benshort
7 posts
Dec 08, 2021
2:41 AM
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Welding strollers
'converts' will tell you that their jogging stroller is one of the best purchases they have ever made. That is often true even if you only have a single child but when you have two children, whether they are twins or of different ages a double jogging stroller can be a real blessing.
But, once you've decided that a jogging stroller is for you, how do you choose between all the different makes and models on the market? A good place to start is to take a look at the features and benefits of the main types that are available.
It goes without saying that a double jogging stroller must have two seats. In addition you will want to look into the weight, portability, child comfort, ease of setting up/folding down, ease of steering, how smooth, easy and comfortable it is for running with and what other extras might be included such as sunshades, under seat storage etc.
As a rule, jogging strollers come with metal frames and large wheels with pneumatic, air-filled tires.
In general, the bigger the wheels, the smoother the ride ought to be but the amount of storage space needed will be greater.
One major difference in frame construction is the choice of metal. Steel is strong, easy to weld and cheap. Unfortunately it is also relatively heavy and prone to rusting. Aluminum frames on the other hand are strong, lightweight, corrosion resistant and tricky to weld resulting in a higher price. These strollers will generally have one wheel at the front and two at the back. This allows for easy steering and a very small turning circle. The better models have lockable front wheels allowing them to be set to rotate for high maneuverability (particularly in confined spaces) and locked in the straight-ahead position when you want to go jogging. This is designed to prevent the stroller veering off course if the front wheel hits a rock or a piece of sloping ground whilst you are running.
The child seats need to be high and wide enough to support your children both now and in the future as they grow. It can also be very useful to have seats that recline all the way down so that your children are more comfortable when taking a nap. Check the maximum permissible weight capacity so that you can be sure of getting a good long period of use out of your jogging stroller.
For safety, you will want to see five-point harnesses to ensure that your children are held securely and comfortably in the stroller. You don't want them to be able to climb out in the middle of a running session! Naturally the harness straps need to be generously padded and the locking mechanism easy for you to use, even with cold or gloved hands but also childproof!
Lastly, what about brakes? On the old style of small-wheeled strollers brakes were only ever needed to help keep the stroller in place after you were stopped - like a parking brake in a car. With jogging strollers though you'll want a good strong brake at your fingertips in case you need to stop quickly whilst out running or walking downhill with two kids on board. Check this very carefully as some of the 'budget priced' jogging strollers on the market only come with a parking brake. I like to have both types and also a wrist strap that will keep the stroller from running away from me if I were to trip or lose my grip on the handle.
Last Edited by benshort on Dec 08, 2021 5:45 AM
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