Strider Plus 4 vs Baby Jogger City Mini Double?

So I'm having a pram dilemma :) terrible I know ;) We (DH and I have narrowed it down to the Strider Plus 4. (DH fave) or the BJ City Mini Double (my fave - only just though) We have excluded the Phil and Teds Range (just don't like the seat seat up ESP for newborns) and the BJ CitySelect ( the seat set up for two reclines doesn't work for us)

Situation: DS2 due in December when DS1 will be 2.5. He is still a big pram user, won't walk for long and sleeps in the pram too (still has a 2-3 hour nap every arvo). Main uses will be a the shops, walking to kindy for drop off/pick up and big "outings" eg zoo etc. We have a Toyota Camry car with a fairly big boot. Currently using a stroller for DS1 (either Childcare Captiva with full layback or Quicksmart for little trips, I'm planning to keep both) we are also planning 1 more baby relatively soon after this one (within 2 years)

Strider Pros - can be a single or double, comes with accessories, can pull apart to fold smaller (ie seats, wheels etc) if needed, cheap (kid of), I have a capsule and bassinet from my single pram (Steelcraft Cruiser I'm planning to sell) that both fit to use as a travel system etc. (which I did love last time) bubs can face me in top seat.

Cons - DS isn't a huge fan of the bottom seat, heavy, "bucket" style seats not as comfy and with fixed recline positions (3), some poor reviewed of dodgy wheels/squeaky frame.

BJ Pros - light to steer/push even when only one side in use, easy one piece fold, flat recline (like our current stroller and DS1 can lie on his side/front to sleep), it comes in PURPLE! I can get a bassinette attachment so ds2 can face me, both kids at good height (not underneath iykwim)

BJ Cons- its just a double (DS2will be a kindy 2 days per week, accessories are all extra, no travel system, would take the full width of my boot, more expensive than the strider with all the options I need

So...after that epic post...what would you choose?

my strider plus's wheels are stuffed, dont know whats wrong with them :( have only had the pram 18 months.
im buying the Baby jogger mini in the next few weeks for DD2 for when we go to the shops and on walks, will attempt to get the wheels working on the strider before next baby comes though because it is a fantastic pram

Apparently the prob with the strider wheels is they get "out of round" but steel craft should replace them.

Thought I'd mention DH thinks I'll end up with both anyway ;) I'm a bit of a pram whore lol

I'd go babyjogger :)


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I'd go babyjogger :)


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I think its the fact it's a baby jogger that makes it my fave too :)

I was looking at both these and ended up with the strider. I couldn't justify a double pram I may only use for 12 months tops whereas with the strider if DD doesn't want to sit in it anymore I can use it as a single pram with DS. So far I haven't had any issues with it!

I had the BJ city mini for my girls and it was brilliant. Only used it as my "shopping" pram and found even for a side by side double, it was relatively easy getting around. I experimented with all sorts of prams catering for two, and although I didn't try the strider, found the side by sides much easier to push and manouevre. I sold it on eBay and only lost $100 on my purchase price.

I bought the Strider when it was first released. I did my research at the time and it was the only pram that both kids could recline in (as opposed to having one child in the upright seated position while the other child can lie down). I wanted a pram that had the flexibility of both children sleeping in the recline position at the same time.

Since then the city select has come out. I had a look at this not long ago because I was considering whether I should get one of those and I found it to be a bit long and thought if both seats were in the recline position the kids feet would touch each other (once they are old enough to fill the pram).

So overall I am really happy with my Strider. I find it a bit wide and think it may be the widest pram on the market but love the amount of storage underneath, the capsule option (i used this for my first child and will use it for my second also), the fact that the capsule and seat can face you, it comes with all the accessories (which can be very costly) and it is fairly cheap especially since they have come down heaps in price since I bought it. Although I am yet to use it, I also like that the second seat has a canopy over it too (although we will trial the second seat in a few weeks once baby is born and DS moves to the second seat).

Probably the only con I would list would be how wide it is. I haven't had any problems with the wheels at all.

Good luck with your decision!

Amanuet - I recommend bj to anyone who will listen! Lol! My DS was about 2.5 (a bit over) when DD was born and he also still used to fall asleep in the pram (I have city elite)..... But instead of getting a new pram, I got him the skateboard for the back instead..... Which he sits on when he's tired!

In the early days with DD she would be in the carrier and DS in the pram. He is 4 in October 23kg and still fits in it fine.

He quickly grew out of having a sleeping the pram though, so maybe just think of that. You don't want to be stuck with a double which mightn't be used like that often as time goes on.....

But still..... Get babyjogger! :)


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I've just bought the BJ Select and currently have the BJ Elite so I'm a bit of a BJ fan :lol:

Just on the Select, did you know you can recline both seats when they are both facing you or both facing away? My DD rarely (never?!) sleeps in the pram so the recline for her seat didn't bother me so I'll be able to utilise a lot of the Select's seating arrangements plus I can easily use the pram as a single if required. That would be my only hesitation buying a double (side by side) - you don't have the benefit of being able to switch it to a single if required.

Thanks everyone :) I think the Strider is the "sensible/practical" choice and BJ is the "I want it" choice :)

T, I wish the Select worked for us, it just doesn't sadly :( the front seat just won't recline enough in any position really and I spent a good hour at the baby shop having a play!

Y, I plan on a newborn carrier (maybe the Close?) and i have an Ergo, but it will be summer and I have chubba bubbas so not sure if I'd use it a lot iykwim.

Thanks, I'm pretty sure it will be the Strider but maybe i'll get the bj double too after ds2 gets bigger, thats dh's tip :)

Hi there, I have the Baby Jogger City Mini Double in Purple! I looooooooooove it! We also have a Phil & Ted and I hate it dont use it at all cause I hate it for my newborn its too low and swings and my toddler sits on top and squishes the newborns feet.

Ive been using the BJCMD for 8 weeks now so will go through all my thoughts of it with you!

pros
- love the easy fold in and out of car and its flat tooo in boot
- so easy to push with one hand and feels so light to push too!
- the sunshades are so great with fabulous coverage more than the P&T or any other pram I have had
- the recline on seats are great
- I love the wheels of the pram

Cons
- its hard to get to the basket when one seat is reclined but you can access it from the side
- there is no adapter for the capsule that is approved by Australian standards but America has one.



Other thoughts!
- when I shop and only have 1 kid when the girls are at kinder, I put the shopping in the extra seat! it works a treat! so easy to carry,
- so funny every time I use it I get asked where the other kid is!!! when they are at kinder.

I ordered mine from baby on the run and it got here in a week.

We looked at the Strider 4 however when we measured the wheel base it was nearly just as wide as the BJCMD so we got the baby jogger.

Have you looked at the new side by side mountain buggy? the Duet? its skinner than the BJCMD

I was out with my mum today and happened to walk past a baby shop. It had both prams in stock and she (like me) thought the BJ the best option for us :) my DS1 will be to big for the strider very quickly and she reminded me that he was only in the capsule for 5 months or so cos he was such a boofer and DS2 is likely to be the same :) so I'm going to get the BJ! Now to find one in PURPLE :)

good choice! I dont think the purple is available in Aust yet hun, I got it from baby on the run :)

Thanks Belle. I noticed their site says they only ship BJ to US addresses? Is this just to keep BJ happy? Also, did u buy any accessories?

I believe purple comes out in Dec however you can purchase from the US and get that colour sooner rather than later. Only down side to US ordering is there is NO Australian warranty.

Thought I'd update on my ongoing pram dilemma :) I've actually decided on the Love n Care Twingo! It does everything I need it too and is cheaper than the other doubles I was considering (about $500-$550) and when I no longer need a double I'll get the BJ city mini single :) and have still only spent as much as if I'd bought the bjcm dbl + bassinet ;)