Need help with sbs for twins

Hi everyone,

I am expecting twins in january and I am having a tough time deciding on a stroller. My DD will be 3 when the twins arrive and I purchased many strollers during her first three years. We have a Martinelli Caroline, Martinelli Venezia or Milano(can't remember), Teutonia Swing, and a Zooper Z-street. We have been using the Z-street exclusively for the past 2 years and have no complaints.

I was looking at the following sbs but need some guidance because my husband does not want to go through the multiple stroller purchase again. I have narrowed my choices down to the following:

Zooper Tango: my problems with the tango are the lack of adjustable leg rest and the one large hood. Other than that I think I could live with the fold. And is the one big seat good or bad for twins.

MBUD: not sure that it is plush enough for newborns and also not sure of the recline of the seats. Is it a real pain to adjust recline with straps? Seats are clearly seperate and don't know if this a pro or con with twins.

Valco runabout: Looks plush. Can't see in person. Is the recline with the zippers difficult?

And now I've been hearing about the ABC double but have not been able to find a link for it so I can see specs and pictures.

We will have a double snap and go for early car seat use. Can anyone help me!

ebsg

Here's the link to the ABC website: http://www.abcbuggy.co.nz/ . Someone one this board used the MBUD for her twins since birth with a fleece insert, I believe, so it and the Valco are both suitable for newborns. If you order the MBUD from www.travelingtikes.com , they'll throw in 2 free Snuzzlers. My Valco isn't here yet, so I can't answer about the recline, but according to some recent posts with reviews, it's not difficult at all. Does your toddler still like to ride? If so, the toddler seat on the Valco or the ABC would be good for that.

ETA: I forgot to say also that the 2005 Mountain Buggy strollers will have fully padded seats, so they might be out in stores by the time your babies outgrow the snap 'n go.

[hardysmom]

Hey there-- I'm the twin mom who uses the MBUD with Bowron fleece inserts.

We've had a few of the same strollers-- Milano, Teut. Swing...

Anyway, while I haven't seen the Valco IRL, I think the MBUD is the best all-around twin stroller on the market. With Bowron inserts (www.kiwi-kid.com) it is the cushiest stroller in the the world. Marilyn will also throw in Snuzzlers if you order from arunningstroller.com, but I think with tiny twins, you'll want the actual fleece. My girls were BOTH 5 lbs, 14 oz @ 37 weeks, but they still seemed so tiny. The fleeces kind of held them in place on the fully reclined seat. You'll know what I mean when they are born. Actually, I put the Snuzzlers ON TOP of the Bowron fleece for the first weeks, but this was cozy over-kill, lol.

I also have an almost 3 yr old who barely rides, but the MB is great because if he wants to (or I need him to) he can sit next to a sister while I wear one twin. Also, if he is just a little tired and needs a quick ride, sometimes I let him sit on the front footplate. I'm not talking about letting him ride like that while we are walking through traffic or anything, but it is a nice option for, say, the walk back to the car after a few hours at the zoo. Yes, I do go to the zoo alone with all 3 kids, thanks, in no-small-part, to the MB.

The footplate is also good for stuff like the HUGE laundry detergent boxes which, no doubt, you'll soon be buying. Once a week, I have to stay in a hotel with the girls (long story) and I can even put my Pack-N-Play on the footplate (while pulling our bag behind) to get inside in one trip.

What makes the MB great for twins is its simplicity. It opens VERY easily and there is nothing fiddly about it. You can hang TONS from the handles. Part of survival with multiples is making the "little things" in life ride on auto-pilot. Personally, I like the 2004 better than the improved 2005-- with newborns, I think you'd want fleece inserts one way or another; the handlebar is fine for most people without being adjustible; and the 2004 weighs 3 lbs less which is significant. The only improvement which I would like is a single basket (instead of 2) which is more accessible with the seats reclined.

With twins, seperate seats are a good thing. Particularly when you have an older child who might occasionally ride. My girls are 7 mo and discovering each other (they are still in the same crib!) While they won't wake each other when sleeping, there is a lot of grabbing going on which can be troublesome. They seem fine and will even hold hands across the barrier.

I thnk the Tango' biggest problem is that it is too wide. The MB is only 29" and there are some places that are a VERY tight fit. Another inch and I'd be toast-- I'm thinking of places like the outer doors to public bathrooms. Since you basically can't leavce the house without your double, you want one that you KNOW with 100% certainty will go where you need it.

If you have any specific questions, let me know. I am in the process of selling a Peg MicroTwin I bought when I thought I needed a lightweight because I only use the MB everywhere.

I would recommend a Snap N Go double for quickie in/out errands. Nothing is worse than when you are on the road, the 3 yr old announces that they need to go to the bathroom, and you don't have a fast stroller option!!

Stephanie
Hardy (3 in November!)
Blythe Katherine and Charlotte Maeve 6.5 mo

Stephanie,

I think that we may have been in the ivillage stroller board together complaining about the wobbly teutonia front wheels.

I am also having two girls.

Thank you for your input

ebsg