, probably by the end of the month. It's definitely sleek - far sleeker than side-by-side strollers - and it handles extremely well. As you can see from the photo, the baby in back sits up higher, which I prefer.
ReplyDeleteIt's like a Bugaboo, in that it has a separate chassis and the seats are removable and can be switched in all sorts of positions. Like the Bug, it's not an easy fold. You have to remove the seat contraption... a bar supporting the two seats, then fold the chassis, and then potentially collapse the seats depending on how much room you have. Also, it's priced similarly to the high-end Bug.
The thing is that the front seat, while relatively wide, does not look that long, and I'm not sure if Master X will fit comfortably in it or if his knees will be in his chest. What is long is the stroller itself, which I guess is sort of expected from a tandem stroller like this.
Two other things that might be 'cons' include the fact that there's not much underneath storage and that the back seat is close enough to the handlebars to make suspending a bag a potential problem once the back child can fully sit up. Also, if you're into individualism, you may not like that it's only available in black, although there are a few colorful accessories available for purchase.
We're going to take Master X up there this weekend and see how he fits. It was so easy to pick a single stroller... who knew what a pain this would be?!?
Mama A, I can't believe you're breaking your vow and returning to Schneider's! But it is for a worthy cause - you need to move on from this stroller search. ;) Good hunting. I'm passing your report onto another friend who is looking for the perfect tandem double... it is definitely a growing market in the City!
ReplyDelete