I have a 2 year old and am having my second son in 3 months and would love feedback from anyone who has experience with dual strollers. I am looking for a 2 seater stroller, I live in Manhattan so it needs to be strong, I work out a lot - have run 2 NYC marathons, and my nanny is a bit rough. Our Peg Perego - which I loved, is ready to be retired after 2 years. We got it instead of the Bugaboo because it folds easy - yes, we use the car A LOT so it needs to fit and fold in the car easily! HELP-but I have a little time!
We own the City Mini Baby Jogger. It's great, easy to maneuvar, and simple to take-down (although it doesn't become overly compact when folded).
hi S.;
i have owned 11 strollers of varying kinds, no kidding; here's what i found.
the Graco Duoglide was excellent; my daughter was born when my son was 20 mos so he loved sitting in the front seat and the carseat popped into the back section very easily. also this stroller has great canopies for rain and folds easily. it's hard to manuver like a bus because it's long but still better than a side by side for narrow doors. also it's nice and cheap, like less than $150!
when my son was 2.5 tho he was already getting too big for the front seat; then i got the Joovy sit-n-stand thing, i don't know the right name for it but it is by Joovy and also very cheap, about $140. i wish i had got this to begin with because the front seat is more roomy and the car seat snaps in and out great. BUT the problem w this thing is that the canopy is not big enough for the back to back seating set up once the smaller child sits up and goes in the front; the back seat for the big child is just a bench and doesn't recline, also, so you can''t have both kids sleeping in it at once. i went through a short period where i could not go anywhere using the stroller like a long walk or to the zoo where thebig guy might fall asleep because there was no place to do that.
thus, enter the Babyplanet side-by-side, which i loved; it was over $300 but worth it, however, not really worth it for me; here's the thing. the seats are wonderful and fully recline, so both children can sleep. i used it to get my exercise walks; it is heavy and w a 35 lb almost 3 yo and a 22 lb 16 mo old in it it's rediculous but at least you can get where you're going and take a long walk etc. it is also great for bad weather because the canopies are excellent. and you can use it w the new baby when she is like 3 mos old with one of those sherpa seat fillers or something because she can fully lay down.but you won't be able to use it till then because it doesn't take a car seat.
as a matter of fact i am looking to sell it if you're interested because i ended up only using it about 15 times; once my son hit 3 he was like, I am walking! see ya!
i would say go on craigslist and try to get a duoglide or just suck up the money and buy one, it's so cheap, for the first couple months and see how you do. even if you only use it for 3 months it's worth it. or go right to the joovy. your big one is older to begin with so he might not need a sleep-friendly seat by the time the little one wants to sit up front.
good luck!
J.
Check out Phil & Ted's. It is a double stroller but not double wide, has large tires (unfortunately not the fancy suspension of the Bugaboo). I have for first child but bought it because a friend bought it when she had second and hubby takes it for runs all the time.
I was very unhappy with my peg perego double stroller. I have 3 1/2 year old twins and this was there first stroller. It lasted less than a year, was difficult to manuveur and fold. I live in Manhattan too, and suspect that part of the problem is that it is not meant for city living. I now am very happy with a very inexpensive Jeep stroller but am not sure if this would be good for an infant/ toddler combo
Good lluck
I vote for McClaren!! They are expensive but they are durable! I had a double stroller for my twins. I was all over NYC with that stroller. When I finished with it, after abot 2 years I passed it on to someone else.
Of course my twins are 18 years old now, but I bet that sgtroller is still kicking somewhere!
I loved the McClaren double stroller. It was durable, sturdy and safe. I went everywhere with it.
Have a 6 month old and a 2 1/2 year old. LOVE my Jane stroller (front seat and back seat, 3 wheels) about the same size as Phil & Teds but seats are same height.
This is a bit pricy but really great design, easy to get through tight spots and very durable. http://www.philandteds.com/nz/index.htm
I used the Baby Jogger City Series double stroller for my twins. It was aweseome. You could push it with one finger! You can use it in jogging mode or with a swivel wheel. So easy to fold up (just grab a strap on the seat and it folds in half). Yes, it is heavy (but so is every double stroller). It fits through all doorways but it is wide, as opposed to a front to back double. I just liked having both my boys facing front... didn't want one shoved in the back with no view...
Maclaren all the way!
