Need recs for a good WINTER double stroller!

[southpawboston]

okay, we currently have two maclarens: triumph single and triumph twin. we got them because we really needed lightweight strollers which could be collapsed and carried up two flights of stairs with kids. so far, the macs have fit the bill perfectly.

however, now that winter is here and we have to deal with un-shoveled, iced-up and lumpy urban sidewalks :mad:, we desperately need an "all-terrain" alternative to the triumph twin. it's too wide and the wheels are way too small to navigate lumps of frozen up ice and other precipitated obstacles. however, we can only afford one new winter stroller, so it has to be a double. period.

we are willing to give up the compact fold-ability of the triumph twin for something with large wheels (possibly pneumatic ones?) that can navigate bumpy terrain and also hold two kids. tandem is preferable over side-by-side because often the shoveled paths are pretty narrow. fold-ability is not really an issue since it will only be used as our "walking" stroller for daily walks from the house to wherever. it will also stay outside on our porch. we will keep the mac in the car for mall walking. the winter stroller will never have to go in the car.

i'm thinking an E3. what else would you all recommend? cost is a concern, and i don't feel like shelling out $400-500 for an E3 with the second kid attachment. also, used is probably how we'll go. are there any cheaper alternatives to an E3? $200 used would be ideal.

[smurf]

Do you do any other outdoor activities besides walking? If yes, then a double bike buggy would do the trick. We actually bought a double stroller then sold it when we bought our Chariot carrier. We use it for walking, jogging, rollerblading and cycling. It's been a great purchase, probably the most bang for the buck of all the baby gear we've purchased.

http://www.chariotcarriers.com/english/html/cougar.php

[skipspin]

Don't get the e-3. If you do you might just be hooked and want to use it all the time ;-)
I just adore mine, and DD only rides less than 50% of the time. I took it for a week in the mountians when just DS came with us (DD went to Grandma's Tae Kwondo camp) and it was so worth it. There are 6 flight of stairs up the side of the Mt and DH and I carried it up and down with DS in it unless I wanted the excersize of walking up the hill the long way.

1.5 years ago I couldn't find a good deal on a used one, so I bought new. $365 for the e-3 with doubles. The used ones were all $300 plus shipping. You may be able to find something better, though, since you are in Boston. I never saw an e-3 here till the last 2 months when a local boutique started carrying them.

The bike buggy might work, but do you have somewhere to store it without folding it? All the ones I've seen are NOT east to fold/take apart.

[lovinwaves]

Oy that's a toughy SPB.

Hmm...well I would definitely look for something with air tires. I know you said the sidewalks often aren't shoveled very wide, but consider this...a double stroller really isn't *that* wide, plus if you have air tires, it will cruise right through the snow. If the path fits a wheelchair then a side by side air tire stroller will fit fine.

Another thing to remember, is most of the cheaper costing air tire side by sides are wider than than the more expensive side by sides. Sometimes that inch or two width really can make a difference.

Ok, I am going to have to think about this a bit, and reply back. :D

ETA: SPB, just keep checking my post..I am going to adding things throughout the day as I think of them.

This one came to mind first, but it's pricey and may be hard to fine used :( http://www.janeusa.com/products.htm

What about a Valco with a Toddler Seat attachment? That top seat holds 45lbs http://www.valcobaby.com/2006/index.htm
Or you could get the hitchhiker to put on the back for the oldest?

[Jeanum]

I know it doesn't help much now, but I wonder if and when a stroller company might make a stroller with swappable summer and winter wheels/tires. I simply can't resist suggesting the idea, based on all of SPB's discussion of swapping vehicle tires for winter tires on the forum. ;)

[lovinwaves]

Jean, you know I have seen posts on StrollerSwap where this has been mentioned, but I never read them. I think I always saw "bugaboo" being discussed. Maybe I should go read those posts now... :question:

[southpawboston]

I know it doesn't help much now, but I wonder if and when a stroller company might make a stroller with swappable summer and winter wheels/tires. I simply can't resist suggesting the idea, based on all of SPB's discussion of swapping vehicle tires for winter tires on the forum. ;)

ah, if only i could get "junior" dunlop wintersport M3's for the maclarens... :D i'd be in heaven :love:

[lovinwaves]

BINGO!! :cool: I have already left her messages, and sent emails. I responded in 4 minutes of the ad being placed, so hopefully I have first dibs LOL!!

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/bab/500788990.html

[southpawboston]

did you respond on my behalf or because you want it??? :D

i can't access CL from work... it's blocked :(

can you provide a weblink for a pic of that model?

[kelandmad]

I agree with the bike buggy suggestion, we have one also, my 6yo and 4yo still fits in it and it also is in closeable so you will be able to keep the kids out of the cold wind, and not have to worry about blankets falling out and on to the dirty sidewalks. plus you will also beable to use it for bike riding in the summer months.

[lovinwaves]

did you respond on my behalf or because you want it??? :D

Umm...maybe a little bit of both :o

No seriously you HAVE to buy this, or Dh will kill me :evil grin:

I responded for you :) If you don't want it, then I will snatch it up :D

It's this with toddler seat AND a hitchrider in light blue http://www.valcobaby.com/2006/toddler.htm

[Jewels]

I think the bike/buggy isn't very ideal for what he is looking for. I have a Chariot and love it but if the side walks are narrow then it would be hard to use it plus it is a bit tricky to fold and is very bulky to carry folded unless you take the tires off which takes time. For having to fold and carry up two flights of stairs with little ones I would look for something more like the on that Lovinwaves posted.

Let us know if either of you gets this stroller :D

[kimogilvie]

That is an AWESOME price on the Valco....especially with the accessories.

[southpawboston]

thanks, lovin!

okay, i went to the cafe next door to work with my laptop and found the CL ad ;)

i emailed her. let's hope i hear back. i'm thinking that at that price, it's going to be gone before i can even go see it tonight :(

[joolsplus3]

Ooh, I hope you can get that! (I bought one 'with' a friend, but never used it, she really liked it, though)
My very first thought was Jane', too (but I hear the seats are a bit small?)

And I'd love if I could snap some AT tires on my Volo (remember Stompers? Those battery operated matchbox-sized cars from the 80's with foam indoor and rubber outdoor tires? Like that!)

I'm useless for advice, just had to chime in :whistle::rolleyes::D

[lovinwaves]

:crying: She won't ship.

I hope you get it SPB. I emailed her back saying a local person that I know is very interested.

good luck! :thumbsup:

[CDNTech]

E3 E3 E3!!! It fits perfectly with room to spare in the back of the 3 too. ;)

I adore mine. I don't really use it anymore, but I can't bring myself to sell it just yet. :o

[arly1983]

I liked my E3 untill C started nearing the bottom seat weight (which is 33 lbs)

But I just have to say my MBUD is sooooooo much smoother than my E3 ever thought about being.

ETA: Too bad you didn't know this earlier, SBP, I had our E3 on carseat swap only 5 weeks ago for $300 shipped.

[lovinwaves]

SPB, she sent me an email back saying it has sold. I hope that was you who got it *fingers crossed*

[southpawboston]

damn, it wasn't me. i KNEW it was too good to have a fair chance at it. :(

back to the drawing board.

strollerfreak, what does the ABC double look like?

[southpawboston]

okay, time to tap you stroller goddess' knowledge.

the valco deal fell through, so what are some other options for jogging strollers that can take a second toddler seat (to have a tandem arrangement)? so far, all i know that do this are the valco and the E3. are the any others? again, we're not looking for a side-by-side double.

i have to admit, after looking more closely at the valco, i do like it.

also, who has the best deals on a valco runabout tri-mode? so far the best i'm seeing is $379 shipped without the toddler seat accessory.

[QuassEE]

The ABC has a toddler seat option--the toddler seat is positioned more or less on top of the hood. It's a bit like driving a shopping cart. They're a bit pricey, however..

Emmaljunga has a toddler seat option for the majority of their prams. Fixed wheel is great in the snow, and they have some with hard tires and others with pneumatic tires. Again--maybe harder to come by? I believe it may be their buggy board attachment that has pneumatics as well? Someone might want to correct me here, since I'm not an Emma collector.

Also--if you can find an old Valco Rebel, the toddler seats are around $15 at ReturnsForSale.com right now... But I'm not sure how easy they are to come by, used.

-N.

[strollerfreak]

damn, it wasn't me. i KNEW it was too good to have a fair chance at it. :(

back to the drawing board.

strollerfreak, what does the ABC double look like?

It's a SBS with the option of either a single or a double toddler seat on it...but if you don't want a SBS then that snuffs that idea.

http://www.abcbuggy.co.nz/images/016_lr.jpg That's with the double toddler seat...

Mine looks exactly like this...

http://www.abcbuggy.co.nz/colours/camotwin.jpg

Oh, and I have test drove a Jane' PowerTwin...the seats are TINY, and the seatbacks are ridiculously short...my 3yo test rode in it when she was 2.5 and her head didn't fit under the canopy at that point. Don't waste your money on that one...

[lovinwaves]

For 2008 SPB, Baby Jogger City Series Elite will now have a Toddler Seat attachment. It is pretty much like the Valco(the Toddler seat that is) The stroller and how it folds is totally different though. http://babyjogger.com/cityelitemain.htm The Toddler seat or "jump seat", as Baby Jogger calls it has not been released yet (to my best knowledge).

I personally like the Baby Jogger better, overall. This would also work GREAT for your situation. Very lightweight at 21lbs (minus toddler seat), 12inch air tires, and quick and easy *compact* fold. Heck you might not mind this one in your trunk. I do believe you will be able to fold the stroller with the toddler seat attached (Valco is the same way).



Sorry you didn't get that killer deal :hitselfonhead: That would have been awesome!!! I wasn't *really* going to buy it...well.....only if you didn't LOL!

[southpawboston]

For 2008 SPB, Baby Jogger City Series Elite will now have a Toddler Seat attachment. It is pretty much like the Valco(the Toddler seat that is) The stroller and how it folds is totally different though. http://babyjogger.com/cityelitemain.htm The Toddler seat or "jump seat", as Baby Jogger calls it has not been released yet (to my best knowledge).

I personally like the Baby Jogger better, overall. This would also work GREAT for your situation. Very lightweight at 21lbs (minus toddler seat), 12inch air tires, and quick and easy *compact* fold. Heck you might not mind this one in your trunk. I do believe you will be able to fold the stroller with the toddler seat attached (Valco is the same way).



when will the 2008 series come out? i wasn't able to find any info online about it or the toddler seat attachment.

[lovinwaves]

when will the 2008 series come out? i wasn't able to find any info online about it or the toddler seat attachment.

The stroller is available, but the attachments are due out this month (to my knowledge). I will verify that though.

You can see on this video the Elite. Start at 2:00 minutes(or start at the beginning and you will see my next stroller coming in a few weeks :p ), then at 3:25 you will see the jumpseat on the Elite Single (my correction it goes to 40lbs, not 45lbs)

http://www.babytv.com/videos/ABC-Baby-Jogger.aspx

[UlrikeDG]

Emmaljunga has a toddler seat option for the majority of their prams. Fixed wheel is great in the snow, and they have some with hard tires and others with pneumatic tires. Again--maybe harder to come by? I believe it may be their buggy board attachment that has pneumatics as well? Someone might want to correct me here, since I'm not an Emma collector.

I LOVE my Emmaljunga Minor Edge (http://members.tripod.com/ulrikedg-ivil/id2.html) with toddler seat, and it worked great in the snow in Germany (where it snowed so rarely that NO ONE shoveled their walks, and it was actually easier to walk through the snow covered grass than on the packed-snow covered concrete). However, unless they've changed the buggy board design, it does *not* have air filled tires. They were very hard wheels, in fact, that clattered loudly on the German cobbles. I sold mine and used a Teutonia board instead.

I was tempted to sell my Emma this time last year, but now I have another baby, so I'm keeping it.

[lovinwaves]

I LOVE my Emmaljunga Minor Edge (http://members.tripod.com/ulrikedg-ivil/id2.html) with toddler seat,

I really like that! Ok, question...do you pop a wheely to turn? :scratcheshead: I love prams (too look at them), but I can't understand why they are so popular with fixed wheels.

[scatterbunny]

Mine looks exactly like this...

(edited out cool camo double stroller pic)

I never read the stroller section but the boards are kind of slow so I decided to check this thread out, and OMG--that is the coolest stroller I've ever seen! :D

[arly1983]

The stroller is available, but the attachments are due out this month (to my knowledge). I will verify that though.

You can see on this video the Elite. Start at 2:00 minutes(or start at the beginning and you will see my next stroller coming in a few weeks :p ), then at 3:25 you will see the jumpseat on the Elite Single (my correction it goes to 40lbs, not 45lbs)

http://www.babytv.com/videos/ABC-Baby-Jogger.aspx

Ok, that is, that is my next single, DH said I could get one for Chirstmas. YAY!!

[lovinwaves]

Ok, that is, that is my next single, DH said I could get one for Chirstmas. YAY!!

You know my phone number :ROTFLMAO:
You are a hoot...and apparently I have rubbed off on you :evil grin:

[arly1983]

You know my phone number :ROTFLMAO:
You are a hoot...and apparently I have rubbed off on you :evil grin:

Well, I sold my Mac Triumph so I "needed" another single but I rarely ever have just one kid with me so a single that could be double is a good invenstment;)

[UlrikeDG]

I really like that! Ok, question...do you pop a wheely to turn? :scratcheshead: I love prams (too look at them), but I can't understand why they are so popular with fixed wheels.

For sharp turns, you do have to push down on the handle to take the weight off the front tires a bit. "Pop a wheely" is way more extreme than what I do. For normal turns and steering, I don't even bother pushing down. Simply guiding the stroller in the right direction does the trick.

[Kalinky]

SouthPaw - not sure how close this is to you, but I just came accross this on e-bay http://cgi.ebay.com/Jane-Powertwin-Stroller-Red-Jogger-Double-Stroller_W0QQitemZ300180562012QQihZ020QQcategoryZ6 6704QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem I wish I was near them! I'd swipe it up in a second and I only have one child!!

[lovinwaves]

SouthPaw - not sure how close this is to you, but I just came accross this on e-bay http://cgi.ebay.com/Jane-Powertwin-Stroller-Red-Jogger-Double-Stroller_W0QQitemZ300180562012QQihZ020QQcategoryZ6 6704QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem I wish I was near them! I'd swipe it up in a second and I only have one child!!

Hehe, I swear I see a Mountain Buggy Double in the background of one of their photos. :D She could be a stroller junky too :whistle:

[joolsplus3]

bumbleride has at least one stroller with a toddler seat option....

[Kalinky]

Hehe, I swear I see a Mountain Buggy Double in the background of one of their photos. :D She could be a stroller junky too :whistle:


HA! I didn't notice that. Good eye LOL!

[southpawboston]

SouthPaw - not sure how close this is to you, but I just came accross this on e-bay http://cgi.ebay.com/Jane-Powertwin-Stroller-Red-Jogger-Double-Stroller_W0QQitemZ300180562012QQihZ020QQcategoryZ6 6704QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem I wish I was near them! I'd swipe it up in a second and I only have one child!!

cool, i'm watching that auction now. i have a sibling in manhattan who could pick that up for me :thumbsup:.

anyone else experienced with this particular stroller?

[Wineaux]

Did you check and see what the Stroller Queen had to say about that particular stroller?

[southpawboston]

i was hoping some others here would do that for me, as i can't say i'm really into researching these kinds of things. ;) so what does she have to say? :p

[Wineaux]

i was hoping some others here would do that for me, as i can't say i'm really into researching these kinds of things. ;) so what does she have to say? :p
:eek: OMFG! You lazy bastage! Try googling "stroller queen" Jane Powertwin next time...

http://http://www.strollerqueen.com/page5.html (Scroll down the page a bit, albeit check out the tres cool Phil & Ted's twin Explorer while you are there...

The Jane' Powertwin
A wonderful tandem with air tires that is wildly popular in Europe. Highly manueverable, and great for tight aisles, big crowds, or narrow spaces.

Available in the US in July. It is said to be for younger children, but I pushed it around with two 4-year old boys, for a couple of miles, with no problems. I used it to pick up my daughter from school, and it pushed like a dream! It was SUCH a relief to be able to go around cars parked on the sidewalk (back ends sticking out of the driveway), instead of having to go out into the street like I usually have to, with a side by side.

All the moms at my daughter's school were asking me about it. As you can see, both front and rear seats recline. Nice full canopies, too! I enjoyed pushing it so much that I then walked to the grocery store with it, instead of getting in the car and driving. Again, it was so nice not to run anyone off the sidewalk, and to be able to actually get through the check-out aisle in the store.

The handbrake was especially useful. We live in a hilly area, and one of my fears is that a stroller will start going to fast, and I will lose my grip on a downhill slope. When the Jane' started gaining too much momentum, I just put the handbrake on to slow it down. Check out the cool front disc brake!
http://www.strollerqueen.com/Quickstart/ImageLib/DSC01459.JPG http://www.strollerqueen.com/Quickstart/ImageLib/DSC01461.JPG http://www.strollerqueen.com/Quickstart/ImageLib/DSC01460.JPG

PS... You are SO going to be doing research for me when it comes time for us to buy a new car...

[lovinwaves]

Just a few things:

The Jane has 11inch wheels vs. 12inchers on the Baby Jogger, and Valco. That extra inch might make a big difference in the snow.

Baby Jogger has exceptional customer service.

The Jane is a tandem which can be hard to navigate, especially the older children get. Maclaren does not even make a Tandem because that design isn't easy to turn and steer.

With a Valco or Baby Jogger you will have the option to make it a single at any given time. The Jane will always be a double.

[lovinwaves]

SPB, This just popped up on my local Craigslist http://kidzkargo.net/

The price is $300 retail. Here are the cons I see and have found online:

The seat are small, very small

Each seat only holds 33lbs

The stroller is heavy at 41lbs. (weighs more than baby Jogger, Valco, and MBUD)

The width is 27inches...that's only 2 inches narrower than a double Mountain Buggy. (see I told you the side by sides aren't that wide).

The fold is not small (this doesn't matter to you though)

So I don't know. Might be one to look at :shrug-shoulders:

[joolsplus3]

spb, did you find something?

[southpawboston]

nope. not yet. but after two back-to-back snow storms and sidewalks that vary from trampled snow to *possibly* two feet wide shoveled, i came to the sad conclusion that *no* stroller can really go out on these sidewalks. this morning i drove DD to preschool but DW walked to pick her up. she ended up pushing the mac double in the street most of the way. :( and a normally 30 minute walk turned into an hour.

we're going to try a few out while we're away for christmas and probably settle on one sometime in jan.

[lovinwaves]

I took the kids into our downtown today and had a great time with the stroller. That was my real first time pushing the MBUD in that much snow and ice. There were even big mounds here and there of ice and snow. The stroller glided right over it. I have to say it pushed much easier than I thought it would in deep snow. We got about 4-5 inches. PLUS, we had ice under that :(

So, what I was thinking is even if the right side wheels are on shoveled concrete and the other left side is not I think it would still do fine. Sure the kids might be ever so slightly tipped (doubt you would even notice, between the weight of the stroller will push the snow down in it's path), but I really think it would do *fine*. Then again, how much snow are we talking? I mean the wheels are 12inches, so you have quite a bit of room for deep snow. The MBUD has independent shocks which I really noticed when dealing with uneven ground. I have to say I was really happy, and it by no means felt like an effort to "push" them :)

My sister pushed half the time as well, and really liked how responsive it was (on her way to becoming a stroller freak). Also, we had a chance to be on the road with no snow or ice, but I didn't feel like it was a challenge to push them on the snow and ice covered sidewalks. I saw the sidewalks, and was not afraid to conquer them.

Hope you can find a stroller. Check your Craigslist everyday for a deal. Who knows maybe a MBUD will pop up :D

[joolsplus3]

LOL, you need stroller skis! http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Comfort-Safe-Start-Stroller/dp/B000674KNK

[dd9736]

what does SBS stand for, I'm also looking for the same things in a stroller, I've got DS2 in a snugli these days, which is a little scary when I stumble in deep snow, or slip on Ice. i need to put him down.

[Jeanum]

Woohoo, a stroller question I can actually answer. :) SBS = side by side, in the context of double strollers with side by side seats instead of one seat behind the other.

I love the idea of those stroller skis, clever. Trying to convince DD2 to stay in a ski-equipped stroller instead of walking through the snow banks is another issue altogether. She prefers walking through the snow and doesn't want to ride her sled, either.