The narrower set-up of seats back and front instead of side by side seems more practical, to me, for walking next to someone else or going in/out of doors.
We currently have a single BOB and I like it, but it's big and heavy. There's no way I want to lug a double one around!
I do use a stroller often, especially when it's nice - we walk a lot for exercise, as a family in the evenings, etc, so I don't mind spending $500-ish, but I'm hesitant to go a lot above that, especially because then you need to buy extra seats/attachments, snack trays, etc etc etc.
DD1 is 25 months, so while she can walk sometimes, realistically she's going to ride, especially if we're going 3-4 miles. (I debated about how long it would get used, but I'm thinking she'll still use it at 3 next summer too.)
DD stopped riding in a stroller shortly after her 3rd birthday. I would hesitate to make an investment right now in your case. Can you wear the baby in a carrier for now and continue to push DD in the stroller? Then maybe get a boogy board (sp?) attachment for next summer so your DD can stand on the back of the stroller? That's what I see a lot of around me, especially for subway use.
Post by AlpineSlide on Apr 25, 2015 16:45:59 GMT -5
I just read this recently and found it informative even though I'm not in the market for a double. I'd want a sit and stand, I think. I pinned the Baby Trend one for the future, but the Joovy is cool too. www.lucieslist.com/best-sit-and-stand-strollers/
Post by ilikedonuts on Apr 25, 2015 16:49:02 GMT -5
My kids are exactly 2 years apart and while I don't use a double a ton, I like having the option for it. I have a City Select and I have it set up as a single, but keep the extra seat in my car so I can toss it on if DD1 decides she wants to ride. She's 3.5 and she still occasionally asks to ride. I'd rather have the extra seat as an option for her at the zoo, if we go on a long walk in the woods, etc then not have it.
We have a Phil & Ted Navigator. My younger two are 22 months apart. We walk most places and I have never folded it up to put in the car.
It was really our only option for where we live. Our house is an old Victorian and the stroller just fits in the front hall. The shops and stores here are small and narrow so we needed to go with an in-line.
It's a good stroller for what we needed but I am not in love with it. As soon as the 2 year old drops naps, probably next summer, I will sell the Phil and Ted and get an Uppa Baby Vista with a ride on board.
You could get away with baby carrying and using a BOB for a while and see if your older child starts walking more. I just found it to be too much on me physically. Very hilly here and I often walk up to 6 miles in a day. Plus my babies chunk out pretty quick so hard to be carrying an 18 lbs 3 month old in a front carry while pushing a 27 lbs 2 year old in a stroller up hill.
Post by waterchurch on Apr 25, 2015 17:31:02 GMT -5
We have the joovy caboose ultralight. DS really stopped wanting to sit in the stroller shortly after his 2nd birthday. I like the stroller, I think it handles well and doesn't feel too long or bulky. The basket access sucks though. I usually just put the diaper bag on the bench part since DS rarely sits.
You could get away with baby carrying and using a BOB for a while and see if your older child starts walking more. I just found it to be too much on me physically. Very hilly here and I often walk up to 6 miles in a day. Plus my babies chunk out pretty quick so hard to be carrying an 18 lbs 3 month old in a front carry while pushing a 27 lbs 2 year old in a stroller up hill.
yeah, this is what sounds unappealing about wearing + a single stroller. My 2 year old is 31 lbs, and if DD2 is anything like her sister she will heavy to lug around in a carrier too!
We also have the city select - and I just fastened the bassinet to it. DD is 18 months, and DS is due in a week. I haven't really tried it properly but I think it seems like a good flexible setup to have the second seat available for when you need it. I have to say, I do find it to be rather cramped for DD when I use the bassinet but she doesn't seem to mind, and I only expect to use the bassinet 4ish months anyway. Also love that you can click in the infant seat with an adapter (we have a maxi-cosi).
Post by daisy24342 on Apr 25, 2015 19:45:10 GMT -5
I also have city select, really like it. My kids are 19 months and 6 months so It was a necessity but I put it off for awhile after baby came and did the single and carrier thing. Gave me time to figure out what I wanted, I also have Single BOB which I love but was worried about duallie bulkiness. I needed a double for the tons of doctor appts I was having with DD and felt a front back would be easier for what I needed it for.
I will say, the front heavy city select isn't as easy to turn as the BOB if you are used to that. But I love it otherwise.
The MB Duet, as pp said, or MB Plus One are both compact. I like the Baby Jogger City Select. It's long, but has a really nice push and the second seat comes off so you can use it with one child. Also, the Britax B-Ready is nice and can be used with just one child as well.
The sit and stands are nice in theory, but they're heavy and hard to push.
Post by daisybuchannan on Apr 25, 2015 20:46:21 GMT -5
I LOVE the britax b agile double. It's side by side, and is pretty much the exact same as the city mini double, but has a much larger basket underneath and is cheaper. I had the toddler seat attachment to the uppababy and hated it (well, my 2 year old hated it). The UPV had me spoiled with the huge basket underneath, so having good storage there was key.
IMO what you should get really depends on what you're using a stroller for. If you want something for errands, you'd get a completely different stroller than what you'd need for long walks. My kids (twins) were done with a daily use stroller before 3y but we still use something for the zoo/long walks. I had a tandem and side by side. (Now I use a wagon.)
What I would suggest for you is getting a side by side for the long walks because they're longer lasting and way easier to push than the front-back style. For daily use Id get a toddler ride along board for the back of your single BOB. Or maybe look into a sit n stand. I think you won't love a side by side for daily use bc that is permanently a double and soon will be unnecessary for your DD1. A tandem for daily use is annoying because they're not easy to turn/bulky when your heaviest kid is in the front. My side by side fit in small spaces better than my tandem because it was so much shorter and easier to turn.
We have a city select. DD is 13 months and DD2 is due in June. I plan to use it with the infant seat and toddler seat. I love it as a single and am excited to have it for a double.
DD is 4 in June, and we go for walks daily in our double. We use it exclusively for walks/jogs around the neighborhood -- it has never even gone in the car. I have an InStep Safari. It is not particularly portable but works for what we use it for. I would not recommend it if you plan to take it out for errands and the like, but it is certainly a viable and inexpensive option for neighborhood walks.
My kids are exactly 2 years apart and while I don't use a double a ton, I like having the option for it. I have a City Select and I have it set up as a single, but keep the extra seat in my car so I can toss it on if DD1 decides she wants to ride. She's 3.5 and she still occasionally asks to ride. I'd rather have the extra seat as an option for her at the zoo, if we go on a long walk in the woods, etc then not have it.
I was going to suggest this exact thing. We obv use it only as a double currently, but it converts back and forth so easily you could make it a double while you are out. You can also attach a standing board which is a nice option. I have really loved this stroller.
@tambcat do you have both the city mini and the city select? I have the select but have been seeing the mini at decent prices and kinda want to pull the trigger. Do you use and like both? I just feel a bit indulgent having two nice strollers! Ha! Sorry to thread jack!!
Post by whitepicketfence on Apr 26, 2015 11:10:43 GMT -5
We have a Bumbleride Indie Twin. While we only use it now for long walks or when we're on vacation, my oldest two are 18 months apart so it got used daily from the beginning.
I love this stroller! Even with two kids and a basket full of crap, I could easily push it with one hand. It maneuvered so much better than our single, cheap (Graco/Chicco) strollers. It is bulky, even when folded but we've never had any issues fitting it into the trunk of an SUV or a minivan.
I would splurge, and not suck it up with a single stroller this year. It's about to get HOT, and that can make baby wearing uncomfortable.
I hear great things about the City line, and the Phil & Ted strollers. Someone in my neighborhood uses a P&D and has their infant in the lower seat. It appears to handle bumps and corners pretty well.
You can always sell the double in 12-24 months and make half your money back.
I'm sure my 2 yr old will be riding in the stroller through the neighborhood for at least another year, if not 2 more. It's better for him to be out and in the stroller when I want to move but don't want to be slowed down by him, than sitting inside. Even if he's not moving his little legs the fresh air is great.
We love our Bumbleride Indie, but I think the Indie Twin (friend who watches DS uses this) would be too wide for your liking. But man, that thing is a beast. It glides so well! I just put air into our Indie's tires last weekend and it handles rough terrain fantastically.
We have a Bumbleride Indie Twin. While we only use it now for long walks or when we're on vacation, my oldest two are 18 months apart so it got used daily from the beginning.
I love this stroller! Even with two kids and a basket full of crap, I could easily push it with one hand. It maneuvered so much better than our single, cheap (Graco/Chicco) strollers. It is bulky, even when folded but we've never had any issues fitting it into the trunk of an SUV or a minivan.
Yes! I can mess on my phone with one hand, and push with the other. It also bumps up onto curbs like a dream. Love it so much.