Chicco - Velocita Twin Stroller in Oxford

Anyone have any comments on this stroller? I have an 18 month old and due with another baby end of December. I need something that will accomodate infant and young toddler, though i prefer the side by side.

I considered the Valco Runabout Twin or their single with the toddler seat, but it seems a bit large and cumbersome for normal day to day usage in malls and the like. Plus the price is pretty high. I had just bought a BOB Ironman single jogger 8 months ago at over $550 with accessories only to get pregnant again, so don't really want to spend so much on a lightweight double.

I might get the BoB Duallie later for my walks/jogs, but need some input from all of you out there.

Some concerns I have are:

1. What double strollers can accomodate an infant car seat (I am buying the Britax Companion for our new baby). Otherwise, which can fully recline and have the safety features that prevent an infant from falling off the top or sliding from the bottom of the seat?

2. I want it to be light enough. What that means exactly? Something less than 30 pounds. My 18 month old is 23 pounds, so she already is getting hefty for me to lift.

3. Importantly, I need something that fits most standard doors and aisles/walkways. I'd hate going to some store only to not be able to fit. (I don't want a tandem)

Thanks...!

That's the Chicco - Velocita Twin Stroller in Oxford

There's a possibility that the Velocita won't fit through all standard doors-- as there are a number of reports that it feels a bit wide compared to similar models (e.g. the Inglesina Twin Swift and Maclaren SBS's), but I can't give you a definite answer on that one as there just isn't a huge amount of consumer data on this stroller. From what is out there, it's clear that it's a fine double stroller, although the canopy design is less than perfect, with reports that it can spontaneously pop off after a few months of use (Maclaren has the same problem).

Maclaren's Twin Traveller is designed for infants and 24 inches wide-- which is plenty narrow. I'd recommend the Inglesina Twin Swift, but it really is designed for six months and up.

There aren't a lot of lightweight side-by-side models which can accomdate an infant carrier. Actually, I can't think of a single one. It's very difficult to create a lightweight double stroller that could handle the uneven distribution of weight resulting from an infant carrier. I know the Mountain Buggy Urban Double has this capacity, but we're headed into heavier more serious all-terrain stroller territory there.

Have you looked into Phil and Ted's E3? It's a fairly wonderful stroller for growing families, although you might find the jumpseat a bit odd, all the reports from parents are that their toddler just loves to sit in it. And yes, stay away from the tandems-- they're a bear to steer when your kids get older,

In the event you simply can't make up your mind in time, there's always the first 4 to 5 months with a sling and single stroller.

Good luck and let me know if you have any further questions!

I own a similar model- Chicco's Tuscany Double stroller. I bought it just to use for my daughter and my god-daughter (6 month age differnce) and it has been great. We had a graco duo glider but couldnt stand it so I opted to get a side by side. It doesn't get used much but when it does it is for bigger outings (amusement parks mostly) and it gets the job done very well. Both kids have plenty of room. The storage is surprising convenient (my main stroller is the peg perego p3 so my standards arent as high.) I generally hang my diaper bag any way-this is okay if there is only 1 diaper bag (or light bags) but if there are 2 hanging and you take both kids out then it is likely that the stroller will tip over. The hoods work fine-however one side of the hood keeps popping off which gets very annoying. This seems to be getting better with time though. On my stroller it says there are 5 levels for reclining. I have yet to figure out how there are 5- I can find 3 but not 5. Reclining the seat was trickey at first but is very easy if a child is in the seat-if not the it takes 2 hands. One thing that I would change is the seat covers do not come off for cleaning so I had to spray it down with a hose. Also it is heavy-almost 30lbs I think plus 2 kids it really adds up. However since it is so heavy it makes it easy to use when 1 kid is not in it or if there is a big weight difference. We tested the peg perego aria twin stroller and it was impossible to move it with a 10lb weight difference between the kids so there are pros and cons to both. Really pushing the stroller isnt bad-it stears very well. I am 6 months pregnant again so pushing it lately has been a hassle but before it never bothered me-you never realized that your pushing 60-70lbs. I have never had a big problem getting the stroller through door ways-sometimes the wheels turn out but its easy to fix. It folds easily and is pretty compact-Much smaller then most single strollers.

There are so many strollers to choose from and I really liked the maclaren double strollers and the chicco is so close to it for way less. I found mine online for $100.  

I plan on keeping this but am also in the process of figuring out if I should try a tandem stroller again since the new baby in a few months and my daughter will be just 2 yrs old then. I like the idea of using the infant car seat. I have used a graco and hated it-it was heavy and bulky and I couldnt steer it. I am thinking of the peg perego tender double stroller b/c I have heard so many good things about it and it would match my carseat. We will see when the time comes I guess.