I know this has been discussed before. My little boy is big enough for a running stroller. What would yall reccomend. I am leaning toward the BOB Ironman. Yes I have completed an Ironman.
I want to be able to run with the little on for Tri Training <----Makes it On topic for Slowman. Wink, Wink.
Hi, I hope you and your little one are doing great.
I would do a “search posts” for strollers.
We have a Trek and love the way it runs and rides, though are son is just sort-of fitting into it as a big 6 month old. You have to go through a Trek dealer to get extra parts (water bottle holder, weather shield, etc) and I don’t like how big it is folded up.
I know lots of people who like the original Baby Jogger brand-the wheels come off and it stores almost flat in a trunk. It also has lots of positions for harnessing. They are also on sale at Sierra Trading Post.com
I literally searched the world over when we have our 1st child…I continue to believe that the Chariots are the best (I believe I have ironclad proof, and therefore may post) for multisport traveling families. See: http://www.chariotcarriers.com/html_english/cougar1.htm
Note that in the US they are marketed under the Trek label, buit since they are not “bikes” are not limited by franchise exclusivity, so any LBS can order for you. We have both the single and double - fabulous! BTW, you would believe how handy the stroller wheel option is when traveling. We have all the options except for the hiking rick shaw type thing.
Good luck!
I found a great review article on running strollers last year, but I’ll be damned if I can find it again. At any rate I recall the author really liking the Kelty strollers and InSport. The InSport is significantly cheaper. Both handled well in “off-road” situations, not major trails, just bumpy dirt. Both were light and well constructed. The major benefit of the InSport over the Kelty was ventilation. I recall him reporting that the InSport was the only stroller that didn’t leave his son soaked with sweat at the end of the run. Damn, I wish I could find that review again, I’ll keep looking and see what I turn up.
Hi Elund,
We recently purchased a BOB Ironman stroller and are very happy with it. I am really impressed with the quality and thought that went into engineering it. We use it just about every day as long as it’s not raining.
It is definitely for running and not for walking at the mall. The front wheel doesn’t rotate and the long wheelbase make it track straight. It is a no-compromises running model. The 2005 model has a micro-adjust to fine tune the tracking. I only had to play with that once and now it is perfectly dialed in. The other upgrade to the 2005 model is padded shoulder straps.
We also purchased the optional accessory pouch that straps between the handlebars or whatever you call them. It holds two water bottles and has a small zipper pouch for my keys and cell phone. There is also a nice storage compartment under the seat. We usually put a toy or two in there as well as a small fleece blanket. It is great for taking a quick jog to the corner store or the local fruit and vegetable market.
Our daughter is just nine months old but loves going for a run. I love seeing the fuzz on her head blowing in the breeze as I’m running down the street. She kicks her feet and squeals with delight for the first minute or two then relaxes and often falls asleep. It has suspension to really soak up the road vibration, but she’ll still bounce around on some large bumps in the sidewalk.
Good luck with your purchase!
If you’re only going to run with it, you’re probably on the right track with the BOB. But, if you’re thinking about using it as a stroller, pulling behind a bike, skiing with it, hiking with it (am I missing anything else???) I would definitely recommend the Chariot. We’ve got the Cougar 2 (for 1 child at the moment) and love it. Started out with the Burley D-lite but had 2 issues with it - the seat did not support our daughter and the lack of suspension on the gravel roads we run was bouncing her all over the place.
The Chariot has a far better seat for a little one and the suspension is fantastic.
I bought the '05 BOB Ironman (blue) for my running partner. (How is that for enlightened self-interest?) I think it is just great. I push it on our runs and she runs along side up front where the junior miss can see her. It is a dream to push, runs straight as an arrow, corners well and is comfy enough for the junior miss that she will go to sleep even on trail runs.
Another factor that sold it for me is that it has the highest handle bar height of any of the major brands I looked at.
For another $20 get the handle bar console. Very handy. There is plenty of storage space, but having it on the handle bar really works well.