Which Maclaren? (or other recs to replace Orbit)

[maydaymommy]

Hi

I have a ten month old baby, and a 10 month old Orbit. Baby is great. Orbit is NOT. I'm replacing the Orbit & I'm getting 2 strollers instead. One is going to be a house-based stroller to take for walks outside, to parks, to use for some fitness activities - mostly walking and a bit of light jogging, and to sometimes toss in the car for outdoor events, etc. The other stroller is going to be my in-car stroller which will really be a mall & shopping & errands stroller.

I am pretty certain that the outside one will be a BOB. I think it should be one of the 12" wheel models. I will also go look at a Mountain Buggy before I get the BOB. Is there any reason I should stick with the larger wheels of the BOB? I need to carry it up & down a half flight of steps & thought it would be more manageable to have the smaller wheels.

I went to a store and was all set to buy the Inglesina Zippy. Unfortunately, I found it nearly impossible to push. Baby looked VERY comfortable in it, (especially compared to Orbit toddler seat) and I love the features, but after the smooth ride and incredible turning ability of the Orbit, I just couldn't deal with the Inglesina. Quite disappointing, BUT I was introduced to Maclarens at the store!

At the store I really liked the Techno XLR. It seems to fit my needs. I want a real incline so he can sleep, I want to be able to put bags hanging off of it, a need a big canopy, easy fold, and basket.

I wanted to go home and do some Maclaren research since I didn't know much about them except that people really like them. I am having a very hard time sorting out the different Macs & their website is not that helpful.

Also, I went to BRU to try the Techno XLR again, and their model looked quite different than the one I tried at the store (Right Start). At Right Start they said they all came in that gray color and you got the padding insert in a color. At BRU it was gray but had an orange seat pad different than the Right Start one.

Is there a different Maclaren I should be thinking of? Does the Techno XLR have handle bars that can be made higher?

Beyond the Maclaren, do you have any recommendations for the stroller I should be looking at? I am attracted to the Quinny, Valco, & Mutsy, but I feel like I got the flashy stroller once & now maybe I should stick with the tried & true.

Sorry for the long post. Thanks for any advice. It is, of course, an overwhelming decision process & I don't have the time I had pre-baby for extensive research.

MDM

[codex57]

Try another Zippy somewhere? At different stores, the strollers I've tried have felt different in terms of how they push. Floor models can be abused pretty badly. So far, I'm liking the Inglesina models more than the Macs b/c the Macs are all on the tippy side and I like hanging diaper bags off my stroller.

[Celsior]

Although I currently don't have a stroller (still on my Graco SnugRider solution), I'm in a similar position finding a pair of strollers for my 5-mo-old DS as spring approaches. To me, the BOB is a bit bulky and heavy. Since jogging is not important to me, and because I'm willing to lug around a 25+-lb. stroller, I am looking at the Baby Jogger City Series as well as the Silver Cross S4. As for the lightweight, have you considered the new Inglesina Trip? It's only 14 lbs., and it has a 4-position recline. Moreoever, you're still opting for Inglesina quality. One thing though you'd sacrifice is the Zippy's nice-and-easy child snack tray. While I do not have a Mac, my research suggests that it's overrated. Good luck with your search!

[MNmomtobe]

[QUOTE=maydaymommy]Hi



"I went to a store and was all set to buy the Inglesina Zippy. Unfortunately, I found it nearly impossible to push. Quite disappointing, BUT I was introduced to Maclarens at the store! "

---- Hmmm. I do wonder if the floor model was just abused. The Zippy should be pretty easy to steer but not as smooth as the one-handed steering of a Maclaren. ----



"Also, I went to BRU to try the Techno XLR again, and their model looked quite different than the one I tried at the store (Right Start). At Right Start they said they all came in that gray color and you got the padding insert in a color. At BRU it was gray but had an orange seat pad different than the Right Start one."

----You tried out two different models of Macs. The Techno XT only comes in gray with different color padding. The Techno XLR is the one that is larger (wider) and accomodates an infant seat with the adaptor. It also has a 65 lb weight limit as opposed to the 55 lb weight limit of the Techno XT (and all their other single strollers). It comes in several colors like pink/brown, pink/blue, etc. ------


I think the Mac Quest would be a good choice. Not as cushy as the Techno XT or XLR but is lighter and not as long- so easier to lift and carry. Has decent recline and an adjustable footrest.

Other strollers to consider- Inglesina Trip, Inglesina Swift, Maclaren Ryder. I am sure there are many others to consider- Rock Star Baby Candy, Silver Cross Pop- however I have never tried out the RS Baby Candy or the SC Pop so couldn't tell you how steering is.

For smooth steering and portability, the Mac Quest wins but all Macs are very tippy.

As for lifting and carrying the BOB, though it has a nice fold and isn't horribly heavy (about 22-23 lbs) it doesn't have a lock to make it very easy to lift/carry. Mine has a velcro strap that you can wrap around it but it is not very secure.

[GeekLady]

I went to a store and was all set to buy the Inglesina Zippy. Unfortunately, I found it nearly impossible to push. Baby looked VERY comfortable in it, (especially compared to Orbit toddler seat) and I love the features, but after the smooth ride and incredible turning ability of the Orbit, I just couldn't deal with the Inglesina. Quite disappointing, BUT I was introduced to Maclarens at the store!


This is extremely odd, as The Husband and myself were just at a store today, also looking at an Inglesina Zippy. It pushed and turned and folded like a dream. Granted, we want a Trip, not a Zippy, but if the Trip pushes as nicely, I think we're sold.

Are you sure the brakes and front wheel locks were all off?

[maydaymommy]

thanks for the advice. It is MUCH appreciated.

I think I am going to find another local store with a Zippy there to give it try & see if the floor model I tried was just weak.

Thank you for clearing up my confusion with the Mac Techno. Of course - I saw the two different models.

I will also check out the BJCM. Seems everyone likes it & maybe that will suit our needs for an outside stroller. Can you do any fitness walking/light jogging with it at all?

I am fairly baffled as to why I can't find a stroller to be my car/shopping/errands stroller. I like things that are newborn-compatible, but this doesn't have to be since this baby is older already. I want an easy fold & excellent maneuverability, conveniences like a decent basket & hopefully cup holder or parent console, and I'd like a good recline & large canopy so ds can sleep & also be protected from too much light. Call me crazy, but I'd like ds to be comfortable in the seat & 6' dh to be comfortable pushing it.

To me, these don't sound like outlandish qualities to be searching for! I'm not asking for this stroller to ALSO be an outside stroller. I'm not limiting my budget. I'm just truly confounded by my inability to find the right stroller!

I'll have my eye on one -- like the Toro -- and then then find it just doesn't quite fit the bill.

Didn't know I was such a tough customer!

But -- I'll keep searching & trying them & taking suggestions.

Thanks again

mdm

[SnuggleBuggles]

Have you looked at the Baby Planet strollers, specifically the Solo Sport models?

http://www.baby-planet.com/products/SoloSport.aspx

Like Macs but less tippy. :)

Beth

[Joolsplus2]

The Mini can handle some walking, but an air tire gives a MUCH smoother ride.... :)

[KrystalS]

I have a Techno XT and I love it. However my DD is 4. I didn't purchase the stroller until she was 2 so I'm not sure if I would love it with a baby. I do hang bags on mine but if DD gets out of the stroller it tips. So with a baby I'm not sure if I would hang bags on the handles because it would be likely to tip.

[sdoyle]

I have a BOB for outdoors and a Mac Techno XT that we use mainly for travel to NYC.

The BOB hands down is the best stroller I've found for outdoor use. We have taken it camping, DH has run with it, we hike on trails with it, etc, etc. In fact DD likes it so much, sometimes I find her sitting in the dining room in the seat of it after she has unfolded it on the ground. We have tested the BJ, BOB and Valco but none were up to par with the BOB for as much as we use it.

The Mac is a great, solid stroller. It has been through a TON and looks great still. The push and raincover are fantastic. I just make sure that I fill the basket first when i am shopping and I have a Skip Hop that I hang low and close to the stroller. The only time it has tipped is when DH took it to a book sale (no, you can't hang 2 bags of books on the handles!) and when DD stood up and leaned backwards in it (also something we avoid!).

That being said, with the great deals now and then on schnoop, I would have considered the Silver Cross instead of the Mac if the price was right.

Good luck- there's a lot to choose from out there!

Stacy

Stacy

[MNmomtobe]

[QUOTE=maydaymommy]thanks for the advice. It is MUCH appreciated.


I am fairly baffled as to why I can't find a stroller to be my car/shopping/errands stroller. I like things that are newborn-compatible, but this doesn't have to be since this baby is older already. I want an easy fold & excellent maneuverability, conveniences like a decent basket & hopefully cup holder or parent console, and I'd like a good recline & large canopy so ds can sleep & also be protected from too much light. Call me crazy, but I'd like ds to be comfortable in the seat & 6' dh to be comfortable pushing it.

To me, these don't sound like outlandish qualities to be searching for! I'm not asking for this stroller to ALSO be an outside stroller. I'm not limiting my budget. I'm just truly confounded by my inability to find the right stroller!


Sorry but I had to laugh about the comment about the inability to find the right stroller. This is a problem many of us have. I learned a lot about strollers coming here and asking questions before DD was born. I agree that it is frustrating not to be able to find the right one!

Have you looked at the Peg Perego P3? It is very similar to the Inglesina Zippy except it has adjustable handlebars. People tend to kick the back wheels less than on the Zippy. I am able to hang heavy bags off the stroller without it tipping. Steers very well. Fold is good but not as easy as the Zippy. Weighs about the same. I think it is about 18 lbs. GREAT hood. Goes all the way to the bumper bar when the seat is upright. Toddler step on the back (Zippy has this too). Reclines almost flat, so it is newborn compatible. I removed the little clips on the recline mechanism on my P3 so it reclines even further. Has a nice tray. Wonderful 5 point floating harness that allows an older child to sit forward and still be well-restrained. Basket is not huge but holds more than you think. No parent tray (since it has the compact umbrella fold) but I use a Carry You demi-milan on it which works very well to hold two drinks. I also use a Carry You saddle bag on one side to hold extra stuff. Actually, I use a saddle bag on all my strollers!

Good luck with your search! :) Hopefully you won't get addicted to strollers like I did!

[nfowife]

I think if you plan to do any real jogging or running (like, more than from parking lot to store type of thing), you will want the larger rear wheels. For that I would get the regular 16" rear-wheel BOB, or the BJ ATS. Both would be great :) . I just think the fold on the BJ is a bit easier in terms of carrying it up and down any stairs. You could do it with baby on hip if you needed (it is a bit heavy, but for a half flight I think it would be doable).

For your car/mall stroller, have you checked out the P3? I prefer it over the zippy mainly because the seat is more upright (both my kids prefer an upright seatback) and the Peg floating harness is my hands-down fave feature on any stroller. Some say a snack tray isn't a necessity, and they are right, but it's sure nice to have at the mall so you can get some shopping done!

Best of luck!