side-by-side or tandem stroller?

QCinOct

DS will be 22 months when #2 arrives. We live right by a gravel trail which we walk on a lot, so I want to get a double stroller that can handle that. My head is swimming with the choices out there. What do you have and do you like it?

jennnn32

just bought a kolcraft contours tandem double and love it!! LO isnt here yet but the wheels are big and never go flat, and 6 seating options, its 31 lbs and its great!! Side by side usually dont fit thru door ways and it makes it easy for toddler to reach over and wake up LO so we went with tandem. Good luck!

Ruby_Soho

The Mountain Buggy Duo is great if you want a side by side and the +one is great if you want an in-line. I have the single Urban Jungle at the moment but will probably get the +one next year when DS#2 is here.

Raffes484

You'll have an easier time finding a side by side that is all-terrain, or at least has larger wheels to better handle a gravel path.

I have a Baby Jogger City Mini Double (definitely not all-terrain, although awesome), and it fits through every door I've ever tried as it's only 29" wide. It's also pretty deep so my LOs can't really bother each other.

Look into some of the other Baby Joggers, BOBs, and Bumbleride Indie Twin.

MyColonyNJ

jennnn32:

Side by side usually dont fit thru door ways !

most SBS strollers are the same width of a standard wheelchair, which means that they will fit through almost all doors.

I have a CIty Mini and have never been stuck outside a door.  And, I am talking about single doors, not double doors.

You are correct if you are taking about jogging double strollers only.  *some* are meant for actual jogging, so there is no need to get through doors for the most part.  Those may be a little wider.

But, all the major brands (City Mini, Bumbleride, BOB, etc) will fit though the door.

I love my stroller, but I don't go on gravel paths.  I would think any stroller that has the larger wheels, or are air filled with be the best way to go. 

rgtsmom01

I love everything about the Bumbleride Indie Twin.  Best stroller/choice I ever made.  I do a lot of walking and going to parks and that stroller can take it call and the kids love it!

sweetpea2003

I have both a tandem and a side by side.

My side by side (BOB Duallie) would be great for the gravel terrain you are talking about.  It does fit through most doors (barely).  However, it does not fit through most stores (clothing racks) or easily in grocery stores or places like Target.  I don't care what anyone says, it is a beast.  I know the BOB is wide for a sbs stroller (up to 6" wider than some other doubles) but I still don't think that I personally would like a side by side as my "everyday". My BOB is for going on walks, hikes, and the beach.  Period.

My tandem "everyday" stroller is the Baby Jogger City Select.  It can be configured in dozens of different ways.  It is very convenient for shopping because it can get into places a side by side can't and has a HUGE basket.  When I am doing a mid-week grocery run I just put my kids in the stroller and use the undercarriage basket for groceries.  Unfortunately, tandems can have a harder "push" than a side by side (especially with the bigger baby in front) and so the gravel terrain you are talking about could be a challenge. 

Obviously there is a give and take.  There isn't a perfect double that gets you easily down a gravel road or on a hike and then seamlessly takes you to the mall and into shops.  I guess I would figure out what you want it to do #1 and then build around that.

Strollers I would look at:

Baby Jogger City Select

Baby Jogger City Elite

BOB Duallie

Bumbleride Indie Twin

Mountain Buggy Duet (this is a very interesting stroller - same width as a single, but it is a side by side double...  if I were new to the double stroller market I would check this out first)

t.bird

i 2nd the Kolcraft Optima Tandem.

i had my heart set on the City Select- but the $700 price tag for the double made my head hurt.

i tested both @ Buy Buy Baby & i must say the Kolcraft give you way more bang for your buck. TONS of basket room (way more than the City Select) and 6 different seating options. it's also $400 cheaper (and comes in a kick ass green color)

the City Select is sweet- specially since it can be a single as well- but in the interest of saving money- Kolcraft Tandem for the win.

can't say much in regards to SbS's. i think they're annoying.