Nanny share double stroller question

[Anonymous]

MB here. When we started our share a few months ago, the other mom and I purchased a used citi mini side-by-side double stroller that had had a fair amount of use and after repeated patches, its days are numbered! I'm starting to research new & used strollers to see if we can get something that will last longer than this one did and is well-liked by nannies/families in shares or taking care of toddlers of similar age. The two toddlers are around 14 months and both weigh around 23 pounds. They are pretty much beyond the napping in the stroller age which changes our needs somewhat. What I'd be interested in hearing feedback for is:

1) We want to stick to less than $200ish total if we can. So Uppababy is out of our range as is the Bugaboo and most likely the Baby Jogger city select. We could also keep an eye out for a side-by-side city mini in good shape, but those often are more than $200 in the shape we are looking for. I see the Joovy Scooter X2 looks to be only about $200 brand new--anyone use that to good result? Also see a lot of Britax side-by-side on craigslist for reasonable prices.

3) There are about 10 steps in and out of the house so something easy to fold and a reasonable weight is always a plus. I've been doing some research into umbrella double strollers, but not sure if they are sturdy enough for a share? Our nanny, especially as it approaches summer, will be taking the kids out to the park and around the neighborhood a lot. I like that umbrella strollers are light weight, and some seem to fold nicely, but curious if they hold up enough for this type of use. I was looking at the Evenflo Minno Twin Double which we could purchase new outright, is well reviewed, but doesn't have the greatest sun shades.

So what double strollers do you like to use at this price point?? Thanks!!

[Anonymous]

I am going to strongly suggest that you increase your budget. A better stroller will last you longer. You are now in the unenviable position of spending twice what you wanted to spend on the same stroller because you're replacing it in less than a year.

Buy a nearly new, big-name, sturdy stroller designed for heavy city use. The two you listed are good choices.

In any case, I also recommend that you go to a store and try these out. Put two kids in them, and see if they feel sturdy. See how hard they are to fold. I know this is a PITA, but if this is a daily-use tool, you want to get the best you can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am going to strongly suggest that you increase your budget. A better stroller will last you longer. You are now in the unenviable position of spending twice what you wanted to spend on the same stroller because you're replacing it in less than a year.

Buy a nearly new, big-name, sturdy stroller designed for heavy city use. The two you listed are good choices.

In any case, I also recommend that you go to a store and try these out. Put two kids in them, and see if they feel sturdy. See how hard they are to fold. I know this is a PITA, but if this is a daily-use tool, you want to get the best you can.

I'm a MB, btw, and not one with a lot of money to spare. I've just been there, done that trying to save $50-$100 on a stroller.

[Anonymous]

I agree, and if you are splitting the cost with the other family, it really, maybe you could spend closer to $300. You won’t regret going for the better made stroller.

[Anonymous]

If we did have $300, what do you suggest since that's still too low it seems for UppaBaby Vista (which I heard can be a pain to constantly set up and take down for 2 and there are weight limits for the seats) and Bugaboo? Is there a side x side that you'd recommend since that is what we have currently and the kids are used to? Or is tandem the way to go?

[Anonymous]

I think you could get a used citi mini, side by side for $300. I think $300 is on the high end for used, so it should be in very good condition.

[Anonymous]

If you’re set on side by side, I think Chicco makes a well reviewed double stroller.

[Anonymous]

Nanny here. I haven’t done shares but have multiple sets of twins. I swear by the Joovy Caboose Ultralight. You can get a second seat if you want both kids to be able to nap/recline, or just have one in the normal seat and one in the rear bench seat (which has a 3-point harness). I live it because:
1) really nice big shade which covers both kids
2) VERY lightweight
3) VERY small footprint (size of a single) which is so nice for crowded venues and doorways
4) Folds easily and small. It is back-to-back vs side-by-side but the kids can turn their heads and talk to each other ober the seat.

[Anonymous]

I’m a twin nanny and bought my own double BOB when my second twin family had a cheap tandem. It is still going strong after over 5 years of use. Great resell value as well, which means you may pay more than ideal for a used one. They are big, but I have zero problems maneuvering it.

[Anonymous]

Whatever you get, first make sure it works for the nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a twin nanny and bought my own double BOB when my second twin family had a cheap tandem. It is still going strong after over 5 years of use. Great resell value as well, which means you may pay more than ideal for a used one. They are big, but I have zero problems maneuvering it.

Anyone know how much they cost now?

[Anonymous]

Find out when the local multiples clubs are having their consignment sales - you'll get a fantastic deal and a big selection that way. In the DC area there are at least two - MCPOM (Montgomery parents of Multiples) and FCMOM - Fairfax Mothers of Multiples.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whatever you get, first make sure it works for the nanny.

This is OP--of course we will. I've already asked what she prefers in terms of weight, side x side/tandem, brand, etc. She has not really provided feedback and says it doesn't really matter to her. She mentioned another nanny friend's share has a nice stroller so I said she should look at what the brand is. In terms of tandem, I've read some good thing about the contour options elite--anyone with experience? I think it's a good idea, too, to look for another citi mini in better condition. We are not terribly far off from considering #2 so one option is for me to buy the stroller now with the intent to keep it. In which case, it might be better to buy new or lightly used if we are going to get a nicer stroller, though I don't want to spend >$400 because that case will be hard to make to my own DH.

[Anonymous]

I think the City Mini is still the way to go--just look for a newer one than the one you had. We used ours daily for 4.5 years across two shares and it still had life left (about $75 worth, apparently!

Given their ages, you probably don't want something like the Uppababy anyway. You can get an umbrella stroller, but they aren't going to take daily use the way something like a City Mini or double BOB will. A BOB is the other favorite in our area for nannyshares, but our nanny specifically didn't want one because she wanted to be able to fold and lift it herself with the kids there. She picked out the City Mini after talking to her friends and trying out the strollers they each used with their charges. (We started with a cheap used one that broke a couple of months in.)

[Anonymous]

Also, you could look for a City Mini GT used--the design is a bit more rugged than the regular Mini (though the price is higher too).