Twin stroller love? Need reviews please

[moxygirl]

Hi y'all. I'm not having twins, just two 11 months apart.

I'm wondering what my best bet is for a tandem stadium-seat lightweight stroller. Is there any such thing?

What do you use and why do you love it? And - most important - how much does it weigh??

I'm looking for the BEST... preferably no more than $300.

Thanks!

[aja-belly]

we had this one for our oldest 2 when they were little.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003JDC8QE/...SIN=B003JDC8QE

it was great for the price. very manueverable, compact, folds up like an umbrella stroller. only one of the seats reclines (but it folds completely flat). if both kids had to sleep i would put the baby in a sling. it worked well until the oldest was around 3 - then it was getting more difficult to push and i found out i was pregnant with twins so we got a bigger double.

[dislocator3972]

[Gena 22]

My "lightweight" stroller was an Ingelsina, which I liked. Side-by-side, umbrella-ish. Weighed something like 21-24 lbs. It's the Italian answer to the MacLaren. Not too expensive and held it's value. Re-sold for something like 40% of purchase price.

It was a great, all around stroller. I kept it in the back of my tiny Prius.

Although I really ended up using our Ergos more, only used the Ingelsina when I was out with the twins on my own.

[Coco99]

Originally Posted by dislocator3972

Me too

[poppan]

I love, love, love my MBUD (mountain buggy urban double) but it's side-by-side so not really what you wanted. Also now they have been bought by Phil & Ted and are now made in china (used to be made in new zealand). I love that it's super easy to push and steer.

I think if I had two kids 11 months apart I would get the Phil & Ted one with the second seat added. It's easy to push and has the footprint/width of a single stroller.

I also have a Combi Twin Savvy which is an umbrella side-by-side. I prefer it over the MacLaren because it's easier for me to push with one hand/arm since it has a push bar that goes all the way across (instead of handles on either side). This is the one I keep in the car. It is harder to push than my MBUD but is easier to bring along.

[moxygirl]

Thanks everyone for the replies so far.

The reason I want a tandem vs a side-by-side is because I'm concerned I'll be constantly referee-ing my older baby to keep him from grabbing the newborn if they're that close together. But I'm also not wanting to lug around a 40-50 lb stroller. If I were having twins I would almost certainly go with a side-by-side.

Anyone got some magical answer that I haven't found yet? (Besides hope that this new baby will tolerate being worn? )

Thanks!

[poppan]

Check out the Phil & Ted's one... seriously, that's what I would get.
http://philandteds.com/en/productsus/pushus

[mauri456]

Well, I will have to let you know once the twins are here but I finally decided (today actually) to get the Mountain Buggy Duo. I was torn between the BOB Revolution and the MBD. What sold me was the more adjustable seating, the bigger basket, and the adjustable handle bar. Also, I liked that if I wanted to, I could get the pram. But I don't think Im going to bc it is such a short time we'd use it. (unless I can find a used one)

I wanted to get one stroller that I could use for our walks in the trail, an occasional jog, and everyday life. It looked comfortable enough that my almost 3 year old could also switch in and out, bc I still plan on wearing the twins when I can... (I just knwo Im going to need a decent stroller with three kids three and under!!!

This was definately a huge purchase for me... i never imagined buying such an expensive stroller.... but i think that we will be able to use it for years to come. It doesnt seem liek those that buy the MB end up looking for a different one down the road.

[poppan]

Mauri--my twins are 3 yrs 3 mos and we still use our mtn buggy every day! They can walk (obviously) but if we go a long ways like walking to the library or the park, I will pop them in the stroller. They still fit in it fine.

The foot rest bar on my urban double (not sure about the newer models) will hold a (third) 3 yr old too so you might be able to push your twins AND your toddler if needed.

[attached2mason]

A really cool looking stadium stroller is the new City Select by baby jogger. We are actually considering selling our MBUD and our Duoglider and getting the City Select instead (it accepts 2 infant car seats). That, combined with our double Chariot should be all we need.

[moxygirl]

Originally Posted by poppan

Check out the Phil & Ted's one... seriously, that's what I would get.
http://philandteds.com/en/productsus/pushus

I have a hard time visualizing this. So the newborn would go in the back/bottom seat? Cuz I know my older baby would not be happy sitting behind something that blocked his view. I think I'd feel weird putting a tiny baby that close to the ground. I'd think they'd get splattered by water/mud/dust. Am I missing something?

[moxygirl]

Originally Posted by attached2mason

A really cool looking stadium stroller is the new City Select by baby jogger. We are actually considering selling our MBUD and our Duoglider and getting the City Select instead (it accepts 2 infant car seats). That, combined with our double Chariot should be all we need.

Now THAT is a sweet stroller! A bit over our budget but if I can find it used...
Anyone know how much it weighs?

[moxygirl]

Aaaand... one more question...

Anyone use/love the Peg Perego Duette?

Thanks!

[poppan]

Originally Posted by moxygirl

I have a hard time visualizing this. So the newborn would go in the back/bottom seat? Cuz I know my older baby would not be happy sitting behind something that blocked his view. I think I'd feel weird putting a tiny baby that close to the ground. I'd think they'd get splattered by water/mud/dust. Am I missing something?

Unfortunately I never owned one... just drooled over it whenever I saw one. The moms I talked to said the lower seat was great for the baby because it's more protected (fewer people touching your baby uninvited) and can be nicely darkened for sleeping. The twin moms I talked to said for some reason their kids fought to sit in the back seat--I have to admit I never really understood that, but that's what people told me. I live in a fairly urban area so perhaps no one ran into dust/water/mud issues.

The city select looks awesome!

[attached2mason]

Originally Posted by moxygirl

Now THAT is a sweet stroller! A bit over our budget but if I can find it used...
Anyone know how much it weighs?

I think the site said 34 lbs as a double. I'm guessing you wont' find it used since it is new this year, but you never know! Worth a look, anyway. Definately pricey, for sure. A good stroller holds its value well, though, so resale price should be decent when you're done with it.

[moxygirl]

Originally Posted by attached2mason

A good stroller holds its value well, though, so resale price should be decent when you're done with it.

I agree. If we do manage to afford it (and my husband, after we checked one out at Buy Buy Baby, REALLY wants one!) that would be one reason we would consider buying one. There actually are some selling on ebay and, sure enough, they're selling for close to retail!

For those who are , I'm also considering the Kolcraft Contours Options Tandem. Similar to a City Select. It doesn't seem to be as nice/sturdy/user friendly from the reviews I've read but, hey! it's also over $400 cheaper!

[Valerieg]

My older two are two years apart and I can tell you this- most tandem strollers are HEAVY! I've had three different ones. The "lightest" was my Eddie Bauer. It has a smaller wheel base. But even it wasn't that light.

By the time we really got into needing a stroller anyway (I wore my DS in a sling during babyhood) I found that my DD would walk. So I just used a single umbrella stroller.

I don't have much money for strollers and my DH wouldn't tolerate over a $200 purchase. So when I found out about the twins I got a snap n go (LOVED it) and now I have a Combi Twin Sport. I got both on craigslist ($40 & $100 respectively) and they were nearly brand new. After using the Combi I wish that's all I had ever purchased for any child since day 1. I can pull a cart while pushing the stroller with one hand!

[mother_of2]

My older can walk, but it is very easy for her to get tired. So we bought a great twin stroller. It turned out to be great as it was lightweight and very sturdy. It even came with raincover and footmuff, which is great when it gets a bit nippy. Plus it also has chest pads and head protection for when they are little.

Here´s the link of the store we bought it at, in case you want to look at it.

http://babiesnkids.brinkster.net/bnk/index.php?cPath=63

[childsplay]

I second the Phil & Ted's. I have a Vibe with the doubles kit for my daycare and although I have put a small babe in the second seat, I find it easier to have them in the main seat.

I totally didn't 'get' it at first. In fact, I used to shake my head at the P&T's because I thought they looked, and seemed, well....stupid. But after trying one out I was completely sold and was like "WHY DIDN'T I SEE THESE SIX YEARS AGO????!!!"

The 'underwhere seat' as we call it ( think : under where? under there!) is awesome, the toddlers love it and I love the fact that if we're hanging out at a park or beach a little guy can just climb on in safely and have a rest if needed.

Now, the model I have is bulkier than the P&T's Sport or Classic (?) and really, it's overkill for what I, or probably anyone else for that matter would
ever use it for, but it still fits in the back of a Honda Civic, it's just, really, kind of more than what I need, kwim? The regular P&T's are awesome and can be picked up second hand for really great prices.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Oh also, if you do go with the traditional tandem, try to find something that has a cushy front seat. They're so much easier to push if the lighter weight child is up front.