double strollers: side by side or front and back??

emm3339

I don't post often but am looking into double strollers.  I really love the Baby jogger side by side but am concerned it may be a bit wide for doorways, sidewalks, etc.  For those of you who may have used either, do you have any advice? My daughter will be 21 months when the new baby comes, I am not sure if she would be ready for the sit and stand yet...thanks!

Mereou12

I've done a ridiculous amount of research on this subject, and it all seems to come down to personal preference!

We're getting the Baby Jogger City Mini Double. We have the single now and love it, so this was the first stroller we looked at for a double. I, too, was concerned about the width, but after talking to a few moms that have used it, they assured me that it fits through ALL standard doorways.

Most moms that I've talked to with tandem strollers like them well enough, but they do say that they're hard to steer. We were in the same boat that we didn't feel like DS is ready for Sit 'n Stand. I looked at a few other strollers with 2nd seat options (Britax B-Ready, BJ City Select, Phil & Teds, etc), but haaaated them. They were so awkward, bulky, HEAVY, and I just didn't like the fact that one kid's view is obstructed. Add that to the hard to steer part, and I was sold on a side-by-side.

Watch some video reviews on babygizmo.com....they're incredibly helpful!!! We went back and forth for months, but keep going back to the good ol' Baby Jogger.

 

TheFannins729

if we were doing one, i would get the city mini just because of it's size.  the tandems are typically harder to steer unless you get one that has a double attachment (like the phil n ted or the city select)

lmjt

I got a Jane Powertwin, its a tandem. I've tried it with 2 kids (I borrowed my friend's kid) and the stroller plus 2 kids was like 80lbs. It wasn't hard to steer, but it took some getting used to. 

If I hadn't scored that stroller on craigslist, I didn't plan to buy anything until my big one was big enough to use a sit and stand.

The places I frequent I could not get into with a side by side, although I love my City Mini Single.... 

julygal

We had a tandem (Graco DuoGlider) for two years.  It worked and served its purpose, but it was awkward to steer due to its length.  I never could steer just using one hand even when I had a two year old and an infant.  It just became more difficult the bigger the kids got.  DD recently outgrew its weight and height limits, so I used that and baby #3 as a reason to upgrade to the city mini double.  I wanted something that I can use with all 3 kids, as older DD does still like to ride from time to time especially on longer outings.  The city mini double is much easier to steer.  I use one hand with both kids in it. It fits through every door I have encountered so far.  Some doors are more tight, but it can be done fairly easily on my own.  I haven't had a problem with aisles in stores, but I could see how some might be harder to navigate with a side by side.  I have really been much happier with the city mini double.  I agree with PP that it probably boils down to personal preference.

NicDes

I've been using a side by side for 2.5 years with my 4 year old and 2.5 year old. Its a Zooper tango. I love that almost any carseat will fit it. It is pretty lightweight compared to other models I tried and has lots of space underneath. I really liked the side by side. It is the width of a wheelchair so it fits through doors just fine and I've never really had an issue getting around anywhere. Now that the boys are 2.5 and 4, we don't use it too often because they like to walk but when we do it is hard to push with them being side by side.

babyAutumn

Definitely front/back.  The side to side option is nice but is hard to take shopping, to amusement parks, etc...  It's also kind of awkward to put in the trunk of a car.

ktshafra

This is our first, but we got the Baby Jogger City Select because we'll be able to easily change it into a double stroller when the time comes. It sits front/back but you can have them both face front, both face back, or face each other, which is nice. From pushing it around (but without kids) this style seems to work best for us.