Bob Stroller Comparison

Review by Stephen M. Charme : Great for jogging and off road use, but not my choice for everyday use

My grandchild is one year old and I bought this stroller for jogging and hiking on dirt trails in our local parks. It does a superb job for each. However this is not a stroller that I would buy for everyday use, especially if you live in the suburbs rather than a big city, where people walk most places and don't need to constantly take a stroller in and out of a car trunk. Let me describe the stroller, which I bought at REI since they have a lifetime return policy.1. The construction is first rate, the fabric used is high quality, and it takes literally seconds to open and close, which is very simple. Just pull a red handle to lift the stroller into the open position. To close, just push two levers on the top forward and the stroller collapses (I disagree with the leading negative review that this is at all difficult). There is a wrist strap on the handle to be used when jogging that can be buckled to keep the stroller closed when it is folded. I NEVER use the wrist strap while jogging. I know that its purpose is to prevent the stroller from getting away from you if you lose your grip, but I think it is dangerous to use. If I tripped while jogging and had the wrist strap on, not only could I break my wrist from the force of the stroller with a child in it, but the odds are that I would flip the stroller too. If I felt myself going down I would rather just hold onto the handlebar and try to slow the stroller down. Just my opinion.2. The stroller has two modes--walk (the front wheel swivels) and jog (the front wheel is locked into position and stays straight). There is a simple red knob on the front wheel that allows you to easily switch between the two positions, and it literally takes just two seconds to switch.Note: If you are ONLY going to jog, and don't mind having the front wheel permanently locked, then you can buy a less expensive BOB stroller known as the Sport Utility model, on which the front wheel does not swivel at all. Yes you can turn the stroller with a locked front wheel--but you have to lift the front of the stroller to do so. I did not want to be so limited, especially hiking on trails, which is why I bought the Revoution SE instead.3. This rides very smooth for jogging, and handles off road surface well when walking. The reason is that this is a very heavy stroller (24 pounds--I weighed it on my luggage scale, which makes it heavier than any of the other strollers that my grandchild has, which I discuss below) and has very large wheels--again larger than on her other strollers. Unlike other strollers, these wheels are inflatable just like bicycle tires. They need to be kept at 30psi for best performance. Of course jogging with a seriously under inflated wheel could be dangerous; ordinary walking would just be more difficult. You don't have to check tire pressure all the time, but ask yourself if you want to bother having to check it at all if you are considering this as an everyday stroller. You might not want to have to deal with an unexpected flat tire just when you need to use the stroller.This takes up a lot of space in a trunk, and is heavy to put in and take out. Yes, each of the wheels has a quick release lever (just like bicycle wheels), so you can take them all off to save trunk space. This might make sense on a long trip, but I can tell you from experience that this is not something you would want to do on a regular basis, especially with a cranky young child or in inclement weather. Plus, using quick release wheels takes some getting used to. As the directions point out, if the "quick release lever does not leave a visible imprint in the palm of your hand" after you put the wheel back on, then you have not done it right.4. I do agree with the leading negative review that there is no soft padding on the seat, though I disagree that the crotch strap is too short (it is adjustable) or that buckling your child in is any more difficult than on any other stroller. When the canopy is fully extended, there is a "window" on top that lets you see your child. There is also ample storage underneath. You can adjust the seat to a reclining position using two straps, though for jogging you need to keep it fully upright (the further back it is, the less stability you have).However I would not use this as an everyday stroller. My grandchild (who lives in Manhattan) started out with the Bubaboo Cameleon stroller for local neighborhood walking (which I have reviewed on Amazon), and then at about nine months also started using the Maclaren Quest Sport stroller (which I have reviewed on Amazon) for traveling in cabs and subways, as well as day trips out of the city (like visiting me and my wife) since it is more light weight, easier to fold and close, and easier to carry with a carrying strap. And at my house she sometimes used the Graco Infant Car Seat stroller frame (which I have reviewed on Amazon).I mention these different strollers because all of these provide more comfortable seating, and are lighter and more compact (except maybe the heavier and bulkier Bugaboo) than the Revolution SE, which for me is a special purpose stroller for jogging and off road use. Yes, it can be used as an everyday stroller, but its strength lies not in lots of comfortable padding or a light weight compact size when folded, but rather in great stability while jogging or walking off road.For walking only the recommended age range is 8 weeks-8months; for jogging/off-road use it is 8 months-5 years. The stroller can accommodate a child up to 70 pounds.5. This stroller comes with a very clear and well illustrated manual that explains everything. Among the advanced features is a simple form of wheel alignment in case the stroller does not roll in a straight line (which could occur after off road use, the same as when a car goes over lots of bumps), and a shock absorber setting.Bottom line: This is a special use stroller that works great for jogging and off road use. For everyday use I would get something else whether you live in the city or the suburbs.

Review by PghYinzer "more of myself after winter" : New not really improved

Changing and updating my review because ultimately I have decided to go with the old model of the Bob. I have had a 2011 in plum, a 2010 in mesa orange, a 2007 in mesa orange, and a 2008 dualie in mesa orange. The dualie I have had the longest, since it was new, and have used the most, with my twins. Just had a new baby a few months ago and I wanted a single Bob for him. My biggest complaints about my dualie would have been - seat recline is two handed, doesn't stay closed when folded easily (there's a way to do it with the wrist strap, but it's annoying), canopies not great for tall kids, shocks move back to position 1 when folded, harness is confusing/cumbersome (large plastic buckles next to child's face/neck), storage basket not the easiest to get in/out of, though size is good. But it's built like a tank, pushes like a dream, handles bumps and rough terrain amazingly well, and does well enough indoors that it has been my only double for quite some time. I went through a number of tandem styles before buying the bob and it is the BEST as far as a joy to push while exercising - my girls also fight MUCH less in the side by side set-up vs. tandem. So I knew I wanted a single Bob for the new baby, just didn't know if I wanted new or old style. I got a new "old" one from Amazon as well as a 2011 from another store, planning to decide and return the one I didn't want. The harness was changed in 2010 and it was much simpler to understand. The means of pulling back the canopy excess also changed from a yellow pull cord to black canvas straps that velcro in place. The yellow pull cord was part of a recall, where the "fix" was to remove the cord - leaving you with no means of pulling the canopy back. I suspect most people with pull cords did not remove them. I have a slight preference for the pull cord method but honestly have never felt a need to pull up the extra material - if the shade is up, I just stuff it behind my kid's head. My kids like to play with the canopies; if the excess is drawn up, you can't pull the canopy down, so having it pulled up with annoy my kids. It's a weird Bob feature. Other strollers have a more dome-shaped canopy, rather than straight out and flat, so the excess is up and out of the way. This out and flat shape is why taller kids get hit in the head with the Bob canopy. So the 2010 Bob actually has some improvements over the older models that a lot of people think are part of the 2011 line-up. Otherwise, though, 2007-2010 Bobs are all the same. Looking at the 2011 - Pros: - basket is much easier to access. I think it is the same SIZE, but it is a lower and flared shape that allows for easier access. - flared wheelbase means it is more stable on uneven ground. (This is NOT an issue with the dualie as it is so wide already, and it is largely a theoretical benefit with the single as it handles most terrain just fine) - buckle to keep it closed - extra pocket at head that pulls up when stroller is reclined does not have padding sew in to it - which means you don't have a weird lump at the top when seat is upright (my kids never complained but I find it an odd design) - Sun flap behind visor has velcro to hold it up - Window cover has flap to tidily stuff flap inside - Shocks slightly easier to adjust Cons: - recline is harder to do, IMO. On the old, undoing or doing two buckles instantly took you from upright to "flat." On the new you have to slide along two straps and it is much more cumbersome. People claim now there is a range of positions but 1. there was a range with the old style, it was just annoying so no one did/realized it, and 2. "up" is already semi-reclined, I don't really know why you're want anything in between anyway. (The amount they recline is the same, and I have seen reports that the new seat is more "generous" but they measure the same, single to single - dualie has narrower seats though, compared to single - not a change, always has) - new footwell drives me BATTY. The claim is the new plastic nose is easier to keep clean than fabric - but the place the feet will actually go is... fabric. A plasticy fabric, but it's a deep well so a cleaning is going to require flipping and turning to get debris etc out - not JUST a simple wipe. The space for feet is now longer but also tapers at the end whereas the old style was cut off sooner with a ledge which to me seems much more comfortable to press/rest the feet upon. The new footwell is the single most thing I don't like about the new design. I don't like the looks, and I don't think it looks comfortable for my kid. (I don't think this matters with the dualie as the space is still wide on that one - but I should point out I have used my dualie as a triple by having one of my girls sit in the footwell - you could also use the single in this manner, as a double - the new style doesn't look as comfortable to do this) - Heat-pressed seat and back are *slightly* firmer but also lumpy - I think the lumpiness/firmess esp. of the lumbar area looks like it would be bothersome. I really think the new seats look flashier more than anything - people complain about the hammock aspect of the old but there really isn't a huge difference there to me. - Handlebar foam is thinner and "stickier" - I felt like my hands stuck to it if I was really sweating, whereas with the older thicker stuff my hands more floated over it. Old handle bad much more comfortable to me. - Buckle to hold it shut is something you could buy for a few bucks at a fabric store, not worth a huge price hike, and still requires bending over and fiddling rather than being something automatic. - Wrist strap, if you were to use it, would now cause the stroller to flip over should you fall - the old attached to the base so if you lost control and fell it would just stop. Granted I am not in the habit of falling when I walk and most people never seem to use the straps anyway but if you were to use it and you were to fall it is actually a horrible design. - Pocket to hide peek-a-boo flap makes it harder to do/undo flap while moving - No more height allowance for tall child - Shocks still go back to position 1 when folded (This may never matter with a single, where the weight border is 50 pounds I think, but with the double it is an issue) - Old Bob made of rip-stop canvas which just seemed more durable to me - there are reports of the old fading but I never had a problem with that. Neutral: - Closing latches now plastic, which some think is flimsier than metal, but are tough plastic so IMO not a concern - Canopy ratchets up and down, coverage and functionallity are the same - Fabric is slippery, flashier looking, comes down to personal preference - but Bob logo now printed, not embroidered, which seems cheaper to me - Flared design means wider wheel base which odds are you will not notice but some are concerned about I initially went with the 2011 model. Used it for a while. Love that bigger basket. But that thinner handlebar and that weird footwell, I just could not make myself love. I have used it with a baby and with my 3 year olds. (BTW you can put a baby in a bob by reclining it and using a body support - but this brings up another point - while the new model allows easier on/off of car seat and adapter devices, you pay a lot more for them. The old model had a universal adapter and tray combo and while it's not the best it's still IMO good in theory - now the adapters are brand specific and the tray is another item altogether and still doesn't look great - honestly we never felt the lack of tray and it makes in and out harder for toddlers but if you are looking at the new and thinking this is a benefit, it's really not that important.) So in the end I snagged a used 2007 single and am using that. Largely, it comes down to looks. Buy what is cheapest and/or which you love. I think I am biased towards the sportier look of the old, and I love that mesa orange color. The bones are the same, the push is great, it is sturdy and durable. There is not a clear winner. The old drew me back, though, and I wonder if Bob will end up making changes to the "new" once people have used them for a while. In other words I think they have made changes, but not perfected it. I feel like the old is still closer to the ideal. Ideally - I'd have kept that 2010 mesa orange while I had it in hand - but the 2007 I snagged came with a bunch of add-ons for less money so I can't complain too much.

Review by Bhaktidiem : I love it!!!!!

I just received the BOB stroller two weeks ago. -My husband and I love it! He runs 5 miles a day and he really loved the locking wheel feature. He felt that it was easy to handle and great for his runs. However, most important, my daughter loves the BOB. The seats are adjustable and she sits quite comfortably in it. She loves long walks and on the way back home from the park or library she falls asleep quite easily. The little sunroof on top allows us to see what she is doing ...or if she is about to throw a toy overbopard and we love the sunshade. I did by cup holder separately ...which is annoying beacuse I think it should come with it for the price ...but that is a minor detail. ;) So far this has been a great addition to our family and has promoted for us more jogs and walks around our neighborhood. -For me that is worth the price.

Review by Claire Smith : Absolutely Amazing Stroller!

I recently purchased and have been nothing short of amazed by the quality of this stroller, as well as the ease of use. It's very lightweight by all standards for a jogging stroller. The manuverability is amazing - it turns on a dime, easily pushes with one hand & glides smoothly across smooth pavement and gravel roads alike. The canopy is great for sunny days - you can open it fully practically covering the child completely or you can open it halfway or fully. The various options allow you to customize coverage for your child depending on their height and the brightness. We've been so pleased with the stroller and the ease of use that we got rid of our travel system stroller (gave it to the grandparents to keep at their house for when baby visits). This has become our all purpose stroller - it's great for runs, neighborhood walks or shopping trips at the mall. We purchased the new Chicco infant adapter. It works perfectly - it's very simple to click into the slots on the stoller so we in essence can use the BOB as a travel system with our infant,. We have no need for any other stollers at this point. After using the BOB, I could never use another stroller. I'm already confident we'll be getting the Bob Revolution Duallie for when we have our second child. All in all, this is an amazing stroller. It's so worth the investment for the years of use you'll get out of it. Definitely the best baby purchase we have made.

Review by Karen D : LOVE the 2011 Revolution SE PLUM

we just upgraded our 2009 Revolution for the new 2011 SE. LOVE it, the upgrades are worth the extra $$ nicely padded seat (huge upgrade) new fabrics and colors (finally!) the Plum is beautiful and still gender neutral. the updated styling is a nice change over the old BOBs that have looked the same for 5 years! only complaint is the jogging leash has been shortened and moved to the handle bar instead of on the axle so if you fall the stroller is coming down with you. The new 2011 Single is a little wider than the 2010 Single. In my opinion it improves the push and stability of the stroller.

Review by Casey Robinson-Pierce : I am breaking up with BOB after a two year relationship...single tear!

I feel like a traitor to say this, but after two years of relative bliss, our relationship is over! So sad. Bob was our only stroller for two years and we took him everywhere (a million flights, marathon training, beach, etc.)but then our relationship changed... What happened was= our daughter grew. Imagine that. And around 1.5-2 years old, the canopy was way too much in her face. I sold my 2009, and went into REI to buy the 2011 model after hearing some good things. She sat in it for less than a minute and wanted out. It's so awkward for her. She's only going to get taller, so I guess we'll go with the Baby Jogger Summit or Mountain Buggy Terrain, since we are both runners and want our kid to enjoy being in the stroller for long stretches of time.I don't understand why BOB doesn't amend the canopy? Also, the other two have hand brakes, which is helpful for running on hills! And they're made for taller people (we are 5'9" and 6'1")so I think our needs will be suited better with another brand. If you are short, have a short kid, or don't run on hills= this stroller will be great for you! We loved it until our babylady hit the 3 foot mark around 21 months! p.s. this is minutiae- but the BOB was very difficult for our parents to unfold and set up after a while, it took some muscle. I am looking forward to another brand's easier set up, for myself some, but truly for them while they watch our babe.

Review by Jammie : Amaaaaazing

I have had my eye on the BOB stroller for quite awhile now, but just didnt know if it was feasible enough to spend all that $$$$$...well it is!!!!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this stroller, it rolls like a dream! Before this stroller, I was using a Baby Trend Expedition, which does the job, but just wasn't the cadillac I wanted. The great points about this stroller are the sun shade, the ability to turn on a dime, my little man has plenty of room to grow and he LOVES going out on walks. If you are not a jogger this stroller is still GREAT! But if you are a jogger this stroller is truely amazing and makes pushing a stroller much easier! One thing that I wish could be changed, is the size of the basket, but it's really not that big of a deal since it's about the same size on the Baby Trend. The stroller is also on the bigger side of sizes, but I like that it is sturdy. It is fairly easy to fold up, just make sure you read the instructions before you leave ;)I know some people have complained about the sun shade drooping, but if you close it correctly then there should be no problems and there will be plenty of room above the head area. I also read somewhere that someone thought that the middle buckle, between the legs is too short...um its adjustable!!!!! If you open it to the biggest size there is plenty of room!!! So if you are skeptical whether you should spend the $, its totally worth it, so go for it!!!!

Review by SB : Love it ;-)

Love the stroller. Bought it last week and took it for a nice 5 mile jog today. I was contemplating getting the older model as it is way cheaper, but I am so happy I didn't the new back/seat cushioning is great I saw the older model in the store and think the 2011 definitely holds kids better in position especially younger ones. It rides nice and smooth and navigates with ease. My baby loves it and loves to nap in it. Don't like that the cup holder is still not standard, but not a deal breaker. Anyway it is a great stroller we have a secondary one from Germany which I love for nice walks so the BOB is for working out only for now. Great purchase and I would definitely recommend it to anyone else.

Review by bens mom "Bensmom" : BOB saved my son's life. Really.

I was out the other day and my son was asleep in his BOB. I have loved my BOB since I bought it but now I have even more reason to! I was loading my son in the car. I had it pulled up alongside my car and was turned slightly putting my purse down so I could lift him out and put him into his carseat. I heard a weird noise and looked behiund me.. the car next to mine was backing out and was crushing my stroller between my car and hers. My son was asleep in it. I started screaming and she stopped. I motioned for her to pull forward. She felt terrible when she realized what had happened. She did not see me or my son when she looked she said. (My son I felt was in a safe spot out of the way of traffic btw, I am very safety concious.) She had a Chevy cavalier. The bumper on her car crumpled/formed AROUND the steel frame on the BOB. The steel frame on the BOB saved my sons life. If he had been in a cheaper, less sturdy stroller he might have been crushed. BTW my stroller is fine and my son slept through the whole thing. I am so thankful for the sturdy construction of this stroller. I realize this is a freak accident, but again, THANK YOU BOB! And God of course : )

Review by Mommy on the Move : BOB is the Best!

I read hundreds of reviews on the BOB Revolution before purchasing ours and now I am adding my review to help out if you're considering buying a BOB. We purchased the 2011 Revolution in black and we LOVE it! Purchasing the BOB is like buying a BMW or Mercedes - it's the best! My husband and I are not necessarily runners, but we do a lot of power walking on trails, the track, and streets. The BOB also goes everywhere with us in the back of our Mitsubishi Montero Sport so that our baby can be comfortable where ever we are going. The BOB is more expensive, but it's worth every penny you pay!!! I knew that I did not want a travel system stroller because the wheels are not durable on those strollers. Those strollers are also not made for exercising. I can take my BOB to the mall and power walk for a while and then go into any store and the stroller will turn on a dime around merchandise racks and tight spaces. Here are some great features: 1.) The canopy is HUGE and I love the look-through window to see your toddler! Our baby is not that big yet but with the car seat attached, the canopy will fold over the car seat and protect our infant from wind or sun. 2.) The BOB folds and unfolds so easily. With one flip the stroller is open and standing! It's fairly light and even I at 125 pounds can lift it into the back of the car. 3.) The new 2011 model has the belt that straps the stroller together when folding it down so that it doesn't come apart when you're lifting it into the car. I REALLY like that!!! I think that was one of the biggest complaints on the older model. 4.) For a jogging stroller, the basket underneath is still a good size. I've seen strollers with bigger baskets underneath, but they are travel system strollers that are meant only for going to the mall, etc, not for working out. I can fit the diaper bag and some purchases in the lower basket on the BOB. There is also the flat pocket on the back of the stroller that will hold flat purchases or things like diapers and wipes. 5.) The shocks and suspension on this stoller are amazing! It smooths the ride for our infant and when we roll over uneven pavement, rocks or branches you can hardly feel it. 6.) Lots of other little features like the parking brake at your foot, removable wheels, ultra padded handle bar, reclining seat, safety belt for the infant car seat and extra durable material. The makers of the BOB throught of EVERYTHING! I know the $400-$500 price seems like a lot, but it will last forever. I didn't mind praying that price for a stroller that will give me all the freedom I need as a new mommy to get out there and tone back up from having a baby. Having such a high end stroller is motivation to me versus using a cheep one that I really hate how it pushes or how the baby rides. You will love using the BOB! We also purchased the Infant Car Seat Adapter for our Graco Snugride 30 car seat and the Handlebar Console. Don't get the BOB without the console - you are going to need it! When spending so much money for a stoller I wish the console came with it, but really, what's another $20 so that you can have drink holders and places to put sunglasses, phone and keys? I like having all those things up top at my fingertips. The BOB Revolution is worth it! If you put the money out now for the best stroller, you won't have to put out more money later.