Bugaboo Donkey

Well someone had to ask so I figure it might as well be me..

I've been reading the stroller posts and think I'm set on the Bumbleride Indie Twin but my sister (who has a three-year and six-year old, and a much higher family income by the by) says, you should really look at the Bugaboo Donkey (she had one of the single ones). Check it out here http://www.bugaboo.com/build and see an in depth review here http://site.pishposhbaby.com/blog/2011/03/02/bugaboo-donkey-an-in-depth-review/.

So, this post can't continue without acknowledging that the twin configuration costs $1600! Crazy, right? But then I read all these posts on here about people having multiple strollers for different purposes, replacing strollers because they didn't work for their kids, lifestyle etc. and I can't help but think that all those purchases add up too! Do they add up to $1600, surely not always but I'd guess it could happen. Which leads to my questions:

If you had a stroller like this that could be configured in so many different ways, would you be able to have just the one and would it be worth it?
Would you be embarrassed because others would be thinking you were crazy to have such an expensive stroller? (please see some of the angry posts on the review page)
If you got it as a gift, would you be glad you did?

For me, I'm turned off by the price and the implied status symbol (which just isn't my thing) but the range of ways it can be used is really appealing (and we MAY be able to get this as a gift). So I'm hoping you can share your insights on my questions and anything else that might be relevant.

Thanks in advance,

Amy

P.S. A similar type of configuration comes from First Wheels for less. See http://www.firstwheels.nl/en/twin-specs.php but I'm worried the width is risky for standard doorways (it's almost 31.5 inches) but if you've got insights on that too, I'd appreciate it.

 

I'd put the status implications out of your mind. If this is something you have the means to get and it is something that you want, then get it. It's your prerogative.

I can't speak to how well it would work. We have this one that Kolcraft gave us. I like it pretty well. We had the Graco Duoglider and didn't like it a bit.

Since Paul is usually with me when we go out we've started to just use the umbrella strollers (the $30 ones from BabiesRUs).

Good luck!

 

If this stroller had existed when I had my kids, I would probably have it. You want a stroller that works for you. Period. Screw what other people think.

 

When buying a high end stroller, don't overlook the fact you will likely be able to sell it 4 years from now. I had a dreamer designs stroller (the company unfortunately went out of business) it came with a 20 year garuntee. And I used it hard core for 3 years. We transported it around on the roof rack of our car because it didn't fit inside. But still at the end of those 3 year it cleaned up to "like new" condition. I've seen a lot of people post over the years that x y or z stroller didn't hold up and they end up buying a new one when their kids are two years old. If it cost 1500 new I imagine you will be able to sell it for at least 500 if it's still in good condition when you are done with it.
Splurge on the stroller even if you skimp on everything else. I think a good stroller is a twin mom's life saver in the first two years. I've never heard anyone say having two exersaucers, or whatever has been their life saver.

 

I love my bumbleride. We use it for just about everything but jogging. We use our Bob for jogging as it is sturdier than the bumbleride. That being said, most likely if that had existed when I was pregnant, I would own it also. I love the bassinet feature, especially the double. My only question is how easy is it to transform it between the different modes?

 

Well I'm going to be the opposite of everyone here I say if you can find this or something similar used, then I would buy it, but I would never spend that kind of money on a stroller. I have 4 kids and I still haven't spent $1000 on strollers for all 4 of them together! :lol: But, I'm cheap, and we're on a strict budget, so something like this is way beyond on means!

If you love it, if it'll work for you, and you can afford it....go for it. But I wouldn't go bankrupt trying to get it, there's plenty of cheaper options available that will work as well. Personally, we went with a Double snap n go first, used, cost me $50 and I sold it for $50. Then we bought a Combi twin sport which was great from about 3 months onward. The only downfall was it doesn't do good offroad, so we bought a Baby Trend double jogger. Altogether I spent about $400. Now we use our jogger all the time, and I have 2 cheapie umbrella strollers for when we need them and we are travelling with no room for our jogger. I maybe maybe spent $400 in total for strollers for my older kids, if that.

You gotta do what's gonna work for you and what's right for your price range. Only you need to be happy with it, nobody else!

 

I did love my Baby Trend jogger for $199! But I still want a Bugaboo.

 

I got my stroller off a ebay as a model year close out, it was about 400. I just looked and this stroller is too new, none on ebay yet-but the single bugaboos are selling in autions for well over 200. So I feel pretty confident you could sell a double used for at least 500.

But then I never had much baby gear. For my singleton I had a bouncy seat and I still have carseat, a sling and a hammock, nothing else. I bought an umbrella stroller for $18 for a trip we made in July, but have only used it a couple of times since. But a quality double stroller--priceless. Why? get those babies used to sleeping in there and you can go all sorts of places. I did all my shopping with them in the stroller. We walked sometimes three times a day because they were never fussy in the stroller and always wanted to get out and see the world. I didn't have a swing I push the stroller back in forth instead of putting them in a swing. I used trayless high chairs that they couldn't sit in until about 9 months, from 6 to 9 months I fed them in the stroller. I spent a lot of time alone with my babies in their first year. It's hard to hold to babies, it's hard to carry two babies, it's hard to rock two babies, it's hard to read to two babies, it's hard to even make funny faces at two babies--but that all became manageable when they were in their side-by-side.

ETA: There is a sell of the firstwheels version on ebay http://stores.ebay.ca/mama4mama/Firstwheels-Strollers.html it look almost the same and comes in more colors.

 

Meli, I love the ode to a double stroller!

 

It is a gorgeous stroller and it looks great with lots of accessories and configurations, if you like it and can have it, i would do it in a heartbeat!!

 

I would never pay $1600 for a stroller. I was perfectly content with my Graco DuoGlider and I went EVERYWHERE with it. But, that's just me. It's your money. If you want it and can afford it then go for it. If you can't afford it, I wouldn't buy it. I never had to buy different strollers for different purposes, except I did buy a jogging stroller (used off craigslist) and a single stroller for my singletons.

 

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your feedback. I really appreciate your comments and insights. Looks like it's not coming out in Canada until March anyway so unless we take a drive to Buffalo, it may make the decision easier. If we do get it, I'll post a review in case others are interested. In the mean time, other comments are always welcome.

Thanks!

 

Okay, I have to post this, it's funny. DON'T read the comments, this site can be brutal. Just appreciate the humor.

Bugaboo tat

 

If you want it and can afford it, then go for it!!! Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks but you guys

We bought the Valco Baby Twin Tri mode EX. With the toddler seat and hood, it cost us near $1000. I can tell you that it's worth every single penny! It has huge wheels and GLIDES over grass EASILY. Even with 3 kids in it! Love how it's a side by side......we get comments on the stroller EVERY.SINGLE.TIME we go out with it!
It's a fantastic stroller!! Might be worth checking out!

 

Okay, so I actually think we're going to go with the Bumbleride. The final deciding factor was weight limits. The Bumbleride total weight capacity is 45 lbs/side (43 inches in height) whereas the Bugaboo is only 37.5 lbs/side (no height limit that I can find). Being able to keep using the stroller while the kids gain 8 more lbs each seems worth it, esp because DH and I are both tall (and not skinny). Do you agree?

Thanks in advance,

Amy

 

I think that's as good a reason to decide as any, but my average 3 1/2 year olds are only 30 and 31 pounds, so it's unlikely to be an issue either way. (And my DH and I are also tall--6'1" and 5'8"--and not skinny. They are both great strollers though.

 

From another tall person, please try the stroller before you buy it! I could never find one that had high enough handles and enough leg room and I consistently kicked the back of all the strollers that we owned.

 

A store called buy buy baby opened up here a few weeks ago and they have an awesome stroller selection!!!! I have 5 strollers before I bought the first one had buy buy baby been open and that stroller been out, I would have the bugaboo donkey but I just cant justify the expense when I have so many strollers. It is an AWESOME stroller!!!!!