oh my, now i'm in stroller overload...

[urbanmommy]

So my mother-in-law just called and offered to buy us a stroller :applause: She saw a woman in her neighborhood pushing her kids in some kind of Phil&Teds with a doubles kit and wants to get us something along those lines. I haven't done any research on these kind of strollers because they were out of our price range so now I feel like I'm starting from scratch.
I would like stroller with air tires and a not too complicated, fairly flat fold that can fit in the back of a Honda CRV. What are my best options that would be in the price range of a P&T (I guess around $600) with a doubles kit? Is the P&T explorer the way to go or are there other options you'd suggest?

Thanks so much for input. This forum is a G-d send.

[abh5e8]

i'd go for the P&T Vibe...super compact fold!

[crl]

What ages are your kids? How would you use it? Do you have a preference for inline vs side by side?

Catherine

[urbanmommy]

My daughter is almost 3.5 and weighs 33 lbs. I noticed the second seat for the p&t has a 35 lb weight limit. The second baby is due April 6. I'd prefer a convertible stroller rather than a side by side because I don't see my oldest wanting to ride much longer.

Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using Tapatalk

[Kaylee31]

I'd look at the Vibe2 or the MB plus one if you want air tires. Otherwise, the b-ready would be a good option since the 2nd seat has a flat recline for a baby.
http://blog.babygizmo.com/2011/11/baby-gizmo-spotlight-review-mountain-buggy-plus-one-stroller/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qeNTjNoEwE&feature=youtube_gdata

[legaleagle]

The P&T second seats are all 44lbs when they're on the front (infant-toddler) position and I believe all models can fold in one piece in that position. The verve also has 44lbs when the seat is in the back. The fold on the verve/vibe is very compact for a double, esp because they fold with the second seat on the back.

Would your DD prefer a riding board? There are a zillion options that take boards if you think she'll very rarely need the actual seat. You could wear the baby for those times if need be.

[tribe pride]

I'd look at the Vibe2 or the MB plus one if you want air tires. Otherwise, the b-ready would be a good option since the 2nd seat has a flat recline for a baby.
http://blog.babygizmo.com/2011/11/baby-gizmo-spotlight-review-mountain-buggy-plus-one-stroller/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qeNTjNoEwE&feature=youtube_gdata
:yeahthat: With your DD's age and weight, I'd go with the MB+1 if you want an inline. I had a P&T Explorer, and sold it because it had quality issues with the wheels. For a car double with air tires, it works fine, but if you're planning on using it mostly as a single down the road, I think there are better single options. Had the +1 been out when I bought my Explorer, I would have seriously considered the MB instead. Having owned both a MB and a P&T, I'd say that the MB is the better made stroller. Not that the P&T is terrible; my kids loved it and it was a fun stroller to push- we got comments everywhere we went. But as my kids got bigger, it became harder to push, and like I said, the wheels kept breaking.

Or, you could just get a regular SBS double, and then sell it when your DD grows tired of riding, and replace it with a single.

[urbanmommy]

Does anyone know how big the MB+1 is when folded? Will it fit in the back of a Honda CRV?

The MB + 1 looks really in intriguing as it has so many different options. I watched the baby gizmo review which was packed with good info. The one thing she said that she saw as an issue is the lack of recline for baby between 3 and 6 months when they might not want to be in a carrycot anymore. Did anyone have an issue with this? Also, I'm wondering if it gets really hot for the baby being in the carrycot? We live in DC where it is pretty uncomfortable in the summer.

My current set-up which I posted about in another thread is a BOB revolution single for walks around the neighborhood and a BJCM for in the car/on the go (plus I have a snap & go and an umbrella stroller). I was planning to let DD ride in the stroller and wear the baby and/or get a board for DD so DC2 can ride in the stroller. I feel like this would be a pretty workable set up. I want to go check out the +1 but I'm not feeling like I really need a double stroller. On the other hand if my MIL is offering (she's the kind of person who gets insulted when you don't want what she offers) I don't want to turn down a great gift.

[swissair81]

My +One fits folded across the length of my Odyssey. I'm guessing the trunks are close to the same size. I can fit other things back there too. As for the lack of recline, when my baby needs to sleep, I take the bar off the front seat and tighten the straps all the way. The seat lags enough that she is able to sleep comfortably. I ask my son if he minds when I do that (and trust me, he would make a HUGE stink if it did) and he said he didn't mind at all. I haven't used the carrycot yet, so I can't answer your question about whether it is hot. In any case, if it is free, why turn it down? I'm sure you can get lots of use out of it.

[poohbear]

I would see if you can go to a baby store and try it in your trunk. I could barely fit an MB Duo across in the trunk of my Highlander with the handlebar folded down and the highlander is wider than a CRV (I think an Odyssey is as well). The Duo may be longer though (I would guess not, but who knows). MBs have ridiculously long folds... That's my only gripe with them...

[BayGirl2]

I'd check out the Verve and the +One too. The Verve has a higher weight limit, which will matter for longevity, IMO.

I did a comparison a few weeks ago if you search for my posts. I didn't think the +One would fit in my car but it does - and I'm pretty sure my MINI Cooper Countryman has a smaller or same trunk size than a CRV. After living with the +One for a few weeks now we really love it. I think we would have liked the Verve too, but this was better for the price and I think has a better push and manueverabilty.

ETA: The folded dimensions are on the MB website. I believe its the 43 in height that is the challenge - my trunk is only 43 w but it does fit in there at a bit of an angle. I pop a rear wheel off, which is really easy.

My biggest concern was the recline, my kids still nap in the stroller, and my DD was 5 months when I started using it. So far both have napped in there sitting up. I can recline the baby in the front seat a bit. If we're out and I she falls asleep I'll recline the front seat and have my DS walk or use the Freerider. My DS is almost 3 and he falls asleep sitting up in the back. He loves the canopy - actually cried once when I moved it into a position he didn't want. I think my DD would have transitioned fine between the cocoon and sitting up in the front seat. She was still barely fitting in the cocoon when I got it.

I'm loving it most as a mall stroller and for our daily walks to/from daycare. If we're out all day at someplace like the zoo where DCs will be in and out and I want both to nap I still use our AT SBS.

[swissair81]

I would see if you can go to a baby store and try it in your trunk. I could barely fit an MB Duo across in the trunk of my Highlander with the handlebar folded down and the highlander is wider than a CRV (I think an Odyssey is as well). The Duo may be longer though (I would guess not, but who knows). MBs have ridiculously long folds... That's my only gripe with them...

The Duo doesn't fit in my Odyssey trunk either. The +One is similar to an Urban Jungle in size. It's maybe a
little longer. Plus there is more trunk room in a CR-V than a SUV or minivan with all the seats up.

[urbanmommy]

I was able to find a store about 40 minutes from me that carries the + one and got to check it out. I brought my DD with me so I could get a sense of her in it as well. It's a very cool stroller but I'm just not sure it makes sense for us. My husband loves our BOB Revolution single and he does most of the walking. Plus, I got a CJM for my car and have a snap n go as well.

I don't see my oldest (3.5) wanting to ride in a stroller for much longer. We basically have to bribe her to get her to ride in there now. I think we're going to stick with our original plan and wear the baby/let Dd1 ride in the stroller for a while and see how that goes. If it's an issue we'll address it down the line.

[gamma]

Would short term seating in the footwell of the Bob Revolution work for your 3.5 year old? It was a great solution for us for times when the oldest needed a seat.