Graco Lite Rider Stroller: Many features & many problems too!!
Written: Jul 13 '01 (Updated Oct 16 '01)
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Pros: Easy Fold, Smooth Ride, Lots of Cup Holders
Cons: Large, even when folded up. Front tray folds onto the ground...
The Bottom Line: I have found this stroller to be an OK stroller overall. It has some great features, but also some definite design flaws and durability issues.
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| marytara's Full Review: Graco LiteRider Stroller |
The Graco Lite Rider Stroller is available as a stroller alone or as part of the travel system (with a snap in/out infant carseat). The stroller alone is sold for just under 100 dollars but with the travel system, its close to 200 dollars.
The Lite Rider comes in a variety of different "models". The variations are detailed on the Graco Website at www.gracobaby.com.
The following Lite Riders are available (as listed on the Graco website):
Baby Classics Glider® 6936
Breeze® LiteRider™ 6904
Cirrus™ LiteRider™ 6916
Cirrus™ LiteRider™ 6919
EuroGraco LiteRider 6948
Glider® LiteRider™ 6927
Kite™ LiteRider™ L6834
LiteRider™ Stroller 6903
LiteRider™ Stroller 6938
Sterling™ LiteRider™ 6929
Each of the different Lite Rider models has a slight variation in the features but they are all very similar. As a stroller alone, this stroller has an abundance of features that are quite appealing. Especially for a stroller under (or around) 100 dollars. This stroller has many of the great features that come on the premium strollers, yet its more readily available & found in most Baby Stores and Discount stores (such as Wal-mart). This stroller is often confused as being a top-of-the line stroller. Its not top of the line, but as far as middle-of-the-line strollers go, its tops.
Here are the features of the LiteRider Stroller 6903, with explanation and my experience.
-Removable parent organizer tray w/ lid
This is a plus. There is a plastic unit that goes across the back of the stroller (behind the canopy) near the handle. There is one exposed cup holder and a compartment. The compartment is perfect for keys, or kleenex, or whatever you need to have handy. There is also another cupholder inside the compartment. This means that 2 people can push this stroller and have a place for drinks. Its perfect for walks with my husband or for use at the mall.
Graco advertises that this organizer tray is removable. I'm not sure why you would want to remove the tray, but it is indeed removable. In fact, its so removable - that it falls off every time we collapse the stroller so I have to re-attach it every time we use the stroller.
- One-hand fold mechanism
To fold up this stroller, you only need one hand. You just push the little red button and turn the "throttle" lever on the handle of the stroller.
Voila! The stroller collapses.
I don't use the word collapse, lightly. When folding up the stroller it will collapse so quickly under you that you need to be careful. If you are collapsing this on a rough surface (which you will most likely be doing) then you are in trouble. After just a few times collapsing this stroller the child's snack and playtray gets all scratched up. Our stroller went from looking brand new to looking very worn after only a few uses.
The collapse design is poor, it collapses right onto the snacktray pushing the tray into the ground. I think this is also unsanitary. I wash off the snack tray with a baby wipe every time I unfold the stroller.
Also, as far as folding up - its not small. This fills up the whole trunk of my Subaru Outback. It will not fit into other smaller vehicle trunks easily. If you want to fit groceries and this stroller, it can be a challenge unless you have a larger vehicle.
-Removable child’s snack tray w/ cupholder & Mix & Move Toys
There is a big tray on this stroller for your child to snack or play on. There is even a cup holder (or bottle holder) on the tray. Its perfect for a couple cheerios or a small snack. If you have other Graco products (like a swing or a high chair), you may be familiar with their interchangable snap on toys. This stroller tray has a place for one of these toys to be attached. However, a word of caution if you do use one of these attach toys is that you will want to remove it before collapsing the stroller or the toy will break. The toys cost about 4-6 dollars a piece, and my son does get a kick out of them (he's only 6 months) though probably older children would only break them or not be interested.
This tray is also removable as well, though it doesn't remove easily. I've kept ours on at all times.
- Thickly padded, removable, washable pad
The seat is padded and removable. Ours has been through the washer and held up nicely. I have a few problems with the pad design however. I think it would be nicer if it had side padding. As it was, because the system used a 5 point harness I used an aftermarket head/support padding system. However, because of the folding flaws I had to wash this padding after every time we used the stroller because it got filthy from being folded up into the parking lots.
Also, do you know the tag that they put on mattresses and pillows that says you can't remove it or you will be punished (or whatever..)? This pad has one of these bulky white tags on it. The placement of the tag is such that it constantly folds out and is sticking out into my childs head/neck and shoulders. If I fold it under it just pops out again within an hour or so. And if I were to cut it off I would have a sharp edge of paper into my childs neck. Remove the tag completely? Not sure if that is an option because It is sewed into a seam of the pad and I am afraid it will impact the integrity of the pad.
- Front-end suspension
The stroller handles curbs nicely and has a smooth push to it. I have no complaints about the suspension of the stroller.
- Ergonomically designed handle
The handle is padded and at the right height to push the stroller with ease. Both my husband (6'1" or more) and myself (5'1" in shoes) have no troubles pushing the stroller.
- Lightweight 3/4” frame
The stroller is lightweight and its not heavy to lift when loading in and out of your vehicles. It definitely requires 2 hands to load in and out, however.
- Stylish European-Style canopy
The canopy can be used retracted or as a sunshade. However, its not 100% of a sunshade because it has a clear "peaky" window to see your child through.
- Extra-large storage basket The LiteRider has a HUGE basket, which is great for storing things when you are shopping, a diaper bag, etc. There are also pockets on the back of the seat and canopy.
- 3-point seat belt
The Lite Rider Stroller is standard with a 3 point harness. Some of the models, such as the Sterling LiteRider, offer a 5 point Harness, which is safer and more secure - especially if your child tries to climb out of the stroller.
- Front swivel
The wheels swivel so this stroller can turn with ease. This stroller is great for use in malls and tight places, it corners easily. The style of wheels is called "Verona Style" wheels, just some trivia.
Some Additional features not mentioned in depth but equally important when purchasing a stroller:
Reclining Seat The seat can be upright, slightly reclined or laying back (for a sleeper). When the seat is in the laying down position you will not be able to access your storage basket very easily.
Upholstery Graco offers many great patterns and color combinations for this stroller. I've seen it in mostly solids, prints and plaids. When purchasing a stroller you want to make sure that the upholstery you pick is forgiving. Even though the pad is washable it will experience wear and tear and also spills of all kinds (not always pleasant to think about). Plaids are especially good at hiding stains. Also, keep in mind that strollers don't need to be Navy Blue - but Graco has plenty of Navy Prints and Plaids should you want to have a traditional Navy Stroller!
The LiteRider stroller is recommended for ages 0-4 years old, or up to 40 pounds. (Pretty standard as far as strollers go). As your child approaches that upper limit, however, you will probably find it much easier to use a collapsible umbrella stroller that takes up much less space since you don't need as many of the features at that age.
Recalls
There has not been a recall on the Graco Lite Rider, as there has been for many Century strollers, which is apparently not a competitor of Graco - but the same company. If you are shopping for a stroller, be sure to always check for recalls and how safe the model is.
A fellow epinionater, Fallyn96 has written a great review about How to Find out about Recalls it can be located at: http://iamasahm.epinions.com/content_1830461572
I have found the Graco Lite Rider stroller to be an OK stroller overall. It has some great features, but also some definite shortcomings - where the stroller doesn't deliver well on the feature, or design flaws. We use this stroller regularly for use indoors (at malls, shopping, and on paved surfaces), and for that I recommend it. If you are going to be doing serious walking or taking your stroller on non-smooth surfaces, I don't recommend this stroller. For that, I would recommend checking out the Baby Trend Expedition which I have reviewed at http://iamasahm.epinions.com/content_23396257412
I hope this review of the Graco Lite Rider has been of assistance to making your stroller purchase.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): gift
Age Range of Child: 0 to 12 Months
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marytara
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