13. Extra stroller reviews: Allo, Simo, Bertini, Bebecar, Kidco, Spectrum, i'coo.
Allo Baby (rating: C) popped up in 2002 with a couple of jogging strollers (the Marabella for $170 had a front wheel that swiveled or could be locked). We were unimpressed with this brand’s quality and design. The seats are way too small to fit larger children, despite the stated weight limits.
Bertini (web: www.bertinistrollers.com; rating: B) is an Australian-designed, Chinese manufactured pram stroller line with one claim to fame: most of their models have air-filled wheels that turn (most Euro prams have fixed wheels). Their flagship model is the Shuttle M5/TS ($310), a stroller with 12” steerable wheels, boot, two-position full recline seat and height adjustable handle. Yes, it looks very sharp, but parents who’ve used it complain about its weight (27 lbs.) and difficulty in steering. Plus the Bertini doesn’t take an infant car seat.
Add Bebecar to the list of European stroller companies that have failed to crack the U.S market. While their innovative models did have a few fans (the Raider A/T Plus was a good one), the high prices ($400 to $500 for a stroller, anyone?) turned off most parents. Bebecar has tried to stage a comeback in the past year, this time with a new Canadian-based distributor. Sadly, these folks have no clue about marketing. So, good luck if you can even find their offerings in stores or online (two models are the X-Fold, an 18 lb. stroller for $400 and the Tracker City, a 22 lb. model for $379 with reversible seat, big basket and height adjustable handle). All the strollers are made in Portugal; the quality is excellent. FYI: We noticed Bebecar's American distributor now has a web site at BuyStrollerOnline.com, where you see and purchase the entire Bebecar line.
GoGo Babyz Web: GoGoBabyZ.com. GoGo Babyz’s Urban Advantage Swivel Wheel Stroller ($170, 27 lbs.) is positioned as an affordable tri-wheel stroller with a swivel front wheel—it is about $50 more expensive than similar low-end offerings from Baby Trend and InStep/Schwinn . . . but it is $100 less than the premium brands. Unique features for this model include a removable front child tray and brake-activated kickstand (to keep it from tipping when a toddler climbs in). The Urban Advantage is designed less for running and more for gravel trails or neighborhood walks. Fans like the smooth ride and huge basket, while detractors say quality woes like cracked canopies, cheap seat fabric, squeaky wheels and the lack of an easy fold make the Urban Advantage a disappointment when compared to other three wheel strollers. Rating: C+
Kidco (800-553-5529, 847-970-9100, www.kidcoinc.com; rating: B+), is an Illinois-based juvenile products company who won initial fame as Maclaren’s U.S. distributor before Maclaren decided to go it alone. Since then, Kidco has cast about in the stroller market, looking for an identity. Their latest offerings are called the LifeStyle strollers, a handful of lightweight models made in China. Example: the Kidco 2010 (16 lbs.) with five-point harness, five-position seat recline, rain cover and napper bar. The price: $150.
A couple of positive points for Kidco: their strollers work up to 50 lbs., which is great for parents with big babies. Kidco strollers also have a two-year warranty. Parents generally give Kidco good marks for quality, with special kudos for their excellent customer service. One gripe: the seats in Kidco’s double strollers are too narrow for most kids.
Kool Stop (800)586-3332, 714-738-4973; koolstop.com. Kool Stop is a jogging stroller maker that doesn’t have the high profile of other joggers, but makes a decent product. Each Kool Stride has a five-point safety harness, reclining seat, and giant, retractable hood. Another plus: Kool Stop’s rear wheels are angled by five degrees for improved tracking. Quick release wheels and simple fold make the stroller easy to transport. Their flagship model is the “Senior” ($290, 19 lbs.) with an alloy frame, reclining seat and quick release wheels. Yes, Kool Stop may be a bit harder to find, but we think it’s worth the effort. FYI: Kool Stride has a “Kool Fold” feature for their models—basically, this is an easier one-step fold process, which is indeed rather cool. Rating: A
I’coo/Traxx I’Coo is a division of German stroller maker Hauck, which is attempting to crack the American stroller market with a series of stylish strollers set to debut sometime in 2005. Hauck’s entrance comes on the heels of Teutonia, the last German brand to sell here (and it failed). Why do German strollers have a tough time making it in the U.S.? Listen to one member of our message boards (who has spent a good amount of time in Europe) describe German strollers: “Germans seem to love really wide, heavily treaded air tires which make the stroller look like a tank or bulldozer. And the colors are bright plaids and lots of orange, often with two contrasting patterns.” Yep, you see right there why Germans and Americans don’t see eye to eye when it comes to strollers. True to form, I’coo’s offerings for the U.S. will feature wide, thick wheels that are covered with (and we’re not making this up) shiny stainless steel mudguards. Cool looking, but all that steel adds to the weight. I’Coo’s lightest stroller (the Pico) weighs in at nearly 30 pounds. The initial buzz on the Pico from our message boards is positive . . . parents love the incredible shock absorbers, telescoping height adjustable handle, flat fold, big basket and more. Impressive, but the price is going to be high—the Pico will sell for $400 in four wheel version, $350 for a three-wheel model. An optional rain cover is a whopping $50. Yes, the Pico looks sharp (one pattern is bright green and blue), but we wonder how many parents will shell out these kind of bucks. And the Pico is just one of several pricey models I’Coo will try to pedal here: the Traxx Panther 3 (Traxx is another Hauck brand nameplate) is a tri-wheel with pivoting front wheel for $400. A tandem double stroller called the Platon will be $800, while a simpler jogging stroller (the Dolphin) will run $350. All these prices are a bit surprising, since Hauck is known more as a low-price brand in Germany (we guess an unfavorable euro exchange rate has something to do with the high US prices). We don’t have a rating for these strollers yet, as they weren’t on the market as of this writing (they are in the “testing” phase as we went to press—translation: we are trying to find retailers to sell them). Late update: i'coo's plans to launch in the US market in 2005 did not happen, except for a re-packaged Infinity stroller sold as the "Rock Star Baby." See our blog (click on news/updates button at left) for more details on that! Yes, you can order other i'coo strollers online from Europe, but they are not officially sold here in the US yet.
Motobecane Web: motobecane.com. Motobecane is better known for their bicycles, but they also make a jogger (the Tot to Trot) for $350 and a double for $600. We occasionally see them pop up at a discount on eBay and other sites, but distribution is sparse. Feedback on Motobecane has been mixed—one parent complimented the Tot to Trot’s quick fold and light weight, while another complained of poor quality (her stroller collapsed during use; fortunately her baby was not hurt). As a result, we don’t recommend this brand. Rating: D
Simo is a European brand on the wane. Simo’s U.S. distributor (800-SIMO4ME or 203-348-SIMO; web: www.simostrollers.com, rating: B+) is de-emphasizing the Simo brand and instead concentrating on another import, Bertini (see below). Based in Norway, Simo came to the U.S. in the late 1990’s but had little success selling their expensive prams to a North American market more obsessed with lightweight models. A sample was the Nordic Cruiser ($400). This 35 lb. steel frame model converts from a pram to a stroller and features a fully reclining seat and full boot (an optional bassinet is $150 more). Simo’s distributor says they will still sell offer customer service/parts to Simo buyers, but the brand is pretty much kaput here.
