Which is the best for a New York City apartment? You are contemplating years of navigating your hallway, the elevator, the stairs and the city streets with your most precious cargo and need a stroller NOW. Which one should you buy? So many questions...
Can it be small and still good?
What happened to McClaren?
Where do I find one that will fit in my front hall?
Is a Bugaboo really necessary?
Should I spare no expense?
Are big wheels important?
In an effort to get a good answer, we are soliciting your opinion for our Stroller Competition. If you have an opinion and a specific make and model to recommend, please send it in (name, avg. price, link) along with a few words telling us why it's the best. We are looking for leaders in PRICE, DESIGN & QUALITY - and we want the overall best for getting in and out of New York City apartments. At the end of the week, we will collect up all the entries and have a runoff starting Monday. Come on, jump in. MGR
If you live in the city, your stroller will be your life. Spend the money on a good one. The McClaren Techno has done me right for 3 years. Bugaboos look like a waste of money to me because they don't seem easily portable. I used the subway a lot for the first 2 years and got used to carrying my baby, my bag and my stroller without trouble (you have to fold the whole thing up at certain stations). I've never tried one, but the Bugaboo (although great-looking) seems really impractical and unwieldy for the subway. McClarens are great for their handles--easy to maneuver with one hand.
What about us New Yorkers with two babies. Any manufacturer can make a one seater that turns on a dime but what about the double. The most stylish and the best manuverable has to be the Mountain Buggy Urban Double. See it at mountainbuggy.com. In my opinion it is better looking than the bugaboo and pushes like buttah.
Strollers are the bane of New York Subway Riding.
Why hasn't anyone figured out the lightweight use and ease of back-packs? As a single parent on the go- it was much easier to navigate through NYC subway system via a backpack. The kid was at adult eye level,(out of the way from being sardined), all the stuff including an extra change of clothes were easily under the stored under the 'seat'. When the kid got too big for me to manage to carry, I was the bad mother and made her walk. The kid was much better off with out the stroller and plus I really got in great shape hauling her around.
The city should out law strollers. ;)
Re: The Urban Double
You have GOT to be kidding considering a double-wide stroller anywhere in or near Manhattan, two kids or not.
I agree with the "spend the money" advice from the first person, but not on the McClaren Techno. I have the Techno XT and it is badly built. Spend the money on the Bugaboo!! It is the best stroller! Most of my friends spent the extra to get the Bugaboo and I regret that I didn't.
Re: The Urban Double - Patrick
Believe it or not it serves us pretty well in the city. I wouldnt take it to Pastis but it fits in most restaurants and most stores, even Gristedes. The only time I have had problems with it is in a 150 year old town house turned restaurant in Southampton. It is actually only 5 inches wider than most singles. Not good for the subway though since it is pretty heavy but I try and keep my precious cargo out of the mass transit system anyway.
We have the mountain buggy urban double in the city. It is the easiest stroller to manuver and in the event you need to go on grass it blows the bugaboo away. It also folds nice and flat for transport. I am glad that we tried it and got rid of the wimpy wide mclaren we had before
I have a mac vogue from 2002. I've put the seat cover in the laundry dozens of times and tho it looks faded it has held up. It goes on the subway, easily folds for the bus and is narrow enough for the market. The back wheels are worn but considering the grocerys I sling over the back I consider it normal wear. Tho I've never used the Bugaboo a friend who lives in a brownstone likes the way it can go up and down the front steps.
I agree that we need a different poll for twins vs. singles.
We've got both a McClaren Twin and the Urban Buggy Double. We are getting rid of the urban buggy.
UB pros:
* Very easy to push - low rolling resistance.
* Very easy to maneuver - the way the pivoting front wheels work enable you to turn this thing around within the space that it takes up when still.
* Absorbs sharp bumps.
* Full width bar enables one handed pushing - also helped by low rolling resistance and excellent tracking - the front wheels have a castor that works much better than the MC
UB cons:
* Heavy - do not even try taking this on the subway, my wife and I did and nearly broke our backs.
* About 2 inches too wide - it does look wider than it really is but those couple of inches over the McClaren twin do make a difference in some NYC stores.
* Folding is not a single handed operation - you cannot do this with a child on your arm.
* Folding does not make it much smaller - it will take up nearly all the trunk space of a compact to mid-size car
Summary:
Unsurpassed for NYC streets if you plan to walk everywhere. We do walk a lot and it really is the best for this.
MC pros:
* Can be folded easily with one child on your arm - use a combination of hand and foot release then fold straight down with one hand.
* Folds to a fairly small size - never a problem on the subway in terms of the space it takes up when folded.
* Just light enough to be carried by two people up and down subway stairs
MC cons:
* Ride is awful - bumps that the UB rolled easily over send a jarring shock through the whole frame that obviously is not good for your children.
* Despite its light weight it is not as maneuverable as the UB by a long shot.
* separate handles that allow for compact folding do not allow for one handed pushing.
Summary:
If you need to travel on the subway with your two kids this beats the UB hands down. This is the main reason to buy this.
I like the Maclaren Volo for your everyday strolling but I still say the best cheap find is the Kolcraft no frills stroller usually selling for $20 or so. As an " I'm not 20 anymore" mom of two I will just say this is the one stroller that is lightweight enough to haul around on public transportation. Caveat-Insist on the cheapest one they make. The upgraded kolcrafts are not lovely.
Um, Raquel, do the pedestrians and fellow New Yorkers who CONSTANTLY have to yield the right of way to inconsiderate and/or entitled "drivers" of the double-wides (or risk shin injury), or wait ever-so-patiently while they get stuck in subway doors or peruse (and block) entire aisles of the grocery stores, have a vote in whether or not they are "practical" in the city?!
Um, Patrick. Do you suggest that I just keep my kids at home until they are old enough to walk? That surely is practical. As I said, I dont take the subway with my kids and I have never hit a person with my MBUD. Perhaps we should make people who are double wide stay home as well, so as not to inconvenience you while persuing the aisles at your local grocery store. And please dont yield anymore to the double stroller, I'd love to comment on their ability to mow people down.
Mow people down?! Your "precious cargo" should be SO proud!
(and btw, Miss The-Lady-Doth-Protest-Too-Much, I was just referring to the strollers where one kid is behind the other when you are blessed with two bundles of joy as you seem to be as being a much more practical configuration in this overcrowded city. JEEZ.)
Sorry Patrick, I thought you were saying I was inconsiderate. And I was only kidding about mowing you down. Maybe this blog needs emoticons (kidding again).
I was saying that I have been hit and inconvenienced by rude people driving HUGE strollers (have you ever been to Short Hills Mall? It's like a demolition derby!). Never mentioned you by name. Smiley face.
And to avoid any further confusion, I have disdain for ALL rude and inconsiderate people. Not just the ones who happen to be pushing prams.
Decided to put some useful info regarding backpacks. I used one everyday was able to scamper up and down stairs with the greatest of ease. Wore some heavy duty-hiking boots to prevent slipping around. This former ski patroller even took the thing skiing and had both a blast. (Though the mountain management had a bit tissy fit, but the backpack I had fitted well over the back of the chair.) The one I find best is a slim version (no extra protrusions) that has a collapsible bracket so it can stand on its own. It folded up it fit great in my ever so small dorm room at the time.
I found it similar to the Yakima Grasshopper Baby Carrier, though mine was a lighter version. The Kelty Basecamp carrier is closer if you add the options of the sun/rain hood. I would look for weight back frame that can stand on its own, optional hood, a single small zippered pouch under the seat. Many of the versions I see now are huge, bulky and awkward to get around in.
When you try one on make sure you have the weight evenly distributed. And most of all learn that LESS IS MORE when it comes to the baby crap one seems to need to carry around. I did well with 5 disposable diapers; the baby-changing pad was a part of the removable backrest of the backpack, a thin thing of wipes, one set of extra clothes, and one bottle. Pacifiers and toys were attached to the carrier. One would find when the kid is at eye level there is less of a need of extra toys. When in the city, you eventually learn where all most the public restrooms are, baby emergency supplies are located near by at any local deli if need be, which for me was a rare occasion.
In keeping with the whole AT idea of simplicity, I highly recommend a sling for toting your tot around the city. Though I don't live in the city and I understand the necessity of a stroller for some trips, for short trips, slings are great. Plus you get the added bonus of bonding time with your baby (read up on the benefits of "babywearing" at www.askdrsears.com)and your baby gets the stimulation of seeing more of the world. I used a Koala brand sling with my son, but have switched to the Maya Wrap (www.mayawrap.com -- click on the News and Info link to see who's using them) with my daughter, as it has a pocket for a burp cloth, teething toy, my keys, wallet, etc. Your baby can also nap or nurse (though I have never mastered that) in the sling. And unless your child is a very heavy toddler, it's not uncomfortable at all and it still leaves your hands free without having to manuever a bunch of gear.
Kids, kids. You all lose. The winner: Phil and Ted's E3 stroller. (https://secure.intellihost.co.nz/philandteds.com/framesetstroller.htm)
It has big wheels that glide effortlessly over bumpy city streets and curbs, it's narrow enough to maneuver through the stores, and you can buy an attachment that turns it into a double stroller--with the 2nd child behind the first (so that Patrick won't be inconvenienced any more). (Extra-cute emoticon goes here.)
re: backpacks and slings. They're impossible for those of us (and our numbers are legion) with back problems...
The irony of ppl complaining about others using strollers in the city is that those of use who are guilty of this terrible crime are actually trying to raise families here instead of bolting to the suburbs after the obligatory initial years getting your nyc fix. We're actually here for the long hall and I do wonder if that applies to a lot of the ppl that do complain about strollers.
Isn't Short Hills Mall in some other state?
Alice - if you do indeed have back problems, then don't let me catch you hauling the stroller up the stairway.
Strollers are 3x as heavy as backpacks. A proper backpack evenly distributes the weight to hips not the back.
After the kid was too big for the pack we both walked. I made her walk all over the city and up and down the stairs. It took a bit longer to get places, but I believed we both benefited from the experience.
When is someone going to invent a self-propelled baby stroller?
Check out this high tech, eyes on the prize stroller from Stokke......
http://www.stokkeusa.com/
"STOKEE XPLORY"
Pricey, but oh so kool!
i'd bet patrick is in the majority on NYC sidewalks. it is the nature of this town so please jamie, don't play the benevolent steward of the city just because you choose to raise your children here. just like us 'short-term' residents, yours is a purely selfish undertaking. you're not keeping your kids here for the betterment of the city.
maybe buggy licenses and courtesy classes should be required. and doublewides banned.
Just thought to share....
I was riding in a crowded subway car on my way to work this morning. What would be blocking the door? A 2-year-old in a Garco stroller with a proud dad in tow.
It was extremely difficult to squeeze by to get on the train, not to mention a person nearly spilled a cup of hot coffee on the child while they stumbled over the stroller.
The next stop was near a high school with many students with backpacks. The toddler was wapped in the face countless times with backpacks as students tried to exit the train. This was due to the fact of level of the carrier was at the average level of a student's backpack.
Frankly, I am not entirely sympathetic to the 'proud' Dad and his predicament. Proud Dad should loose the stroller and carry the tyke down the stairs and hold him up out of the fray during a crowded subway car. Usually 7 times out of 10 there may be a person willing to give up their seat for the child. Long story short, if the child is able to walk, they have out grown the convenience of the stroller.
Regarding Mountain Buggy, Bugaboo and Stokke...
While visiting my sister in Scottsdale over the Thanksgiving Day week-end, I was lucky enough to evaluate all three strollers.
In my opinion, the Mountain Buggy offers good functionality for the price. The Bugaboo is an urban stroller but seems impossible to get up the steps leading to my apartment. The Stokke Xplory seems to be the best urban stroller option.
The guy at this store (Just Juvenile) seems to know them all very well. Why are all the smart people 3000 miles away? They probably could deliver.
A self Propelled baby stroller will not be manufactured because of saftey reasons.
I am totally on board with Alice - go with the Phil & Ted's - it is the greatest (I repeat GREATEST) stroller ever for two kids. I purchased one 6 months ago with the birth of my 2nd and have not touched any of my other 3 strollers. If you have 2 kids (not twins) you must try these out - we have used ours in Short Hills Mall and NYC (well everywhere we have gone so far) and it is perfect!!!
A self propelled stroller is possible if the design is inherently safe. There are such designs.
My wife and I are researching our options and have narrowed our choice down to the Mountain Buggy and the Bugaboo. The issue for us is accessibility and convienience. We have permit parking on our street. She drives a jetta and the mountain buggy just fits in. We are looking for what will be easiest (when alone with the baby) to put into and take out of the trunk. Also which one is better for winter and which one is better overall?
I am due in january and my husband and I live in Jersey City so we do alot walking and use public transportation, but we also have a car and "do"the suburban thing. So we need a stroller that is good for the city streets and one that folds easily for the car. Right now we are choosing betwen the Bugaboo and the Pep Prego A3. Which one would be a better investment?