Best Lightweight Affordable Double Stroller

MosMom

<font color=deeppink>Damn you, you wretched clown!
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I would like your suggestions on the best double strollers. I would like to stay away from Maclaren, Peg Perego, and other boutique brands as this will probably be the last trip needing one. I have a double stroller that I use for festivals, fairs, etc. around here but it is quite heavy and I'm concerned about the busses. I would prefer a tandem over a side by side as well. What are your experiences? Thanks!
 
On the budget front, I'd say the Kolcraft double umbrella. Trouble is, if this is the last trip where you'll need it, your kids are probably too big for this one. Perhaps a Schwinn SC700, but I've heard that there is an issue with a bar that goes across the back being a bit uncomfortable. The double version of the Lightrider, the Duo Rider from Graco, is considered lightweight by some people, but it runs about 25 lbs., IMO, not light. (Also, it is very wide, and has a bad rep for durability.) The Graco stadium-seat double, the DuoGlider, is generally considered the lightest-weight domestic tandem; it weighs a whopping 32.5 lbs, and does NOT fold very compactly.

NOTE: I knew there was a lighter Graco double, but I couldn't reference a US dealer for it. I finally found it, but it looks like it's been discontinued on the US market. It's the Graco DuoLite, 18 lbs. This is the double version of the CitiLite; the basic design is similar to the Combis. You can get them from a dealer on eBay for $95, just search for duolite stroller.

Another possibility might be two Chicco Caddies, hooked with stroller connectors. The Caddy has good resale value because it is larger than average and reclines. Unfortunately, it is not made in a double model. (Come to think of it, I'm not sure Chicco makes ANY doubles.)

When you are talking about really lightweight strollers, you have to have good suspension to get good performance with heavy loads. That is where the price difference comes in; cheap strollers tend not to have the suspension you need to be able to easily steer two kids. They stiffen the suspension by bracing with steel crossbars, but steel is in no way lightweight.

The upside of buying a high-end aluminum stroller is that they don't really lose value. You can almost always resell them on E-bay for nearly what you paid new.
 
I'm not sure what your current double stroller is like, but we just returned from Disney 2 days ago and were extremely pleased that we brought our Graco Duo Glider. Yes, it was a bit of a nuisance folding it up and lugging it on the buses, but our 7-month old twins were very content in it. I considered buying a more lightweight stroller for the trip, but decided to bring what the girls are used to. It worked for us. Good luck.
 
onestepahead.com offers a tandem lightweight for $120 and weighs 23#'s, stadium seats, one hand folding.
 

Chech out Target's leightweight umbrella double stroller marked 50 rung up for 13.Nice sturdy sroller.
 
"Check out Target's lightweight umbrella double stroller marked 50 rung up for 13.Nice sturdy stroller.

This would be the Kolcraft double umbrella that I mentioned above; w/ one recline position. Good for little kids, but built low to the ground; it doesn't steer very well with a combined load of over 45 lbs.
 
Depending on the age of your kids consider renting a park stroller. The doubles are roomy and easy to push and you don't have to worry about the bus or other transportation issues. Judging from the pictures of your cuties - maybe you could bring a single for your youngest and rent as needed for the older child. Either that or look into a buggy board to attach to a single. Just do a web search for buggy board and many will pop up for you. My sil uses one for her kids - 6mos and 2 1/2 and loves it. The older child can pop on and off which is great at wdw.

You can also rent a double for your lenght of stay at a few orlando baby rental places rather than buy. abbf.com has doubles and sit n stand, which also may work for you (we loved ours!).

HTH

TJ
 
We were so glad that we brought our sit/stand stroller last time. We bought it specifically for Disney and it was almost perfect. It is a little bulky but our ds (then 5) liked the fact that he could stand and ride. We are actually bringing it again this trip- my ds just turned seven and is too tall for most other strollers, but he does get tired after a long day. It is worth carting around if it keeps the kids happy-then everyone is calm!

:Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc
 
We are now on our second Kolcraft side by side umbrella stroller and have always loved it. (The first we used until it died!) :)

Our kids have a combined weight right now of around 57lbs and we've never had a problem steering, honestly. These aren't made for super heavy abuse like the boutique strollers you mentioned...but for a trip to Disney it would be perfect!!!! I called all the area Target stores and found that several still had them on clearance for $25!! (Which is why we bought a second one). No basket - no frills - but it folds almost as small as a single umbrella stroller...weighs very little...and reclines for napping toddlers! :)

I definitely think that considering the task at hand, the Kolcraft would be ideal. (We plan to gate check ours, and have it right there for the duration of the trip - easy to fold, too!)
 
Best lightweight double stroller we ever bought is the City Twinner by Baby Jogger. Only 15lbs. Same stoller that is used at MGM. BUT it is in the mid $300's so cost is a factor. We are tired of replacing stollers every year and now that the kids are getting hevier, most doubles can't handle the weight of two kids. City Twinner can handle up to 150lbs.

WE LOVE IT.
 
I bought the Kolcraft double umbrella for our trip. We have the Duo Glider and used that last time, but getting it in and out of the bus was a pain. This one is so light and so little when folded, I knew we had to get it. My boys are 5 and 3 (almost 6 and 4) and weigh almost 90 lbs combined. The only problem we have with it is when they lean all the way forward (to watch the ground go by LOL). The stroller is hard to push when they do that, but still, not a major problem. It will be well worth it not having to haul the Graco through the bus system this time!
 
We just returned and used the Kolcraft double umbrella stroller.
WE LOVED IT!!
 
We just returned and used the Kolcraft double umbrella stroller.
WE LOVED IT!! It was much easier to push then the Graco duo glider we had been taking. And we had a 2yo 30 lbs and a 5yr 45 lbs. Very easy to manuver thru crowds.
 
Tiff

That is good to know that you had an older child in it and still did fine. My daughter is 6 and about 46 pounds so I'm glad to hear the double umbrella worked well. My concern about the double umbrella was that it wouldn't be strong enough to hold a large child. I've been debating between the One Step Ahead double and the Kolcraft double umbrella. Decisions Decisions ;)
 

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