Flashy European Pram that Goes Both Ways
Written: Mar 29 '05 (Updated Nov 20 '05)
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Pros: Reversible and convertible! Rides High. Big wheels, nice suspension, great steering. Carrycot is awesome!
Cons: Moderately heavy and large. No cupholders or snack tray. Basket could be bigger. Expensive.
The Bottom Line: A great, reversible and convertible stroller for birth to 5 years! Looks like a traditional pram with the handling of a swivel wheel stroller, but is not ideal for travel.
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| caviller's Full Review: Inglesina Magnum CL4 Standard Stroller |
The 2005 Inglesina Magnum is a "2-in-1" convertible seat designed for use in the various Inglesina chassis models. With the included hood and all-weather boot, it easily converts from a normal stroller into an infant "carrycot." The carrycot is a soft-sided bassinet with handy carrying straps for use away from the stroller chassis. The seat is also reversible so toddlers and younger kids can sit facing forward or it can be quickly switched so the child faces the parent. "Faces mum or street," as Inglesina says.
Unlike most strollers in the USA, the Magnum is usually sold separately from the chassis. This allows you to pair it with the Pram-like "Comfort Plus" chassis with traditional large, white tires and wire basket. Alternately, you can pair it with the heavier, all-terrain Ergo Bike chassis with large, air-inflated, knobby black tires. I chose to pair it with the lighter weight Allum chassis that has dual front swivel wheels and looks more like a typical USA stroller. This can be confusing for consumers, since some USA retailers sell them in a package with one particular chassis, but they are really sold separately and you can choose any chassis you like if you shop around.
The Magnum seat itself is very stylish and the RA7 color I purchased is very flashy. It's a bright red color with a complement of fine navy/red stripes that appears purple from afar. The trim is also Navy with reflective accents. There are 7 colors from Inglesina, but only 4 are usually marketed in the USA. Inside, there is an adjustable 5-point harness. The fabric is not plush, but it is somewhat soft. The cover can be removed for washing in warm water. There is an easy, one-hand recline bar that has 5-steps from nearly upright to completely flat.
The Magnum is a full sized stroller with quite a bit of room. In the normal mode, it has a seat back just over 19" tall. It fits my 4.5 year old daughter who is 3 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs about 39 pounds. In the normal mode, you may use it with or without the hood and padded "napper bar." Both of these can be installed or removed very simply. The hood is very large and also has a handy zip-open mesh section for increased air flow. This also acts as a window so you can see the baby through the mesh.
In the carrycot mode it is about 14" by 33" and suitable for infants and small babies. To switch to carrycot mode, you recline the back to the flat position. You insert the napper bar at the longest setting. You fold up the leg rest to the flat position. Then, you attach the all-weather boot with simple snaps. It takes about 10 minutes the first time, but is much easier once you have read the instructions and done it a few times. The boot has dual zippers on top to allow for easy access. Carrycot mode is great for newborns and infants. We use it inside and out; it's basically a portable bassinet. In a restaurant, you can pop it out of the chassis and set it onto a bench then fold the stroller to keep the aisle clear- very handy! Our baby is now over 6 months old and will be outgrowing the flat carrycot mode very soon.
In either mode, "Easy-Clip" levers under the fabric on each side of the seat can be squeezed to remove the seat. You can then reverse it. The switch is effortless and takes just a few seconds. It goes back into the chassis with an easy push and click. If it is in carrycot mode, you can remove the carrying straps from the storage pouches on the side and carry your sleeping baby inside. This isn't very practical for a heavy baby, but works fine for a small infant.
The Allum chassis is also great. I chose the blue/grey color to match the RA7 Magnum. It also comes in a graphite color to match other Magnum fabrics. It has 8.5" dual front wheels that can be allowed to swivel or can be locked. It has single 9.25" rear wheels. The tires are the typical, smooth high density foam material found on most USA strollers, rather than the heavier rubber material found on the other Inglesina chassis. A brake is included on each rear wheel, but you only need to press one brake to engage both sides. The handle is an ergonomic bar with cushioned grips and has a simple push-button on each side for height adjustments. Overall, it is just under 25" wide and fits easily through doors. The seat rides over 22" high, which is at least a few inches higher than most other strollers.
A handy toddler step in back can be used for an older toddler to ride. The recommended weight limit is 33 pounds for the step, but it works fine for my 39 pound daughter and the suspension still absorbs bumps. The step does not work well in carrycot mode, but works front or rear facing when the back is more upright. The fold mechanism is not difficult, but not as easy as other strollers. You squeeze the trigger on the handle and push forward to collapse the chassis partially, then kick a small red pedal to finish the book fold. The front wheels must also be aligned correctly for fold. A squeeze lever on one side of the handle is used before you pull the handle to easily open the chassis, until a click indicates it is locked open. There is a medium sized basket that measures roughly 16" by 16" and is limited to about 7 pounds.
The Allum does stand by itself when folded. It can also be folded with the Magnum, but this will not be very compact. For best results, you need to recline the Magnum back and foot rest to the flat positions and retract the hood all the way. It will still stand when folded if you get it right, but will tip if you don't. Even together, they still fit in a wagon or van, but like many full size strollers they do take up a good portion of a normal trunk.
Advantages of the Magnum:
+ Easily reversible to face parent or front.
+ Converts to a bassinet with handy carrying straps
+ Fits newborns up to children about 5 years old.
+ Extremely easy to steer and push one handed
+ Easy and quick book folding mechanism
+ Generous hood with zip open mesh section
+ Flexible all-weather boot included
+ Suspension system on both front and rear wheels
+ Large wheels, swivel or lock in front
+ Basket is very easy to access, even if seat is reclined
+ Very stylish and also fairly rare
+ Appears to be sturdy and well designed
+ Boxes say made in Italy (Not China!)
Disadvantages of the Magnum:
- As a full size stroller, it weighs 26 pounds total and doesn't fold very small. This isn't so bad since the 11 pound Magnum is easily removed from the 15 pound Allum chassis which can be folded and lifted separately.
- No cupholders or snack trays included. These could be purchased separately, of course, but it would be nice to have even a clip-on holder included. I use a Valco Baby cup holder. It works great, but can obstruct the folding mechanism depending on where you attach it.
- For the price, a rain/insect cover and matching diaper bag would have been nice, too. A separate rain cover is available, but only in Europe.
- Basket could be bigger. It easily fits an Inglesina Cartella diaper bag (not included), which can also be snapped on the handle bars. Even so, it could be larger and more comparable to those on other full size strollers. I have the Cartella bag and it does work very nicely.
- Assembly is not difficult, but the multi-language instructions are very mediocre.
- Expensive. On sale, you can find the Magnum with Comfort Chassis for under $400. Usually, it is closer to $450 online with the Allum chassis, including shipping. Retail price with chassis is over $500, plus tax, at local stores, if you can even find it at all. Only high end specialty baby stores are likely to carry it. The Allum chassis is usually about $30 more than the Comfort Plus or Ergo Bike chassis. Even at this price, it is still less expensive than similar models from European competitors like Bebecar and Bebe Confort.
Product information can be found here:
http://www.inglesina.com/en/products/details.php?sectionid=16&itemid=35&pathtype=sectiontree
Specifications can be found here:
http://www.inglesina.com/fileindexed/product/item/file0001619.pdf
Pictures are indeed worth a thousand words. My photos can be found here:
http://www.pbase.com/carseat/inglesina_magnum
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 425
Age Range of Child: Other
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caviller
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Location: IL, USA
Reviews written: 28
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About Me:
Certified Child Passenger Safety technician and carseat advocate.
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