Strollers for 2U2: Tandem or Side-by-Side

IBackBevo · December 2013

This is a bit of a spin off of a post I made on my BMB. There seems to be some debate about which is better - tandem or side-by-side. Pros and cons of each?

Also, does anyone have the Britax B Agile double stroller?

Even if you don't, do you have one you rec? I would "ideally" like one that I can take in stores, but also on walks in the park and will go off pavement okay. Currently, we seem to use our Bagile more for walks. I have a b-agile single and it seems to do all of this well, but I am a little worried about the width of the double. My Mother, who had twins, keeps warning me away from the big, bulky strollers. She says hers was pretty much useless because it was so big and hard to get around.

ebp913 · December 2013

I personally feel that the tandem strollers are usually much bulkier and harder to push. Now there are a few exceptions but many are like pushing a train which wouldn't be great for walks, etc. I think most of them do better on smooth terrain. I do like the Britax B-Ready and Jane Powertwin. I don't like the City Select personally because I feel it's hard to push and turn. I pushed my cousin's around for a day and knew I didn't want that stroller but many people love it.

For side by sides, there are lots of good options. The B-Agile double is nice but the seatbacks are shorter on the double than on the single which can be a problem as kids get older. I really like the Valco Snap Dual for a lightweight side by side. It's 22lbs and easy to push. The new ones in 2014 will also have 2 canopies, instead of the single one. I have fit my side by side double through every door I have tried (I have had the Bumbleride Indie Twin and BOB Duallie).

I personally have a side by side in our garage for walks and a tandem in my car. I have the BOB Duallie which is amazing and then the Baby Jogger Versa with the Uppababy Rumble Seat in my car. It works out well for me since it's common for us to need just a single stroller in the car but I like that I have the option to add a second seat if I need it. I also bought a ride on board so my oldest can use that too if I don't need her to sit.

lana22 · December 2013

i have the city select and like it, but no basis for comparison w/ others. i had b-agile single and liked it a lot, though i love that i can move up select handle bar. desperately miss foot brake. yes, it's heavy and can be unwieldy, but i just figured all double strollers are heavy w/ two kids and a carseat in them. soon my LO will exclusively be in his seat, and i'm assuming it will be easier. love that i can have my 2 yo facing out but my 8 mo facing me in the seats. i've had a ton of problems with it - brake has broken twice, stroller was constantly sliding right, seat fabric busted, etc. and while it's annoying, their support has been fantastic, usually overnight shipping me whatever i need and easily replacing.

laura1 · December 2013

I preferred the side by side. When my DD#1 was born, we lived in the city and our stroller was the main mode of transportation, so we needed one that was easy to push, good in the snow/ice, and worked on all sorts of terrain. DH also liked to run with them, so we wanted a jogger. We ended up with a Bumbleride Indie Twin (can be used for light jogging). We tried the Bob, but that just seemed SO big, especially when we were using it daily - taking it into the local coffee shop, pharmacy, and occasionally grocery store. We loved it. We still use it with a Lascal Buggy board attached so I can keep track of all 3 when we take trips into the city!

When we used our car, I kept the snap and go in there and DS would help me push DD#1 to run in to a store quickly. When we went to Target or on a big grocery store trip, DD#1 would go in the Bjorn and DS would go in the shopping cart. When DD#1 outgrew the Bjorn and snap and go, I bought a Maclaren Twin Techno stroller off of Craigslist to keep in the car.

Go try some out in the store and see what you like - your preferences really depend on your lifestyle and how you will be using it! Good luck!

IBackBevo · December 2013

Thanks for the responses! Definitely a lot to think about.

lifeisbetteronthered · December 2013

We really like put city select. Much prefer the seating arrangement to those that have one baby only looking at the back of the others seat. It's not as easy to push around as a single. But much easier then the cheaper doubles (graco, etc)

LindseyH033 · December 2013

I have the Britax B-Agile Double Side by Side and LOVE it!! Its so smooth, easy to maneuver and relatively light weight considering its a double. Yes, the width can make it a little trickier to get in and out of places, but overall I haven't had any trouble. Also, you need to consider where you'll be using it most often. We take it to the park, on walks, zoo, etc...I wouldn't necessarily use it if I were going grocery shopping; typically I put one kid in the shopping cart and one in my ergo (this doesn't happen often and I try my hardest not to take the kids grocery shopping with me, or at least not both of them). Also, I find that I usually have both strollers in my SUV and depending on where we're going or what my needs are, I will pick the one that works best. That said, I really do love both of my Britax strollers. HTH!

IBackBevo · December 2013

LindseyH033 said:

I have the Britax B-Agile Double Side by Side and LOVE it!! Its so smooth, easy to maneuver and relatively light weight considering its a double. Yes, the width can make it a little trickier to get in and out of places, but overall I haven't had any trouble. Also, you need to consider where you'll be using it most often. We take it to the park, on walks, zoo, etc...I wouldn't necessarily use it if I were going grocery shopping; typically I put one kid in the shopping cart and one in my ergo (this doesn't happen often and I try my hardest not to take the kids grocery shopping with me, or at least not both of them). Also, I find that I usually have both strollers in my SUV and depending on where we're going or what my needs are, I will pick the one that works best. That said, I really do love both of my Britax strollers. HTH!

Thanks! Most of the use will be walks around our neighborhood or in the park so it sounds great for that!

I also HATE anything really heavy or overly big. Our house is up off the ground so whatever we have has to regularly be carried up and down a flight of stairs. That is one reason I liked the Britax. It seemed manageable in terms of weight and size.

Babynuthals · January 2014

Does anyone know of any side by side strollers that are compatible with the Chicco carseat?

FmrAFBrat · January 2014

Babynuthals said:
Does anyone know of any side by side strollers that are compatible with the Chicco carseat?

Valco Snap Dual, City Mini, & Bumbleride Indie Twin.

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Strollers for 2U2: Tandem or Side-by-Side

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