need double stroller for close-spaced boys

[Zabs]

hellllooo!!! I never even noticed this subforum! I am hoping you ladies can help.

In two months, we'll be welcoming our second son who will be (assuming all goes as planned) about 13 1/2 months younger than his older brother.

DS#2 will be in a SS1 and I never had any kind of travel system or anything like that for DS#1. I did a lot of baby wearing and probably will with DS2. We have a Chicco stroller right now which, well, its a stroller. http://www.chiccousa.com/product.php?productid=206&cat=5&page=2

I would however, love to get a double stroller. DS1 gets out at least once a day to the park or playground or something of the sort since we don't have a yard and he's a very very active boy. So I know that even when DS2 is itsy bitsy, I am going to need to be able to get out of the house and keep DS1 entertained. I really do like the idea of being able to leave DS1 in his SS1 and put him straight in a stroller at least for the first few months.

Is there anything out there that will accommodate a big infant seat like a SS1 -- thats a double? I know that Graco makes a huge monstrosity that does...the Quattro Tour -- which is fun to push, but huge for getting in and out of a car.

http://www.gracobaby.com/catalog/product.aspx?modelNumber=6K00MTR3&CategoryID=2

thats really the only stroller I have considered. I am hoping you can "steer" me in a better direction. hahaha. sorry. I am a delirious pg mom.

Oh, and DS1 has been walking since a few days before his 10 month birthday (you see why I am delirious). He is very good at walking but gets tired easily so he still is a pretty good stroller rider...at least as of this moment.

[mominabigtruck]

Are you in town or do you drive to the park or wherever you go? I have a quattro tour duo and I love mine and I honestly don't understand how people say its too heavy. I've never had a problem lifting or carrying mine and I LOVE the fact that I can put a 55lb 5 yo and a 28lb 2yo in it and it push like a dream. That being said I'm sure with two kids so close together you could get away with buying a smaller double like a maclaren twin techno or a peg side by side twin.

[StarrNanny]

The peoole I work for own a Quattro Duo, and I have been more than tempted on more than one occasion to accidentially run that hunk of junk over with my car. I hate it. It's heavy, and it's wicked hard to steer especially for a tiny gal like me, who really can't see what's comming in fromt of the long thing. I much prefer a side by side or a top and bottom configuration like the Phil and Ted with the doubles kit.

I know combi makes a side by side double that's prety light weight and can accomidate carseats (just not sure if it will hold a ss1)

[CDNTech]

If you want to put the carseat in and have the stroller go over rough park terrain, I would look at the following...

Baby Jogger City Series Double
Valco Twin Runabout
Mountain Buggy Urban Double

They all
*accept a carseat on one side,
*have air tires for easy pushing,
*fold fairly small for doubles,
*manouver really well, less than 29" wide (can go anywhere a wheelchair can go),
*have a flat recline for newborns (baby really should not be in the SS1 for walks - bad for their back, neck and spine).
*swivel front wheels OR locked for some light jogging/rougher terrain


We have a Maclaren Twin Techno that I use for my airline trips. If I could get away with taking my Baby Jogger City Series Double on the airplane, I would take it in a heartbeat.

I also have a Phil and Ted's E3 that I adore and I would consider that one on your list as well. When that stroller is in the newborn/toddler mode the SS1 slips right into the newborn bassinet and the toddler rides up front in the toddler seat... perfect for those quick trips into walmart. ;) I also loved having the baby sleeping in the bassinet away from prying eyes... no one ever knew I had a baby in there until he started crying. :D

I've also had the unfortunate pleasure in pushing friend's graco duoriders (side by side) and duogliders (front to back) and I will *never* own one of those.

[andbabiesmake4]

I second the Phil & Ted's! My kids are 21 months apart and I wish they were closer together so I could use the stroller for even longer LOL... I think it'd work fantastic for your needs because you can use it as a single for when you're wearing DC2 or as a double in the infant/toddler mode & then by the time DC2 is 4 months old you can use it in the toddler/toddler mode. I really, really love this stroller and get asked about it ALLLL the time.

[CDNTech]

I really, really love this stroller and get asked about it ALLLL the time.

That's probably it's one downfall. ;)

In the four years I've owned my phil and ted's I have *never* gone out and *not* been asked about it... and it was my daily stroller for 2.5 of those 4 years. :D

[KaysKidz]

I'm going to go against the grain and say that I'm only so-so happy with my SBS double. I've had nothing but fights/hair pulling/scratching/kicking/stealing etc between the kids (of varying ages). I like how easy it is to push and steer...but when I'm constantly trying to avoid battles...a front/back double would make things easier...even if it is harder to push. I've been tempted to sell my almost brand new Ingelsina Twin Swift in favor of a Peg Tender again....sigh...

[CDNTech]

I'm going to go against the grain and say that I'm only so-so happy with my SBS double. I've had nothing but fights/hair pulling/scratching/kicking/stealing etc between the kids (of varying ages). I like how easy it is to push and steer...but when I'm constantly trying to avoid battles...a front/back double would make things easier...even if it is harder to push. I've been tempted to sell my almost brand new Ingelsina Twin Swift in favor of a Peg Tender again....sigh...

The SBS doubles I mentioned are completely different than the maclaren doubles. The seats are much further set back and require more effort on the part of the child to bug each other. ;) Makes life a little easier, but it really doesn't matter which type of stroller they are in... if they want to bug each other, they will find a way. :D

[jdchic3]

I had the Graco Quattro Tour Duo and I could have gotten over how large/heavy it was in my Jeep, but I didn't feel like the seats, especially the rear seat, were well made. I fell like DD was going to slide out of the front one becuase it wasn't very deep and the rear seat back was saggy and DS is only 14 pounds! Otherwise I found it just fine to steer (I am 5'7") and LOVED the 'steering wheel' to hang things off of and how you have the huge basket underneath. That said, I was worried about my childrens' comfort so I returned it and bought a Mac twin techno, which is actually slightly too short for me. But my kids are super comfortable so I like it.

[KaysKidz]

The SBS doubles I mentioned are completely different than the maclaren doubles.

Yeah, but those are all jogging style strollers, and I personally don't like the looks of em, so will never own one (I know, never say never...). They may be a dream to push, but just not my cup of tea.

I just know everybody swears by the SBS so I went ahead and tried it...I'm just not jumping on the SBS band wagon! LOL

[KaysKidz]

Going back and looking at the ones you posted, the only one I'd even consider (based on looks alone) would be the Valco Twin Runabout...that one has a less 'jogging style' look to it...and would be something that I could live with...but at that price...I won't be buying one anytime soon! LOL

Sorry for the hi-jack OP!!! LOL

[happyfrog]

i've got a triple runabout and gotta admit, I LOVE IT!! it's sooooo much easier to push than a graco duoglider, etc. yes, it's big, BUT there are options.

one you could put a hitch on back and have it on back of vehicle instead of in vehicle. we're going to do that one of these days.

i bought mine used off ebay. paid about half of what it is new. :)

mine lives on front porch when not in use. i usually just take it and go walk wherever. it's wonderful for the zoo, etc., though, so that's when it's a bit of a hassle - only because it is rather big.

the comfort level though is what makes it so nice.

that and there's more space for each kid so they're not cramming knees into the back of the kid in front AND it's plastic seats, so it's VERY easy to clean. :)

BettyAnn

here's a link to what I'm talking about: http://www.bergdesign.net/runabout.htm

I'm going to try to post a pic: http://www.bergdesign.net/images/HOT07.gif

[seamonkeys]

I also have a Phil and Ted's E3 that I adore and I would consider that one on your list as well. When that stroller is in the newborn/toddler mode the SS1 slips right into the newborn bassinet and the toddler rides up front in the toddler seat... perfect for those quick trips into walmart.

Wow, you got the infant seat to fit in the bassinet part, with the toddler seat in the front? I'd love to see a photo of that, just in case I go for #3 in the future!

I bought the P&T when DS2 was 3 mths-old (DS1 was 3 yrs), but my babies HATE lying down, so I either wore him while DS1 rode, or ended up putting the carseat on the front and then DS1 would sit in front on the footrest! But you can't do that for long - it's hard to steer that way! I then found that he could actually fit in the back toddler seat! Since the main seat was just in it's unzipped recline mode, there was just enough room for him! But he's tall, so his head didn't have a lot of room. If your kids are closer together that older child would fit better in the back than mine!

[sixboys]

I had an old Graco front to back double stroller and while I liked it. But, it was very heavy and it didn't fold down compactly enough to fit in the back of our Sienna. It is really nice for moving through a store, especially one like Gymboree where the racks are often really close together.

I got a Peg Perego Aria Twin to replace my Graco and I HATED it. It's a piece of junk, imo. I can't believe the makers of the Peg P3 also make this joke. I had it for about three months before I finally cut my losses and sold it.

I replaced that with the Maclaren Twin Techno. I really liked this stroller. It is very sturdy, steers very well and has reclining seats, individual hoods and decent baskets. It is a little more difficult to manuever in small stores, but nothing too terrible.

Of the three doubles I've owned, the Graco and Maclaren were my favorites.

[Zabs]

I am so overwhelmed by all the responses!!! Thanks so much for all your help. I guess strollers are like carseats -- some just fit some kids better than others.

A few thoughts:
one, i am concerned about the SS1 fitting in strollers. I don't know how often thats an issue since its such a hoss of a seat. And I do want to be able to use that seat for quick trips to target, etc. Really this is my main goal of getting a double stroller -- is to be able to easily throw them in it and get around wherever I need to go -- store, park, etc.

two, DS#1 has never even two this day tolerated laying flat on his back. Thats one of the things that turned me off about the P&T (besides the price tag ;) ). I am assuming DS#2 will be the same.

three, I am not some big walker/jogger (yeah, i probably should be) so I don't so much worry about rough terrain, etc. I really just need to be able to wrestle two kids at once.

and four, I make rather large babies. DS#1 is in the 95-98% for height and weight (and his head has never been on the charts, hehe) so my other concern is that the stroller has enough shoulder room/height for them, esp if the SS1 is involved.

I guess I need to go to one of the specality shops around here and just try a few out...

thanks again.

[CDNTech]

Wow, you got the infant seat to fit in the bassinet part, with the toddler seat in the front? I'd love to see a photo of that, just in case I go for #3 in the future!

I bought the P&T when DS2 was 3 mths-old (DS1 was 3 yrs), but my babies HATE lying down, so I either wore him while DS1 rode, or ended up putting the carseat on the front and then DS1 would sit in front on the footrest! But you can't do that for long - it's hard to steer that way! I then found that he could actually fit in the back toddler seat! Since the main seat was just in it's unzipped recline mode, there was just enough room for him! But he's tall, so his head didn't have a lot of room. If your kids are closer together that older child would fit better in the back than mine!

I don't have a picture (never did get around to taking one) and I gave the infant seat away... but I frequently had a Snugride in there and tested out an SS1 (the imperial fabric from Sears to be specific) to make sure it would work the same.

You slide the infant seat into the bassinet first and then load the child into the toddler seat in front... it doesn't work well to do it the opposite way.

The SS1 required the handle to be back one notch so that it was positioned even with the shell of the carseat. With the Snugride I could just leave the handle up. In both cases the part of the infant seat that clicks into carseat base would sit right on the lip of the bassinet or just in front of it. It was very secure and never moved at all.

[mommytobee07]

I have the graco quattro tour and I lovvvveeeee it. I have the milan print and it is so pretty. I love the fact that it accepts two infant seats-not just one. It is so easy to manuver and contrary to what other people think, it's not heavy. My twins are almost 2 weks old and I have already used the stroller 4 times. It is extremely easy to get into my car and is probably the best double stroller I've seen in a long time.

[2scoops+1]

I've got my 2 cents. I LOVE THE Kolcraft Contours Tandem! It's the best becuase you can use a car seat attachment, any kind of car seat, and you can move the seats around very easily to have:
-both face front
-both face you
-face each other
-back to back
-1 seat in front, car seat in back
-2 car seats
-or one seat in front, back open for shopping

There are toddler handles on the sides for those walkers. The storage absket is huge, very easy to push on anything, steers great, the shades on the seats are huge and the seats are deep and wide. They even both reclines too :)

There are a lot of options that will be coming out with this stroller as well! You can see it at: www.kolcraft.com

Wherever I go EVERYONE asks me about it and WANTS it! Even the Daddys! I'm so glad I found this stroller, I truley beleive it sthe best one out there.

[happyfrog]

you know, i was reading along your thread and if you primarily want a stroller so you can go to the grocery, to target, etc., you really don't need a stroller for that. the new baby in the car seat can go in the big area of the shopping cart and older child in the seat.

when you have them get older, then just push 2 shopping carts at once. push one, pull one. you'll fill it anyway with groceries.

that's how i do the shopping, etc. my boys are 21 months apart and if they sit together in those double seater shopping carts they attempt to kill each other. (ok a little exaggeration, but it sure seems that way!!)

for walking (I do a lot of walking - esp when the weather is not crappy and icy like it is now) I use my triple stroller (I have a third kid on the way, lol) that's a jogger style.

anyways, don't be in too much of a rush to get a stroller, esp if yuo have no intentions of walking a lot, etc. you may discover you don't need it. the mall for instance, has double strollers we use for free.

bettyann
mommy to 2 little boys and a third kid on the way when the lilies bloom . . .

PS the thing I've seen about many double strollers is that they're cramped for the older kid's legs. their knees hit the seat in front of them . . .just something else to think about, lol.

[thepeach80]

I love my Kolcraft Contours Tandem too! It's my 5th double and has worked out the best for us so far. I'm hoping to be able to ditch it soon for a single on most days, but Evan is so little it's nice to be able to strap him in when I don't feel like chasing him. ;)We used ours daily for the longest time w/ the SS1, but not as much now b/c of the snow.

[KaysKidz]

Guess it's time to eat my words...I'm ordering a Baby Jogger City Elite double. ;)

[lovinwaves]

Guess it's time to eat my words...I'm ordering a Baby Jogger City Elite double. ;)

:ROTFLMAO:

[CDNTech]

Guess it's time to eat my words...I'm ordering a Baby Jogger City Elite double. ;)

I'm selling one... in pretty much brand new condition. The little nubbies on the tires are still there. :D

I'll go post it in swap so I can comply with the rules. :)

[lovinwaves]

I'm selling one... in pretty much brand new condition. The little nubbies on the tires are still there. :D

I'll go post it in swap so I can comply with the rules. :)

She's getting the new "Elite" model :)

[CDNTech]

She's getting the new "Elite" model :)

What did they add between the 2007.5 and the Elite?

[lovinwaves]

What did they add between the 2007.5 and the Elite?


They will still have the regular Baby Jogger City Series double (like what you have), but the Elite is the new luxury model. New sleek lines, footrest with access to basket, magnetic closures, new colors, parent console, All new universal attachment system(with many accessories, including carseat adaptor, and toddler seat), and more. You can see more here (it's later in the video): http://www.babytv.com/videos/ABC-Baby-Jogger.aspx

and also here: http://babyjogger.com/cityelitemain.htm