Baby Carriers...

[Snot-Rocket]

Must have accessories for the spawning outdoor enthusiasts:

Our mainstay Baby Carrier (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47690739&parent_category_rn=4500629&vcat=REI_SSHP_KIDS_CLOTHING_TOC) is from REI- have a two year old version of this and this thing rocks. You can put a camel back in it and walk all day with it. The pack comes off as a back pack and the Spouse and I divide the load.

We just ordered this nifty carrier ( http://www.myfavoritebabycarrier.com/) it is easier to carry and seems a bit more friendly for the around town day trips and Smithsonian Tours and what not.

Anyway, not MTB specific- but cool gear. These things have been lifesavers by me for getting out and about when the bikes are not happening due to midget opns.

Rah,

[ThatHurt]

Thanks for the info. I got one on the way any day now and will be looking for a backpack carrier when the time is appropriate. Since we are on subject, you got a trailer? Been thinking Chariot, but not sold on them yet.

[allencb]

FYI...

Check the child oriented consignment stores for a trailer. We got a nearly new Burley Solo for $70 that way.

Chris

[Pinoy Rider]

Snot, we went with a Sherpani Rhumba Light that we bought from REI. Great product, very comfortable and the fit is excellent for both my wife and I.

We are considering a Chariot also when the time is right, Cougar model. I really like their sidecart but it's really not very versatile and my bike frame is too small for it.

[BikerMiker]

I have a burley solo (8 years old or so) that is used but not abused. It's been hanging in the garage since we got two kids. I have a basically-new Burley DLite that we used every day for getting the kids too and from daycare.

If you want to buy the solo, lemme know. I'll take $100 for it. I also know where you can get some new ones...

mike

[peter6061]

We're thinking Chariot as well, but have some time before we can use it. For now, we're just using the Baby Bjorn and a Bob Revolution stroller with carseat adapter.

The chariot looks sweet as you can set it up as a stroller, trailer, or put some skis on it and pull it around in the snow. A little pricey, but we'll see when we get there. I know it's overkill and unwarranted but I love the one with the disc brakes.

[Snot-Rocket]

Thanks for the info. I got one on the way any day now and will be looking for a backpack carrier when the time is appropriate. Since we are on subject, you got a trailer? Been thinking Chariot, but not sold on them yet.

...my aggregated opinion per success and failures are:

1. Always go double - even if single. Plan for expansion and double is way more stable on single track and can carry more xtra stuff.

2. Get the Double w/ the stroller adapter option...save bucks and gives you an off-road push solution. We try to get out a bit and it would have been nice to have this capability.

3. Helmets are for the older kids- doing the helmet at age 1-18xmonths just annoyed the kid and made the rides frustrating.

4. Bungee cord and Car seats are great for an interim solution to deploying when the wee one is way small.

5. Plan a play ground break, ice cream opns pause or something in the interim so the kid has fun.

6. Finally, Axle/quick release adaptors only if you are sporting disc brakes.

Anyway, that's that...the Shirlington Loop and Alexandria - Mount Vernon urban excursions make for lots of fun...

Rah,

[Nick]

the only problem I've seen with the double kid Chariot is that they end up sliding to the middle. Makes for some not so entertaining elbowing and general malaise.

It'd be great if there were an option to tighten things up in the middle to keep 'em separate.

I've got a single kid chariot and love it. Sorta thinking I should have gone double.

[wren]

For now, we're just using the Baby Bjorn and a Bob Revolution stroller with carseat adapter.



If you don't mind, how do you like that Bob Revolution with the carseat adapter? Do you like it for general around town use? Our kid is not due until summer, but the gear geek in me is already kicking in.

Thanks!

- Ken

[sswandal]

I've used a charriot (double) for almost two years and it has been a great buy :D My 3yr old and 20month kids love it. As long as I keep the shoulder staps and lap belt tight they don't slide around at all. The do fight, but what kids don't. The suspension makes for a great ride on rough trails and it is very easy to connect to the bike. I purchased the stroller and jogging components and I use them all the time. Make sure you get the rain cover also. It keeps the kids from getting sprayed on those wet and rainy days. The other thing I bought was the infant seat...my 20month old was riding in it a week out of the hospital...its and was extra $50, but if you end up with a charriot let me know and I'll give it to you cheap.

If you want to see a couple of pictures send me a pm and I'll send them or upload them.

It is definately a great purchase for anyone with kids.

[Snot-Rocket]

If you don't mind, how do you like that Bob Revolution with the carseat adapter? Do you like it for general around town use? Our kid is not due until summer, but the gear geek in me is already kicking in.

Thanks!

- Ken

Per your deployment timelines- looks like this would be a good a late Fall / Winter purchase. I think at least 6 x months is a good minimum age for towing. The real issue is the heat and sun and how young your wee one will be...

[wren]

Per your deployment timelines- looks like this would be a good a late Fall / Winter purchase. I think at least 6 x months is a good minimum age for towing. The real issue is the heat and sun and how young your wee one will be...

Thanks, S-R. That is generally what I'm thinking, plus the wife is holding me back. (If she catches me searching for BMX bikes on eBay, I'm screwed!)

But we are defintely getting a stroller with a car seat adapter, and I don't want to get one that will be obsolete after 6 months. I was thinking that if I get a BOB Revolution or similar, I can ditch the car seat adapter after 9 months or so and then use the stroller for runs on the Mt. Vernon trail. Of course, like mountain bikes, I'm about to decide that I need more than one stroller.

- Ken

[jagayers]

just my 2 cents...

But I bought the BOB Dualie Revolution for my wife and I and we love it. She can use it to run with both kids....and we even use it for shopping excusions (It was redesigned to fit through standard doorframes in 2006 ,...only have to open one door).

It folds up nicely and all 3 wheels are quick release....

The big tires and shocks make this thing a dream out and about in town....and it really can go anywhere....

I ended up getting it thre REI with 20% off coupon....it was still expensive....but worth it my my book....

[Snot-Rocket]

T I'm about to decide that I need more than one stroller.

- Ken

At first I thought the CarSeat / Stroller dealio was a big sham- granted, the stroller car seat combo (http://www.babyuniverse.com/pro/baby/99779/Passage%E2%84%A2540TravelSystem-Bancroft.html) turned out to be great. You dump the car seat after awhile, however, the stroller is very useful for going to the mall, museums stuff where you need a highly maneuverable platform for tight spaces w/ some storage capacity.

I think the Trailer/Stroller combos are good for outdoor opns hands down.

We bought an Umbrella chair- nice one, want to buy it? That pretty much captures my opinion about that. I strongly advocate not buying anything until you know you absolutely need it. We saved money that way. We bought the umbrella chair cause at the time I was driving a go-cart and got tired of moving the stroller back and forth.

Good Luck