Double Stroller

I Love my front and back stroller. It was expensive and I was warned that it would be hard to maneuver, but it's not, and I LOVE it. My back seat rider is three, and he is fine. He can see over and around the baby just fine and it rides and maneuvers like a dream. It was a gift, but was nearly $300.

HOWEVER, I would be remiss not to warn you that it is heavy and large. I have a jeep cherokee and it is no prob for me. My Mom has a Lexus, and we have a hard time getting it into her trunck at all. I have to take the wheels off.

Try http://www.onestepahead.com They have a GREAT double stroller, with lots of "options". I saw one on http://www.sfbay.craigslist.org last week!!

Good luck.

Hi K.
I've gone through two double strollers, the peg aria side by side. I didn't like it because it was hard to steer when one child is heavier then the other. I really, really like my baby trend sit n stand stroller LX. It can be a regular double stroller, then converts to a sit stand. You can also use the infant car seats with this stroller. It has plenty of storage in it. I take this stroller everywhere I go. It is a little heavier than the peg. But I can get through isles when I shop. Oh and another reason I gave up my peg was because my older child use to wake up the baby while he was sleeping.

The Jane Powertwin was a lifesaver for us. My son was 14 months old when my daughter was born and we used it until he turned 3 1/2. My kids were both really comfortable and it was super easy to maneuver.

I would recommend baby jogger city series double stroller, it is awesome. It is so light and feels like you are pushing nothing even with 2 kids, is turns so easy and folds easy. It is expensive but so worth it.

I have 2 boys that are 20 months apart. I did that same thing as you and test drove all of the double strollers out there. I am 5'2", 108lbs and all of the strollers were sooooo big and hard to maneuver. Then I found the baby trand sit and stand deluxe and fell in love! It is light weight and it only cost about $160. My older son is now 2 1/2, so i removed that back seat and he loves it.

The issues that I had with the stroller were...

Neither seat fully reclines (However my kids don't seem to mind).

When your baby is still in an infant carrier, it is supposed to attach to the front seat. I didn't like that fact the the baby was so far away. I just wedged the carrier into the back seat and that worked great. It sits in there very snuggly.

The final issue is that here is only a snack tray in the front. My older son is now old enough that he doesn't need the tray. Up until then I just kept him in the front and the little one in the back.

Even with the above issues, I liked this stroller over all the other front to back doubles!

Good luck with your decision.

I loved my '05 Combi Twin Savvy side-by-side stroller. It worked well for my 2yo and infant. Light weight, narrow through doors, great sun shades, and decent maneuverability. Good luck with your decision!

my experience is a bit out of date since my twins are almost 7, but I *did* find side-by-side strollers to be more maneuverable than tandem (front-to-back). Also there is a bit of a tradeoff on light weight versus durability (we started with a 2001 Combi Twin Savvy, which was the lightest side-by-side on the market at the time, and it broke after a little less than a year, fortunately still under warranty. Replaced it with a secondhand Maclaren Twin Traveller, which was noticeably heavier but folded compactly and was very durable.

I don't think that the Maclaren side by sides can fit an infant seat, the Combis and possibly the Peg Perego Aria Twin might. I'm pretty sure some of the higher end joggers (Valco, Mountain Buggy, etc) can fit an infant seat if you get an adapter bar.

I have the Phil and Ted with the optional second seat. It is a front to back one, but is very different from others because you can change the configuration as your children age, and it can be used as a single if/when you do not need a double. It is also much less bulky than other doubles. I know many people who have them, and everyone loves it. It is on the expensive side, but I think it is well worth it. Remember you will get much more use out of it than a regular double because even when your older child outgrows it you can use it just for the younger one.
http://www.amazon.com/Phil-Teds-Sport-Buggy-Doubles/dp/B0...

My two youngest kids are 11 1/2 months apart. My daughter was turning one when I had my son. I tried the Graco tandom stroller. I liked it but it was too big to take in and out of the car. I bought it used so I didn't have the car seat attachment. Then I bought the Peg Perego Aria twin side by side from craigslist and it worked well. I was able to take it in and out of stores without a problem. Then my daughter decided that when she learned to walk she hated the stoller. So then I switched someone for a sit and stand. That was great also until my daughter didn't want to be in a stroller. So I sold that and ended up with just 2 regular umbrella strollers. I do have a double jogger that I love. I use that when we go to the mall and for walks. As for my 2 year old now, she wants to sit in the stroller only when I try to put the younger one in. Good luck and try craigslist so you don't waste alot of money if you end up switching alot like I did.

mother of 4 (15,10,2,1)

My children are 21 months apart. We had a Maclaren side-by-side and absolutely LOVED it! My friend had a Combi Twin Savvy, and hers was great too.

I prefer the side-be-side also, but the key is that you MUST shop carefully and get one that is less than 30 inches wide--I didn't have any problems fitting through doorways or on sidewalks. Also, if you get one with fully reclining seats, then you'll be able to put your newborn in it safely. You'll be using the stroller much longer than you'll be using the infant carseat, so make you pick a stroller that you love even when you don't have the carseat snapped in.

It was the sweetest thing to watch my son hold his baby sister's hand and help her with her blanket and binky. I'd go for the side-by-side again in an instant.

Hi,
I am the mother of twins. We have a Peg Pereggo Duette stroller. We love it. The great thing is that you can moved the seats around so that the children are facing the same way, facing each other or facing opposite directions. For your use, you can get both the infant carrier and have one seat for the older child in the same unit. There are so many options with this stroller. We have not had an issues with maneuverablity. Our stroller is an older model but the new ones have a steering wheel. I will tell you that they are expensive though. We got ours off of Craig's list and saved a fortune. Or you can try a children's consignment store or get last year's model from a children's retailer at a discount. Email me if you have further questions

On a side note, I have two car seats for sale (and 2 extra car seat bases that will fit this model) if you decide to go with Peg Pereggo. Our boys only used the seats for 10 months and they were never in accidents.

I love my Vallco Tri Mode Twin... it's a side-by-side that fits through standard doorways... I roll it right through my front door. It maneuvers like a dream even one-handed and can spin a 360 in place. It can accomodate an infant seat and if you have a 3rd child there's an add-on seat for the front even. I know another mom with the twin version and it's the only stroller she has (it lives in her car)... she loves it. I also know a MaMa who opted for the singleton TriMode and bought the "jump seat" for her toddler... she hates how hard it is to maneuver stacked with two kids and wishes she'd gone with the side-by side. I did tons of research and in-store test drives and fell in love with the TriMode Twin. Yes, it's very pricey but with all the walking we've done I wouldn't trade it for the world. Even my husband talks it up to folks expecting their 2nd baby and he wasn't originally thrilled to be plunking down so much for a stroller! On the Phil & Ted's I couldn't get past the idea that one kiddo wouldn't have much to see and would be taking up that teeny little basket for their grubby shoes. The best add-on I've had for my stroller was a clip-on cup holder by BabyJogger... it's self-leveling and can be attached to the center bar so it won't be in the way. The TriMode Twin has plenty of storage and you won't get tired pushing it... the true tires really make a difference. The sunshades go all the way down to the bumper bar so your kiddos will never be blinded by the sun or blown away.

It sounds like you tried out the Phil and Ted and didn't like it but I'd recommend it highly. In my experience kids like being in the front and the back and sometimes fight over the back seat. We love ours and it'll also work for your younger one as a single stroller when your older one is only walking, When you take out the extra seat then you have a great single stroller with a lot of storage room underneath. I got mine at O Baby Baby! on Solano but they are also sold online and the Sport model is being discontinued so you can probably get one for a good price. I can't imagine pushing one of those double wide ones - what a hassle - how do you go through doorways???

Hi K.,
I am a mother to two wonderful kids with a little girl on the way, due Jan. With my first 2(18 months boy and new born girl
) I was crazy to find a double stroller. I ended up getting the Graco double. I never use it unless we are on a walk or long trip with lots of walking. When my daughter was small I would put her in a carrier (Ergo) and my son would be in his single stroller(inglesina). It was so much easier. I was able to nurse anywhere. My daughter would still be in the ergo now but my prego belly is in the way. My son is 3 1/2 and daughter is now almost 2.

So from my experience I would wait on the double stroller. Use a carrier < I suggest Ergo it is great, all weight is on your hips and when they are old enough you can put them on your back. You can carry up to 40 lbs. I can carry my son on my back with ease.

Hope this helps.

Hi-
I have the Phil and Ted's and I LOVE it. My kids are 23 months apart and they both have enjoyed it. You can use the infant car seat with it too. It is great because it is the size of a regular jogger, but holds two kids. The Phil and Ted's is extremely easy to handle very sturdy. I have actually carried my 2 year old nephew on the front along with my two year old and 7 month old when caught in a pinch. I know what you mean about the one being behind the other and getting the short end of the stick, but it really hasn't been an issue. My son likes to ride on the "bottom" and he is a very curious little boy. You can also lay down the top completely flat and put the seat on top. It sounds really crazy, but it great! We used it that way on our trip to Sea World. My daughter was only 3 months at the time and I didn't want her in the car seat all day, so we had her in the stroller, a carrier, and then laying down for naps. I absolutley love it and know you would too.
Good Luck!!

I got the double stroller when I was pregnant with my 3rd baby when my 2nd child was just under 2yrs old. I got it as a gift from my parents. They got it at Babies'r'us. I got the one is front and back. Even though with a child sitting in the back is for the baby who is still going to be small to be able to view everything and your 2yr old sit in front. Not in the back. On the back side, it reclines so that a baby can sleep on the flat side in the back. As the baby gets older, switch it around. Put the older one in the back and the younger one in the front b/c of the height issue. It worked out great for me. You just have to find one that would manuever the stroller for you to put it in the trunk. I never had any problems with them. My stroller is Graco. This brand is the best. Just keep shopping around. I wouldn't go for side by side. They are just a pain. Goodluck!

Hi K.,
I have the same stroller as the response from Joyce. I LOVE this stroller for my almost 3 year old and my now 4 month old who is still in his carseat. The option to convert the back seat for my older son to a sit N Stand is wonderful as his mood changes when we go out. I had the same issues with other strollers. However, I had considered the Countoure But I changed my mind when I saw another parent with 2 kids in it and the bigger childs feet were hanging off the front. Doesn't work too well with tall kids. The sit n stand LX i got at target for 169 great price for all you get. My son older song is tall and I detached the foot step anD his feet are in the stroller basket when he is sitting down. Plus he likes that he can see his little brother when sitting up front in his infant carrier. Its easy to push and my older son is 37lbs. I have test driven other double strollers for more money and have a hard time pushing it with both kids in it. Imgaine when you put cargo on it. Good luck

SAHM, 39, super actvive funny almost 3 yo and 4 month old son who is full of smiles.

check out babygizmo.com

I have a Phil & Ted double stroller/ jogger. I LOVE IT! I have probably had 5 other strollers (one other double), and would have NEVER bought the others if I had this one first. It changes with all your needs. Car seat, two children, one child.... it's amazing. I used it while working out, but also use it in stores 95% of the time. It is so easy to turn, move, everything (even with a 40 lb toddler in front/on top). I push it often with one hand. It is very pricey, but will be the last stroller you'll need. And I think they resale for a lot. So you may be able to get back a lot of what you spend if it's in good condition. Check them out online. You won't regret it!

I used to watch my niece who was close in age to my son and we didn't want to have to both pitch in to get a double stroller. We each had an unbrella stroller so I found these really great, sturdy attachments that put the two unbrella strollers together. They worked great and what was nice is that they can come apart when the kids are not together, which happens alot even with siblings when Dad has one kid and mom has another running errands or at a festival or whatever! I think they were from One Step Ahead or Safety First. Good luck!

Hi,

I really like the stroller "Phil and Ted", it is top and bottom.
But my husband wanted urban buggy because of the tires. We got the urban instead but rather have Phil and Ted.
Just check out their web site. Good luck.

M.

I bought the Peg Perego Aria twin side-by-side. It fits through all doorways, but as with all side-by-side strollers, it can be tough if you try to maneuver it inside small boutiques, etc. The best thing is that it's very lightweight and easy to fold. Also, I was able to put our Graco infant car seat in one of the stroller seats. Our only complaint is that the wheels are not great, made out of plastic (as opposed to rubber) so if you stroll on bumpy sidewalks your kids will have a bumpy ride. Also, the seats do not recline all the way.

I wish I had purchased a double baby jogger instead. My friend found one that is really lightweight and has a front wheel that swivels. In the baby stores these are very expensive, but she found one on ebay for around $150. She says it fits through all standard doorways.

I'm not sure if you can pop in an infant car seat, though.

I wish I could remember the name of it... If I find out I'll let you know.

We have the Peg Aria Twin. It's a side to side and was the lightest weight stroller on the market when we bought it. Now the models are slightly different. They have one that is 60/40 so that the car seat can click in on the 60 side and then when the baby is outgrown the infant seat, your older child can go into the 60 side of the stroller. I LOVE the side by sides because my kids now 4 1/2 and 2 1/2 still use it and they can freely get in and out--no lifting like for the kid who sits in the back of a back2back stroller. And those back2backs can be heavy and take up a lot of room even folded. The Peg is also wheelchair size so doorways shouldn't be a problem. It is narrower than some strollers so if you have lovely little chubbers who grow fast and big, it may not be as comfy for them. And I love the colors! Good luck with your search, I remember going through this 3 years ago! PS, if you're within reach to Goore's or possibly a Babies R Us, take your oldest and go try them out.

I have a Combi Twin Savvy. It has been great. I think it handles well and has been great for our family. My kids are actually growing out of it because the boys are 30 and 40 pounds (2 and 4 1/2 yrs.) If you are thinking about buying a used stroller, send me an email. I think $40 is a fair price- I'm in Livermore and can send you photos.

I had twins in '05 & got a Combi Twin Savvy side by side double stroller. I didn't use it when they were still in baby carriers as I found a snap n go stroller frame to snap both car seats to because I needed less bulk since 2 car seats are bulky enough. I'm not sure if a baby carrier can be snapped into one of the Combi stroller seats, so you'd have to do a little internet research to find out. It was the narrowest side by side stroller I could find at the time (May '05) that wasn't extremely expensive. Two of my friends went in on it together to get it for me & I think it was around $350 give or take. What I love about it is that it fits through standard doorways (like standard door entrances to malls, stores, office buildings, etc). You do have to manuever the stroller just right to fit in the door (meaning you can't go in at an angle) but it does fit through. This enabled me to take my twins places by myself that I otherwise wouldn't have been able to go when they were too big for their baby carriers because other side by side strollers that I researched were too wide & I didn't like the limosine (front & back) strollers because they were too long. It is easy to close & given that it is a double stroller, it is big, even when closed but I'm 5' tall & can handle manuevering it in & out of my vehicle. Slight downside is that the baskets underneath (there is one under each seat) are pretty small, but I used one of those stroller diaper bags that you clip onto the stroller handle & just used the baskets underneath for extra storage & it worked out just fine. I still actually use this stroller now if I go to a mall by myself, just to be able to contain them so they're not running around in different directions out of my sight. Hope this helps you & best of luck to you.