Maclaren stroller owners...some questions...

[leahannpen]

I am kicking around the idea of investing in a Mac. The Quest, to be specific. Last year for WDW I bought a Caddi, and I find my feet kick the wheels alot, and I'm hunched over when walking. (I'm about 5'7") I'm taking DS to WDW in April and I'll be 6 months prego...I want to be comfortable...I want to have a stroller that is comfortable to push. My son will have just turned 4 and right now he weights 34lbs.

What is the weight limit for a Quest? Are the handels longer? Anything you don't like about it?

And, really, what's the difference between the Techno/Quest/Triumph/Volvo? I'm confused!

DH will not be happy to find out I'm spending $100 (Ebay?) on a stroller, so I really have to sell him on this. Help!

 

[Lesley]

I have a Techno that I bought back in 2000 for my then 5yo....its holding up well and I should be able to use it for our baby until she gets too big. That means I'll have used this stroller for 9 years when all is said and done. We mainly only use it at WDW and the zoo. Its not in perfect shape...one of the brakes broke on it not long after we got it...but we can still use it. I could send it back for repair...but I've never had a long enough time that I could go without it. I like that it pushes very smoothly with a larger child in it, the handles are high and ergonomically positioned and I don't end up kicking the wheels or bending over to push. I am 5'6" and did use this stroller while I was pregnant with no problems. It folds up quickly, easily and compactly.

Good luck selling your dh on the Mac. I had thought of changing to a Peg Perego...but I really think our Mac will get us through until we can go without one.

As for specifics on the Quest....go to the Maclaren website...that's where I did most of my homework.

 

[leahannpen]

As for specifics on the Quest....go to the Maclaren website...that's where I did most of my homework.

I did go there (i'm still checking it out) but it dosen't really say what the weight limit for each stroller is? That's pretty important. Hmm.....

I know this is going to be a HARD sell...he thought I did my homework on the Caddi...that wasn't an easy sell...ugh!

 

[Lesley]

I only know for the Techno that the limit was 45lbs....one of the highest I found when I was looking. I thought I had found that on Maclaren's website...but maybe I had found it elsewhere. My 5yo was 40lbs at the time I was searching.

Maybe telling him that you could be spending $300 on a Techno or a Peg will convince him? (I didn't pay that for the Techno...but its what they list for!)

 

[pjshaff]

I have to say, I love my Macs. They are so easy to push, I have an almost 6 yo and a 3 yo.

We used a Volo and a Daytripper last trip to DW, and it was great to have that carry strap on the Volo. DH would get the kids on the bus and I would fold up the strollers.

Keep looking on Ebay, the 05 models should be coming out soon, so you could probably get a good deal on an older model of what you are looking for. I have noticed that the Volo's have gone down a good deal from when I got mine on Ebay this past year.

Good luck, and enjoy.

Pam

 

[left210]

I read that the weight limit for a quest is 55 lbs. I looked at one for my son who is 52 lbs this weekend at ToysRus and I could push it so easily. Much better than my cheap umbrella stroller. I am also looking at one for WDW for March and cannot decide whether to rent or buy one of these. He really doesn't need a stroller much but I am thinking it might be handy in the airport or on the walk from the bus to the room if he is tired or sleeping and I can always use it at home for the zoo trips. At ToysRUs it was $189 but I have seen it on the web for as low as $129. I would love to hear from other Quest users with a bigger child. I know the weight limit is 55 lbs but I just wonder how much weight it will really hold since my son is already 52 lbs. It didnt seem to have any trouble rolling him around in the store in it.

 

[lulu71]

I love this site for stroller reviews. It helped me make my decision. Good luck!
http://strollers.baby-gaga.com/reviews/strollers.php

 

[leahannpen]

I love this site for stroller reviews. It helped me make my decision. Good luck!
http://strollers.baby-gaga.com/reviews/strollers.php

That web site is awsome...thank you! I still don't know which one to try though...Ack! LOL! Help!

 

[javaj]

We're also thinking of getting a new stroller, a Maclaren Triumph.

Just wanted to mention that BabiesRUs.com has a $20 off strollers over $100 promo right now, promo goes until sometime in March, promo code is 912973, it is listed on their website.

 

[Deesknee]

does anyone have the Maclaren website address. I've been bouncing from site to site trying to gather as much info as I can also. I think I want the Techno but would like to know the differences between these models, as some are listed as classic or xt etc. I also would like to find out the exact difference between the Quest & techs.( I agree with the PO urgh) Ya and my dh is a hard sell too. ( I keep bringing him shopping to compare the different types though, so he's now saying "get whatever one you think is best". hehe there is a method to my madness)

 

[MECH8T7]

does anyone have the Maclaren website address.

This is the link:

http://www.maclaren.co.uk/

We have a Maclaren double stroller. They're well built and look great. It's a great unit and has held up great. I'm embarrased to say how much we paid for it, but no regrets.

 

[alloyd1170]

I also had a Chicco Caddy and eventually had enough of it. Im 5'10" and I had to hunch over or stretch my fingers way out to push it, and I kicked the wheels. After reading many many reviews, someone here steered me towards a Mac Quest. Since we were trying for #2, I figured it would get more use down the road (our now 3 yr old usually prefers to walk everywhere except at WDW). I wish I had bought it a lot sooner! The handles are longer and padded, and its so easy to push (can do it with one hand). The seat is wider, it reclines more, and the sunshade can be moved up and down to cover my sons head while he naps. He used those features a lot at WDW last month and he looked very comy in there (he was 35 mos old, ~37 lbs, and 40" tall to give you an idea)! I wanted to climb in and nap along with him! And I believe it will hold up to 55 lbs. Not many strollers can do that! The drawbacks: closing it can be tricky unless you do it a lot/get used to it. The basket underneath is not very big, and can be hard to access when a child is sitting in the seat. I picked up a mesh Mac stroller bag that attaches to the handle and use that most of the time. It is not as stable as the Caddy. I could hang stuff on the back of the Caddy without my son in it and it wouldnt tip unless it was really heavy. The Quest cant hold much on the handles without a child in the seat. Im thinking that when #2 arrives in July, I wont be using the old travel system much if any since this stroller is so much easier to deal with. When I was in BRU the other day, they had one left (might have been display) that was on sale. I didnt see any others in stock. Its well worth the money if you will use it a lot. And if you can get it for $100, go for it! I didnt even bother to ask or tell my husband. I just let him figure it out on his own that we had yet another stroller!

alison

 

[leahannpen]

We're also thinking of getting a new stroller, a Maclaren Triumph.

Just wanted to mention that BabiesRUs.com has a $20 off strollers over $100 promo right now, promo goes until sometime in March, promo code is 912973, it is listed on their website.

THANK YOU!! Since the poster above posted the web site with reviews and such, I've decided against a Quest, and decided ON a Triumph...it's the #1 rated umbrella stroller on their site, and I've read tons of great fedback. I'm going to check out that Babiesrus site today. I wonder if I can do a split payment on that web site? I doubt it, but I have a gift card I could use to help with the cost, and hubbies worried about the $ LOL!! I'll have to check!

Any other Triumph owners out there??

 

[Colinsmom]

Have you seen/tried a Triumph in person? It has a horribly shallow seat, and isn't suitable for toddlers (or babies, for that matter), IME. Plus, you can get a Quest for about the same price as a Triumph these days, if you buy a 2004 Quest on clearance.

The Techno is several pounds heavier than the Quest and has a few more features, like more padding in the seat.

I have a 2001 Maclaren Vogue (almost identical to the 2004 Quest) for my 31lb 2 year old, and it is a great little stroller. But tippy when you have stuff on the handles and he climbs out, and basket is small.

You can get a carry strap for any of the Macs that don't come with one from Combi - www.combistrollers.com. It snaps right on to the frame, and you can sling the folded Mac over your shoulder!

 

[Deesknee]

thanks so much for the website. I'm going on now.
thanks again.

 

[leahannpen]

Have you seen/tried a Triumph in person? It has a horribly shallow seat, and isn't suitable for toddlers (or babies, for that matter), IME. Plus, you can get a Quest for about the same price as a Triumph these days, if you buy a 2004 Quest on clearance.

The Techno is several pounds heavier than the Quest and has a few more features, like more padding in the seat.

I have a 2001 Maclaren Vogue (almost identical to the 2004 Quest) for my 31lb 2 year old, and it is a great little stroller. But tippy when you have stuff on the handles and he climbs out, and basket is small.

You can get a carry strap for any of the Macs that don't come with one from Combi - www.combistrollers.com. It snaps right on to the frame, and you can sling the folded Mac over your shoulder!

No, I haven't seen any in person...I'm not sure where they even sell around here. Maybe Toys R Us? We don't have a Babies R Us. I'd like to try a Mac in person before I spend over $100! LOL! So a Triumph isn't that great for anyone smaller, like a 1-2 year old?

Every time I feel I've decided, I find something I didn't know and something that may change my mind. LOL...I'm oh-so confused!

 

[Deesknee]

Every time I feel I've decided, I find something I didn't know and something that may change my mind. LOL...I'm oh-so confused!

ditto! lol

I think I'm going to get the Techo now the question is xt or classic. I don't see much of a difference except $$$. . Now which Techno & where to buy it. albeebaby or ebay?

 

[Colinsmom]

I have a 2 year old (albeit he's quite tall) and his knees were so far beyond the edge of the Triumph seat that it was ridiculous! But he fits quite nicely in the Quest.

Regarding where to buy - albeebaby sells on eBay under the ID babysurplus; sometimes you can get a better deal there than on their website.

Another option is to buy something gently used from another mom and save quite a bit of money - I highly recommend the Yahoo group called StrollerSwap!!

 

[left210]

No, I haven't seen any in person...I'm not sure where they even sell around here. Maybe Toys R Us? We don't have a Babies R Us. I'd like to try a Mac in person before I spend over $100! LOL! So a Triumph isn't that great for anyone smaller, like a 1-2 year old?

Every time I feel I've decided, I find something I didn't know and something that may change my mind. LOL...I'm oh-so confused!

I am also trying to decide between the Triumph & Quest for my 4 yr old for WDW. Our ToysRUs only has the Quest and our local BabiesRUs has both. I went there today to check them out and had my son sit in them. The Triumph doesnt have as much padding but I wouldnt have thought it would have made a difference for a toddler. I had him sit in both of them and pushed him around. They both manuevered the same but he said the Triumph hurt his upper back. I think it was because the padding on the Quest was a little higher. Needless to say I am going with the Quest. I didnt buy it at ToysRUs because you can get it online at albeebaby.com for the same price as Triumph with free shipping. You might try that route. The only real difference I noticed besides the padding was the Triumph has a carry strap that you could put over your shoulder whereas the Quest just had a handle but for the most part that shouldnt matter too much.

 

[JennsBabySky]

The website for maclaren in the US is:
www.maclarenbaby.com

I'm not sure if all the info is the same (I've never searched the UK site). I have a Triumph and I find that both my kids can fit, but I have a really skinny 5 year old that just wants to sit in a stroller, so she wouldn't complain unless she fell out of the stroller and a just turned 1 year old. I have heard that many people find the Triumph to be shallower. I just bought the Quest for my friend because it is such a versatile stroller. If you can get a Quest for a great price, I'd grab it. Although, I really do like the carry strap on the Triumph and Volo. At least the Quest has a handle. The Techno might be too much stroller for you. It is a little heavier than the other options. At a glance, the main differences are:

Volo: (9.2#) ultra light weight, carry strap, no recline (2005 have hood, prior years need a separate accessary pack for hood/padding), no rain cover included

Trimph: slightly heavier (12.2#), carry strap, recline positions, has hood, shallow seat for toddlers and older, rain cover included

Quest: slightly heavier (13.4#), carry handle, 4 recline positions, has hood, rain cover included

Techno: bigger jump in weight (17.4#), 4 recline postions, has hood, not sure about carry handle (I've never used one -- sorry!), rain cover included

I'm not sure if you would ever use it for the baby, so some things to consider. Only the Techno is suitable from birth (because of recline). The Volo doesn't recline and would have the longest wait until your baby could use it.