BJCM vs uppababy cruz

[peafive]

I've been searching for a stroller and I had thought I had decided on getting the BJCM. I saw the Cruz when I was looking at the BJCM and felt how smoothly it pushed and the large storage area. I also love that the Cruz is also reversible. What are your opinions on these strollers? I was also thinking about waiting and getting the BJCM GT. I saw the new features and thought that it would be worth waiting for.

[teo]

We looked at both of these (and ended up with the Cruz) so I can offer my thoughts, though how they fit your situation may vary...

I really, really wanted to love the BJCM because half a dozen friends had recommended it. However, given where we live, we were likely to use the stroller frequently for grocery shopping and other things that would rely on the basket, and I was really frustrated trying to get things in and out of the basket, especially with the seat fully reclined as it would need to be for several months since we were buying it for a newborn. So that ended up being the dealbreaker for it, though I otherwise liked it a lot. BUT---the 2012 model, which should be out soon if it isn't already, improves access to the basket significantly, so that may help a lot. The fold and the light weight on the BJCM are basically unbeatable.

We got the Cruz in the end because I decided I felt strongly about having a reversible stroller, and it was one of the few with really good baskets. I love those two features of it, but there are also things that frustrate me about it---specifically the weight. BJCM wins hands down on that front, as the Cruz is pretty cumbersome to get up and down stairs with a baby in it. I was hoping it would be our one-and-only stroller (as the BJCM is for many of our friends) but at this point it looks like we will wind up with two and maybe even three strollers by the time all is said and done. So that was a bit frustrating, but possibly unavoidable if I wanted the reversible feature. (And I have to say that I LOVE that---we walked DC home last night facing the other way because we'd flipped the seat at a restaurant and he'd fallen asleep, and I was afraid he'd wake up if we flipped it back. It was so hard not to see him!) I'm honestly not too sure how the push compares---Cruz has better wheel material but BJCM's design may help it handle a little better, not to mention that it's lighter---pushing Cruz + baby up a steep hill takes some energy. I suspect they may be pretty comparable on that front when all is said and done.

Assuming you're looking at the 2012 BJCM, it mostly comes down to how important weight/fold is versus the reversible feature. The Baby Jogger strollers also have a lot more accessories, if you want the option of a bassinet or belly bar or anything like that. The GT also sounds great and will have a great fold, but is the same weight as the Cruz. Hope that helps!

[poohbear]

If you're not in a huge hurry, you can wait for the bjcm gt (which IMO, with the exception of the meh color choices, will be the perfect bjcm) or the versa. I wasn't a huge fan of the cruz when I tried it in the store (and I have had at one time or another a cam, a frog, a vista, a bjcm, a bob, a bee plus, icandy apple, maclarens, phil and ted (and I've bought the bjcm twice).

I agree that the reversible feature is nice to have. If you're looking in that price range, I'd also check out the bee plus and see if you can snag a bee plus on CL...
(I'm not saying the cruz wasn't nice, it just didn't make me want to part with my bee plus or any of my other strollers)

[peafive]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll wait and see how the BJCM GT is. I really did like how light and easy the fold was for the BJCM. I did look on CL and I saw a Bee plus for $500 new in box. Would that be a good deal?

[poohbear]

Originally Posted by peafive

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll wait and see how the BJCM GT is. I really did like how light and easy the fold was for the BJCM. I did look on CL and I saw a Bee plus for $500 new in box. Would that be a good deal?

Meh. I would say $400-450 with canopy is a good deal. $500 is okay if it includes the canopy. Without, it's really only 20% off and you can get that from some e-tailers. I would also find out if they are including the receipt for the warranty, since bugaboo is pretty strict about that....

Are you in Chicago by any chance? THere has been a NIB bee plus on our CL for a long time - not sure if it's a scam or just not selling. I would offer less..

[peafive]

I am in Chicago. I must have seen the same ad. I find it weird that it's been up for a few weeks. I contacted the seller and I said I was wondering why they didn't want the stroller because it was new in box. The answer she gave was that it was rather personal and wouldn't say why which I thought was strange. Most ads I saw said they had another stroller which is why they didn't need a stroller. My DH said he didn't want to buy it off CL so I'll be staying away from it.

[atx]

Originally Posted by peafive

I am in Chicago. I must have seen the same ad. I find it weird that it's been up for a few weeks. I contacted the seller and I said I was wondering why they didn't want the stroller because it was new in box. The answer she gave was that it was rather personal and wouldn't say why which I thought was strange. Most ads I saw said they had another stroller which is why they didn't need a stroller. My DH said he didn't want to buy it off CL so I'll be staying away from it.

Maybe they had bought it for a expected baby and had a loss...just a thought

[meggswife]

That was actually my thought too.