5 Crown Royal Ratings!
*Scroll down to see reviews of: Mutsy Easy Rider, Baby Jogger City Mini, Quinny Senzz, Maclaren Techno XT, Mamas and Papas Sola, Easy Walker QTRO, Maclaren Triumph, Valco Quad, Mutsy Transporter, Maclaren Quest, BebeCar Ip-Op, Cybex Callisto, Valco Ion
Mountain Buggy Terrain
It was a dark and stormy night. Yet, the husband insisted that this was the night we must get the quintessential Christmas Tree. I was hesitant, but then what to my wondering eyes did appear, but the "can do" Mountain Buggy Terrain! Sharp, yet rugged.
Now if any buggy can tackle that sloshy wet mulch and wood chips that our lot is known for, it would be the 16" tires on the Terrain.
It's the 4th in my MB line-up. I have the MBUD, Swift, MBUS, and now the Terrain. I was confident in the ability of any of them to handle those conditions. But the Terrain, with it's big wheels, suspension, covered basket, and higher seat, would be especially well-suited. I had already been testing it on the Strollerqueen Obstacle Course, and was amazed at how it would glide over a bed of river rocks, one-handed, almost the same as if it were on the sidewalk.
And oh, the rain, it did come down. Coating the canopy, the handlebar, and the handbrake. Which still worked soaking wet, btw.
This handbrake, combined with the big wheels, makes the Terrain the MB that is best suited for running. And based on this lousy weather, I would say the best for big snow drifts, too. It helps that you can also lock the front swivel wheel outward.
I added the MB red fleece seat pad, and voila! the Christmas feeling. And the pull-out sun visor, also comes in very handy in the rain.
I am happy to say that despite the storm, SP 2.0 picked a tree that was big and beautiful, the best yet!
The next day the weather was much better. One thing I always marveled about was how quickly my other Mountain Buggies would dry. (So easy to clean!) Fortunately, the Terrain followed suit. So now it was perfect to try the Terrain in more moderate conditions. I've had MB's since 2001. As citizens of Strollerland know, I was their first US customer! So I've been singing MB's praises for nearly a decade.
When the Urban came out, I often recommended it as the stroller to get if you only wanted one, that could do it all. I used to take mine to the Farmer's Market, then to the beach, then to a restaurant, and never skipped a beat. I wanted to see if the Terrain was just as versatile.
The big wheels had earned their keep on the stormy Christmas Tree lot. But how would they handle searching for a pre-teen girls' Christmas Irish Dancing dress? I mention the details so you can see that this would be no easy feat. It would require a lot of zipping in and out of small stores, and be comfortable enough to keep SP 2.0 reasonably happy.
And I am pleased to report that I was impressed beyond reason. Although the Terrain is certainly not what you would call a small stroller, it's maneuverability is so fluid that I could navigate all the tightly packed Christmas racks one-handed, and not knock anyone over in the process. Halleluia! I don't think I have ever pushed a stroller of this size that was so nimble. So I was happy.
The Terrain has a good sized basket for shopping, with a big rear zippered pocket.
The basket has a front pouch, and a net zippered top. There are net pockets on both sides of the canopy, and
dual built in cup holders!
There are even pockets on the inside of the seat.
And like the rest of the Mountain Buggy family, it stands alone folded. So it wasn't too bad in the back of the car. I think this is another reason I keep accumulating so many. They stand up so flat and neat in my closet, unlike most A/T's that are bulky and fall over. And how about SP 2.0? He was happy, too. He loved the napper bar, and fleece seat pad, Check out the face of contentment.
The Terrain has a full recline, but we didn't even need it, because it is so comfy as is.
And DD was happy, because she was able to find the perfect dress, thanks to the awesome performance of the Mt. Buggy Terrain. A true Christmas miracle!
Here's hoping that you find a Terrain under your Christmas Tree, or Menorah!
Weight: 30 lbs.
Seat Back: 20"
Seat to canopy: 23"
Seat Width: 14"
Seat Depth: 8"
Drop to footrest: 9.5"
Seat to ground: 22"
Length: 40"
Width: 24.5"
Height: 33.5-46"
Folded: 42.5"L x 24.5"W x 15.5"H
Mutsy Easy Rider
Purple Power!
I know I've been reviewing purple strollers all year, but check out the glorious shade of this one!
Royal comes to mind. Regal.
A rolling throne fit for a king, or queen!
It's the Mutsy EasyRider, and it happens to match my DD's Irish dance dress perfectly!
What sets this one apart from most other umbrella strollers are the single front wheels. Makes it imminently maneuverable.
Love the chrome accents!
I also love the squishy foam handles, which makes it very comfortable to push.
I have tested it out on the StrollerQueen Obstacle Course, and have been very pleased with it's performance outdoors, on less than smooth surfaces.
It isn't even the least bit wobbly or rattly, two things that can really set my teeth on edge.
With a nod to our still slowly recovering economy, it is well priced, for all of it's features. Definitely looks more expensive than it is.
Has a peek a boo window with velcro closures.
A pretty deep recline, with an extendable legrest.
Oh,
the black cloth zipper thingies are hinge covers. Not crucial, in my
opinion, as long as you make sure little fingers are out of the way
when you are folding it. But it is there is you want it.
The canopy clearance is exceptionally high--a very tall 28". That's about as tall as it gets. And the EasyRider is also about as narrow as it gets, at 18".
You recline it by squeezing both sides of this black widget thingie, and sliding it down. Reverse the process to make the seat go up again.
And the seat is pretty upright. That makes babies who like to look around and see everything very happy. And when baby's happy, Mama's happy (or Dad, or Grandparents, or babysitters.)
You fold it by unlatching this black clamp thingie and pulling it up, then kicking down on the side lever that sticks out. OK, my words are really off today.
It stays closed, thanks to this automatic lock.
That means it is a good choice for travel, because you don't want your stroller opening up in the belly of the plane, train, or bus.
It also makes it easy to carry on subways, or to lift in and out of the car.
Then it folds typical umbrella style, into a very compact package.
Which means that cramming it in the back of your car, with all the rest of your gear, isn't a hair-raising experience!
Weight: 15 pounds
Width: 18"
Length: 23"
Height: 41"
Seat Width: 14"
Seat Depth: 10"-15.5"
Seat Back: 19.25"
Seat to Canopy: 28"
Drop to Footrest: 10"
Seat to Floor: 17"(front)-13"(rear)
Folded: 41" x 11" x 4"-14" (rear to front)
In my last review, I talked about the 3 "Big B's" that rule my local Strollerland. I showed you the first, now here is the second, sitting grandly under the iconic Tommy Trojan, at USC.
In luscious, lascivious purple.
Years ago, when the City Mini first came out, one of the members in Strollerland had a question about it. So I asked CEO Dave Boardman , at the "BIG Stroller Roll-Out!"
The question was--"Why haven't you made a ride-on board for the City Mini?" Dave thought about it, and his reply was "Because no one has asked! But now that someone has, we will work on it."
And, good to his word, they did! Here it is! It's marvelous. The surface has a non-skid grid, to help little feet stay on board. It can attach to the single or double, and holds up to 45 pounds. You can also strap it up, if you aren't using it.
We had a lot of walking to do at this Festival of Books; through throngs of people. A true double stroller would have been hard to navigate. This is the kind of situation where the Glider excels.
I've had boards in the past that were very difficult to attach, and took the patience of Job. But, as is everything else in the BJ line, the Glider is easy.
As for the City Mini itself, there were a few improvements made for 2011. The seat now has a board in the back to make the seat stiffer.
The slouchy seat was a common complaint about the City Mini. There is also now a strap you can pull to make it more upright.
You have to hand it to the Baby Jogger crew for listening, and responding!
The basket is also bigger, and easier to access.
But they also don't mess with success. The fabulous huge canopy, and one hand, one step fold remain.
And as for the push with the board, loaded up with two kids...well, we were able to do it one-handed, over grass, across busy streets, and through crowds, all day long. The steering was fluid, too, not clumsy or heavy.
Aside from the Glider board, there are loads of accessories you can add--including car seat adapters, carrycot, snack tray, belly bar, rain cover, and travel bag.
The seat on the Mini is larger than average, with a deep recline. Yet the fold is smaller than average, and you don't need a University degree to fold it!
Weight: 17 pounds
Width: 24"
Length: 36"
Height: 40.5"
Seat Width: 13"
Seat Depth: 9"
Seat Back: 21"
Seat to Canopy: 25"
Drop to Footrest: 10"
Seat to Floor: 19"
Folded: 24" x 9" x 32"
Glider Board:
15.5 x 9.5 x 7 (w/out attachments)
Attachments: 3"
Weight: 5 pounds
Quinny Senzz
When I think basketball, I think big. Tall.
Which makes me think of tall seat strollers, for big kids. What better stroller to take to the game, then, than the latest entry into the huge seat stroller category, the Quinny Senzz?
Not to mention that the color is Bruins blue, haha.
The Senzz is one of those "More than meets the eye" strollers we've been seeing lately. In other words, it has a lot of features that aren't necessarily apparent at first blush.
First, there is that aforementioned big seat. Big enough that my 9 year old could sit in it, my 12 year old could sit in it, and even *I* could sit in it! Not only that, but even with those big kids in it, it was shockingly easy to push. Hardly felt the difference between them and SP 2.0.
The harness is long, and very easy to adjust.
The canopy is much bigger than it seems, and retracts quite nicely.
Here is the recline with the canopy up.
And with it down.
It's done with a back lever, which many people find much easier to use than a drawstring.
The fabric is soft and pretty, very complimentary to the aesthetics of the frame.
Which makes for a comfy seat, to watch all the action.
Fun to fold, and folds into a tight little package. Has a carry handle, and stands alone folded.
And it locks automatically, with a side latch. 
I thought the square handle would bother me, but it didn't. It is so thin and light, that it is actually quite comfortable to hold.
A lovely detail that you won't see in pictures is the basket. It actually is a woven, wicker-type basket!
Interesting to put such a retro feature on such a modern design.
And speaking of baskets, haha...
At least some people were excited, lol!
How did the Senzz perform on the SQ Obstacle Course? Slam dunk! Handled grass, mud, gravel, wood chips, uneven sidewalks, and big bumps a lot better than most other strollers it's size. It's really strong point was stairs. So easy to roll up and down. The wheel base is the perfect length.
Of course, it is not an A/T stroller, but it is not meant to be. Quinny set out to make a mid-range stroller to fill the gap between the bare bones Zapp, and the full featured, reversible Buzz. I think they did a marvelous job.
Weight: 18 lbs.
Seat Back: 18"
Seat to canopy: 25"
Seat Width: 16"
Seat Depth: 9.5"
Drop to footrest: 8"
Seat to ground: 15"
Length: 29"
Width: 24.5"
Height: 41"
Folded: 28"L x 25"W x 9"H
MACLAREN TECHNO XT REVIEW
Happy Techno New Year!
There
is just something so festive about Maclarens. Well some, anyway. For
2009, my New Year's stroller was the Shanghai Tang Quest. And to usher
in 2010, I chose an all-black Techno XT, with a gold liner. Doesn't get
much better than this.
I
am just crazy about all the great liners you can get from Maclaren now,
to compliment any season, or occasion. And since this is winter, I also
went with the all black faux fur footmuff (say that six times, real
fast!) Kept my Happy New Year baby cosy and warm!
I'm
not sure if the mood was as festive over at the Maclaren HQ's. 2009 saw
them embroiled in one of the biggest baby product recalls of all time,
affecting one million strollers. The recall was initiated by Maclaren,
after a dozen children had their fingertips amputated by the hinges,
when their stroller was being folded. But, to put it all in perspective,
this is 12 out of one million, over the course of a decade. Naturally, I
am terribly sorry for any child who is hurt. When I was six, I had the
top third of my right middle finger amputated. It was dusk, and I was
reaching into my Dad's car trunk, for the last bag of groceries. My
brother thought we had finished unloading, and slammed down the lid of
the trunk. It shut and locked, trapping my finger. To this day, I can
still see the horror on my Dad's face, as he frantically fumbled for the
keys, amidst my ear-piercing screams. It was traumatic and horrible,
but we didn't think about suing the car manufacturer. It was what it
was, a tragically freak accident. I guess my point is that any stroller
that folds has moving parts that can be dangerous. So always make sure
children's little hands are far away when you are closing, or opening
any pram, buggy, or jogger, of any brand.
Back
to the Techno...check out this canopy! It is HUGE! It unzips to pull
down so far that you almost don't need the included raincover.
It has two huge pockets in the back of the canopy to store that cover,
just in case, or a mosquito net, or whatever detritus we parents seem to
accumulate.
And wowee on these wheels! With these reflectors, they can see you coming a mile away. And both front and rear have suspension.
And these new WONDERFUL wheel covers keeps them fully encased, so no street dirt will soil your beautiful liner or fabric.
Makes a tidy little package when you are carrying it, too.
You can get the "universal organizer" for cups, bottles, and more stuff.
And check out the new handles. So elegant! Still height adjustable, too.
Of
course, the reflections don't stop with just the wheels. There is so
much of it, that it is hard to get a non-glowing picture, lol!
One
thing to keep in mind about the Techno is that it has a flat recline
and extendable legrest for a little baby. Yet it also has a huge amount
of headroom for taller children. So it really can be your one and only
stroller that will do-it-all, from birth until Kindergarten! It has a
55-pound weight limit, but more importantly, you can still steer it
one-handed, even carrying heavier weights.
www.maclarenbaby.com
Maclaren Techno XT stats:
Weight: 17 pds.
Width: 18.5"
Sola at the Getty
When I first saw the Mamas and Papas Sola in "Grass", I immediately thought "Monet."
Do you see it?
How about now?
![[monet_wl-1906.jpg]](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_myKIHG6s6rM/RfbJC248adI/AAAAAAAAABs/uDSGk0uM8yY/s320/monet_wl-1906.jpg)
OK, well, at any rate, that is how it struck me. Therefore, what more fitting place to take the Sola on it's maiden run, than to the Getty Villa?
The Sola is magnificent. A thing of beauty; a work of art. See how beautifully she blends in with the gardens.
But what's up with the fountain? Halloween is over!
Aside from the aesthetics, what I love about the Sola is how user friendly it is. To reverse the seat, you just grab the handles and pop it right off. And to fold it, you just pull up the two side levers on the handles, and down she goes. You can fold the Sola in one piece, if the seat is facing forward. It is still quite compact.
And as prams go, the Sola is quite small. One of the smallest you can find, really. So I didn't have to worry about bumping into a 6,500 year old statue; some of which had already lost their hands, or arms, or heads.
The handle is height adjustable, and has an amazing range. The legrest is nice and long, too.
Here is the Sola in full recline. I have the optional matching footmuff on it. I highly recommend it.
The tires even blend in with the marble floor, haha. They are foam, not air. Some people prefer this, because they are lighter weight, and require no maintenance.
The wheels also have front and rear suspension, which means they do pretty well outdoors. Oh, and the basket holds a lot more than you think.
The canopy provides really nice coverage. It has a mesh vent for better visibility, and air flow.
See how far out the handlebar extends? If you attached a riding board to it, your other child would have plenty of standing room.
These pictures were not that easy to take, btw. Because everywhere you looked there were guards. Like every 10 steps. And the main job they had was to chase us around, and tell us not to use a flash.
As we left the Getty, the sun was setting. SP 2.0 was sleeping peacefully.
Until the guard came up shouting, with her walkie talkie on full blast, that she was locking the door, so GET OUT.
And then suddenly, "A bee! A bee! A bee!" the original Strollerprince was hopping around in circles, and up and down. Before I could even take a look, guards came running. They handed my friend a flashlight. And sure enough, there it was, right between his thumb and forefinger. A giant stinger, that was swelling up his hand and coloring it purple.
But, the Getty guards to the rescue! They said to please wait a moment, while they got out their bee-stinger removal kit. "Oh, no way", I said. "Museum guards carry around bee-stinger removal kits?" "Oh yes ma'am," he responded. "We're first responders."
So they came in handy after all. Even let me use the flash outside. And then I had to fill out paperwork. Pages of it, with a narrative of the event, ID, stats, etc. SP 2.0 found the whole thing hilarious. All the way back to the car, he mocked his poor brother. "Oh no, A BEE! Haha! A Bee! Haha! It's a BEEEE....Haha"...
Weight: 25 lbs. (16 lbs. Chassis, 9 lbs, Seat)
Seat Back: 21"
Seat to canopy: 23"
Seat Width: 13"
Seat Depth: 10-16"
Drop to footrest: 11"
Seat to ground: 20"
Length: 27"
Width: 23.5"
Height: 27-43"
Folded: 33"L x 23"W x 12"H
Here's one of the most common questions I get... "Strollerqueen, I love my Volo, but I wish it had big air tires. Is there such a thing?" And the answer is yes, but a qualified yes. Because it isn't actually a Volo. It is the new, and improved "Micralite Fastfold Superlite!"
Check out these 12" beefy air tires. They can really handle the rough stuff. And the brake is flip-flop friendly, lol!
Though the front wheels are spaced widely apart, the rear is extremely narrow. At 15", that is the narrowest you will find on a stroller. In cramped spaces, I tilt it back and roll it on the rear wheels.
The Superlite belies the idea that air tire strollers have to be heavy. It weighs in at an astonishing, Mac-like, 14 pounds! So the "Superlite" part is really true.
One of the places the stroller saves weight is in the seat. It is all mesh, just like the old Volo.
The mesh seat is ideal for the pool, and very breathable on these hot summer days.
The "Fastfold" part is true, too! And it's easy. Just follow the instructions to "Press and Lift".
Slide up the handle...
And it stands alone folded! You can grab the handlebar in the center and roll it behind you for easy transport. The fold is really compact. And you can pop off the rear wheels if you need it smaller.
The handlebar is height adjustable. It goes up or down by unlocking these clamps--from 37" to 45"! On the old version, you had to use an Allen wrench to adjust it. So this is a great improvement.
Another improvement on the "Superlite" is that the frame is feels much more solid. It's not rattly outdoors at all. The one handed steering is still superb. Really as good as it gets.
You might think the design would make it back tippy. But look at how I have it loaded down!
Of course, you can't hang quite as many bags on the back if the seat is empty. But you can recline the seat by sliding down the top two levers on the back of the frame,
and then you have a lot of space between the seat and frame to for your pool bag!
Here are a couple of shots without the bag, so you can see how much the seat reclines. The hammock-y sling seems quite comfortable.
The handlebar is in the tall position, by the way.
The Micralite Superlite isn't just for the pool, though.
We've had fun with it at a parade.
And the pier. For a smoother ride on the bumpy wooden planks, I popped it back and rolled it on the big rear air tires.
You can see here that the basket holds quite a bit, too. Another reason it lives in my car. It takes up little space, yet it is versatile enough to handle whatever summer adventures come our way.
Weight: 14 lbs.
Seat Back: 21"
Seat to canopy: 23"
Seat Width: 14" bottom, 8" top
Seat Depth: 10"
Drop to footrest: 10"
Seat to ground: 18"
Length: 27"
Width: 15" rear, 24" front,
Height: 37"-45"
Folded: 15"L x15 "W x 43"
TRIUMPH OF THE SEAS
"The dolphins surrounded our boat", my friend said. "Dozens, maybe more. Jumping and spouting and racing us. They swam so close the kids could pet them." That made up my mind. We would have StrollerPrinces's birthday party on her boat. But, what to do with StrollerPrince 2.0? How could I manage to keep him from falling off the side of the boat, climbing over the railing, etc. while managing a whole party of wild little boys? The answer, as in most everything in my life, was a stroller.
And not just any stroller. It would have to be small enough to fit, and not be overly obtrusive. Because, let's face it, you don't usually use strollers and boats in the same sentence. Unless, of course, you live in the Kingdom of Strollerland.
This would have to be a stroller with a reliable harness, to keep SP 2.0 safe. Comfy enough to keep him happy. It would need to have a rain cover, to protect from sea spray or wind.
One-handed steering is a necessity, for pushing it down the boat dock and using the other hand to carry party decorations, and the birthday cake.
Or when you needed both hands free, a carry strap so you could sling it over your shoulder.
A small fold is a must so you could stow it away.
Oh, the fold must be quick and easy, too, so my attention would be diverted from the party boys.
Aesthetically, must not stick out like a sore thumb. Must blend in.
And the perfect choice--the Triumph of the seas!
Our day was quite a success, and even more so because I could keep SP 2.0 safely harnessed in to the seat. No, he didn't sit there the whole time.
But for the times he needed to, like loading and unloading the boat, it was invaluable. Even gave him a nice spot to nap, or kick back!
Yes, we saw dolphins, lots! Rows and rows of them diving and spouting. Yes, they swam close enough for the kids to pet them. They even dangled their feet into the water, and put them on the dolphin's backs. Unfortunately, they were to fast for me. Every time I clicked the camera shutter, I got pictures like this:
Or this:
Honestly, I think this one was even cackling at me, though he did allow me a slight glimpse. Look to the lower far right.
I'm stickin' to photographing strollers! They don't move, unless you make them, lol!
I must say I love this racing green Triumph. Love the color (and the new Majesty purple. So deep and lush! Not as apropos for an ocean venture, though. ) Love how solid, and "non-rattly" it feels.
Oh, and yes, it has the hinge covers. And they match.
Love the nimble steering, love the light weight, love the tiny size. A 5-Crown Royal Ranking to be sure!
Weight: 11.5 pounds
Seat Back: 18.5"
Seat to canopy: 27"
Seat Width: 12"
Seat Depth: 9"
Drop to footrest: 9"
Seat to ground: 12"
Length: 23.5"
Width: 17.5"
Height: 41"
Folded: 41."L x 11" W x 6" H
The girls were standing in the long line for the Matterhorn, and SP 2.0 was taking a snooze. Disneyland can be tiring for little ones, so it is important to have a comfy sleeper stroller for them. Then my friend squealed, "It's Donny Osmond!" And sure enough, his handsome self and beautiful family strolled by.
He glanced down at SP asleep in the Valco Quad, and flashed that dazzling smile.
Next up was the "Autotopia ride, and another long line. By now SP 2.0 was awake, and watching the cars.
He seemed a little restless, so I took him out of the Quad to stretch his legs.
Next thing you know, he takes off running. Run, run, run. Darting through the legs and by the feet of the passer bys."Excuse me, can you stop that boy?" I asked as I chased him along. No one tried. And then, he crashed smack into someone's legs, who then picked him up. I looked up to see that familiar dazzling smile. "That kid again", Donny Osmond said. And continued strolling along. "How did he notice SP 2.0 before?" my friend said. "He was sleeping!" "Well", I said, "It must have been the Valco Quad that caught his eye!"
And likely admiring all these great features!
To start with, it has the canopy that pulls all the way down to shade from those hot Disney rays.
Then you have that mega comfy footrest, for napping or just resting.
And the front napper bar, to rest your hat on.
Some little side saddlebags for extra storage.
It is small enough to zip in and out of the crowds.
And the bouncy air tires really make for a gliding ride.
You can dial the front wheels to the position you need, Fixed, swivel, or tilt, if you want to add on a toddler seat.
Yep, it does take that infamous Valco toddler seat, to add on a second child!
For even more versatility, you can add a snack tray, foot muff, husssh bassinet, full bassinet, or hitchhiker riding board. Think of the possibilities!
And I don't think I ever used more than one hand to push it the entire day; the steering is so easy.
The handle is height adjustable, so it works for a tall or a short person.
The fold isn't bad. You lift up a couple of side latches, and a red safety catch.
Then you step down on the basket. It kind of crumples itself into a compact little package. Ah joy! No seat removal, it's a one piece fold!
Of course I did see smaller strollers there. But if you are planning on staying well into the night, as we did, then you really need something more full-featured. The Quad was just right.
Small enough to fit on the trams, nimble enough to avoid running over people's feet, and big enough to load down with bags.
And nope, no tipping.
VALCO QUAD:
Weight: 23 pounds
Seat Back: 20.5"
Seat to canopy: 23"
Seat Width: 14"
Seat Depth: 10"-17"
Drop to footrest: 8"
Seat to ground: 20"
Length: 29"
Width: 22.25"
Height: 29"-44"
Folded: 31.5"L x 22.25" W x 15"H (11" w/out wheels)
Stroller bells ring, are you listening,
In the lane, snow is glistening,
A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight,
Strolling in a Winter Wonderland...
It's
a common Christmas conundrum...you need a stroller wicked enough to
tackle the snowdrifts, yet your car is packed to the roof with luggage
and presents. So you don't have room for a massive air tire pram. What
to take, what to take...and oh yeah, the color needs to right, hmmm,
gold would be nice...
Ah,
it's the Mutsy Transporter! The perfect sleigh for your happy little
reindeer! Folds compact enough to fit in car, yet is strong enough to
glide through the snow.
The
Transporter also has a front napper bar, which helps keep the footmuff
in, that keeps your baby toasty warm. This one is a Valco, but you can
get one from Mutsy, too. 
Other nice features include a deep recline, height adjustable handle, and big basket. 
The
Mutsy Transporter is a really gorgeous stroller. That you can see. But,
and here is one thing you can never know from a website, unless you
have someone like me to tell you... how a stroller pushes. And I am
happy to report, that the Transporter is as smooth as silk. I *would*
say it pushes like buttah', but that is an overused cliche'. OK, smooth
as silk is, too.
Let's just say, it has a superb one-handed push, in all kinds of
terrain. The wheels are small enough for indoor shopping, yet big enough
for the great outdoors.
In the meadow we can build a snowman,
And pretend that he's a circus clown
We'll have lots of fun with mister snowman,
Until the other kids knock him down.
If
a stroller could be horrified by this appalling snow joke, then the
Transporter would be. But hey, in SoCal, building a snowman is not
something one does very often. http://www.mutsy.com/products/transporter/options
Weight: 23 pds.
Width: 25"
Quest for Justice
The Shanhai Tang Quest is perfect for celebrating. Look at these festive colors! This is a beautiful pattern, very colorful, and very original.
At 13 pounds, with a decent recline and tiny fold, it is a great choice for quick trips or travel. The back pocket comes in handy, too.
And did I mention it comes with a matching boot? It was a good choice for our New Year's fun.
http://www.maclarenbaby.com/us/content/view/434/88889568/lang,en/
Now,
I grew up with a lot of Armenian friends. When I was at their house, at
some point (usually after a few shots of Raki), their grandmother would
want to read our fortunes. She would brew these little glasses of dark
liquid with a mound of mud on the bottom (love it now, didn't then),
have us drink them, and turn them upside down on our plates. The first
thing she would say to me is "I see a camel." 
What
the...I'm a teen-ager in California, what do I want with a camel? It
has since been explained to me that a camel means travel, or good luck,
or good fortune. I guess if I was living in a desert, I would be
fortunate if I had a camel to ride on outta' there! 
So
for the New Year, my friend's mother offered to read our fortune. I
said yes, but mostly because I like the coffee now. I drank it, and
tipped it. All the while SP 2.0 is snug and cozy in his Quest. Now I am
prepared to hear "I see a camel." And sure enough, she says, "I see...
HANDCUFFS!"
Huh? She looked again. "Yes, handcuffs. Look, you can see it right
here." I squint, and see some sqiuggles in the grinds. Then she says she
sees a rat. And it is following me around. Nibbling at my heels. OK,
got it. It's still that motorcycle cop from the Baby Jogger story. He's
been following me around the neighborhood, up and down the street. When I
see him on my heels, I pull over, smile, and wave at him. He drives by
verrrryyyy sloooowwwwly, staring over at me all the way. Hopefully the next time I see him is in court. And the date is set, for Friday the 13th! Wish me luck. Happy New Year!
Maclaren Shanghai Tang Quest:
Weight: 13 pds.
Width: 17.5"
Length: 24"
Handle Height: 41"
Seat Back: 19"
Seat to Canopy: 27"
Seat Depth: 9"-14" (footrest extended)
Seat Width: 12.5"
Drop to Footrest: 8"
Ground to Seat: 13"
Folded: 11 x 11 x 41
It's
beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go....and if I
want it to look like Christmas in my home, then I better go down to the
lot and grab a tree! Problem is, it has been raining, and raining, and
raining. Which means the mud and wood chips are going to be like quick
sand at the Christmas tree lot. So what stroller can handle that, yet
still look beautiful and festive and Christmas-y? And of course, it has
to sit up high, have a great canopy, and boot to shelter from the wind
and cold. 
And
the clear-cut choice---the BebeCar ip-op! BebeCar is one of the highest
quality strollers made today. It's not sold in the US, which is a
shame. But you can easily get one by calling the congenial and engaging
Jacques, in Canada.
BebeCar
is one of the last strollers made in Europe. Portugal, to be exact. And
look at the stunning attention to detail. Check out the BebeCar
plaques, in silver. 
Or the little "B", hidden in the circles. 
This
design is absolutely stunning. It reminds me of Christmas ornaments. Of
course, there are many, many other color choices available, including a
white leather seat that was a very close contender. I love this black
frame. 
But
there are several different chassis' available, in different colors,
and with different wheel sizes. All have height adjustable handles, with
wide variances. And they sit up high, which makes the large basket
easily accessible. 
They
all fully recline, which means they are suitable from birth. And there
is an extendable leg rest, and a front napper bar. You can also use a
bassinette, instead of the seat, if you so choose. 
They
have these wonderful, full canopies. You can open up the back flap on
warmer days, and there is a net to keep your baby enclosed. 
There
are little net pockets inside, which are perfect for sippy cups or
bottles. I used an R-Versus when SP 2.0 was a newborn, and those pockets
were so convenient. 
I
kept it in the car, because it is one of the few reversible strollers
out there that can fold easily, with the seat facing you. The ip-op does
this, too. 
Folds all in one piece. And the seat and wheels easily pop off it you would like it more compact.
Performance-wise, the ip-op sailed over the the muddy wood chips at the Christmas tree lot. Didn't even pause. So amazing! 
And SP 2.0 was well-protected, comfortable in his throne, high above the muck. I would say the trip was a success. 
Here's hoping that YOU find a BebeCar ip-op under YOUR Christmas tree (or menorah, or ???!!!) 
http://www.bebecar.com/#
Ooops, sorry, wrong picture! That's because we're not in Manhattan today, nor in Beverly Hills. We are at the ZzzzOOO, with the Cybex Callisto.
The Cybex
Callisto had some tall orders to fill this trip. Had to be comfy enough
for all day at the Zoo, warm enough for a visit to Santa, hardy enough
to tackle the underground caves, elegant enough for the Nutcracker
Ballet, fold small enough to fit in a horse and carriage, and easily
enough so as not to annoy the husband, who would be using it a lot. 
Start with the ballet suitability...did it pass? I would say so. The Callisto is very sumptuous, very rich. Love the design on the canopy. They are a little different on all the models.
But you can push it back, to better see the lions, or tigers, or Zebras, oh my!
There are currently four Cybex
models for sale in the US. The feature rich, top of the line Callisto,
and the Topaz, Onyx and Ruby. The main differences are that each model
down is a step down in features--i.e. umbrella handles instead of the
single bar, less recline, no napper bar, no suspension, etc. But they
all have cool designs, you should check them out.
A "hidden benefit"is that Cybex
is being distributed by Regal Lager. They are the company that used to
distribute Phil and Ted's. Anyone who has ever dealt with them has been
impressed by their helpfulness and class. Customer Service is something
that everyone needs to consider when buying a stroller. Especially since
the higher-end ones aren't cheap anymore. And a lot of people have no
choice but to buy online, since they don't have the retailers nearby.
The suspension on the wheels made for a very smooth ride to the underground caves. Check out the aluminum rims! 
And the deep recline means SP 2.0 could take a long noon nap, after a long day of animal watching.
The fabric is a soft brushed cotton, so very inviting. The foot muff I used is the faux fur Maclaren, but you can get a matching one from Cybex. 
Here you can see some other "designer" features. There is a front visor to help with the low sun rays, a front napper bar, a rain cover, and the single bar handle makes for a great one-handed push. It's height adjustable, too! 
Yet
the Callisto DOES fold umbrella style. How is that possible? Well, to
fold it, you first reach down and lift up a latch in the center back,
down by the basket. Similar to most umbrella folds, except you lift it
with your hand, instead of kicking it. Then, you push the top button in,
and the both sides of the handle magically fold inwards, towards each
other. So voila! it becomes an umbrella. Pretty cool, actually. 
One
of my favorite things about the Callisto is the super smooth recline.
There is a little handle in the back, which you lightly squeeze. Then
the seat gently comes all the way down, to four different positions. The
harness is interesting, too. It's a puzzle buckle, like on a car seat.
And the strap adjustment is also like your car seat. To loosen the
harness, you push on the button on the seat, and pull it out. Then to
tighten it, you pull the bottom of the strap.
Another thing I like is how long the leg rest
extends. This feature is a make it or break it for us right now, in
terms of baby's comfort level. And when baby ain't happy, ain't no one
happy! But here, you see he clearly is. Just chillin' and watching the 'Roos.
http://www.regallager.com/cybex.aspx 
First
of all, it is beautiful. Look at the lines, the way the frame flows.
The design incorporates the new "egg shape", and, like musicians who
"borrow" other's riffs, the handle is borrowed from the original Mia
Moda Cielo. 
The
"3-wheeler" idea in a non A/T stroller also is fairly trendy. But Valco
takes it a step further, with this cool fold. You turn this knob 
and release this red catch 
and
she folds in half into a sweet little package. The wheels pop right
off. Very convenient to put in the sink and wash off those annoying
squishy berries. 
But tonight, we have miles to go before we sleep, and Strollerprince 2.0 is dyin' to continue flyin' in his new ION...
The recline is flat, for lyin' in the Ion 
But we have miles to go, before he sleeps, and so we press on, (sigh'in) in the Ion. 
The steering is two-fingered, think a feather-light Zapp. Which is a very good thing, because of what we encounter next-- 
a flood from a stopped up toilet, ugh. 
The
DH runs with it, runs like a jogger! He is carried away, and I'm not
lyin', by the handling of the ION. We duck into a building, to see
champions of yore. It gives me a chance to play with more features. Now
you see the ION canopy unzipped 
And now you don't. There is a peekaboo window in the hood, so you can play peekaboo with your baby, too. 
At
the top of the seat is a head curb, which is nice when reclining a
young baby. But you can unsnap it to give more headroom to an older
child.
It's a cool safety feature, as is the front napper bar, and the crotch
strap. As the night draws nigh, our ION, is electryfyin'. So if your
baby's night cryin', then get to buyin' the new Valco ION!Maxi Cosi Mila at the Mall
Why is summer so doggone short? We wait for it all year, and then it's gone in the blink of an eye.
Um, eye, um, pun intended, heehee. But anyway, the end of summer means one big thing around here--back to school!
And back to school means, shopping for school clothes.
And shopping for school clothes, in Strollerland anyway, means one thing...
What stroller do we take to the mall? Well, got a new one for ya'. The Maxi Cosi Mila!
WOW.
Check that out!
Want. to. push. it.
The Mila is stylish to be sure. Love how the frame matches the fabric!
It was a great choice! Small enough to zip in and out of corners.
And the single wheels meant I didn't get hung up on clothes racks.
The seat is almost high enough to see all the sparkly things
Shopping is tiresome, whew.
But oh, the sites to see.
You can stuff an amazing amount in the basket.
The Mila is small, but sturdy. Look how many bags I can hang off of it, and it never tipped. Whoo hoo!
I was planning on taking it to the Museum, but the Mall has nearly as many attractions.
Love how the colors of this "bleached denim" Mila blend right in.
The drop to the footrest is 13" long. Longer than most other strollers. Which means it is great for a leggy child.
There is an extended leg rest, padded harness and crotch strap, and the recline is plenty for napping.
One of the really cool things is the fold. You just pull up the triggers (which I have my bags hanging on), and yank the handle.
It then folds up, not down, like most umbrellas. So you don't have to bend down to the ground. This would be great for someone with a bad back (That is one concern of many of my clients.) And it stands alone folded.
One thing to remember when back to school shopping, or any mall shopping, is that it can take a while. All day, until the sunset. So it is really important to have a stroller that is comfy for your child.
The Maxi Cosi Mila is a sweet ride, allowing SP 2.0 to have sweet dreams.
Seat Back: 19"
Seat to canopy: 22.5"
Seat Width: 14"
Seat Depth: 9"-12.5"
Drop to footrest: 13"
Seat to ground: 18"
Length: 27"
Width: 20.5"
Height: 41.5"
Folded: 37"L x 13" W x12" H
