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26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Elite vs Mini vs Bob vs UppaBaby vs Phil and Teds, May 15, 2010
I used the City Mini for 18 months then decided to upgrade to the Elite...
The City Mini is like a tight little sports car, small compact, tight steering but you can feel every bump on the ground so best suited for indoor use or perfectly paved surfaces. The Elite is like a big Cadillac with a soft gentle ride, but definitely not as easy to maneuver in very tight quarters. It's only 2 inches wider than the Mini but the back wheels have little caps that stick out an additional inch and tend catch on things. So while I can fit in doorways easily, I definitely feel like I need to be more aware of the footprint. With the Mini, I never thought about fitting into spaces and with the Elite I find I am much more careful about "fitting".
What I do love about the Elite are the large 12 inch wheels. We live in a city with lots of brick and cobblestone streets/walkways. I was concerned that I might need to go up to the 16 inch wheels offered by Bob Revolution or the BabyJogger Summit, but the 12 inch wheels handle these rough terrain perfectly. While the Mini was more compact, it was hard maneuvering over the big tree roots growing out of the sidewalks. The Elite pushes so easily over the big bumps that the narrow walkways are no problem at all. I even pushed the stroller around on uncut grass and it maneuvered smoothly. So if you're concerned about 12 inch vs 16 inch wheels, go for the 12 inch to save space unless you plan on serious off-roading or long distance running.
I also called BJ about some of the specifications because several websites indicated the newer 2010 model with forever tires was 12% lighter. That is NOT the case at all. The older models with air filled tires are nearly 2 lbs lighter. So if you're really worried about weight, consider getting the older model. Also, the footprint of the stroller is the same width between 2010 and older models...the extra width is due to the handbrake only. The basket on 2010 model is larger. The royal blue, stone and all black are no longer offered in 2010. Everything else is the same.
Some other strollers that I considered were:
Bob Revolution---didn't choose because back height much shorter and I felt my regular sized toddler would outgrow within a year. Plus the seat did not sit upright fully and I felt my toddler was very slouchy in the seat. There was no bumper bar offered that she could hold onto and sit up. Plus no option for additional seat for second child.
UppaBaby Vista---ride definitely not as smooth. Very hard suspension despite large tires. Basically the ride was like the City Mini so for the huge price tag, not worth it for me.
BJ Summit--I seriously considered this stroller for its off road capabilities but honestly the Elite is perfect for our outdoor use and it's smaller and lighter. No need for the Summit unless you are a serious runner.
Bumbleride Indie---weight limit only 45 lbs vs 75lbs for the Elite, plus no opportunity to add another seat for second child.
Phil and Teds---terrible canopy and some issues with quality.
Overall, I love the City Elite. The only reason for 4 stars is that it is a little wide and I wish the wheels didn't have those silly caps that stick out. Also, great ride but when going backwards to forwards there is always a small catch as the front wheel has to turn 180 degrees. Lastly, I didn't think it would be such a big deal, but the adjustable handle bar is one of my favorite features. I'm short and I find it much much much easier to push the stroller when I have full control of how high the handle is. Didn't realize how much wrist and arm strain I had until I actually had the opportunity to control the height. Really I'd give this stroller 4.75 stars.
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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Check the Specs!, March 3, 2010
After researching strollers, from reading Baby Bargains to reading lots of blogs, this is by far the best stroller for average neighborhood, park, and various outdoor use.
One important thing I have learned that may not be obvious: The reviews on Amazon are bundled- so every stroller/product option shown shares the same reviews. This can be very misleading.
The strollers shown here are from 2 different years. The model numbers and the weights are the key. One review mentioned the foam tires. As far as I know this is a great new improvement for 2010 models- and not on the 2009 models. The Blue, both Black, and Stone models have air tires, the Red, Lime, and Sky have the forever air tires. If color isn't a big deal- get the forever tires for the same price! The 2010 versions are usually way more expensive elsewhere- it looks like this retailer isn't aware of this great improvement and this can save you maybe 150!
The 2009 models are still great and the best- the only difference I can see from 2010 are the tires and possibly parent console. I just know how confusing all the stroller choices can be and I hope this can help. Also, you can call Baby Jogger directly with any model number and they can tell you what year it is and any details you need- they are great! If looking at 2007 or 2008 models, confirm with BJ what the upgrades have been- I think there were some major updates like child weight limits.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Stroller, but there are a few cons, May 26, 2010
I think it's important to mention that I have the 2009 model. That means that I have a foot brake vs. hand brake (no problem or complaint here), the tires are air (would have been nice to have the forever air foam tires in the 2010, but not that big a deal for me), and the basket is quite a bit smaller on the 2009. From what I understand however the 2009 is a couple of pounds lighter than the 2010.
All in all, I do like this stroller a lot. Both of my kids seem very comfortable in it (newborn, now 6 months and a 2 year old). It reclines fully and with some head support it is great for a newborn. My previous stroller is a bugaboo and what I was looking for more than anything was simplicity. I find the Bugaboo a pain to operate, fold, attach car seats etc. The City Elite is great for that - given how easy it is to fold. So many reviews went into such great detail about the stroller that I won't repeat the same sentiments but I have two complaints that I wish I had seen in person (as I bought this online without testing it out first).
- The seat does not sit upright. I find that my toddler is always slouched. He seems comfortable enough but because the seat is somewhat "flimsy" and not structured like the bugaboo he can't be seated fully upright. This makes the child tray a bit useless in my opinion as it's not aligned properly to the way that the child is sitting. It is also very wide in the back and it seems unnecessary. I also own the Baby Jogger City Classic Double and it is only slightly wider because they kept the back wheels tucked in nicely under the seats. With the Elite singles the wheels go out much farther from the frame of the stroller. Makes getting around trickier than you would think for a single. I also find it really long and think that they could have kept the front tire tucked in under the frame rather than protrude so far out.
With all that said, the stroller is still great - rides really well, effortless really. Kids seem really comfortable and it is incredibly easy to fold. It's not a lightweight stroller and it can take up a fair bit of room but that's mostly because of the tires. If you need to pack it in to a tight space you can always pop off the tires.
I would recommend this stroller but would like Baby Jogger to improve upon the things I mentioned.
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