I had a valco trimode for a while with the toddler seat. For the most part I liked it. but the set up didn't work so well with my girls (they attack each other in tandem sets ups, and the kid in back really can't see with the toddler seat on) and while it does fairly well on all terrain it doesn't do AS well as a BOB IMO because the bob has the bigger back wheels. As a single - if I only had one kid - I think I would have kept it. (I considered keeping is as I was planning to have one more kid, and since have, but feared if I made too many plans for said 4th kid I wouldn't get pregnant...) As a double, I liked it initially, but the novelty wore off. I got the whole set up on CL for $250 and sold it for $250 so I didn't lose anything. (had the toddler seat, diaper bag, boogie board...)
I think that for height you won't match the Baby Jogger Elite... I think the seat back is comparable to a Bob but the BJ has a big domed canopy whereas Bob's goes right out and hits taller kids in the head. I have a Bob - my kids never minded balling up in the canopy or going without - they play with it more than they use it - but if you want to be able to use the canopy + will have a older/taller kid you will do better with baby jogger. But check that the tires have air... they changed a number of their tired to "forever foam" which is LAME imo. I don't know if they changed back.
The SUmmit 360 is the most bob-like BJ but it has slightly narrower wheels and an annoying to get into basket.
If you can get a good price on the valco and won't be doing too much rough off road stuff I think you'll be very happy with the Valco. I can't remember how tall it was but it seemed like it had ample growing room at the time. My girls were 2 1/2 when I sold it. (FWIW I did take my Valco off road and it did OK - it's just it will be a little better with bigger wheels)
