Reviews Written By: A1XN6OXREM2O35provided by Amazon.com |
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 | Graco Quattro Tour Duo Stroller Ionic | |
 | "Some smart features and some flaws -- a good stroller with caveats" | 2008-06-24 |
| Two years ago, I never would have imagined myself any sort of expert on strollers. But two kids -- and a half dozen different strollers (sigh) -- can work wonders. I picked up the Graco Quattro Duo after the birth of my second daughter, namely because I wanted a stroller that could easily fit a car seat (which I prefer over a bassinet), and the Quattro Duo does that nicely. What follows are my thoughts two months in. Please keep in mind that I live in Manhattan and have no intention of ever taking this stroller in a car, so the fold (which is easy, but huge) isn't something I can really talk about. Also, as a city dweller with lots of walking to do, I use a Bugaboo Cameleon and a Maclaren Quest for my single-stroller needs (bless them in-laws), so I've gotten used to their easy maneuverability and may be a bit unduly harsh on the Quattro's. That said, here's what I think: - Yes, this thing is huge. Other reviewers are correct: The photos don't do this stroller justice. It is longer and larger than it appears in the pictures. I sometimes feel like I need an intercom to communicate with my older daughter up front. And I always feel like I'm pushing an SUV. Between the weight of the stroller, the weight of the kids, and the weight of all the stuff you'll be lugging around in the storage spaces, figure you'll be pushing a good 80 to 100 pounds. The weight and length (it fits, barely, in a typical apartment building elevator) make it a bit difficult to steer, though in fairness, I'm still using the Bugaboo and that thing (another beast of a stroller) steers like a dream. So I could simply be jaded. - There are a ton of smart design decisions here. For all the buzz about the Bugaboo, the one thing I always disliked about it was the lack of toddler 'amenities' that can come in handy -- stuff like cup holders and extra storage space. The Quattro Duo is a champ in this regard. There are cup holders for the kids, cup holders for the parent (way) in back, a separate storage space for the bigger kid who rides up front (my daughter loves to reach in a grab stuff out of there like Houdini; though she's probably put on an extra five pounds for grabbing all the cookies I've stashed there for our be-good-while-we're-out-and-I'll-give-you-a-snack bribery sessions (sorry Dr. Spock, I am a weak man). There's a little fanny pack for the parent, which itself has a few handy compartments. And the storage space under the seats is huge, though the downside is that you'll find a way to fill it all, and that's just gonna be more stuff to haul around. -- The car seat fits nicely. I've only used a Graco infant seat, so can't speak to others, but it's plug-and-play simple. This was really my main criteria (I figure I'll probably sell this stroller and buy a more maneverable side-by-side when my younger daughter gets a bit bigger). -- It's not exactly top-of-the-line construction. The stroller costs about a fourth of my Bugaboo and while it's fair to say you get more bang for the buck with the Graco, no one is going to mistake it for, well, a Bugaboo. It's got a very plastic look (all that plastic can have that effect) and I often wonder if something is bound to break off (in fairness, nothing has -- yet). Consider, for example, the braking system. My Bugaboo has a hand lever you pull that stops the stroller dead. The Graco has a foot lever that's supposed to fit into ridges in the back axle and brake the stroller. Sometimes the fit isn't perfect and you have to keep kicking at it until you get the stroller to stop moving. -- It's kinda ugly. Sure, I get comments on the stroller, but they usually go to the many amenities (above) or the stroller's sheer length. It won't win any beauty contests and Graco doesn't help by offering a choice of color/pattern combinations that make Elvis's velvet-covered living room look tasteful. You really need to see this stroller in person, if you can, before buying. The platinum model, which looked nice on the Internet, was a real dog (at least to me) in the store. My wife finally opted for the "Galore" pattern, which is offered only by Toys R Us (I think). It won't win any beauty contests, either, but it's tolerable. - It's reasonably priced. At under $250, this is one of the more affordable double strollers I've seen. I'm sure I'll ultimately trade up to one of the $600 City Elite or Urban Mountain Buggy side-by-side strollers when my younger daughter gets a bit bigger and the Graco's car-seat advantage falls by the wayside -- how else could my wife ever show her face in Tribeca's Starbucks? But frankly, for what I use the Graco for (walks around the neighborhood), it more than earns its keep. -- I dig the handlebar. The Quattro Tour has the same U-type handle that I love on the Maclaren Quattro (an excellent single-kid umbrella stroller, by the way -- and also about a quarter of the price of a Cameleon). I've read complaints about the handlebar breaking off, but (knock wood) no troubles here so far. The shape definitely helps with the pushing, and it just looks cool. And, let's face it, when you're lugging two crying babies and haven't shaved in a week, you need all the cool you can get. Hope this helps. | ||
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