Take Me Back!
Written: Feb 14 '05 (Updated Feb 20 '05)
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Pros: Modern styling, large cup holders, compact one-hand fold, light, smooth driving
Cons: Awkward design, limited storage, BACK LEFT WHEEL WILL FALL OFF!
The Bottom Line: While this attractive stroller may seem like a steal, you'll feel like a fool when it strands you. Spring for the DuoGlider or pay the price!
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| twenty3skidoo's Full Review: Evenflo Take Me Too Express - Midland Blue Standar... |
I originally purchased this stroller due to a disastrous experience we had with our last one, the Fisher Price Comfort Lite Tandem stroller. You would think that after such a horror story from being unwilling to pay much for a stroller, that I would have learned that sometimes, you really do get what you pay for. This is one of those times.
True to my word, I did consult epinions before purchasing this stroller. But the reviews I read of it were fairly positive, so they did not deter me from giving it a shot. And here's what I thought about it!
Who needs a tandem stroller?
First off let me just warn you that tandem strollers are not for the faint of heart. They are all somewhat heavy and cumbersome, difficult to steer and difficult to store. However, dragging two children along is also not for the faint of heart. So if you have two little ones already, you could probably use one of these babies.
This may sound a bit odd, but I would even recommend springing for a tandem stroller on your first baby, particularly if you know you plan on having more some day. They don't cost too much more than the single models, and it never hurt to have extra room to put some shopping bags! I would, however, advise taking a fully loaded tandem for a spin before you decide to go for one. Just to get the feel of it and see if it's really what you want.
So why did I buy THIS one instead of all the others?
After my experience with the first stroller, I shopped around EXTENSIVELY before purchasing a new one. I checked out the really pricey models, both new ones and used ones, and test drove a bunch of them at our local Toys R Us. While surfing around epinions, I noticed reviews for this one. The price was lower than the Graco DuoGlider (which had mixed reviews anyway) and it looked pretty nice. So when I ran across it at our local Target and discovered that it was only $89.99 compared to $139.99 for the DuoGlider, I decided to go for it.
Some details...
1. This is a double stroller much like all the others, with "stadium seating" (the back one is raised up a bit to give the child a better view) and a large storage basket underneath.
2. Both seats offer one-hand recline a 3-point harness.
3. One really standout feature of this stroller was its upholstery. It was made of a unique nylon-type material that was soft to the touch and easily wiped down, plus it was a black and gray plaid, so it did not show dirt well at all. The look of this stroller is very modern and attractive. I received many compliments on it during the short time I owned it.
4. The handle is covered with a thick pad of smooth foam.
5. There is a snack tray on the front seat with two good-sized cupholders. One unique feature about this tray is that it swings open to allow easy access to buckle and unbuckle the child, without having to completely remove it.
6. The front canopy is removable and adjustable, and the back canopy offers a little sunroof so you can check on your baby easily without folding it down.
7. There are two back brakes to keep it from rolling off while you load it up, one on each back wheel.
8. A small metal handle holds the stroller shut once you've closed it, keeping it from opening back up as you try to hoist it into the back of your minivan (or whatever kid-toting vehicle you drive!).
9. This has a unique step-side entry that allows your toddler to step into the back seat unaided, giving him or her a nice big-kid feel. I also found that it had tons of legroom for our 3-year-old.
Our experiences...
My favorite thing about this stroller was its modern look and sleek styling. The black and silver color scheme was very nice, and stains both wiped away easily and blended well on the black plaid upholstery.
And in fact, this stroller was fantastic for about the first month or so. We drove it everywhere... To the mall, on evening strolls, to the park. Then one evening on one of our family walks, I noticed that the back left wheel seemed to be shaking a bit. "Honey," I said to my husband, "I think something's wrong with that wheel. It looks like it might fall off or something." He observed the jittery wheel and shook his head in doubt, saying, "Nah, I'm sure it's fine."
So on we trekked. About 3/4 of a mile later, *snap!* The back left wheel popped off. Yeah, we had a real interesting walk home, with 2 babies and a giant broken stroller in tow. Thankfully, Target was nice enough to exchange the stroller even though I did not have my receipt.
I thought that after all the good things I'd read about this one on epinions, surely my experience must have been a fluke. But no. About 2 weeks later, almost the exact same situation, but this time in the mall. With me and the kids alone. Yeah, that was fun. So back to Target went the stroller and I finally coughed up the extra 50 bucks for the much-debated Graco DuoGlider, which incidentally, we've now had for about 4 months with no trouble whatsoever. I do not like the way it looks as much, but I actually get to use it without terror of being stranded, so I deal with it!
PROS and CONS
In addition to the back wheel popping off, this stroller had a few... shall we say... "design flaws," but it also sported a few qualities that attempted to redeem it.
1. CON: While he foam handle on this one was better than our last disastrous stroller, it was still fairly easily damaged.
2. CON: Theoretically, the back seat, with it's step-in bar, was made for older children. Question: Why, then does only the front child get a snack/drink tray (seemingly more suitable for an older child)? And why does only the back seat fully recline (seemingly desirable for an infant)? Also, I found that when my 3-year-old was in the back seat of this stroller, she tormented her brother incessantly. It seems to me that it would be better to make this stroller with an older-child-in-front situation in mind.
4. PRO: The stay-shut lever is very sturdy and the stroller is comparatively quite compact and light. Still a bit of a pain to fit in a normal car trunk or in the front seat, but when held up against other models, it's shorter by about 4 inches (on average) and narrower by about 2 (again, on average).
5. CON: As with our previous stroller, the seemingly spacious storage area at the bottom becomes much less so once you actually try to put anything in it. The position of the front seat and the foot rest on the back seat make it almost impossible to put even a diaper bag underneath, and even if you do manage to get something down there, it's really hard to get it back out.
6. PRO: This stroller drives like a dream! It is maneuverable and smooth. It easily weaves in and out of mall traffic and handles curb hopping like there's nothing to it. The shocks actually work!
7. PRO: The cupholders on the front are large enough to accommodate a medium-sized adult drink, assuming you are brave enough to place said drink within easy reach of your child.
8. CON: It takes a team of Target geniuses to assemble this thing. The instructions are complicated and the parts are not well-marked making it very difficult to put together. The second time I had to do it, my husband was away on business, so I actually had to cart the thing back to Target, kids in tow, and have them put it together. Which they very graciously did, but it took about 4 of them and maybe even a screwdriver or two. Much too complex for my tastes!
Overall, this stroller was much more promising than our last model, and did have a lot of good points. But all the good points in the world simply cannot outweigh the singular bad point of having recurrent wheel pop-offs. If you want a stroller that will really get the job done and not leave you terrified of a breakdown, suck it up and break out the $139.99 for a Graco DuoGlider. What it lacks in fashion, it more than makes up in function. I can almost guarantee you won't be sorry you spent more for a better model, but if you go for this one... You're liable to regret it. Just make sure that if you get it, you buy from Target. At least they'll take it back when it breaks on you!
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 89.99
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Epinions.com ID:
twenty3skidoo
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Member: Kori Daniel
Location: Fayetteville, AR, US
Reviews written: 75
Trusted by: 11 members
About Me:
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined." -H.D. Thoreau
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