100% agree. I have a *FIFTEEN* year old used indie and it is like brand new. People are shocked when I tell them the age of the stroller. The glides like a dream, folds easily, has a built-in bassiner function, is fully washable, and is compatible with my car seat of choice. And the company still stocks parts for it.
If you can find one, I got a fourth-hand bumblerider indie and it is a beast. Curbs, mud, gravel roads. I havdn't used it in snow yet but the previous owner tells me it rolls great.
Even though this stroller is over a decade old, it rides like new and the company still sells compatible parts for it. I got the car seat adapter and the keyfit35 fits very securely. Once baby out grows the seat we'll still have the stroller for years and will probably be able to pass it on to a 5th family when we're done with it.
I'm in rural AB and am the fourth owner of a 15 year old indie. Thing is a beast. At 15 years old it looks brand new and it handles great on grass and gravel. I haven't used it in snow yet, butbthe previous owner tells me it works great. All of the parts, even for a 2010 model, are availlable on the company website. Unfortunately, it is a US brand so tariffs may be an issue. I wish I'd bought a new seat adjustment belt and bug net before those came into effect.
It isn't parent facing, but there is a little window on top so you can look down at them. I really appreciated that I could pop a 6lb newborn in without any attachments or worry.
If you can get one, the Bumblerider Indie is a beast. Giant wheels. I've taken it off-road through mud and rocks and two feet of snow and it goes. On pavement it is super smooth. And it lays flat which is great for newborns and naps. The one I have is over a decade old and looks brand new.
Downsides - there is no parent facing mode, it folds but not very compact (I think thay's the case with all joggers though), and the storage basket isn't huge (we still manage a full grocery shop with it, but I have to use a backpack diaperbag to free up space).
+1 Can't go wrong with a Bumbleride. We got a 12 year old one second hand. Thing is a tank and the company sells replacement parts even for our decade out-of-date model. They hold their value well, so you can sell ans upgrade to a double when the time comes, or you can get a ride-along skateboard attachment.
Seconding this. These strollers are amazing. The one I have is 15+ years old and looks brand new. It also helps that the compant still stocks parts for our extremely put of date model so we were able to get a car seat adaptor and replacement cup holder.
You don’t need a travel system, lots of car seats are compatible with different strollers. We got a Bumbleride indie stroller and a chicco car seat (keyfit? The 30 I think). The car seat has really good reviews and safety ratings and I’d say it’s a great one for the price. Love the stroller so far. Where I live almost everyone has a Bob but I wanted something a little smaller and lighter but still all terrain. We’ve taken it on fairly rugged walking paths and lots of uneven sidewalks and I’m so pleased. It’s easy enough for me to load in and out of my vehicle and it doesn’t feel too enormous to take in stores but it’s a nice smooth ride and super easy and comfy to push so it’s a nice middle ground imo. That’s my rec!
I’d also advise to start by choosing your stroller and then looking at compatible car seats. You’ll use the stroller for longer than you will the infant carseat and there are huge differences between strollers depending what you’re looking for. You can find a highly-rated good quality car seat that is compatible with almost any stroller, so start with the stroller and narrow the car seat selection down that way. You’ll use can buy lots of things used but def get the car seat new! It’s one of the few things you def shouldn’t buy secondhand.
Strollers are such a hard rec because it’s so dependent on your lifestyle and where you live!
We live in a small town, where many of the walking routes and neighbourhoods either don’t have sidewalks or have sidewalks in pretty tough shape. Most people here have bobs, which I’d say is always a solid option, but they are enormous and would be insane for city life. We have a bumbleride indie, the seat folds into a bassinet with no additional pieces needed so it’s appropriate for a newborn without needing to attach the car seat. I have loved this feature. Hubby is 5’11 and it suits him fine with plenty room to adjust the handlebars taller. We are really happy with it, it’s all terrain and handles well without being a massive jogger. It folds small enough to fit in the back of my Rav 4 with plenty of room for our dog to also sit back there, which was a priority, and its petite enough to easily take into crowded stores and narrow aisles.
We also have a Thule urban glide 2, bought secondhand to be used for running. I loveee that stroller but it’s crazy big, really long and it takes up the whole cargo area of my trunk. The handle can adjust super high though, and you can purchase a newborn bassinet attachment if you want a pram style. Personally if not for the size vs vehicle factor this is the one I would have gone with.
Yes, I have an old one and I've upgraded it over the years with new parts and car seat adapter. Recently, I bought the buggy board because my new baby needs it and the toddler loves riding behind (haven't used the board attachment in snow yet, but it's durable and made using skateboard materials).
SansOchre
