Lightweight Easy-Fold Mall Stroller?

[Firedove]

Hi everyone,

Tried to post a few days back, but the thread never appeared. Hope this works this time! Anw, I'm hoping to find a stroller for an 18mo, but can't seem to find something that meets all my needs:

- Use: Something for the mall and well-paved sidewalks
- Recline: Near flat recline for naps
- Wheels: Large wheels (8" or more -- it's just DH's thing)
- Fold: Very easy fold. I'm a klutz and have a lot of problems folding strollers.
- Size / Weight: BJCM is a bit bigger and heavier than what I was hoping for.
- Handle: single bar as I can't seem to do a one-hand push with the umbrella strollers
- Handle height: I'm 5'3, DH is 5'10. He likes the BJCM handle height, but it's a tad too high for me.
- Snack tray: Or the option for one.

The BJCM comes the closest, but it's not perfect due to the handle height and size, so I'm wondering if there are any others that I should consider.

Others that I've seen recommended and test-driven but not loved:
- Britax B-Agile -- Doesn't do sharp corners well. It seemed to have a very large turning radius and it really hurt my wrist to turn corners in the shop when DD was inside it.
- Valco Snap -- Didn't love the fold. No option for a snack tray.
- Babyhome Emotion -- Wheels are a bit smaller than I'd like, no option for a snack tray, and the fold was definitely 2-handed.
- Micralite Fastfold -- Worst fold of all the strollers I tried. For some reason, it was very hard to get the front wheels in the right position for the lock wouldn't catch. Also the upright position didn't seem very upright, while the recline also didn't seem very reclined. No snack tray too.
- Mac Quest -- Didn't love the fold as I always ended up on the ground. Couldn't do a one-hand push.

Is the BJCM really my best option?

[Kaylee31]

I do think the BJCM seems to fit your criteria the best. I agree about the handle height; I really wish Baby Jogger had added an adjustable handle to the non-GT models.
There just doesn't seem to be very many lightweight strollers with a one-bar handle that you haven't already tried. The only other ones I can think of that are lighter than the BJCM & have a snack tray are the Peg Vela & the Combi Cabria, which both have mixed reviews.

[hihellonikki]

Valco zee?

[roseyloxs]

You are going to have to concede either on wheel size or on weight. I can't think of any lightweight strollers that come with 8" wheels. I would say strollers with 8" wheels are going to be in the mid-weight category or about 17 to 21 lbs. Also you should probably just tell your dh that what the tire is made out of is more important then the size. Obviously the design of the stroller frame goes into it as well. The wheel size could limit a strollers abilities but if we are talking about a mall stroller it really, really doesn't matter how big the wheels are.

I would also scratch the snack tray or at least would just consider it a bonus. A lot of the snack trays on the market are pretty useless. They are too tall or too far away if the a child is buckled in properly. Especially after the most recent recalls forcing companies to put the snack tray/bumper bars further away so that kids that are in the stroller unstrapped (which is against directions) can't get trapped while trying to slide out of the stroller. I would just get a good snack cup (http://www.amazon.com/Munchie-Mug-Resistant-Toddlers-materials/dp/B001RJUVS4) and a tether and call it a day.

The BJCM would be a safe choice for what you want. With all that being said I might also look at:
Babyhome Emotion. I know you looked at it once already but you didn't mention if the fold was easy or not. Two handed folds don't bother me as long as they are easy. I always put my children in the car first, then put the stroller away so I personally don't have a need for a one handed fold. Review from Strollerqueen (http://strollerqueenreviews.blogspot.de/2012/06/baby-home-emotion-stroller-review-with.html).

Quinny Sennz. Strollerqueen review (http://strollerqueenreviews.blogspot.de/2011/02/quinny-senzz-review.html). Baby Gizmo video review (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4387BXJUO_o).

Cybex Callisto. Strollerqueen review (http://strollerqueen.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/cybex-callisto-review-2/). Baby Gizmo video review. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYa8kIjeGHg&feature=relmfu)

Valco Zee. Baby Gizmo video review (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNgJRfRO900&list=UURhB5KR5YBauHX9jUetkW_Q&index=75&feature=plpp_video).

Britax B-scene. It has an adjustable handlebar. The seat is reversible. You could use the britax snack cups or the vista snack tray. The wheels are large. This is the largest stroller in my list. Its 26" wide. Strollerqueen review (http://strollerqueenreviews.blogspot.de/2011/01/britax-b-scene-review.html). Baby Gizmo video review. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfOv8PChmaw)

[strollerqueen]

The Peg Vela Easy Drive definitely meets all your criteria; except for the wheel size. I've had two of it's predecessors--the Aria and 3-wheel version.
They are coming out with a model with bigger wheels--the "Book". But as the PP pointed out, it will be bigger and heavier than the BJCM.

You might also want to check out Combi. Shorter people who are using them indoors and want lightweight/easy fold/snack tray usually really like them. I've had a few of those that worked well for what I need them to. Come to think of it, I have three right now--two Savvy Z's and one UltraSavvy! :p

[legaleagle]

If weight is mostly an issue for lifting, how about the uppababy Cruz? 21lbs, but less if you pop the seat off and can get a nice tray for it.

[todzwife]

I sound like a broken record but what about a g-luxe? I hated my BJCM at the mall because the back wheels are so wide.

The wheels may not be as big as you want but it pushes SO easily!

[Beth24]

Peg perego Si also meets most your criteria. I think it has 7 inch wheels.

[strollerqueen]

Peg perego Si also meets most your criteria. I think it has 7 inch wheels.
The Si' is great, but she wants a single bar handle and a snack tray.

[strollerqueen]

I sound like a broken record but what about a g-luxe? I hated my BJCM at the mall because the back wheels are so wide.

The wheels may not be as big as you want but it pushes SO easily!
Yes, but as I just mentioned to Beth, she wants a single bar handle and snack tray. And smaller and lighter than the City Mini. There aren't a lot of choices with those criteria. Basically the Vela and Combi.

[todzwife]

Yes, but as I just mentioned to Beth, she wants a single bar handle and snack tray. And smaller and lighter than the City Mini. There aren't a lot of choices with those criteria. Basically the Vela and Combi.


Somehow I completely missed those requirements. Ignore me then LOL!

[legaleagle]

Oh, just found some pics for the new peg perego book. It is 20lbs but looks really nice.
http://blog.pegperegousa.com/category/collection-2012/out-and-about-with-peg-perego/2012-book/

(reading blog comments it either comes with or has an optional snack tray. And they'll be a reversible book out this winter)

[Beth24]

Somehow I completely missed those requirements. Ignore me then LOL!

Well you're not alone. I missed it too!

[Firedove]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I like the sound of the peg vela. Will hunt around for a shop that carries it for a test drive. The book does look very nice too, but it's defn heavier than I'd like.

The baby home emotion actually had a decent fold, though after trying the bjcm and b-agile, I guess I got a bit greedy for something really really easy. The snack tray is the main problem though, as DD uses it a lot - for food, as a table top for toys, and occasionally to prop her knees up against. Are there universal snack trays that attach to most brands of strollers?

[strollerqueen]

Well you're not alone. I missed it too!
Sorry guys, didn't mean to sound rude.

[strollerqueen]

Oh, just found some pics for the new peg perego book. It is 20lbs but looks really nice.
http://blog.pegperegousa.com/category/collection-2012/out-and-about-with-peg-perego/2012-book/

(reading blog comments it either comes with or has an optional snack tray. And they'll be a reversible book out this winter)
Yes, I played with it at the Expo. I really liked it. They were debating on whether to make it forward facing only, reverse, or two different models, like the Pliko and Switch.

[Beth24]

Sorry guys, didn't mean to sound rude.

Not at all! I was laughing at myself for missing it and quite thankful you're around to keep track! :D

[legaleagle]

Did someone post valco snap already? 13 lbs with Bar but no tray but could get one of the carry you ones. http://www.carryyou.com/snacktrays.html

[strollerqueen]

Did someone post valco snap already? 13 lbs with Bar but no tray but could get one of the carry you ones. http://www.carryyou.com/snacktrays.html

Yep, she tried it. Here's her quote:

- Valco Snap -- Didn't love the fold. No option for a snack tray.

[legaleagle]

Yep, she tried it. Here's her quote:

- Valco Snap -- Didn't love the fold. No option for a snack tray.

Ah, missed that!