Joggng Strollers (Page 2)

Said it before and I will say it again, Phil & Teds stroller.  Expensive but can hold up to 3 kids (with expansion seats).  I have bought one for my best friend and my BIL.

We bought a BOB rev and also bought a carseat adapter. They sell the carseat adapter at REI. It had a list of carseat models that fit.  It cost $45. 

We have that on our's as well.  The good news is, as she gets bigger the bar that supports the carseat also is the support for a tray-type thing with cupholder, etc for the munchkin.

Hands down the BOB rocks!

x2.  love our InStep.  fixed front wheel, I don't get that swivel choice.... but other runners swear by the swivel - so test run the options!  Your wife and you might have a preference.

If your planning on two pretty close together, investing in the double may be worth it. 

Our 2 are 16 months apart, and the double would have been worth it up front to not have to buy it again 16 months later.

I started seriously running again about the same time I had my first kid was born. I have run more than half my miles for the past 5 years pushing a jogger.

I wondered about arm usage in race situations. I have not had an issue with it but I do some running solo and I lift and swim so it all smooths out. Other than that I think it has helped me to be a stronger runner. I am pushing a parachute into the wind and up to 100 pounds (2 kids, stroller, diaper bag, books, toys, drinks). It is like a hill workout every time. Getting it going, running into wind or uphill is hard but on a calm day on flat ground an object in motion tends to remain in motion so it really isn't bad (7 mph wind and rolling resistance is all you are fighting)

I actually used to SELL strollers... so while I may be as full of crap as anyone else, and while I'm a triathlon noob (first race this weekend), I know my strollers.

First - a TRUE jogging stroller will NOT have a castor/turning front wheel.  A true jogging stroller is made for running and jogging, not for cruising the mall.  And a front wheel that turns means you really have to 'steer' while you run.  (Even the ones with turning wheels that 'lock' are not stable enough to track correctly for running)

Second - Decide what you are REALLY going to be using it for.  Just jogging and running? What kind of terrain, what kind of pace, and is it going in and out of the car before and after thsoe runs?

Third - Think about it the same way you do your bike.  Do you want something heavy, with small, wide wheels?  Or something light, with big, thin wheels?  Which is faster?  Will the kind you want handle the terrain you'll be running.  And most of all - DOES IT FIT?  (do your arms comfortably hang with a natural bend when you hold the handle... the same bend, but with less arm movement, as you usually have while running)  If more than one person is going to be running with it, check for adjustable handles.  Also, ensure the handle sticks out enough... if you are an overstriding heel striker, you don't want to be kicking or tripping on the stroller.

Based on all that - if you are just looking for a 'rugged' useful stroller to take to the zoo, shopping, and pretty much everywhere... I agree with NavyTRIChief that you can't do much better than the Phil & Ted's strollers (save a few bucks and get the Classic instead of the Sport).  If you are seriously looking for a jogging/running stroller... well, then you have to get into the terrains and paces you plan on hitting.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the BOB strollers.  They are great strollers.  Good on multiple terrains.  But not necissarily the 'fastest' stroller out there.  The Baby Jogger Performance Stroller is a little lighter, with bigger wheels... so if you're planning on running 5 minute miles, that might be more suited to you.  

The Chariot Strollers are VERY versitile.  Which is great if you plan on using it all those ways.  But it is not the 'best' anything.  Not the best jogger, not the best bike trailer... but it is the best that does both.

Has anyone ever tried to design an attachment that would allow you to push hands-free? I see having to hold on to the thing as a HUGE problem (I already have balance issues, both staying upright and keeping my muscles balanced). I would think a rigid, padded attachment around your hips would be a great thing, but I have never seen them.

When we first got our Bob, there was an attachment that looked like a waist belt with two arms that gripped the stroller.  So when you moved it moved, I was worried about if I fell then the stroller would tip back and I'd either go head to head with the kid or the front wheel.  I haven't seen that attachment since I was shopping for the single bob, 2004-ish.

We always run with one hand on the stroller and our body positioned to the left or right of the stroller.  This lets us run with our normal gate and only one hand pushing.  As someone else noted alway use the saftey cord. 

Edited by papson14 2009-08-05 11:52 PM

1 the swivel wheel - even if it locks will only be acceptable for 10 minute or greater miles and both strollers I have used with fixed wheels(for thousands of miles) get through malls etc just fine

Edited by bruehoyt 2009-08-06 12:13 AM

We have both a BOB Ironman and Chariot Cougar One. The Chariot is the better of the two to jog with. Working as a bike trailer and as a means to go grocery shopping without a car is a bonus too.

We had an other off brand jogging stroller with a fixed front wheel and gave it way to an other couple. It was given to us used, so we just passed it on. Did not like it, kinda a knock off of the BOB but crappy.