Thursday, April 8, 2010

Baby Jogger - City Select Stroller


I am in love ... and this time it's not with a diaper but a stroller!

If you are searching for an awesome single stroller and think you will eventually need a double stroller, and you have a decent amount of money to spend, search no more, this stroller is for you!

The new Baby Jogger City Select Stroller has it all! It can be converted into 16 different positions from a single to a double stroller combining a mix and match of various positions using 2 full size seats, car seat and/or bassinet.

Here is how this stroller found its way to my home ...

When I found out I was pregnant with my first baby, my first purchase was a stroller system. I was specifically looking for a 3 wheel stroller as I wanted the easy maneuverability (is that even a word?). Anyhow, I found a nice stroller system from Safety 1st that included car seat, and a 3 wheel stroller. I was only 10 weeks pregnant when I purchased it. At that time, there was not that many choices of modern, high end strollers as there is now. We really loved this stroller but hated the carseat.

When I got pregnant with my second baby, the boys being only 18 months apart, I quickly discovered that we now needed a double stroller. I did not want to spend a lot of money, and I wanted the double stroller to be compact enough to fit in my car as the main use would be when we go out and needed to contain both kids. So I purchased a Joovy Caboose Stand On Tandem Stroller. We liked it but it was not the most comfortable stroller for my oldest son and it was not the greatest stroller for when I went out walking with the kids (I live in the country).

As you are probably aware, the stroller industry (or the whole baby industry that is) has boomed over the last 2-3 years and I now wished that these new strollers would have been available when I was first pregnant. Anyhow, after thinking about it and looking at various strollers online and on used Ottawa and kijiji I decided that I was going to splurge for a Cadillac (whether new or gently used if I was able to find what I was looking for). The first candidate was a gently used Peg Perego Skate. Although it looked awesome on the Internet, when I went to actually see it, I thought it was the most awkward, heavy overpriced stroller I had ever seen! I continued my search both new and used and in the meantime I sold both my other strollers as gently used.

And then I found it!! The best of both worlds and more. A single stroller that can not only be converted into a double stroller with 2 full size seats but that could also be set up with your carseat, bassinet, etc. - 16 different combinations! This was perfect for my needs now and for our future need with a third baby (not yet please :) ... The City Select Stroller from Baby Jogger is a brand new model that was originally designed for twins, making it great for anyone like me who has 2 kids that are close in age.

I have had the stroller since early February but because it was so popular coming out, I was only able to get 1 seat as the second seat was on backorder. I therefore used it as a single stroller from Feb - April.

As a single stroller, it is super easy to fold and pack in the car and it glides like magic. I can easily maneuver it with one hand :) I am able to switch the seat from front facing to forward facing in seconds. love, love, love it! I just received the second seat over the weekend and although it is a bit heavier to maneuver with the 2 kids in the stroller it is still a sweet ride. The fit is tighter with my 2.5 yr old depending on the positions you choose but at least you have options to choose from depending on the size of your kids. So far having the kids back to back works the best for us.

Other great features ...
Super big storage compartment on the bottom (I can fit my huge diaper bag and much more!)
Seat can be converted to a bassinet (conversion kit sold separately)
Most carseats will fit right onto the stroller frame (must purchase adaptor separately)
Handlebar has different height positions
Break is activated by hand (no kicking the brake with your foot!)
Easy to fold, not too heavy
Seats can be re-configured within seconds
Big canopy for sun protection
Seats recline from upright to flat
Available in red, black and grey

Not so great features
Seat harness a little hard to adjust
Seat could be is slightly bigger for older child (but then I don't think you could have the same versatility if the seats were bigger)
Many accessories available but all sold separately
A bit harder to maneuver with 2 kids due to extra weight

Lastly ... I did not mention price. Of course this is not a cheap stroller however if you are planning on having more than 1 child close together, I would strongly recommend you consider this stroller as a single stroller and then when the second child arrives, you can just purchase the second seat and now you have a double stroller. Purchasing a single and then a double stroller might cost you a much depending on what you purchase. Plus, this type of stroller, if kept in good condition, would easily be sold as a gently used where you can recuperate some of your cost.

So how much does it cost? I purchased mine for $599 and the second seat was $199.

You can find a full video review about the stroller at this link.

Let me know if ever you have any questions that I might be able to help out with. And no I do not sell it and am not being paid to right this review. I simply am really excited about finding a fantastic stroller for this summer and more!



Have a great day everyone!

7 comments:

  1. omg this is exactly what I need!!! A jogging stroller that can be uased when the older ones in daycare and can become a double stroller when she's home and I take the two kids out!! TY so much for this!

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  2. I totally agree... we decided to buy it too since my kids are 16 months apart and this is the perfect stroller. It is a splurge price-wise, but totally worth it, since I think we will use it for years.

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  3. Just bought one for my 5 year old with Leukemia. He cant get around as good as before so I needed something to suit his needs. I was suprised that he still fits in it being 44 1/2" tall. The canopy touches his head when folded back, but when being used it doesnt come close. It is an awesome stroller in every way. I was able to push it one handed while pushing an IV pole with the other. Couldnt be happier with this wonderfully made stylish stroller.

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  4. I'm happy you like it Laura. I still love mine!
    Vicky

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  5. i absolutely love this pram, i have 2 boys that are 19months apart and it is perfect for them. however the extending handle has broken so i had to send it back. Due to this i am without a pram until it is returned! not practical if you rely on it being a double.

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  6. i know this is an old post but.. i was wondering how this stroller held up in the snow for you.. thanks!

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  7. I still love it and I just purchased the bassinet converter kit and carseat kit as I am expecting my 3rd baby so I can't wait to use it. I used it in the snow with no issues.

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