Saturday, March 29

So Many Strollers...

What I wanted? A reversible stroller, compact enough to manoeuvre through grocery stores and stash in a 2 bedroom condo. A sturdy stroller that would allow peanut to lie flat, provide a comfortable ride on bumpy sidewalks, and carry a decent sized bag of groceries.

What I bought? A Bumbleride Flyer.

Pros:

Reversible - I wouldn't enjoy a walk if I couldn't see lil peanut and she couldn't see me - she's still too lil. This was a crucial feature for me, which narrowed the availability - not many affordable strollers are reversible.

Affordable-ish - I can't believe I'm saying that, but compared to the SUV of strollers (Bugaboo Chameleon), the Flyer is affordable. The higher quality of the Flyer ($429) is worth the $100 more than the popular Peg Perego Pliko P3 ($339) which feels flimsy and cheap. Though, it must be said that even the Bugaboo ($1000) feels weak. For that kind of cash, I want a friggin tank!

Manoeuverable - Takes corners like a slinky (Car & Driver won't be hiring me anytime soon).


Cons:

Size - Not as compact as I would like, but only umbrella strollers are as compact as I would like. I'll probably survive whatever guilt I have about clogging store aisles.

Comfort - As with so many strollers, I cannot walk with my natural stride without kicking the rear wheels. I'm not terribly tall (5'6") so I imagine it would drive a taller user to distraction (my husband pushes it with one hand and walks to the side). Fortunately, this is only the case when the handle is in the baby-faces-mommy position, but it's definitely a drawback to the product.

Storage - I will follow-up on this after some investigation. Thus far, the storage basket seems useless as it drags/rubs the wheels - disappointing. Maybe it's improperly positioned?


The stroller market is inflated (as all baby items are) so consider buying secondhand; I saved $200. Also, consider delaying this purchase and using a carrier until baby can hold her head up. Strollers without the ability to accommodate a newborn tend to be less expensive and more compact.

Final thought - If you've got the cash, buy the model that will best facilitate you and baby getting out and about. It's very important that you're mobile, so if you need a Bugaboo to feel comfortable out-of-doors, buy the darn thing!

p.s. Maggie loves the print on the inside of the canopy - she giggles and coos at it constantly!

2 comments:

@ said...

I think at the price we paid for this used it was a good buy - there is no way I'd be happy if I had paid full price for it though.

One of the more disappointing things for me has been the wheels, which produce a surprisingly bumpy ride unless you are on nice sidewalks. It has totally impacted where we choose to go and I would not have expected that looking at those wheels.

bumbleride said...

Dear Caitlin,

Thanks for purchasing a Bumbleride. We hope you enjoy it. We @ bumbleride would like to offer a free replacement cargo basket. We have a newer version that does not touch the wheels and we would be glad to send you the replacement. Please email ryan@bumbleride.com and provide your mailing address.

Please feel free to contact Bumbleride for replacement parts or questions or concerns.

Have a great week,

Ryan @ Bumbleride Customer Service
www.bumbleride.com