Help! Incapable of deciding b/t MBUD and BJCS double!

[sophie627]

I have 8 month old twins and while I like my Inglesina Twin Swift for travelling/errands, it ain't getting it for trips around my neighborhood, which has really bumpy sidewalks, or for going to parks w/my older daughter. Obviously, people love MBUD, and while I wouldn't be packing it up all the time, the complaints about how bulky it is and difficult to fold make me lean towards the BJ. Also, seems like the BJ will accomodate taller/bigger kids. But I read some reviews of the BJ that said people were having trouble w/wobbly front wheels, but that BJ was correcting this. If I'm going to pay $500 for a stroller, I don't want any wobbling! But I also want to be able to get maximum use out of it and don't want to be hindered from taking it in the car on occasion b/c it's such an unruly behemoth. Oh, what to do!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for any help,
Hannah
Henry and Carina, 5/5/05

[AdoptChina]

I narrowed it to the same 2 and decided (today!) on the BJCS double....I called Marilyn at A Running Stroller and asked a few questions:

-the BJ will accomodate taller kids (good since my son is 2.5)
-the BJ has a better canopy
-the BJ has an easy fold
-the BJ folds smaller
-both have a bumper bar available (not sure if the BJ will be coming with one soon or if its available separately)
-BJ has a lifetime warranty on the frame

Another website also told me that repairs on the MBs take longer b/c they are based in NZ....and often the want the damaged/defective part sent to them before they will repair/replace anything

[carolines mommy]

I had one of the BJCD with the wobbly wheels and a brake that kept sticking. I called them about it and they sent me a whole new stroller. Just received it yesterday. The wheels aren't wobbly and are actually spread out a bit more on the new version than on the old version. And yea! No more sticking brake! I love how easy it is to fold and how compactly it folds for a double jogger. I highly recommend it. I've seen the MBUD and was not impressed with it at all.

Erika
Mommy to Caroline Nov 03 and Chelsea April 05

[sophie627]

Thanks. That makes it easier, although now I'm doubting whether to get such a spendy stroller at all!
Thanks,
Hannah

[annasmom]

Hannah,

Have you been able to see these strollers IRL? I have literally read every MBUD v. Valco v. BJCS thread there could possibly be, and the absolute best advice someone gave is to go to a store that has them all and try them out for yourself. They are all great strollers, but their appeal is different, IYKWIM. For me, I liked the MBUD because it is streamlined, the Valco and BJ are just too much stroller for me. I actually just bought the MBUD TODAY, after a year and a half of drooling over the stupid thing. I cannot believe it took me this long. Well, actually I can, because the only thing that was holding me back was how much money it costs!

The stroller is great, and I honestly do not understand the complaints about the bulkiness and the fold, to me it folds SUPER easily and folds relatively small (considering its size when open). My disclaimer is that my current double is a PP Tender Twin. The fold on the TT is o.k., but it is pretty huge folded up. So by comparison, the MBUD is a breaze. I have folded the BJCS, so I know that is ridulously easy. But, the MBUD is by no means difficult, IMO.

The steering is amazing (one-handed, I swear!), the fold is great, it fits easily in the back of my Van (with a PP P3). This is just my 2 cents, I think you probably wouldn't go wrong with either, but one may appeal to your aesthetics a bit more. Good luck!

[strollerqueen]

Very good advice. You would probably be happy with any of them. There are slight nuances which would make one better for a certain situation than another.

[ckate1]

I have been wringing my hands over this decision as well! My husband is about fed up with my stroller deliberations and wants me to pick SOMETHING and soon! lol I agree with the pp who said to check them out in person if possible. I was going back and forth b/w the BJCD and the MBUD and once I saw the MBUD I wasn't so torn. True, the steering is unbelievable, but the fold IS huge. It basically folds at the kids footrest so it's not in half and is quite bulky, huge in fact. Since I am planning for this to be our one double stroller, I really want something with a decent fold that makes it less awkward to load in and out of our wagon. Also, the '05 model (that I was hoping to get to for the low, low sale price of $530) don't have separate sun canopies. Might not be a big deal for twins, but the toddler might get the short stick when the canopy is pulled far over for the napping baby. The few shops nearby that carry BJCD (the closest is 30 mi away!), are all out of it for the next 2-4 weeks, but my local running store that sells BJ is willing to order it for me. It should be in next week and I'll report back how I like it. I am hoping it's going to be just fine, although in the meantime I will probably re-research all the options :) Good luck to you!

cKate
#1 11/03
#2 11/05

[hipmaman]

>True, the steering is unbelievable,
>but the fold IS huge. It basically folds at the kids footrest
>so it's not in half and is quite bulky, huge in fact.

Adding my 2 cents about the fold...

They both have different folds. The MBDU when folded is more length but less depth/bulk. The BJ when folded has less length but more depth/bulk.

If you have vertical height as in a van, stowing a stroller like the MBDU (standing up) leaves more room for extra gear and stuff beside the stroller. If you have a sedan trunk and need to stow a stroller laying down, something like the BJ would leave you more room for extra stuff beside the stroller.

So it depends on how you stow in your trunk, how big/small your trunk is, this might be the deal breaker.

[hipmaman]

>True, the steering is unbelievable,
>but the fold IS huge. It basically folds at the kids footrest
>so it's not in half and is quite bulky, huge in fact.

Adding my 2 cents about the fold...

They both have different folds. The MBDU when folded is more length but less depth/bulk. The BJ when folded has less length but more depth/bulk.

If you have vertical height as in a van, stowing a stroller like the MBDU (standing up) leaves more room for extra gear and stuff beside the stroller. If you have a sedan trunk and need to stow a stroller laying down, something like the BJ would leave you more room for extra stuff beside the stroller.

So it depends on how you stow in your trunk, how big/small your trunk is, this might be the deal breaker.

[gatorsmom]

I second that. I have an MBUD which I use for my all purpse stroller. I even use it in place of shopping carts at Target and the grocery store (because the little darlings can't climb out when they are strapped in!) and it works great for me because I have a minivan. Instead of folding it and lifting it into the van, I simply lower the adjustable handle bar and pop a wheelie with the front tires and ROLL it into my van. Then, when I'm strapping the kids into their car seats, I lean over, press the two buttons and it falls flat.

I love my MBUD! :) (HTH)