BumbleRide Flyer Review

Flight into house
 
   Sometimes the most mundane trips in life turn into, well, something else. Something not mundane. Something quite unexpected. 
 
It started as a trip to the grocery store, with the StrollerPrinces, StrollerPrincess, and our  new Bumbleride Flyer.
 
I had been wanting to try this stroller for a long time. Because, let's face it, there are very few lightweight, reversible handle strollers on the market.

One of the reasons is that people get hung up on how to fix the wheels. You always have to keep the ones closest to you locked, so they will go in a straight line. And then you always want the wheels in the front to swivel, no matter which direction you have the handle. Sometimes people get a little mixed up about this. So they wind up trying to steer a stroller skittering sideways, because the back wheels are swiveling all over the place. Or, the front wheels won't steer, because they are the ones locked. Yes, it is a little confusing. So just remember, lock the wheels by your feet, unlock the ones in the front. 

Anyway, the Flyer is a good choice for a newborn car stroller. Has the flat recline, and extendable legrest. 

The canopy, like all of the Bumblerides, pulls all the way down to shield your baby from the elements, or from grabby hands. And look at the cute design inside the canopy!

It has a peekaboo window on the top, which matches. Nice detail.
 
The back has a zippered pocket.

 It's very easy to reverse, by just pulling up the levers on the handle. The handle is height adjustable. And it comes with a raincover, bumper bar, and cupholder.

You can also add this additional snack tray. I really like the fact that it matches the inside canopy design, too!

Now, after the shopping was finished, we stopped off to see a plane in a house.
 
Yes, a small plane crashed into a neighbor's house earlier in the day. 
 
 I wasn't prepared for the sight of an upside down plane sticking in a wall, and it was rather shocking.
 
 So much so, in fact, that I didn't grab the camera until the firefighters were lifting the plane out of the house. 

So here is a better shot, courtesy of KABC.

And here is how it looked earlier in the day.

Thanks to the quick thinking actions of nearby painters, the pilot escaped with only a broken leg. When the plane hit, they grabbed a garden hose and extinguished the flames. Then they bravely cut the pilot out of the plane. They are the true heroes in this story. It is something that I remind my children. Of how quickly an ordinary day--painting a house in this case--can become an an extraordinary rescue. A simple, courageous, and selfless act, that likely saved a life.

And seeing as how this is Santa Monica, the house belongs to this actress--Rachel Blanchard. 
 
I don't plan these things. I really don't.


Bumbleride Flyer

Weight:                               21 lbs.

Seat Back:                          18"
Seat to canopy:                27"
Seat Width:                       13"
Seat Depth:                        9"-16"
Drop to footrest:              9"
Seat to ground:               18"
Length:                              29"
Width:                               20.25"
Height:                              27-46"
Folded:                              35"L x 21"W x 12"H

 
To see more 2011 models, go to StrollerQueen.net And if you would like me to help you choose a stroller, go to StrollerQueen.com and click on "Consultations."

Mutsy EasyRider Review

Purple Power! 

I know I've been reviewing purple strollers all year, but check out the glorious shade of this one! 

 

Royal comes to mind. Regal.

   A rolling throne fit for a king, or queen!
 
  It's the Mutsy EasyRider, and it happens to match my DD's Irish dance dress perfectly!

 

What sets this one apart from most other umbrella strollers are the single front wheels. Makes it imminently maneuverable. 
 
Love the chrome accents!
 
 I also love the squishy foam handles, which makes it very comfortable to push.
 
I have tested it out on the StrollerQueen Obstacle Course, and have been very pleased with it's performance outdoors, on less than smooth surfaces. 
 
It isn't even the least bit wobbly or rattly, two things that can really set my teeth on edge. 
 
With a nod to our still slowly recovering economy, it is well priced, for all of it's features.  Definitely looks more expensive than it is.

Has a peek a boo window with velcro closures. 

A pretty deep recline, with an extendable legrest.
 
Oh, the black cloth zipper thingies are hinge covers. Not crucial, in my opinion, as long as you make sure little fingers are out of the way when you are folding it. But it is there is you want it.


  Look how much room StrollerPrince 2.0 has to grow. The canopy clearance is exceptionally high--a very tall 28". That's about as tall as it gets. And the EasyRider is also about as narrow as it gets, at 18".

You recline it by squeezing both sides of this black widget thingie, and sliding it down. Reverse the process to make the seat go up again.
 
And the seat is pretty upright. That makes babies who like to look around and see everything very happy. And when baby's happy, Mama's happy (or Dad, or Grandparents, or babysitters.)

You fold it by unlatching this black clamp thingie and pulling it up, then kicking down on the side lever that sticks out. OK, my words are really off today.
 
It stays closed, thanks to this automatic lock. 
 
 That means it is a good choice for travel, because you don't want your stroller opening up in the belly of the plane, train, or bus. 


It also makes it easy to carry on subways, or to lift in and out of the car.  

Then it folds typical umbrella style, into a very compact package.   
 
 Which means that cramming it in the back of your car, with all the rest of your gear, isn't a hair-raising experience!

Mutsy EasyRider

Weight: 15 pounds

Width: 18"

Length: 23"

Height: 41"

Seat Width: 14"

Seat Depth: 10"-15.5"

Seat Back: 19.25"

Seat to Canopy: 28"

Drop to Footrest: 10"

Seat to Floor: 17"(front)-13"(rear)

Folded: 41" x 11" x 4"-14" (rear to front) 
To see all 2011 stroller models, go to StrollerQueen.Net And if you would like me to help you pick your perfect stroller, go to StrollerQueen.Com and click on "Consultations".