Posted by
hkchoichoi
19 yrs ago
I do think that the combis are very lightweight (good selection of them at wingon and sogo) but sometimes on uneven hong kong roads - I find them a bit unsteady and wobbly. Also - it feels as if they outgrow them rather quickly - I felt like my daughter was exploding out of it.
The Maclaren is twice as heavy (think the quest is about 7.5 kgs) but is twice as sturdy, and is comfortable for kids up to 25 KGs.
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crj
19 yrs ago
A lot of people seem to have the Maclaren Volo... The one with black mesh and not much else...
We want super lightweight too, and haven't decided yet either - so it will be interesting to see the replies in this forum!
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I didn't suggest the VOLO by Maclaren for the primary reason that it doesn't recline. (I like the recline option on the Quest, which makes it a tad heavier but not as heavy as the techno.)
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i have a maclaren quest, it weigh 5.5kg but it can't recline fully. the maclaren techno xt weigh 6.5 kg but it reclines fully. it's good to have a light weigh one but there are some cons too. it's so lightweight that sometimes it's not safe on uneven road or even escalator. i think it's better to struggle a bit with the weight but you gain from safety and also maclaren is very smooth pushing, great for uneven road like hong kong. it's just my opinion.
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I have a volo for my eldest daughter which is great and for my 9 month old a techno which again is great. Both take a real hammering on the streets, steps and escalators of HK and do really well. I've tried other makes and have always ended up selling them and going back to the Maclaren.
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crj
19 yrs ago
What do you use your strollers for?
Where do you go?
For average of how long?
We know we don't need the cup holder, and all the accessories on the larger stroller.
Do you find you just take it out of your car, and stroll around, then put it back in?
Or do you find there is a lot of in and out of taxis and up and down stairs, etc...?
Is the one hand fold and unfold important? (does it really work)?
Becasue we don't know the answers to those questions yet for us, we haven't bought one... It seems the Volo is only good for short trips b/c can't recline. While the ones that recline or take the car seat would be good for longer trips...
Just in central? then needs to be good at curbs and steps.
Hiking / walking trails? then needs to be sturdy and handle serious bumps.
What if both places are on your schedule regularly? Do you have two or is there one perfect one that is lightweight and yet sturdy enough for both situations?
I'm afraid if it is too heavy and too difficult to use I will come up with excuses not to take the baby out....
We just have no idea!
Thanks
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We have 2 kids and have had a variety of strollers. the best one for all round general use (if you only want one, not multiple ones for different purposes) is the Maclaren Techno XT. it is light enough, though not the lightest on the market, reclines fully and has large wheels which are VITAL for negotiating uneven surfaces of which there are PLENTY in HK.
Good luck making your choice.
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Mother 2005 - how do you take a stroller on an escalator? Facing forward? Do you go down first facing backwards? Plus, how do you deal with all the stairs in HK?
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Maclaren XT is suitable from newborn on up. Maclaren Quest is suitable from 3 months old - both can accomodate toddlers up to 25 KGS, which is a plus for me. The XT reclines FULLY, while the Quest reclines about 75 percent. The Quest is nominally lighter (you can check on line at Maclaren to see for sure) - both have the one hand fold option (technically one hand and a couple of kicks with the feet) and flop open very easily.
For Crj - I bought a Maclaren Quest, not the XT because I didn't think I would be out much with my newborn (for the first three months.) when I DID go out with her, I found myself more at ease using the baby bjorn instead of having to lay her in the stroller. (It's also so much cozier.) If I did need to put her somewhere, we had an infant carrier which we used in and out of taxis for the first three months. SO it sort of eliminated the need for the stroller.
We still use the quest with our 18 month old. (now 18 months.) In HK, I took her everywhere in it - around the peak, stroller through central, walking through Pacific place, up and down subways, in and out of subways and in and out of Taxis. The good thing about the MAclarens in general is they fold up really compactly with a quick flip that they fit easily into the front or back seat with you when you're riding a taxi.
The major complaint that people have about the one hand fold on the Maclarens (and I think one hand is important, as you might be holding your baby in one arm as you have to fold up the stroller) is that although you truly do fold it with one hand, you have to bend down to pick it up. You can fold it, and lock it shut with your foot, but you have to go down to the ground to get it up. Many of the combis and the graco City lite you do NOT have to bend down, and instead, just do a slight push backwards and the thing just collapses and folds into itself. SO that may be a deal maker for you.
I suggest you go out and try them out. See what feels good - in HK, with Taxi rides, I think an easy fold and a fairly lightweight stroller are the two options you should look for. I also agree that the pavement leaves a lot to be desired in terms of "smoothness" so have a sturdy stroller is good.
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crj
19 yrs ago
Wow - excellent and detailed responses - thanks!
The reason we delayed our decission, is because we plan to use the Baby Bjorn for as long as possible before getting a stroller... (as HKCC suggests above).
Maclaren Quest, Graco City Lite and a Combi that weighed less than 4 kg all are interesting so far... The comment about the way they fold is something to take into account too when we test them again.
Thanks
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I have the Maclaren Techno XT too, and it's OK. Feels sturdy on the pavement here, but I don't know about jumping steps or even the curb with it.
There are some cons.
The recline gets sticky sometimes and takes some effort. It also doesn't fully recline into a 180 degree position.
The one hand fold in reality is very difficult even with two hands. And, the stroller is too wide for the regular MTR turnstiles. You either have to fold it slightly, lift it over the top, or use the handicap turnstiles.
Lastly, the storage compartment is difficult to access with the recline in the "flat" position.
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John brings up good points with the Maclaren XT, and the Quest has the same problems with the basket. I just ended up carrying everything in my backpack anyways, and didn't bother using the basket as it has to be emptied before you can fold it.
Mine didn't have any problems with the recline - and I also have to say that it washes quite well. I've washed my chair cover more than 10 times and it has held up very very well.
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tly
19 yrs ago
I think one of the factors you need to take into consideration as well is whether you'll be taking your baby around by yourself most of the time or will you always be with a helper or your hubby? If you will rarely be alone, then alot of the shortfalls of these strollers can be overlooked. I have no helper, so am always getting around HK with just baby and me. I used the baby bjorn till he got too heavy before using my Maclaren Quest. My only complaint about it is that it doesn't stand up when in the folded position. I take the bus often and that is one major hassle I think. And also mentioned above, you have to bend down to pick it up after its been folded. The hardest stage was when my son was too heavy to carry but too young to stand up yet. Sheesh! Imagine carrying him, holding the baby bag then having to bend down to pick up the stroller then lug everything into the bus! But its darn sturdy though. I've gone to just about everywhere with it.
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momster, when i use the escalator with my maclaren quest, i always face forward no matter going up or down the escalator. when doing down, i will slight tilt the stroller a bit so that it only stands on the hind wheels. i have no problem with escalator. with steps, depends. if there are many steps, i will carry the whole stroller. most of the time there are always kind people around to help me with the steps. if there are only a few steps going down. i will do it backwards again tilting the stroller on the hind wheels. sounds confusing to you? hope you understand what i mean. i use my maclaren quest everywhere i go, in and out of taxi and ferry. i find it very convenient.
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White -
check online to see how much the stroller is in the UK. Normally I think that many things are cheaper in the US so I do a lot of shopping there and bring things over. however, I did find my Maclaren much cheaper in HK than I did in the US, so I ended up buying it in HK. (It was on sale at Toys R US although I was told by someone that they had broken their contract with Maclaren and was going to have their line pulled.) I got mine for $1000 HKD (Maclaren Quest) a year ago.
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sorry for jumping in! just to remind all mons that BeBeDreams has moved to Western District now! the Times Square one has already closed!
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LAH
19 yrs ago
I too am going to jump in!
Has anybody tried the new Esprit range of three wheeler strollers?
Just saw them at ToysRus in Kowloon Tong and they looked good to me.
Just thought I would check if anyone has done a road test before I get one.
I have plenty of small strollers for the car but this looks sturdy for trail walking.
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Has anyone heard about the Quinny Zapp Xtra with folding seat being relased in HK yet? All the benefits of the Quinny Zapp but with out having to detach the seat... keen to know where I can buy one!
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I haven't seen Zapp Xtra in HK yet, maybe online shops like babycentral?....I would recommend Buzz though because Zapp doesnt come with safety bar. And with buzz you can change the front wheel with double wheels. It's very sturdy especially if you live in a village/NT areas.
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