Savvy Z was not for me!
Written: Jan 23 '02
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Pros: A+ for stylish. Amazingly lightweight. Shoulder strap is perfect.
Cons: Binding swivel wheels. Poor, flexing frame design. Short-average height parents ONLY!
The Bottom Line: Terribly difficult to use. Light-weight is necessary since you'll find it easier to just carry the stroller all the time rather than push it!. Pliko-matic or Marclaren both far superior.
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| neuhofer's Full Review: Combi Savvy Z Standard Stroller |
My rural Manitoba location makes it difficult/impossible to test-drive most of the strollers available across the USA. I had read about the Combi Savvy Z extensively on the 'net and it had great owner satisfaction.
I also read that it was good for tall parents as it is a couple of inches higher at the handle bar than the Travel Savvy. I bought a like-new second hand one, tried it out for a weekend in the city, and promptly sold it.
Here's my review:
Height? Still very short. Probably better for folks around 5'6" or shorter than myself at 5'10" and husband at 6'1". We were constantly hunched over and kicking the stroller even in shorter-than-normal stride.
Tippy? No. I think, though, that some who say this are describing the FLEX of the entire frame. You're not going to lose your baby on a corner, but the frame design feels weak and makes the stroller harder to steer. It's because the Savvy Z has a bar handle rather than 2 umbrella handles. The handle has 2 joints to allow it to fold thereby narrowing the width of the collapsed stroller. These joints just aren't firm when the stroller is open. Ditto for the bar that connects the two back "legs" of the stroller at the bottom. The effect is like squashing opposing corners of a cardboard box. You are stressing the frame like this at every turn or correction. (Now I see why the Pliko and Maclaren's don't have a bar handle. Also, both of those strollers have multiple "sticks" at the rear bottom that sturdy the open frame by snap-lock into position horizontally and at angles).
Swivel Wheels? Couldn't use them. They were constantly turning the wrong way and we were just PUSHING to try to force them into alignment.
Basket: Unlike many others owners, I thought the size was great for a compact stroller. . . if you could access it. It's not the reclined seat that makes it hard, it's that bar that goes across the bottom.
I realize this report certainly doesn't put me in the majority of Combi owners, so I'll tell you what I DID like:
1. Very attractive styling and canopy.
2. Very compact fold and extra lightweight.
3. Shoulder strap to carry the folded stroller is a dream!
4. Strap and buckle slide to recline seat is simple, easy, fast, and durable design.
5. The seat support and comfort padding is just fine.
6. Seat seemed perfectly good size for daughter's future growth.
7. The bar is covered with a rubbery vinyl that looks a whole lot more expensive and sleek than the vinyl-covered bar on the Pliko. This bar is flexible b/c of the folding action. My daughter loved to have it partially folded when in the stroller, b/c it swooped up higher and was fun to hang onto.
Back at the drawing board, I re-evaluated my needs. I had initially thought "the lighter the better" since I wanted something different than my normal stroller. (I live in a small town and walk everywhere with my 13" wheel heavy carriage/pram. It's loadability w/ groceries, weather-shielding, and luxury ride completely overrule it's non-portability for anyone in that sort of home environment).
For my second stroller, I want something that will not fill my car's trunk, and will do a good job on shopping trips to the city. For me, it will be "into the trunk, out of the trunk" so 11-12lb. would certainly be fine. I think the super lightweights are better if you're a big jetsetter.
I recently tested a Pliko and was very happy with it's ease of folding (good as the Savvy Z) and size (only slighter bigger than Savvy Z). The swivel wheels worked very well, it was strong when open and easy to push. Something else I have realized is that a slightly heavier lightweight stroller may be easier to push b/c of weight of baby.
What I mean is this: In the Savvy Z, the stroller is just under 8lb and my 9 month old daughter is 23lb. So in use, she is 75% of the weight of what I'm handling! Her position of fully upright, or fully reclined makes a huge difference in how the stroller handles. It's actually even kindof a pain when she's being squirmy. I think this would be better with a 11-12lb stroller.
Also, I was viewing Maclaren website the other day. I was disappointed with the stroller descriptions. (Limited photos, descriptions focus more on fashion than the nitty gritty like dimensions open and closed). But I did then realize that the "instructions" link shows you the actual diagrams from the owners manual. The drawings are good. Following that, I bought a Maclaren Mistral. I am SO PLEASED with it in every respect and will review separately.
Shannon
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 132.00
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Epinions.com ID:
neuhofer
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Location: Manitoba, CANADA
Reviews written: 18
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
"Inside I'm a redhead!" . . .nothing more needs to be said ;-)
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