So I’ve read a bunch of post here about strollers. I’m curious if anyone can compare/contrast a couple of strollers.
I think I’ve narrowed by choices down to three: (1) BOB Kona - - seems to be the standard bearer; (2) Chariot Cavalier - - nice design; like the sun shade; and (3) Dreamer Design Rebound - - poor man’s BOB? (all single strollers).
I can’t find a shop that carries any of these strollers in store, so I can’t compare. (Hell, I live in New Orleans - - I can’t find anything open but bars). My number one concern is comfort for my daughter; #2 is sun protection; #3 good ventilation (again, NOLA).
Can anyone give me some feedback on these 3 strollers, positive or negative? I think I’m going w/ the BOB KONA, but man I like the Chariot.
And a couple more general questions if you have the time:
My daughter is anything but passive. If I strap her down in a 5 point harness or anything else that precludes her from leaning forward for a look around, I think there will be hell to pay. Any thoughts on this issue?
And any input on wheel size (16" vs. 20")?
Any thoughts on whether suspension makes a difference?
Any other brands that I missed, which compare favorably?
Check out baby jogger. I had one years ago sold it when my youngest daughter got older. Had the boy show up. Bought some brand from performance bikes, didnt last very long and messed with my stride. Got another baby jogger used and got some of the shade/rain protection stuff online. It is a bit more expensive then the others, but you cant beat the durability. That thingsholds up well on and off road!
I LOVE my BOB Ironman (2003? model). Th emost important thing to check when buying is that it tracks straight. You can fine tune with tire pressure, but having a front-wheel microadjuster is nice. The Ironman model only had a QR which works also. Very solid. Good extras, shades, etc. Really well made.
Sorry, this won’t be real specific, but I read a review online a year or so ago. This guy tested several models with his childred and he found the Kelty (don’t remember which model) and InStep 10K to be the best. I think he rated the InStep jogger the highest because it had the best ventilation. It also happened to be significantly cheaper than the Kelty. I’ll be damned if I can find that review again though.
I am going to put some of those plastic composite 20" wheels you see on BMX bikes on my Baby Jogger. Make it lighter so when the boy yells for me to go faster, maybe I can. Nothin like having a 2 1/2 y/o dogging you on a run. He can pass a water bottle pretty good though. And, he can spot a hottie a mile away doing 6:30 pace!
I’ve had good luck with the bob IM, seems to be comfortable for my little one, and the sun shade is one of the best I’ve seen. She will sit in it for an hour at a time with no problem.
We just picked up a Chariot CX1 that does about everything under the sun, jogger/bike trailer/stroller or even accesories we did not pick up for hiking/x-country skiing. Our decision was based on usage and space. We liked the BOB strollers, but we also wanted a bike trailer. I think our model is a bit heavier but is well constructed, not to mention the nice rims with annodized hubs. The chariot we bought can be fully enclosed with a screen that comes with it, nice for keeping bugs out, and toys and shoes in.
The BOB is certainly a nice jogger, but the Chariot just had more features to our liking. Our model also has mesh sides with side sun shades that can be opened for more ventilation. For a pure jogger the BOB would have probably been our choice. Hope that helps a little.
I purchased the double (Performance) Baby Jogger a year ago. I really like it a lot. Definately get 20" wheels, they make the ride smoother. Check out this website: http://www.healthchecksystems.com/babyjogger.htm they offer free shipping, which is significant on something that big.
I want to get that model because we just don’t have the room for a trailer and a stroller. I’m hoping to take our daughter for runs and rides when she’s old enough (she’s 8 weeks now…wow).
If it’s heavier I really don’t think I’ll care. I figure I’ll feel that much faster when the trailer’s off. It’s not like we’re planning to tackle a lot of hills with it.
On a totally unrelated note, hooray for home birth.
The only jogger we stock is the BOB Revolution. It’s simply the best stroller on the market. There are two features that make it better than anything else out there:
1)Rotating front wheel. When you’re not jogging, you want to be able to maneuver the stroller one-handed. Most strollers, and in fact the other BOB models, have a front wheel that is fixed in place, so to turn it you have to pop up the front wheel and pivot it. With the rotating front wheel, you just flick your wrist and the stroller turns. VERY helpful when you have two kids – one in the stroller and holding the other one’s hand. Or if you’re in the grocery store and need to turn without taking out everything on the lower shelves. BTW, this features makes the jogger useful for my wife, who didn’t have the arm strength to wrestle with the fixed-wheel jogger. When you’re jogging, the wheel locks in place and has a micro-adjuster to help fine-tune the tracking.
2)Weather shield (sold seperately). Every other jogger also has a weather shield, but almost all of them only cover the front of the stroller. That means if your child is reclined and you’re not moving, water comes down the back of the stroller right onto your child’s head and neck. Not cool. BOB’s weather shield is awesome – it’s so good, in fact, that it’s covered with warnings about making sure the child has enough ventilation.
I wouldn’t use anything else, and I wouldn’t sell anything else. (And I can ship it to N.O. if you can’t find it anyplace else.)
I also use the BOB IM. It is actually good to run with. My and the little one go out on Sunday afternoons for an hour or so to give mom a break. We run around a graveyard. He sleeps
We literally searched the world over when we were expecting our 1st child - now 6 + we have 2 more (as masters)! We have both a single and double Chariot and use them daily. They are awesome in every respect, and quite versatile. We have the trailer attachment and the stroller wheels ie take off the one wheel that sticks way out front and replace with two little wheels that are underneath the front. My wife LOVES the stroller option. The screen cover and weather cover both work well, and there is good storage space. Lastly, Chariot is marketed and distributed in the US under the Trek brand, but there is not the franchise exclusivity like bikes so any LBS can order one for you.
First off. Not stroller related. Eastbank Cyclery is open and has alot of stuff marked down. It seems as though a lot of accessories are 50% off. This store is located on West Esplanade near the Williams intersection (near the Northwest corner). I thinks the bikes were marked down as well, but I did not ask.
I used an Instep model for a few years. Low tire pressure works good for soaking up those bumps and is much cheaper than suspension.
I never did quite cinch the straps tight enough to preclude mine from leaning forward to look around.
About the only thin I can say about the wheel size is that, many tire options are available to 20" wheels, but I do not know aout 16" tires.
Mike - a few miles southeast of the city
ps - if you see a triplet in the area with two kids, say hello.
Excellent question re: is the IM/Kona version a step up from the other versions!!
I made the assumption that the IM & Kona versions were better than the other BOB strollers. I have enough IM branded t-shirt/hats to last me the next 5 years. I don’t need to pay an extra $50 for another dot M logo.
We looked at the Chariot Cavalier and settled on a Chariot Cougar for a number of reasons. One, the option to convert into a bike trailer if need be. Two, more space inside to add things like toys, blankets, pillows, etc, and for our girl to sit forward and look out the side. Three, just great reviews from everyone we know that has one. Four, it seemed that every event I went to, there was a higher percentage of Chariots than anything else…kinda like when you see the majority of people riding Cervelos, it makes you wonder why. granetd, i live in canada and Chariot is a Canadian company so there may be some pride their in owning something Canadian, but our Chariot has been awesome and we will definitely upgrade to the two seater Cheetah when we have our second child. And for some other comparions work, check out www.joggingstroller.com .
Sorry, but I can’t say one way or the other. I was not paying attention to that when I was there. I was looking for SPD shoes for my kid stokers. Got to get that 9yo & 7yo on clipless pedals, you know… But I think their hours were 9-5 Mon-Fri and 9-2 Saturday. You should call if you do not live close by.
Lee, thanks for the insight on the BOB Revolution. I had dismissed the Revolution on gimmickiness, but your comments make me interested again. I know that my wife would be stoked to have the Revolution’s rotating front wheel.
It looks like the Revolution’s rotating front wheel is smaller than the front wheel for the other BOB models. Does this adversely impact the use of the stroller when running?
Lastly, my only real complaint w/ the BOB models is that the add on sun screen looks like an after thought; It’s as if BOB paid some 10th grader to design it, and proclaimed “good enough.” Any comments?