eosa10's Full Review: BOB Trailer Revolution Jogger Stroller
That's exactly what my 21 month old says to me EVERY DAY.
I decided to get off the treadmill and start running out in the real world, and as a stay at home mom, that meant getting a jog stroller. I did a lot of research and asked around, and decided that the BOB Revolution was the one for me. I am thrilled beyond belief with this stroller, so now I'm going to talk your ear off about how awesome it is and why we love it so much!
Assembly:
Taking all the parts out of the box was intimidating, I have to admit. But the assembly instructions were thorough and well-written, with clear photos. I assembled it by myself during my toddler's naptime, with no tools required.
Features:
- holds up to 70 lbs - weighs appx 24 lbs - 12" front wheel, 16" rear wheels - front wheel can swivel or lock in place - tires are rugged - more like mountain bike tires - adjustable suspension - 2 mesh pockets with kiddo for sippy cups, etc - 5-pt harness with padding on the straps - peekaboo window in the sun canopy - storage basket underneath; mesh pocket on back of seat - comfy padded handlebar, not adjustable - does not include cupholder for mom & dad, snack tray, etc. - sturdy, foot operated parking brake - available in several cool color combos (mine is dark brown & bright blue)
Using BOB:
BOB turns on a dime - that swivel front wheel produces nice, tight turns. I run with the wheel set to swivel, because our park trail has some 90-degree turns to hit other parts of the trail and it's a PITA for me to use the fixed wheel that often. I've also had no trouble maneuvering BOB through stores, etc, thanks to the swivel wheel.
BOB is an easy one-handed steer - at least when taking advantage of that swivel wheel! Anyone who runs with a jogger knows that it's simply harder to run when you can't use your arms! I frequently run with one arm "loose" and one hand on the handlebar (with the safety strap, natch!) and the stroller responds nicely. I only really need 2 hands for tight turns... and that's probably just for my own personal peace of mind!
The suspension is fabulous! I've hopped in front of the stroller while my husband was running with it, and my 21 month old was riding happily along, with no jarring. It is adjustable for heavier kids, also.
Seat recline is easy to adjust, and I was able to recline it all the way from upright to pretty much flat without waking up my sleeping toddler. However, I have noticed that the full upright position isn't completely upright. My daughter seems to look like she's slouching a little - but she enjoys the ride and never seems stiff or sore. The seatback itself is lightly padded and I understand it to repel/resist moisture (ie dropped sippy cup).
The sun shade is HUGE and easy to adjust while running. The peekaboo window at the top lets you open up a flap and check out what kiddo is up to while you are running. Or, in my case, let kiddo look up and point out "ahpanes".
Folding BOB is easy to do. It's a 2-step process that is easy to master. However, there is no clip or hinge to latch the stroller into its collapsed position. The instructions show you how to use the leash/safety strap to wrap around the frame and velcro to hold it together, but I've not managed to do that easily. I have discovered that if you just pick it up in the right way, it won't un-collapse on you while you toss it in the back of the car:) Also, the wheels are straightforward to remove if you want to lower the collapsed profile to fit better in a trunk, etc.
I've used BOB on trails, grass, sidewalks (with lots of curb) and gravel. BOB plows through it all - the nice wide rugged wheels were especially handy when navigating the gravel at a local carnival fairgrounds (where my friend's regular stroller got stuck and she had to make her toddler get out and walk!).
Finally, there's good room in the seat. My toddler travels with several board books to occupy her on our runs, and she has room for 3 or 4 with her in the seat and usually stashes one down with her feet. It never falls out!
Available accessories:
- cupholder/console for Mom & Dad with zippy pocket for ipod, keys, etc - UV/wind/bug screen - rain/weather shield - cargo conversion kit - infant carrier adapter, fits many infant carriers (I never had this and can't speak to it) - a sippy/bottle tether to prevent dropping out of the stroller - travel bag for carrying BOB around the world on airplanes - warm & fuzzy insert - even a BOB branded diaper bag - I have seen a BOB duallie with BOB brand snack trays attached, but haven't been able to figure out if they are available for the single model (or available at all any more)
Gripes:
I really do enjoy this stroller, and so does my little one. However, there are a few things I would change if I could:
- Cover is not removable to wash. The instructions do tell you how to clean it (sponge, detergent, warm water), but you still want to be careful about what you let the kiddos eat in there. - I really wish it had a latch to keep it folded when you collapse it. - I wish the full upright position was just a little more upright - For $389, I really wish it had come with the cupholder/keyholder for Mommy! (At $20, it's a very sturdy item that does exactly what it needs to do and I definitely bought it, but this feels like nickel and diming!) - I think a taller child, even under 70 lbs, would have a tight squeeze since the top of the seat, though soft, is a more boxlike construction. Hopefully by the time this kid is that big, she'll be riding alongside me on her bike instead of in the stroller, though! - The handlebar is not adjustable. I am 5'4" and my husband is 6'. This is not a problem for us - it seems to work fine. But I could imagine if someone was either really short, or really tall, this could be a challenge for them.
I have heard some people say they wish this stroller had a hand brake. However, you're sacrificing that to have the swivel wheel. I have honestly never been in a situation where I needed to brake faster than I could stop by simply stopping me and holding on to the handlebars - maybe if I marathoned it would be different (but then I would probably train with a BOB Ironman, instead of the Revolution).
At the end of the day:
The Revolution was exactly what I needed to really get myself out there. It was spendy, sure, but now my kids and I hit the trail (my oldest rides her bike with us) 6 days a week. We refer to BOB as a "he" and we call him Sir Robert if we're feeling feisty:) I have no doubt I would have just kept making excuses for not getting going, if I hadn't bought this guy. Being able to take both my kids running has opened up my world. I know that even with its few warts, this stroller fits our lives perfectly. I can't shut up about it.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 389
Age Range of Child: 12 to 36 Months
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