Orbit Baby Sidekick Upgrade Offer Round Two

Orbit Baby's Sidekick Upgrade was so popular that it back until July 31st. First generation stroller owners can buy a G2 Orbit Baby stroller frame and a Sidekick for just $370. That's a savings of $250. Orbit Baby always has the best special offers.


Buy your upgrade here.

Orbit Baby Making Adapter for Maxi-Cosi Car Seat

Orbit Baby should be releasing an adapter for the extremely popular Maxi-Cosi Mico . The adapter will be for use with the stroller and rocker (But not for use in a car.) Built around Orbit revolutionary hub, the car seat will rotate. And the adapter arms fold down for easy storage.

Mima Design Lab Stroller Auction

Mima has opened up the eBay auction of the Design Lab strollers. The four one of a kind strollers are being auctioned to benefit UNICEF's Schools for Africa program. Bidding begins at 1500Euros.

Links for 8 October 2010

I moved my blog to here, but a lot of readers are still turning up here. So here are links to the posts I wrote this week.

• Chanel for Children -Lagerfeld sent a tiny boucle jacket down the runway.
• J.Crew Free Coloring Pages- coloring pages on shoes from JCrew's Fall kids' collection
• Price of Mima Strollers- prices for the new high end stroller brand, and where you can order them.
• The Wee Tyrant- I love this photo.
• Foppapedretti Myo Tronic- An electronic stroller shown at this year's Kind + Jugend that will push itself

Bugaboo Double Stroller Coming (Finally)

There is more news on the convertible double front. After years of parents wishing for a double Bugaboo, it looks like one will be hitting the market next spring. But unlike most strollers of the genre that stack babies one on top of the other, the Donkey (what a horrid name) will have the seats side by side. And those two seats will be just 29 inches wide, one of  the narrowest side by side on the luxury stroller market.
And if you don't want two seats you can have a cargo basket for hauling things around.

Order iCandy Strollers Directly From The Source

The super stylish iCandy brand of strollers has been available in the United States for a while, but they can be a bit hard to find. But the company is finally allowing American parents to buy the strollers online, something not available in the UK. The strollers are available for $450 for a Cherry stroller to $900 for the Pear Tandem. The Peach can be purchased in the Fall of this year.

Click to see more.

The Stroller Reimagined

Toren Orzeck has designed a stroller that can be used long after your baby has outgrown it. The Go-Go Transporter is a finalist in the 2010 IDEA awards. It is designed to be used as a stroller, then convert to a wagon, a piece of luggage, or a dolly. It's just a concept now and it will probably never get made, but innovation usually starts as a strange concept.

See more here.

WIP Metro Stroller

I was starting to think that the WIP Metro was just another concept stroller that would never see a sales floor. But after four years in development, I just received word from the company's PR department that the stroller will soon be available. It will feature a stunning retro design rendered in thoroughly  modern materials.

If you saw a list of just the materials used you would assume that it was a racing bicycle or another piece of sporting equipment. The frame is made of lightweight ERGAL aluminum alloy tubing. While the components that compose the patented folding mechanism are made of IXEF fiberglass reinforced techno-polymer.  And there are three magnesium alloy wheels with centralized brakes. I wasn't joking when I said high tech.

Read more here.

Silver Cross Surf

In the United States Silver Cross is primarily known for it's traditional prams, but they also make modern stylish stroller systems. Their newest stroller is the lightweight Surf. Silver Cross made the stroller 1/3 lighter by using magnesium alloys normally used in aerospace manufacturing. The stroller can be used from birth when used with the included Babynest. The Babynest allows the stroller seat to be used in a fully reclined position. It can also be used with the Ventura S infant seat. The seat can reversed, has an air ride suspension, and a compact single hand fold.

The 2010 Bugaboo Bee

The revised version of the Bugaboo Bee is due to be released in April. They may a few changes to make the stroller easier to use. First off, for safety the seat can only be removed empty. Bugaboo made the backrest and canopy height adjustable so that older children won't be so cramped once they get a little bigger. The backrest also now curves forward instead of backward to improve ergonomics. In addition the seat is wider and they removed the armrests. With no armrests there is less of risk of little fingers being pinched. Of course all this innovation will cost you over $100 more than the previous Bee. $649.99

The First Years Indigo Stroller

Designers  of affordable strollers are taking cues from more expensive strollers, and designing strollers that parents actually want to push. The First Years will be introducing the Indigo to go along with the introduction of the First Years Wave. It will have a reversible seat with five point harness, and is rated for use to 50lbs. It can be folded with or without the seat. The Indigo also has an attachment for use with most car seats.

Preorder Orbit G2 Now

Preorder your Orbit G2 now, Amazon says it will be shipping them on March 19.

And for the first time you will be able to purchase just the car seat and base ($400 ). It's probably the most expensive newborn car seat available in the United States, but I have one from when I was pregnant and it is the only car seat I would use if I had a baby. As is, I use it as a sculpture in my closet, even though I should auction it off.

And if you want the stroller system but can't afford $900, Juvenile Shop has the original on sale for a slightly more affordable $699.99.

The First Years Wave Stroller

The First Years Wave Stroller reminds me a lot of the Mothercare Spin, except that it cost less than half the price and is available in the United States. The seat has the same swivel motion for rotating the seat from front to back. This European styled stroller (weighing just 24lbs) has higher adjustable handle, a multi-postition recline, one touch brakes, and a large storage basket. And since it fully reclines you can use it from birth as a bassinet until your tot is about 50lbs. It also will accept the First Wave Via car seat and most Chicco and Graco cars seats.  $299.99

Phil & Teds Smart Stroller Nearing Release

before
It is always interesting to see how a stroller changes from a prototype to a production "vehicle".  I mention this because the Phil &Teds Smart stroller is nearing it's release date. And that weird "Croc"-looking seat has been replaced with a more conventional looking seat. The seat is still being made of the Aero Core material, it just looks like almost every other stroller seat. But it will still weigh in at under 13lbs.

after


$249.99

Curio Avventura Stroller

Here is another stroller that will probably never see America's shores. Designed for a densely populated urban country, the Curio Avventura is narrow enough to fit through a Japanese subway ticket gate. And it is a stroller designed for parents who aren't driving huge SUVs, it can fit in the back of a small car.

There is a normal version of the stroller, the A and a sports version, the R. By replacing the front wheels the Avventura R can be used off road, as a jogger, or as a bicycle trailer.

 

The stroller comes in four different frame colors: black, yellow, orange, and olive green with a choice of a black or grey seat. Sooner or later you will be able to purchase the seats in additional covers. It is rather unusual that a stroller has more color options for the frame than the seat, but the yellow and black reminds me of Bumblebee from Transformers.

 

I think the stroller is perfect, but others may find a few problems with it. The seat doesn't seem to recline, so it can only be used after the baby can sit well on its own. Curio is recommending it for kids 6months to 3 years. And the handle seems fixed at 940mm (about 37inches). Not so great if you are tall. And there is no cupholder. But the tubing is a lightweight 22mm alluminum bicycle pipe, so you can use bicycle accessories. So add your own cupholder, lights, or even one of those cute bicycle bells.

The stroller will cost 69,000 yen ($755) for the type A and 78,000 yen ($854)for the type R.  The Curio Avventura will be available in Japan in early 2010.

Mama &Papas Mylo

You can now preorder the Mamas & Papas Mylo for a March delivery. The base price for the stroller and carrycot is £695. And the website has this fun interface where you build the exact color combination that you want.
Update: It seems the company has given Gwen Stefani one early. I think it was a big mistake. Because she has been seen pushing her oldest son in it, and he looks all cramped in it. Not the look you are going for with a luxury stroller.

Seed Pli Stroller

The Seed Pli kind of reminds me of strollers from the early 80s. But made with lightweight materials. The Pli is sleek and minimalist in a way that is very Danish. The pushchair converts from a carrycot to a seat. There is a collapsible frame, the wheels fold, and the handle adjusts for parent comfort.  And you have a choice of fixed or swivel wheels.

It also comes with the usual range of accessories. But if you live in a snowy area take heart. One of the Pli's accessories is a set of skis that attach to the wheels.


£799-839

Maclaren Stroller Recall

Maclaren strollers are as posh as it gets in my little hick town. (I have an Orbit, but I never got an actual baby to put in it. And have returned to my life of sin. But that's another story.) So this comes as a shock, Maclaren is recalling every stroller they have produced as far back as 1999. That's over a million strollers. It seems that little children have been losing fingers in the latches.

HIGHLY REGARDED FOR SAFETY, MACLAREN VOLUNTARILY PROVIDES CHILD PROOF SOLUTION FOR ITS STROLLERS SOLD IN THE U.S.

(South Norwalk, CT— November 9, 2009) Consistent with Maclaren USA’s  unwavering commitment to child safety we are providing U.S. consumers notice of a voluntary recall of all Maclaren umbrella strollers sold in the U.S.  In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Maclaren is providing free of charge to all affected consumers and retailers a kit to cover the elbow joint on the umbrella stroller’s side hinge mechanism which can pose a potential finger hazard to a child when the operator is opening or closing the umbrella stroller.  

Safety is Maclaren’s first priority and through this voluntary effort we urge consumers to contact us immediately to obtain the kit which consists of hinge covers designed specifically to fit all Maclaren umbrella strollers. These easy to fit hinge covers will insure proper precautions are taken by the operator to avoid injury when opening or closing the umbrella stroller.

This voluntary recall does not relate to U.S. standards not being met. Maclaren umbrella strollers meet all U.S. ASTM & JPMA compliance standards. These certifications guarantee Maclaren umbrella strollers meet the required maximum safety standards. Maclaren umbrella strollers have served as the benchmark for quality for umbrella strollers and have maintained outstanding records for safety along with durability for over 40 years.

To obtain the hinge covers consumers can visit our website at

www.maclaren.us/recall or contact us toll-free at 877-688-2326 between the hours of 9am – 5pm Eastern Time. Maclaren U.S.A. stresses all operators read the instruction manual prior to use which contains valuable safety tips and service recommendations.

Since 1967, Maclaren has engineered its strollers to specifically exceed global standards for safety, reliability and durability. Nothing carries the Maclaren name until it is researched, tried and tested. Maclaren’s formal compulsory Zero Tolerance policy of safety issues is built upon the provenance when you buy something for your baby excellence is the least you expect.                                                                       

-more-

Maclaren Press Release

Page -2-

Important Safety Tips from Maclaren

Always read the operating instructions before use—don’t force the mechanisms—stop and check the instructions.

Keep children clear of the stroller during opening and folding.

Never leave your child unattended in a stroller – even with the harness fastened.

Always use the safety harness.

Don’t overload the stroller. Heavy items hanging from the handles can cause the stroller to topple over."

Mothercare Spin

For a while all of the cool strollers were of Dutch design, but it seems that Britain is where to look if you want true stroller innovation. When I saw video of the Mothercare Spin pushchair I was really impressed. It converts to a pram like the Peg Perego Skate, fully reclines in stroller mode, and will hold a car seat. So you can actually use it from birth. And the company makes getting your baby in and out of the stroller much easier by simply allowing the bumper bar to open and close. And once you take the seat off it folds like a dream. But the coolest feature is the spinning mechanism. You press a button on the handle and you are able to rotate the seat from forward facing to parent facing with just a single hand. Video below. £420

Patron Terix 3

There is bumper crop of innovative strollers coming out of Europe in the next year. Patron will be introducing the Terix 3. It is a stroller designed for urban living, complete with a host of accessories, including covers and foot covers designed for hot and cold weather.

Features:
* full-aluminum 3-wheel chassis,
* comfort suspension,
* unique „edgeFlow” design,
* clip-A-go modular interface,
* built-in hand-operated brake system,
* height and angle adjustable handlebar,
* wheels – front 10” solid / rear 12” inflatable,
* reflexive safety marks

• detachable, reversible, tilt-in space function,
  
• adjustable footrest,
  
• ergonomic backrest with enhanced lateral fixation and headrest,
  
• removable PENTEX upholstery,
  
• removable comfort insert for smaller babies,
  
• adjustable safety bar,
  
• 5-point harness with shoulder pads,
  
• hood with summer mesh,
  
• reflexive safety marks

You know when a stroller is designed for the European market by just looking at the storage basket. They aren't designed for carrying half of your baby's belongings in. And there is no word if the stroller will be gracing the shores of North America.