torn between TFK, MB, Jane... what should I get?

[berlinsoul]

Finally we will get rid of our beloved/behated BJCE. Due to quality issues the retailer is going to take it back and refound our money! Great, isn't it?
now, we really need another stroller. ;)

Another thing is, that, unfortunately, I tried to sit (I am very small) for fun in our Quest the other day - and now one wheel is crooked... :duh: Not so funny now... Well, actually we need two new strollers now, but one after another...

I am really hoping for your advice, because I am torn between the options..DS is 15 months now, loves to walk, of course. We have a lot of cobblestones around here, so I love air tires even for city use.

Some features (that I learned to love or to hate using the Elite) are now important for us: enough storage place, big durable basket (better than the Elite's!), not tippy, not huge, narrow, adjustable/comfortable handlebar, roomy and comfy seat, big, nice canopy (I love the BJ canopy - is there any better?), good fold, I loved to have a footrest but since DS is now 15 months it's not that important...

So, in general, I don't know if I should buy something that we could also use with another child one day, or if I should just buy something that fits our needs now (e.g. regarding the reversible feature or the footrest).

Now I am torn between these four:

HANDY?:
TFK Buggster S Air
+ lightweight, + quite small, + big seat + like the style, + good canopy
- but not true AT, - quite expensive for what it is , - non adjustable handlebar, - don't know if it could be the one and only
http://www.buggy.de/en/products/buggster-s-air.html

LONG-TERM?:
TFK Joggster X2
+ tons of features and options, + for a second baby, reversible option (to buy then), + popular in Germany, resale ok, + roomy seat and narrow,
+ adjustable handlebar, + lot's of storage place, - just don't really like either the looks, the material, the colors or the style very much... (maybe get used to it?), - rather expensive, - TFK gets mixed reviews
http://www.buggy.de/en/products/joggster-xii.html

LUXERY (love at first sight)!:
Mountain Buggy
+we wanted that from the beginning,+ love the style,+great for a toddler
+ LOVE the push,+ good resale value,- no footrest & no reversible option
- in fact too expensive (maybe could justify it with the resale value), - like only the 2010 canopy version, big fold - don't know if our trunk is big enough, - less upright seat than even BJCE, - not so much storage place

BLIND DATE!:
Jane Slalom Reverse
+narrow and lightweight, - never seen it IRL only online available
- not popular at all -->resale value might be bad, - not sure if I like the style and everything, - don't really like the look, - don't know the push
+++ apart from that ticks every box! and it's in our price range
http://www.samueljohnston.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=232&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=Google-Products-Germany

what do you think? any input is welcome..:bowdown:
thanks for reading all this......:)

[blackiris]

Is buying something from the US an option? If so, maybe check out the bumbleride indie. It's not terribly narrow but fits most of your criteria.

[berlinsoul]

Is buying something from the US an option

no, not really... :(
and Bumbleride has no retailer in Europe.

love the indie!!

[swissair81]

I vote for the Mountain Buggy Swift. It has a much more compact fold than the Urban Jungle.

ETA, I've seen the Jane Slalom IRL. One of DH's cousins has it. I wasn't terribly taken with it.

[wellyes]

Get the swift, it is the one you want. You're only a mom to little ones for a short glorious while!

[spannaz]

Agreed with PP's, if not the Indie, go for the Swift. Mountain Buggy was your first true love ;)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Multimama]

I really have no advice, but I love the description "beloved/behated BJCE." That's exactly how I feel about mine. I always long for a different AT - Buy the one you really love that fits your needs now! Sounds like the Swift is it!

Although I personally would buy a Micralite Fastfold Superlite. It does not tick all your boxes, but I *love* ours.

ETA: I think Maclaren sells replacement wheels if that's an option for the Quest. (Depending if it's the wheel or the actual frame that bent.)

[MamaBear]

TFK Buggster S Air
+ lightweight, + quite small, + big seat + like the style, + good canopy
- but not true AT, - quite expensive for what it is , - non adjustable handlebar, - don't know if it could be the one and only
http://www.buggy.de/en/products/buggster-s-air.html

I've given my notice that, if he does go to Germany on his own as he's considering for the next visit, this is the stroller I expect him to bring back as my reward/compensation :wink2:

BTW, my Cameleon was fantastic in Berlin. Had it on the metro, trams, double-decker busses, and all over the place too. It's also the only stroller we had while living in Kiel. It was probably also the only Bug in Kiel at the time!

[MamaBear]

I think Maclaren sells replacement wheels if that's an option for the Quest. (Depending if it's the wheel or the actual frame that bent.)

A friend of mine brought her Triumph when visiting us last summer, and one of the front axles/wheels was crunched by the airline handlers. She had it replaced/repaired at a local store, maybe C$15-20.

[berlinsoul]

ETA, I've seen the Jane Slalom IRL. One of DH's cousins has it. I wasn't terribly taken with it.

Oh, you've seen the Jane. Could you tell me, what did you like/not like about it?

[berlinsoul]

Thanks for all your answers, ladies!

DH would also buy the MB now. (He forgot the fold I assume ;) )
Because it's cool and so simple, and as he says: Now, since our child is big enough "he doesn't need a comfy nest anymore" ;). He would not use it in the first year, he said.

I am still worrying about the Swift's seat width. I think it's tiny.
(I was in a stroller shop one months ago and they said they only sell the
UJ because they think the Swift is too narrow for the kids, and only parents are happy with it...)

I am worrying because we have a long, cold winter here and with the foot moof and the winter jacket it could be narrow... DS HATES it to be cramped. I love the Swift's size, for sure, it's perfect for me, but I think I could also live with the UJ. Have to compare them again.

Would you recommend the Swift so much over the Urban Jungle?
And, do you agree that the 2010 approvements are worth it?
(I could find older ones on ebay, but not the new ones.)

@Multimama and Mamabear: Oh, good to read that they can fix our Quest! I hope it'll be possible. I called a Maclaren retailer and they said it could be very difficult because our Quest is at least 3-4 years old. I have to drive by the next days and see what they can do ... I just bought a liner and a bumper bar for it...

[berlinsoul]

I really have no advice, but I love the description "beloved/behated BJCE." That's exactly how I feel about mine. I always long for a different AT - Buy the one you really love that fits your needs now! Sounds like the Swift is it!

Although I personally would buy a Micralite Fastfold Superlite. It does not tick all your boxes, but I *love* ours.
(Depending if it's the wheel or the actual frame that bent.)

I'll have a look at the Microlite again!
By the way, the Maclaren liner looks REALLY great in the BJCE! ;)
Got one point for the "love" column!
Do you still use the Elite if you have the Microlite?

[berlinsoul]

I've given my notice that, if he does go to Germany on his own as he's considering for the next visit, this is the stroller I expect him to bring back as my reward/compensation :wink2:

BTW, my Cameleon was fantastic in Berlin. Had it on the metro, trams, double-decker busses, and all over the place too. It's also the only stroller we had while living in Kiel. It was probably also the only Bug in Kiel at the time!

:) Do you think the Buggster Air could be good? I've just seen the Buggster S so far. They should have chosen 10" wheels...

Yes, in Berlin you cannot count how many Cams you see ... They are all over.
I was kind of against the Bugs but now not so much, since I think they really cover a lot of really good features!
You can imagine how they were designed by stroller freaks ;).
Still don't love the Cam, and we won't get one, I think.
I tried it in stores and I was disappointed by the quality of fabrics and the canopy. Also DH don't like the shape of the seat.

[MamaBear]

:) Do you think the Buggster Air could be good? I've just seen the Buggster S so far. They should have chosen 10" wheels...

Yes, in Berlin you cannot count how many Cams you see ... They are all over.
I was kind of against the Bugs but now not so much, since I think they really cover a lot of really good features!
You can imagine how they were designed by stroller freaks ;).
Still don't love the Cam, and we won't get one, I think.
I tried it in stores and I was disappointed by the quality of fabrics and the canopy. Also DH don't like the shape of the seat.

I haven't seen the Air version in person, played with the original while buying our Mutsy in Köln. I'd love to try it with the double front wheel set, too! (Also part of my "You're going to go to Europe without me and leave me home alone with the kids???" ransom :rotflmao:)

Cameleons are so much more expensive in Europe than in Canada (and they're more expensive here than in the US). I'm toying with the idea of selling ours in Germany when it is time to say good-bye to it. It remains my favourite stroller, though. So versatile, so nimble, so cosy for the baby (I actually love the bucket seat, my kids always seemed so comfy in there), so light to push. We lived in Kiel 4 years ago, and I don't remember seeing any others in the wild while we lived there, but there was a shop in the Altstadt that was selling them. I'm sure they're everywhere now!

[arivecchi]

I used to have a BJCCD and thought it was so great because the seats were so huge. I sold it and have now had a Swift, Duo and Terrain and much prefer MBs over Baby Joggers. They are in a different league of strollers. I was afraid that my 4 yo would be uncomfortable in the MB seats, but he was just fine. I think it was definitely my issue, not his! He loves our MBs and he still fit in the Swift when we sold it. He was about 42 inches tall at that point.

[poohbear]

I used to have a BJCCD and thought it was so great because the seats were so huge. I sold it and have now had a Swift, Duo and Terrain and much prefer MBs over Baby Joggers. They are in a different league of strollers. I was afraid that my 4 yo would be uncomfortable in the MB seats, but he was just fine. I think it was definitely my issue, not his! He loves our MBs and he still fit in the Swift when we sold it. He was about 42 inches tall at that point.

Did he fit under the canopy? I was at BBB and I put DS (38 inches or so) in the swift and his head was at the top of the canopy - closed. I was going to take a pic but he said "It's too small - I need get out!" and would not sit back. (then he wanted to sit in a chicco capri - sigh)
He did fit in the duo fine though, so I would assume there's more head clearance in the Urban (they didn't have one there)...

[arivecchi]

Yep.

Two 3.5 year olds in Swifts:




My DS last summer (3.5 yo). Not much room left, but he was able to sit with the canopy extended. He was 42 inches tall here.


[Pics deleted]

[arivecchi]

OP, this may be helpful (BJCC and Swift):


Swift next to BJCCD:

[Pics deleted]

[arivecchi]

Compare that to DS in the Vista last summer! We could not easily close the canopy in that one. Weird huh?

[Pic deleted]

[Multimama]

I'll have a look at the Microlite again!
By the way, the Maclaren liner looks REALLY great in the BJCE! ;)
Got one point for the "love" column!
Do you still use the Elite if you have the Microlite?

Yeah, I have several Maclaren liners for my BJCE. :)

Um. We haven't used the Elite in ages. I actually was trying to convince DH we should sell it, but he thinks we will start using it again in the winter. The Superlite has a very open seat area. The BJCE is like a cave in comparison. I think more protective from the winter weather. But the Superlite is just so much easier to get around with and a joy for public transportation. Plus DS loves it. So I don't really know what will happen with the Elite long term.

It's funny that you say you might want an Urban because it's wider. Every time I see the Urban I just think the seat look too wide. It's a bit ridiculous.

[eh613c]

Get the swift, it is the one you want. You're only a mom to little ones for a short glorious while!

:yeahthat:

[lele]

Compare that to DS in the Vista last summer! We could not easily close the canopy in that one. Weird huh?
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6N23BAfuUkg/TB1ZeXUmSyI/AAAAAAAABVI/Btu98XRXv5g/IMG_2652B.jpg

Is this your 2 YO or your 4 YO? Just wondering how long my vista might last.

Oh and sorry to be off topic :shy:

[swissair81]

Compare that to DS in the Vista last summer! We could not easily close the canopy in that one. Weird huh?

Not so weird. My DS is 2.5 and he is at the outer limits of the Vista seat.

[AnnieW625]

Of those brands that you listed I'd probably go with the Mountain Buggy. I have a Bob which I love, but if I had to replace it with a non Bob stroller I'd probably go with a Mountain Buggy, which I might even consider a Swift when I end up selling my double in the next year or so.


I sold it and have now had a Swift, Duo and Terrain and much prefer MBs over Baby Joggers.

Did I miss something? Did you buy another Duo?


Not so weird. My DS is 2.5 and he is at the outer limits of the Vista seat.

I want to play too, but the one photo I have of DD1 in the Vista when she was 3/1/2 won't load onto this site (and I have no idea why!), but DD1 was about the same size as Arrivecchi's son, but maybe a little shorter because she was always pulling the canopy over the front. However call me crazy, but it was a great stroller for an older toddler, and I even pushed her in it until I was about 36 weeks pregnant with DD2!

[arivecchi]

Is this your 2 YO or your 4 YO? Just wondering how long my vista might last.

Oh and sorry to be off topic :shy: That was DS1 last year at 3.5 yo.


Not so weird. My DS is 2.5 and he is at the outer limits of the Vista seat. Oh good. It's not just me then! Does he still fit in the Swift?


Did I miss something? Did you buy another Duo? Nope. Sold my Duo last month.

[berlinsoul]

oh wow, great to see all these pics.
it's kind of a controversial debate how good a kid fits a stroller.
no concern if you have the city elite whatsoever because it fits an small adult (tried also, no problem at all ;)) but the Sift has this tricky size and I think it totally depends on the kids preference. some like it a bit squeezed some don't.

I looked at the Micralite yesterday but I think I would much prefer the Toro! Read about an AT kit : anybody tried?
Read here in the forum, that the seat is also narrow at the age of 2...?

Then I looked up the Bumbleride again and was thinking if I should
get it ordered via ebay from the US. It looks like a perfect mix of the Urban and the Swift IMO.
The shipping cost a lot..but would be still slighlty less expensive then either of the MBs...

I am gonna get to a shop today to check out the MBs and let you know...:D

[berlinsoul]

It's funny that you say you might want an Urban because it's wider. Every time I see the Urban I just think the seat look too wide. It's a bit ridiculous.

Not at all! I know exactly what you mean. I rarely see Swifts only Urban Jungles ..
I was thinking: Maybe I love the MB appearance, the style & the easy push, but I am not sure if I really like the seat itself.
Kids sometimes look a bit lost in it....
Hmmm..

[swissair81]

Oh good. It's not just me then! Does he still fit in the Swift?

He does. My 4.5 year old still fits in the Swift as well.

[arivecchi]

He does. My 4.5 year old still fits in the Swift as well.Glad to hear I am not crazy! DS1 was definitely out of headroom in it with the canopy extended but he definitely fit in there.

[swissair81]

Glad to hear I am not crazy! DS1 was definitely out of headroom in it with the canopy extended but he definitely fit in there.

My daughter is somewhat shorter than your son, so I will probably be able to use it until she turns 5 (not that she gets to ride in the stroller so often- but she fits).