Ask CBB: Double Strollers for 2 (kids) under 2 (years old)

CBB Reader Jamie emailed us looking for recommendations for adouble stroller for her 20 month son and newborn baby (ETA January2008).  A resident of urban Chicago, she says she’s definitely acity mom who walks all of the time.  She has an Mountain Buggy Urban(single) stroller but her son doesn’t like it because he can’t fully situp in it- it has a slight incline- so he is constantly pulling forwardto sit up.  Her dream stroller is a twin Bugaboo but it doesn’t exist(although a Dutch company makes a knockoff double, it’s not available in the US).  Her other requirement is that she be able to put a car seat on it.

With the help of Jo, from Let’s Go Strolling, we suggest a number of strollers plus tell you about some other popular models. Pictured above are two of our top picks- the new phil&ted Sport Buggy and the Valco Baby Twin Trimode.

Click here to read the review and learn how to save if you buy one.

Do you have a fashion or gear related question for CBB?  Post a comment below.

Comments

Just to let you know, the coupon code for the Valco Runabout Twin at LetsGoStrolling is not working. It comes up as expired.

- Bebe on May 17th, 2007

I have a Firstwheels City Twin that I am selling, I had it imported If she wants more info feel free to email me.

I also have a Valco double and it is awesome!

- Shelly on May 17th, 2007

I have a Phil & Ted E3 with a second seat that I bought for my daughter and younger son. I have to say that I am really pleased with this stoller and have gotten lots of compliments. It is certainly unique and I love that I can take the second seat off when I only have one kid with me. The only problem I have with the second seat and the access to the rear wheels. My son was badly burn/scraped when he was 8 months old. I wrote the company about it and suggested that little fenders would solve the problem. I never heard back, but did receive an email a year later about a free new part that did exactly what I was talking about. They even mentioned in the email about one complaint they received regarding a young child being hurt. I will never know if I was the one complaint, but I am sure this problem wasn’t unique to me. Also, when a child is sitting in the front seat, if they rest their feet too hard on the fabric above the front wheel, it makes it extremly difficult to push/steer. I am famous for telling my kids ‘don’t push down’. Other than that, this is a good stroller to save for and I believe it has excellent resell value.

- Jo on May 17th, 2007

I, too, live in urban Chicago and stroll a lot with my kids. We have the Valco Runabout with toddler seat, much like the Valco TriMode. I cannot say enough good things about this stroller! Before the Valco, we had an E3 and my older daughter hated being stuck “under” the other seat. With the Valco, she is sitting up front viewing the world around her, while the baby can relax in the back.
I must agree with the above poster, none of these strollers transition well from the streets to busses or trains. For short walks to the bus, I would reccomend a sling for the baby and an umbrella stroller for the older child. I would not reccomend a Maclaren. I have a ML umbrella stroller and it does not do well outside. The Valco on the otherhand can manage 8 inches of unplowed snow and is a breeze to maneuver!

- Colleen on May 17th, 2007

My daughter was 19 months old, when we had our new baby. I needed to get a double stroller that was going to be easy to push and comfortable for our two girls. I did alot of searching and winded up buying a Maclaren for one main reason, adjustable leg rests!!! Not all double strollers have that and I wasn’t going to buy a stroller that my toddler would be sitting in and dragging her feet along the way.

Dont get the Peg Perego Aria Twin, no adjustable leg rest and the basket underneath is crap. Guaranteed after a while it will be dragging along the streets, they really need to make that stronger.

I am not a fan of tandem strollers, just dont think its fair that one child gets to see the world and the other sees the back of a seat and left and right.

Good luck finding your stroller!

- tati on May 17th, 2007

http://www.bergdesign.net/runabout.htm

HAHAHA!
Thats a stroller for Brangelina!
Make a post JUST for that stroller!
Did the Dilleys or Macaughs (sp?) or Duggars have one?

- preesi on May 18th, 2007

I have the BOB duallie and I LOVE it. I have absolutely zero complaints about it, my 19 month old son who won’t sit still in hardly any stroller anymore asks to go in it (we have the mesa orange, he calls it his tractor) and my 3 month old son seems very comfortable in it as well. I was hesitant at first because I don’t run, but we walk everywhere and you can maneuver this stroller over bumps and through turns with two kids in it and a coffee in your hand. The basket is excellent and the accessories are great. I can’t say enough about it…I originally had my heart set on the twin techno because I love my Maclaren Ryder but my older son didn’t fit in it so if you have bigger toddler I would try to test him out in it. And I agree with PP who say the Aria is not worth the money. Also, the BOB fits through standard doors and I have done indoor shopping with it without any problems. When I know it won’t fit somewhere or for restaurants I use the baby Bjorn and a single stroller. Hope that helps some.

- Kristin on May 18th, 2007