Questions about Double strollers but primarily the BJ City Select

Mrs.M&M

I just had my second baby and need to upgrade my Peg Perego P3 travel system for a double. My primary use will be at the mall, so I didn't feel the side by side was a good option for me and decided on the tandem. It was important that the carseat can go in the rear spot so that the older child is in front and can look out. I've been doing a ton of research and ended up buying the City Select today. In putting it together, the seat is broken so I can't even use it! Anyway, now that its here and assembled, I'm wondering if I made the right decision. I know that any double stroller will be bigger, but the rear wheels of the City Select make it so wide. It won't be an issue at the park or on walks, but I imagine having problems navigating stores in the mall and getting around clothes racks. I never leave my stroller without a hand on it and wouldn't leave it to get around a clothes rack in Gymboree. Has anyone had problems with this? I'm also wondering if I'll have problems seeing where I'm going because it's so tall with the carseat. Am I crazy? And last, I can't see my son sitting in the front seat. He'll be strapped in but I'm still worried about not having him in my sight. Has anyone encountered problems with this? Oh, and one more thing- the carseat installed with the adapter is wobbly. Is this normal? I hate that I spent over $600 on a stroller and am wondering if cheaper strollers would be any better (including standards like folded stand, cup holders, snack trays, and diaper bag hooks unlike the BJCS which requires you purchase each item a la carte). I'm happy to spend this amount if I love the stroller but I'm just not sure. Does anyone have experience with the BJCS and another double to compare? I wish you could test drive a stroller for a few days to see what works best for you! Others that I researched were the Chicco together, the Graco DuoGlider, and the Contours Optima. If you ave any experience with either of these, please share! Or if, you recommend something else, please let me know. Thanks.

hokiemel7

I've also been eyeing the City Select when my #2 arrives (currently rocking a City Mini and LOVE it). While I haven't personally played with it, I do know that all the moms I've talked to about it really do love it and don't have much to say negatively. I don't think it's any wider than other strollers of the same caliber (Uppababy Vista, Britax B-Ready, etc). That being said, my friend who has an Uppababy Vista with the rumble seat is always getting caught on store displays/tables because of the size. I'm planning on using my Ergo while I use my City Mini for my toddler so I can still maneuver around at the mall. Just my two cents

ebp913

I don't like the City Select at all and I have owned over 10 strollers (hahaha I love strollers!). Anyways it's really long and heavy and hard to push and I'm just not a fan.  

The B-Ready is easier to push but it's wide.  To be honest, most tandem doubles are only 3-4 inches narrower than a lot of singles on the market.  You might want to check out a side by side and see how you like it.  You might be surprised that it's not as wide as you think.  

My personal favorite option for the mall is my Bugaboo Bee with the Englacha Junior X Rider attached.  It's so narrow, easy to push and awesome.  My older one never naps in the stroller anymore and she loves the X Rider seat so it's great for us.  I also tend to bring my carrier so I can move DS to the carrier and my older one can ride if I need them to.   I also have a BOB Duallie for walks and jogging so this is a good compliment to that.  

Do you have a single stroller currently?  You could look into just getting a ride on board for that and the getting side by side double for times like the zoo or an amusement park where you need both kids to ride.  

JerseyBella

I don't find the city select to be wide at all. No compared to others. You can't get any stroller around most stores at the mall , at least the malls by me. It's highly annoying. I personally hate the doubles with rumble seats because the kid is practically on the ground and starring at the back of a seat. Just my opinion I love the city select. I find it to be the easiest for me to push and maneuver.

Mrs.M&M

My 2 year old is highly active and needs to be strapped in so a rider board isn't an option for me. I went ahead and ordered the Contours Options LT since it has the same seat configurations. Since I can't use my City Select yet (due to aforementioned broken seat) it is currently in my living room assembled so I figure I can do a side by side comparison. This way, if I decide to keep the City Select, I'll feel better about the big price tag after comparing it to another stroller. I've been to BBB so many times to test out strollers, but it is so confusing to see so many and then I forget which ones had which features. Hopefully shopping in my living room will make it easier. . Does anyone have the Contours options?

aboynamedbarry

The contours option has a longer wheel base than the bjcs, as far as a tandem goes I am extremely happy with my cs. No one stroller is gonna have it all, its a given that everything will be harder with a stroller, esp a double no matter which way it is configured.

Also, I had a broken seat on mine at one point and in dealing with bj customer service I was very happy

LittleApple

I found a review comparing the City Select and the Contours Options stroller.

https://mommysthoughtson.blogspot.com/2012/02/im-back-baby-jogger-city-select-vs.html

ebp913

Just FYI, there are several rider board options that are a seat.  My DD is a runner and not a great listener and she loves the Junior X Rider.  It also has a seat belt type feature so she can't get escape.  

jburdet1

I'm planning on the City Select as well. I really want the side by side double City Mini but the car seat adaptor feature scares me to death, so I think the City Select would be my best bet.

I have the single City Mini now and I love it, but even with it I can't navigate inside Gymboree!

Mrs.M&M

Thanks everyone for your comments. I assembled the Contours today and promptly packed it up and put it back in the box. BJCS is the winner! My biggest turn off was the colors and although it isn't really longer ( only by an inch or two) it seems so much longer than the CS. Overall, the quality of the Contours wasn't there and as the resale on the CS is still quite high, I'm hoping I can turn around and sell it when I'm done.

Eleventy11

I was like you and didn't want a side by side due to size. I went to BBB and had decided on the Countours Optima. I read lots of negative reviews about having to take the seat off to fold it up. I had a mini-meltdown after my DS came early and we HAD to have a stroller.

I did tons of research and decided on the Bumbleride Indie Twin. It wasn't a brand I was super familiar with, but was a top luxury pick on several websites. It is a side by side, but is extremely narrow. I use it at the mall and rarely have trouble getting around. It is a little pricey, but it comes with all accessories. It came out to the same price as a City Select, if I purchased everything with it.

I absolutely love the stroller. My kids love it and it had tons of cool color combinations.

avigailandcharlie

Lurker here. Not sure if you are completely settled on the city select. My cousin lives in London, the land of bugaboo, but she did not want something so big, so she got a Phil and Teds stroller, the one with the seat underneath the other. She said it was amazing, because it could fit anywhere, and was so easy to get around in such an urban setting. Yes, her older daughter was close to the ground, but she said it was worth it for the urban convenience. Sounds like it's a smaller option. I don't know which model she got, but I"m sure you could find it on their website!