Do you NEED a tandem stroller after dsng? Have SBS.

amy1007 · August 2012

I know there is a faq about strollers but not specifics about this!

The girls are about to be out of their infant seats and the dsng. A neighbor gave us an old side by side of theirs. It's probably 5 years old, Peg Perego Aria sbs. Now the big question. Do I need a tandem to get around most places? I have only used the sbs to go around the neighborhood so have yet to take it out places. I am concerned that it is a bit older and won't fit through most door ways etc.

If you have a tandem stroller which one and how do you like it, how often do you use it? I would want one one that folds easy, not so heavy and would fit in a sedan trunk. If i am going to make a large purchase $ wise I want it to be worth it whether it is a good tandem that I will use OFTEN or another SBS because the old Aria isn't the best. I also have a 2.5 yo!

ColleenS629 · August 2012

We were actually given the same stroller and I never had a problem fitting it places. I did end up getting rid of it because I didn't like how small the sunshades were and I thought the wheels kind of sucked but those were not problems with it being s SBS. I now have a BJCM and I love it. The only place I ever had a problem fitting was the check out at our local Foodtown... I have to use the check out on the end or just wear one and put the other in the cart. I have a tandem and I have never used it for errands because it's too much of a PITA to set up and break down (I have the Kolcraft Contours and you have to take off the seats to fold it).

KarlsSweetie05 · August 2012

I have both a SBS and a tandem and like/hate both of them for different reasons.

My SBS is a Jeep Wrangler Umbrella type stroller and is only a year old and will not fit through some aisles. It will fit through almost all doors, but every now and then I have to jingle the stroller and squeeze it through a doorway sideways. It is super light weight and easy to fold and go. I also have to ask people to move out of way in crowds so I can get through since its 2 people wide.

There are posts frequently about the SBS and lots of responses say they have no problem getting down aisleways. I always feel like the odd man out because I do have trouble. I don't know if maybe its my location/stores that are not setup user friendly or why I seem to be the only one with an issue. The stores I have problems at are Kohls (really horrible by me), Sears, JcPenny, some Walmarts - those kind of mall stores. Grocery stores are fine.

My tandem is a Graco Duo Glider and is more convenient for shopping, depending upon which car I take. It barely fits in one trunk (grand am) and fits fine in truck (of course). I prefer the tandem for shopping, but when I am by myself I take the SBS more often surprisingly. I just find I can't get through some aisles / go some areas in the store unless I park the kids and walk to the section I want.. which I won't do when I am alone. So I just have to skip those sections/items. The tandem is heavier obviously than the SBS, but not super heavy in my opinion.

I like having both options depending upon what I am doing and where I am going and if I going alone or with hubby.

KarlsSweetie05 · August 2012

If you have a sedan, you will definitely want to try out strollers in your trunk.

Go to Buy Buy Baby or Babies R Us and talk to store person and have them let you try the strollers in your car. A store employee generally has to accompany you to the car and you can only take 2 strollers out at one time. But I went back/forth 5-6 times and literally tried every stroller.

I tried every single double stroller at my Buy Buy Baby and while I LOVED the higher end models (Bobs especially), there is no way they would fit in my Grand Am.

I had my heart set on the Kohlcraft Contours model and it won't fit in trunk even though the seats come off.

I found the regular City Mini Double would fit, but not the City Mini Elite Double nor the City Mini Double GT. So be sure to check different strollers within the same brand.

So make sure you try before you buy.

MrsLnt · August 2012

I have a BJCS and it's my main stroller. I use it for 99% of my errands because it's narrow and nimble and has a huge basket so I just skip the grocery cart or Target cart and put stuff in the under-cart basket.

I also have a Combi (probably comparable to the Peg Aria) and I only use it for very quick errands and I usually regret using it. It's great for keeping them contained for something like storytime or if I've got a super quick errand and don't want to set up the BJCS but it's my stroller of last resort.

bearfootz · August 2012

Like others said, I have both SBS and tandem and love them for different reasons. I tried getting by with the SBS and had issues fitting through doors and also wanted one a little heavier duty so purchased the Graco Quattro Tour. Nothing super fancy but I like it.

leebi07 · August 2012

I've only had a SBS after the DSNG. We have the city mini and I love it.

caden · August 2012

IMO, no you don't need a tandem to go most places. You do need a stroller that is easy to get in and out of a trunk/take on errands though. I have the City Select & the City Mini Double. I have no idea how wide the Aria is, but the CMD fits through every doorway I've ever tried. The only place I've had problems fitting it is in a mall/retail store with narrow aisles. But in those places I just do my best (I have no shame and will move the racks a bit if I can) and it's not an insurmountable problem, though sometimes it's a bit annoying. But also annoying is a tandem's length. Even my City Select, which is pretty short compared to other tandems, was hard to maneuver in narrow spaces. For example, it's almost impossible to turn the Select around in my pediatrician's patient rooms b/c of all the furniture in there. When I take it to a department store I hit the clothing racks with it. So it's not like a tandem is always easier in small spaces. I retired my Select at the start of this summer. My kids are about 2 years old now and I exclusively use my CMD, or if I have another adult w/ me I rent those cute mall "cars" (single strollers at malls) for my kids to ride in b/c the love "driving" those more than being in any stroller. I don't miss using a tandem at all. The Select is easy and fairly light for a tandem, but the CMD is still lighter and easier and my kids fit better in it.

CER+MEL · August 2012

I've used just my BJCM since the DSNG days and have been fine. However, if I were you, since you got this SBS for free, I'd keep my eyes open for an inexpensive tandem at mom to mom sales. It probably would have been nice to have the option on a few occasions.

MuseumMaven · August 2012

It's really a personal choice. I hate tandems and have two SBS. I would try out what you have for a while and see if you want a tandem. I was so happy to use the SBS when I ditched the DSNG.

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Do you NEED a tandem stroller after dsng? Have SBS.

Re: Do you NEED a tandem stroller after dsng? Have SBS.

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