Running buggy recommendation

The Officer

The ARtist formerly known as claralara is looking to get a buggy for running. Any recommendations before I start searching d'interweb?

RacoonQueen

robinph and Rainbow Kirby are the people in the know for that.

robinph

Only on the phone at the moment, but will get back to you tomorrow...

Murph_D

The Officer wrote: »

The ARtist formerly known as claralara is looking to get a buggy for running. Any recommendations before I start searching d'interweb?

Will you not be pushing it yourself at least now and again?

Killerz might have some advice too. Certainly knows how to push them anyway!

DukeOfDromada

We have a BOB Revolution SE and it is excellent. Runs really smooth, front wheel can be locked straight and adjusted to run straight, big inflatable wheels that ride bumps and curbs really well and are quick release if lack of space for the car. Big wheels are also great for going up and down stairs. The only downside we have is that it is awkward to get to the undercarriage storage space but that is minor. No brake and you absolutely don't need one. Nest thing is how smooth they run and are really sturdy.

http://www.bobgear.com/strollers/revolution-se

robinph

You absolutely must have a front wheel that is lockable. Some buggies will have permanently fixed front wheels, some will have ones that can be locked and also released to swivel. The swivel makes it easier for you to steer around the shops and in regular day-to-day use.

You won't be able to actually run with the buggy until the sproglett is 6 months or able to hold their head up. So may find that the running buggy is actually more hassle than it's worth initially, especially as they can be quite hefty to push and lug around when just out of hospital and mum is just trying to get out for a walk to the shops after who knows what they may have done in hospital. So might want to look at other options as well. We had all the gear to make the running buggy newborn friendly, but it wasn't c-sectioned mummy friendly trying to get up and down steps into the house and up and down the nearby hills to negotiate on the way to shops/ coffee shop so was actually a bit of a hindrance.

Consider where you will be using the buggy and on what terrain and who will be doing the pushing. Check out the height of the handlebar, if dad needs to lean over too much to be able to push while running or there isn't the room for his stride then that is going to be no fun. There was a model (can't remember which) that had an adjustable height handlebar.
If you are only going to be using the buggy for running and on nice flat tarmac, and not in other day use, then super skinny tyres that wouldn't look out of place on a racing bike and a locked front wheel would be suitable. Just using BOB brand as an example as they have a few different types:
http://www.bobgear.com/strollers/2016-ironman

If you are going to be doing a combination of off road, road, hills, mud etc then something with fatter tyres will give a smoother ride like what DukeOfDromada linked above.

I would disagree with DukeOfDromada and say that a hand brake is essential though. But this could be down to the types of parkrun courses that I do. There are some where I have definitely needed the handbrake to be able to slow the buggy down on some very steep hills as without it I would have got pulled over. Most of the time it's not needed, but on some courses with hills and hairpin bends I've needed it to kill the speed. You do need the wrist strap though so that you know it's not going to get away from you, sweaty hands and a bit of an incline and only holding with one hand and it could easily slip from your grip on a small pothole.

I have a Baby Jogger Summit X3 which has the lockable and swivelable front wheel and fat tyres for off-road. It is not the lightest but feels very sturdy for some of the trail running parkruns I've done, and despite not being the lightest ever the buggy has been first finisher at Clarisford parkrun.
Be aware if looking at the Baby Jogger range though that despite the name it is only the Summit model which is suitable for running.

Other brands I'd see on the running buggy circuit to look, in addition to BOB and Baby Jogger, are Phil & Teds, Out'n'About and Mountain Buggy.

rainbow kirby

We have a BOB Ironman - got a great deal on a nearly new US model when my son was 6 months old. We're very happy with it - great to run with it even as the little fella gets bigger, but it is quite bulky in a "too big to be your main buggy in London" sort of way. The handle is fixed, but both 5'5" me and 6'1" Brianderunner have no problem with it.

The Out n About Nipper and Nipper Sport are the most common ones at our local Parkruns though, with quite a few Phil n Teds doubles too. I've seen a bloke run Highbury Fields Parkrun with a Bugaboo Cameleon in 23 and change though and seen a lady run Southwark with an umbrella stroller!

MarieC

I'm using a the BOB revolution SE and it's brilliant. Got it second hand. Such a smooth ride for the little man, he loves it being in it. From my own research it was the only one worth considering. Didn't buy it til he was 6months old so do have other buggy for every day use. This is great for walks/hikes and runs. So you do need space to keep it as well as other buggy if you go that way. Not sure of Irish stockists. It's worth keeping an eye on done deal or those baby fairs for secondhand gear.

ronnie085

Out and about nipper sport for me, using it since the little one was one month, now nine months, loves it. Fixed front wheel, light, suspension, adjustable height handle and brake (never used). Has adjustable positions for baby so can be used from v young and you can get an insert for newborns for more support, although I never used it. Have done up to 13 miles without any problems. Wouldn't bring it around shops though, so the downside is a second buggy would be required.

Woden

I went for the bugaboo runner and am happy with it. It is just the base essentially and then I transfer the seat from the main buggy onto it. Was trying to avoid having a full second buggy for running. Handle bar height is adjustable and I remember being pleasantly surprised with how light/manoeuvrable it was when I used it first

Hani Kosti

Anyone knows where to get BOB in Ireland as I can't see anyone having them?
Also, any experience with Thule Glide or Urban Glide?

Killerz

Thanks Murph!

Maybe slightly different as I have twins and I can't compare to single buggies, but the baby jogger has been great for us. Works effectively with little impact on tarmac, paths, trails, grass, beach etc. Has served me well for long and short distance, has good ballast (important) and the front wheel is fixed.

Lots of storage space for nappies, drinks, snacks, wallet, keys etc. On the negative side, while you can take it apart, the double one anyhow is quite a big unit, so not great for bringing with you in the car.

We have the Out and About as the standard buggy which Gemma also uses for up to 4-5 miles. She prefers it to the baby jogger, considers it lighter and more manageable and the front wheel is lockable which is key for getting up some speed. I'll use that for running them the mile or so to creche, fold up the buggy and run on to work, but generally prefer the jogger for standalone runs.

The kids love the buggy running, either parkrun or longer sessions. Great workout and bang for your buck too!

You're welcome to call over and have a look at our one, and take it out for a spin... but you have to take the two poo machines with you.

The Officer

Thanks all - I have retired from running so I just want something that looks cool, like the idea of big fat tyres

Our boy will be 6 months in a few weeks and is a big sturdy fella so no worries on that score.

The Officer

We went out yesterday to have a look at a couple of these, quite funny to see claralara test drive them. The more we thought about it, the more we thought we'd want this to become our only "pram". The house is already like the stock room for Bella Baby! I was happy to see they all have options for the car seat as well. Our little fella is almost six months and is very sturdy so we've no concerns and he won't be in it for the longer runs anyway (probably only 4-10 miles).

So, we looked at the Out and About Nipper Sport, looks the part and well priced at about €450. Permanently fixed front wheel presents an issue for more general use and it's pretty bulky when folded. For those of you with the Nipper Sport, on the fixed front wheel, do you get used to manoeuvring in regular use?

We also looked at the Mountain Buggy Terrain - It probably ticked more of the boxes but is expensive at €750! I also didn't particularly like the colour options..... Yellow or graffiti

Hoping to look at a couple of others this week and would welcome comments around the practicality of it being the sole buggy as being able to sell the Bugaboo would pay the mortgage for six months

robinph

If you are going to use it for non running activities as well I think you really need one that you can release the front wheel on. Getting around tight turning circles in shops is tricky enough with a big running buggy, but with a fixed front wheel you'll find yourself trapped at the end of an isle and not able to get out.

The Officer

robinph wrote: »

If you are going to use it for non running activities as well I think you really need one that you can release the front wheel on. Getting around tight turning circles in shops is tricky enough with a big running buggy, but with a fixed front wheel you'll find yourself trapped at the end of an isle and not able to get out.

Yep, I agree, saw a few very positive reviews of a Thule Urban Glide which I'm delving deeper into.

DukeOfDromada

We use our BOB as our sole buggy. It works great. Definitely recommend the swivel front wheel as it makes it so much more manageable.

rainbow kirby

robinph wrote: »

If you are going to use it for non running activities as well I think you really need one that you can release the front wheel on. Getting around tight turning circles in shops is tricky enough with a big running buggy, but with a fixed front wheel you'll find yourself trapped at the end of an isle and not able to get out.

I've been able to drag a BOB Ironman around Morrisons after Parkrun without too many issues, but fixed front wheels are not ideal for that sort of thing!

robinph

I've got stuck trying to get round small National Trust coffee shops after parkrun and having forgotten to release the wheel.