The Graco Sterling Lite Rider Travel System consists of a stroller and an infant carseat with base.

So, you decided to get a travel system. For those who are not familiar with "travel systems", it is a convenient way to get around town with your baby. A travel system consists of a stroller and an infant carseat. The infant seat can go between being a carseat (for children up to a certain size and weight) and it can also hook onto the stroller for use out and about.

Features of the Graco Sterling LiteRider Stroller (features taken from the Graco Website at www.gracobaby.com)

- 5-point harness restraint
- Removable parent organizer tray w/ lid
- Removable child’s snack tray w/ cupholder
- One-hand fold mechanism
- 4-position reclining seat
- Thickly padded, removable, washable pad
- Front-end suspension
- Ergonomically designed handle
- Lightweight 7/8”swept frame
- Stylish canopy
- Extra-large storage basket
- Front swivel
- Automatic stand and latch

My experience with the Sterling LiteRider stroller
Overall has been pretty good. Its a VERY SMOOTH ride and its light and easy to push. It maneuvers well in tight places. The cupholders are very convenient. The stroller looks very posh and classy. My son is very comfortable in this stroller. The 5 point restraint is safe and secure. I'm pleased that I went with a 5 point harness over a 3 point one, its much safer.

However, I have a few beefs about the stroller. Namely, the one hand collapse basically thrusts the child's snack & play tray right onto the pavement. My tray looked like it went through the war after only a few uses. Also, the general size when collapsed is very big. I have a very roomy trunk on my automobile, but in smaller vehicles its a problem.

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If you are looking to purchase the Graco Sterling LiteRider Travel System you should read my extensive review of the stroller alone at the following URL:

http://www.epinions.com/content_43449486980
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Features of the Infant Seat (taken from the Graco Website at www.gracobaby.com)
- Comfortable ergonomic “M” handle
- Thick seat pad
- Two harness slot positions
- Stay in car adjustable base
- 5-point harness
- 3-panel canopy
- Infant head support

My experience with the infant seat
I loved the infant seat while we used it. We installed the Stay in Car base in my car and would just snap the seat in and go. The Stay in Car Base was easy to install and made sure that the infant seat was positioned at the appropriate angle. We could also use this seat without the base, which made it a plus for traveling and at grandparents.

My son outgrew the infant seat very quickly. I also have a pretty large (long) son who is solid. Although, he was well within the weight limits for the seat when it became too small. I found out after putting it away (via epinions.com) that he truly had not outgrown the seat but that that Graco had goofed and the straps were too short. There are 2 slots for height adjustment of the straps but because the straps were so short when we put them on the higher height it just made the seat impossible to use unless my child was a string bean (which he wasn't). The infant seat has a 5 point harness and is very safe. Always opt for the 5 point harness vs. a 3 point harness, as it is safer. I called Graco about my experience with the straps and I was able to get a free extender kit from Graco and get a bit more use out of the seat. However, since we'd already installed the convertible carseat we soon graduated him from the infant seat.

Compared to other carry along infant seats this one is nice. Its just as heavy as the rest of them. These are heavy, my husband had to carry it most of the time. Put a 10 or 15 pound baby into this seat and it was like carrying around lead. Since I had a c-section, I was not supposed to be lifting heavy things and this qualified as that. However, this problem would be specific to any infant seat since they are all quite heavy.

The padding on the infant seat is on the plentiful side. The additional infant head support padding and the canopy are great. It also looks really nice. As far as size goes, its a bit smaller (as well as the strap issue) so if you have a bigger child this probably isn't for you. I learned this through experience.

We didn't really use the infant seat snapped into the stroller. Most of this was seasonal - I had my son in the dead of winter so we didn't go out of the house alot when he was first born and most places we went (like to a restaurant, etc) we just carried in the infant seat -- there was no need to snap it on the stroller. I think if we'd had our baby in any different season we would have used this alot. A big plus of this stroller was the way that the canopy's adjusted to completely shield the baby from the weather elements.


What follows are some pretty common questions you might ask when shopping for a travel system:

» How easy is it to use?
Very easy to use. For example, the stroller collapses with one hand. Also, the carseat clicks in and out of the base and the stroller with one hand as well. I had a hard time figuring it out at first but once I figured it out -- now its a snap! I don't have good handstrength and I was doing it wrong. Finally when I realized where I was supposed to be squeezing and lifting, then I had no problem. This gets an "A-" for ease of use. Not bad!


» How well has it held up over time?

So far, So Good. I had my baby in December so its survived the winter months, slushy parking lots etc. Also - I've traveled with it quite extensively (from Rochester to New Mexico, for example) and it survived airport handling/gate check etc JUST FINE! My only real concerns have to do with the way that the stroller collapses. It forces the child's snacktray into the pavement meaning that it gets dirty and also beat up. I give this a "B" for holding up over time. All strollers that you truly use will get beat up a bit.

» What did you like or dislike about it?

Its a pretty big item. Even collapsed, it takes up a lot of space in my trunk and I have a sport utility wagon "mommy mobile". I can't imagine what it would be like in a compact vehicle.

Also - The straps on the carseat are too small. I was actually really upset about this. Because we moved our son out of this seat into a convertible car seat at just 3 months. It didn't seem right. He's a big boy but well within the height and weight ranges. I read some other epinions and saw that others had the same trouble and that Graco would send an extension kit. I just contacted Graco and I'm looking forward to getting my kit so we can continue to use this rear facing seat. Its just a lot more convenient than the "stay in car" models. Especially at restaurants, etc.

» Why did you purchase this piece of equipment?

This was a shower gift that I had registered for. Compared to the other "travel systems" I really liked the looks of this one. I got the Princeton plaid (blue and yellow). It looks great-- Really "posh". This gets an "A" for Looks!!!

BONUS

This stroller has 3 drink holders. 2 up by the handle so that both my husband and myself can place our drinks in it, and one in the tray for the child - perfect for a bottle or a snack cup of cheerios! The cupholders are great, and it gets an "A " for those!


Summary
This is a PRETTY GOOD/OK travel system. It definitely has its plusses and its minuses. I'm overall pleased with it, though I see great areas for improvement on the part of Graco. Overall, I'd give it just a "B". It cuts the mustard but there is great room for improvement.


Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): gift
Age Range of Child: 0 to 12 Months