Mamas and Papas Sport 03 Stroller Review

Summer Sport

Hey there, sporty Mamas and Papas! It's your time of year. Time to get out and enjoy the sunshine, with the new Mamas and Papas Sport.

 What a perfect summer buggy. You can have a ball with it at the beach, or on whatever adventures you prefer. 

Britax B-Scene Review

B-Scene Ice-Skating!


 
 What is rarer than ice-skating outdoors in 85 degrees?
  
 A large seat, reversible 3-wheeler! And last week-end, we had the pleasure of experiencing both.
 
    The B-Scene is the latest stroller offering from Britax. It has the exact same comfy seat as the B-Ready. SP 2.0 loves the napper bar, and the extended legrest.
 
 But it sits on a 3-wheeler chassis, in case you prefer that look. The single front wheel is also larger than the two swivel wheels on the B-Ready. And you can lock it, for going down curbs, or for going through a rough spot.
 
 That means you will be able to better navigate rougher terrain, snow, or, er, ice.
 
  The B-Scene has a huge, very easy to access basket. Plenty of room for shoes, and unneeded in the heat jackets, hats, scarves, and gloves. There are two pockets at the front of the basket, for still needed bottles of water, or hot chocolate, if we weren't all sweating to death.

I love the brakes. You just step down lightly on the green button on the right, for "go", get it? Then the button turns red, for "Stop", and the brake is engaged.

  The canopy has a sun visor in front, and the popular netting in the rear, for air flow. The flap has magnetic closures, which is another practical feature. So easy to use.

And there are bottle pockets on both sides of the canopy. The handle is height adjustable, with a variance of 13"!
 
 Everything about the B-Scene is easy. You can adjust the harness by unzipping the back pocket, and squeezing a round button. This allows the straps in front to slide up, or down. Ingenious! It must be patented, or everyone would be using this system. 
 
There are also two pockets on the seat back, by the way. Nice for a phone, glasses, wallet, or keys.

The seat sits up nice and high, for a better view of all the action. Don't try this at home! For demo purposes only.
 
  Another rarity on the B-Scene is that you can fold it with seat facing in either direction. And all you do is pull up the side levers, and it collapses right down. Here, from the "2011 BIG Stroller Roll-Out", is Jon McGuire demonstrating. Notice how easy the seat pops off, too.

And see how he spins it around and round. Reminds me of a figure 8, haha.

 


The B-Scene can't take an add-on seat like the B-Ready. But it is smaller, too. Here is a SBS comparison of the two, again, from the "2011 BIG Stroller Roll-Out!"

Since they are similar, the two models share the same accessories--bassinet, foot muff, mosquito net, cupholders, and car seat adapter. The B-Scene comes in red, or black.

Britax B-Scene


Weight:                       28 lbs. 

Seat Back:                   21.5"

Seat to canopy:           26"

Seat Width:                 12"

Seat Depth:                 10-17"

Drop to footrest:          8"

Seat to ground:           23"

Length:                       36"

Width:                         26"

Height:                       32.5"-43.5"

Folded:                       32"L x 26"W x 15"H

Bumbleride Indie Review

Bumbleride Bunny

  The Bumbleride Indie in Spice, with it's gorgeous color combo of orange and blue, just screams Easter! My only trepidation about taking it out of town was the fact that it is a 3-wheeler. Could it fit it in the car with all of our luggage and Easter baskets?

 

Valco Matrix stroller review

Valentine Matrix

  

This stroller is red,
so don't you be blue
the ride is so sweet
it's perfect for you! 

Bowing to the realities of our slow economy, Valco has introduced a lower priced version of their popular TriMode. It's more than a hundred dollars less, but it is still pretty nice. Like it's more expensive sister, it can take an add-on toddler seat. Which means you can make a single into a double. It is also compatible with the new Husssh (compact and portable bassinette) bassinette, hitchhiker, footmuff, cupholder, snack tray, sun shade, and travel bag. 

  

It only comes in two colors in the US--black and red. They are both true and vibrant. The Matrix (isn't that a cool name!) also has the infamous airgo fabric, and reflective harness.  

There are two peekaboo windows, both on the back of the canopy, and the top.

The one on the back has a zippered pouch on top of it.  

Even though the Matrix is "the bargain stroller", it still doesn't skimp on features. The handle is height adjustable, and the front wheel unlocks to swivel, or locks to stationary. 

 

The tires are air, for smooth ride. I kinda' like the "whitewall look." Tire pump is included.

The recline is one-handed, easy and swift. Harness has the typical Valco buckle. LOVE the angle of the front napper bar. Perfect for a little cupid to hang on to. Hope I installed it right, lol!  

The seat sits up pretty straight, too, so no straining forward. 

My one complaint is the racheting sound the canopy makes when you retract it. I wish it was quieter. And I wish the canopy was more generous. I guess that's two??? Oh well, the larger canopy can be found on the Tri-mode, for a hundred dollars more (and a raincover, headhugger, more colors, saddlebags on the basket, different tires, a different brake system, and a third "tilt" position on the front wheel.)

Fold is also fast and easy. Just pull up the two side handles, then lift the red safety release. The fold is a reasonable size, and feels easier to lift than it's 26 pounds would suggest.

And the steering? I saved the best for last. It is AWESOME, wonderful! I pushed it one-handed along the entire SQ Obstacle Course, with no problems. Up and down grass banks, through mud, rocks, bricks, cobblestones, gravel, broken sidewalks...So no baby whiplash worries if you need to hold the hand of another little one, or the leash of a dog, or a latte', or a cell phone, or....

  Happy Valentine's Day! Here's hoping cupid has a good aim, and hits the target of your affection! :

Valco Matrix
Weight:                    26 pounds

Seat Back:               19"

Seat to canopy:       26"

Seat Width:              12"

Seat Depth:               9"

Drop to footrest:       9"-15"

Seat to ground:        19"

Length:                       39"

Width:                         24"

Height:                       26"-44"

Folded:                      34"L x 25"W x 19"H

I can help you find the perfect stroller for YOUR needs. Don't let a salesperson sell you a stroller that won't work for you! For more info on consultations, visit strollerqueen.com There are lots more reviews here, and info on how to get the 2010 BIG Stroller Roll-Out, an online video magazine of all the new stroller models.    strollerqueen.com  

High on the ION

A famous verse in Ecclesiastes says: "There is nothing new under the sun." And so it was true in biblical times, so it is in the world of strollers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But leave it to the family-owned company Valco, who's always tryin', to develop the Ion.