Maclaren Triumph stroller anyone?

[DJmommy]

Was just at Babies R us looking to buy a good sturdy umbrella stroller for my 2 year old for our Disney trip. I've seen other recommendations for the Mac Volo and was hoping to be able to see it there but they only had the Triumph which sells for $139. I hate to spend this much on a stroller but it seemed to be such just what I was looking for. Since it was almost time for my DD's nap she was fussy and I didn't have time to talk to a salesperson even to find out if they will be getting the Volo in.

Does anyone have either a Volo or Triumph and what do you think about them. Are they worth the money? My DD can use this for a long time since the weight limit is 55lbs. another key selling point. I believe most umbrella strollers hold only 40 lbs. and usually seem like they will break easily. I loved how easy the Triumph pushed and turned. If we went cheap I would probably regret it in the long run.

Any info would really be appreciated. And if anyone knows of a website that sells all Macs ( for a discount ) I would love to have that info too.

Thanks,

Jackie

 

[W21981Brick]

Last year for our May and November trips I bought the Volo. My son is tall for his age(4) so I wanted something that he could fit in and be comfy and also still use for the next year or so on future vacations. He still fits in it and is 44lbs so it was well worth buying it seeing we can still use it this May.

The stroller is light weight and nice to push for my husband(high handles). DS also falls asleep in it fine. As for storage there is a small area under the seat-but for Disney trips we alwasy use a backpack anyways.

Try BizRate.com or Epinions.com for places to buy from.

I wish I would have had the Volo earlier instead of our first umbrella stroller it would have been easier on our backs and we would have used it more at a younger age.

 

[Colinsmom]

The Mac Triumph has a very, very shallow seat. IMO, the Maclaren Quest is a much better stroller, and you can get the 2004 version of the Quest (brand new) on eBay for about $125 shipped these days.

 

[DebIreland]

I can second what Collinsmom just said about the Maclaren Quest. When I bought mine last October it was maybe 10% dearer than the Triumph but it looks and feels a lot sturdier and it's just a little bit heavier than the Triumph. Visually, it's nicer too, in my opinion and it has the extended seat which is priceless for when baby wants to lay back and relax instead of having her legs just hanging there. I paid 130 euro (about 175 dollars) less than 5 months ago.... here's a link to it brand new on sale for 125 dollars with free shipping, this is the exact one I have (I adore the colours) http://shop.store.yahoo.com/babydealz/maqubast20sh2.html
that is a great price.... I get the bus when DH has the car and I find it very easy to fold and I absolutely love the rain cover, very nifty. The one complaint I do have is that it doesn't seem to be very wide but I'm pretty sure the width is the same in the Triumph. We had a cold winter so my baby had lots of layers plus blankets so that was unusual, now that the weather is a bit milder I don't notice a width problem. Oh, also I've wiped it down numerous times and it's easy to clean and it's got reflectors etc. Have a look!

 

[jckdisneybound]

I have a big 3.5 year old (43 inches 40 lbs) and purchased the Triumph for our Disney Trip. I had heard good things about Macs but I was also concerned about spending that much money. She doesn't sleep in a stroller, so a major recline wasn't an issue, She LOVES her stroller as do I. I can't wait to use it this trip. I thought I had purchase a light weight stroller for our last trip and man was I wrong.

Along with having a decent sun shade and not so bad basket, I don't think you can go wrong.

 

[DJmommy]

Thanks to all who responded.

Especially to DebIreland: Thank you so much for your recommendation and the great website. What a great deal! This is a much more expensive stroller than the Triumph and cheaper than I would be paying for the Triumph too. I will probably put an order in tomorrow can't decide which color.

If you don't mind me asking, how compact is it? We will be flying and on and off Disney transportation and hoping it is not too bulky but for only 13 lbs., how bulky can it be? Also I see it reclines 4 positions, is one of them nearly flat for good napping? What kind of carrying handle does it have?

Thank you so much already. I'm sold on this one but if it has all that it is even better than I would have expected.

Jackie

 

[05ChristmasSurprise]

we have the quest and triumph and LOOOOOVE them

they are probably our 7th and 8th strollers (after 5 kids) and they are by far the best. I wish we would have started with these!

They have rain shields, too - which I can't wait to test out

They are fairly compact - not much different from a standard umbrella stroller, and they lie back pretty far for napping...we started to use it around 3 months with the baby and she did great in it.
The carrying strap is webbing, I think - like a diaper bag strap, if I recall.

 

[tublady]

We have the Triumph and took it to WDW two years ago for our DD then 2.5, it was great! It folds in a snap and that is a good thing when you are waiting at the bus stop and DD wanted to sit down. It was compact and can be carried onto the bus with the sholder strap. She still loves the stroller and is 4 and fits fine.

 

[DebIreland]

Thank you so much for your recommendation and the great website. What a great deal! This is a much more expensive stroller than the Triumph and cheaper than I would be paying for the Triumph too. I will probably put an order in tomorrow can't decide which color.

If you don't mind me asking, how compact is it? We will be flying and on and off Disney transportation and hoping it is not too bulky but for only 13 lbs., how bulky can it be? Also I see it reclines 4 positions, is one of them nearly flat for good napping? What kind of carrying handle does it have?

Hi Jackie,

You're very welcome Yes, it really is a great deal. I think the Quest is very compact. I tend to have the rain cover on it almost permanently these days (Irish weather ) which adds to the bulk but when the rain cover isn't on, it folds easily and is quite compact. I found I was being a bit too gentle folding it initially but with a bit of pressure it locks in and closes quite easily (just make sure there's nothing in the basket underneath, bar the rain cover, when you fold it cause I've made that mistake more than once!!). The rain cover is really neat - it's one almost flat piece of plastic which folds over like a sheet and takes up very little room in the basket. The stroller definitely doesn't recline fully flat. I expected it to go back further but it does go back a fair bit and, at 6 months, my baby was very comfy. I always use the extended seat section still as she has short legs (but cute, lol). We'll be using ours in DW too in June and taking it on and off buses. I think it'll be fine. I know it's hard to pick a colour, I couldn't resist the red, but I just noticed on that website they have 'cocoa' colour which is nice too. My thinking was that most strollers are navy blue so ours would be easy to distinguish in a crowd of strollers but I could be wrong about that, I've seen a lot of red ones around these days! I think they were all navy blue when I bought my first stroller, but that was 11 years ago!

Good luck with your decision and if you decide to buy it, enjoy!!

 

[alloyd1170]

Another vote for the Quest! Ive read that the Triumph's seat is a bit narrow (might be another model though) and when I was shopping, the volvo didnt come with the sunshade (does now), etc and it doesnt recline. I went with the Quest since it reclines, has the sunshade and rain cover, has a leg extension for a baby, and the sunshade can be moved up, down and foward to cover up better. It folds almost as compact as a regular umbrella stroller. The basket underneath is a bit small, but I can get a backpack in it. I picked up the Mac organizer which is a mesh bag that hangs from the handles. I use this more often than the basket as its easier to get to. My 3 yr old slept very well in it at WDW (he pulled the sunshade over his head and he was in his own little world) and will be using for our next child due in July.

alison

 

[TSirgey]

We just bought the Mac 2005 volo online at barebabies.com. I'm so happy with the purchase! We have used it a few times and my dd who is 40 lbs and 42 inches sits very comfortably with room to grow. The 2005 runs for $99 and comes with a canopy and storage bin. It is very lightweight and has a carrying strap.

 

[hobby]

I just purchased the quest from baby dealz and it came with the rain shield but for the life of me cannot figure out how it goes on?! Does the part with the lip go on the top? Do you leave the rain shield on it when not using it? Sorry this may sound so stupid!

 

[3PrezGirls]

We just bought the Triumph about two weeks ago for our May WDW trip and I LOVE IT!! So this past weekend we went out and bought the Volo for my 3 year old. We're hoping our 5 1/2 year old will do a lot of walking. Both strollers fold up nice and small and have the carrying handle which will be great for the busses. DH really wanted a small lightweight stroller for our trip and this is what we came up with after lots of research. I hope you find the one that works for you!!!

 

[DebIreland]

I just purchased the quest from baby dealz and it came with the rain shield but for the life of me cannot figure out how it goes on?! Does the part with the lip go on the top? Do you leave the rain shield on it when not using it? Sorry this may sound so stupid!

Hi! It doesn't sound stupid. I couldn't figure out how it worked either the first day and, of course, it was pouring rain and I was trying to hold my handbag over my baby's head to keep her dry

Make sure the stroller hood is fully open with the two lever thingies at the sides pressed down so that the hood is tight. The lip of the rain cover is the top of it. This lip goes around the edge of the hood and there are two holes in the side (of the rain cover) - each one attaches to a sticky out bit on the bottom (left and right) of the stroller. It's actually so straightforward it's deceptive which is probably why you're expecting it to be more complex. It's great! So much lighter than some rain covers I've used in the past. Fold it away and store it in the basket when you don't need it I'd say. Good luck!! The first day my mother used the stroller when she was looking after my baby you should have seen the state of the rain cover!!! It was totally assways. She was tutting and mumbling that she had only *just* figured out how to work the travel system and then I went and bought a whole new set up. lol!

 

[hobby]

Thanks! I will look at it again and see if I can get it! Is it meant to shield children from rain when they are in the carriage or just for keeping the carriage dry when it rains? I am using it for my 4 year old for our trip in may. Thanks for making me feel like I am not a complete idiot! You would think they would have had directions in the box or something!

 

[DebIreland]

Thanks! I will look at it again and see if I can get it! Is it meant to shield children from rain when they are in the carriage or just for keeping the carriage dry when it rains? I am using it for my 4 year old for our trip in may. Thanks for making me feel like I am not a complete idiot! You would think they would have had directions in the box or something!

It's meant to shield the baby from the rain, but works for both purposes I guess. Yes I was surprised too that there were no directions. Forgot to say in my last post, there are two holes at the side of the top of the rain cover too (the lip end) at the sides which slot onto corresponding sticky out bits at the top of the stroller. Confused? I'm making it sound a lot more complicated that it is!