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| Bumbleride Indie Twin Stroller Koa
| | Reviewed by: Baby Gizmo Senior Editors |  | |  |
 | Title: Bumbleride Indie Twin
Best: Narrow frame fits through standard doorways, Large basket, Huge independent canopies, Easy independent recline seats, Adjustable handlebar, Great all-terrain tires, Great maneuverability
Worst: Doesn't have a lock to keep it closed, Awkward to transport
Full Review: see below
| Lowest Price: $589.99 (from 6 sellers) |  |
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|  | | Full Review: We were very excited to test out the new, highly anticipated Bumbleride Indie Twin. This is Bumbleride's first double side-by-side stroller perfect for not only twins but siblings of different ages that recently premiered in early April 2008. The Indie Twin is basically the Bumbleride Indie but twice the fun (luckily not twice the weight though).
As most moms of two children know, finding the perfect double stroller for you can be a daunting task. This all-terrain stroller has some outstanding features that could possibly make it the double stroller for you.
The first thing we noticed was how narrow it appeared for a side-by-side stroller. It is 29 ½ inches wide. We immediately had to run it through a doorway to see if it fit and to our delight, it glided right through our single front door. A side-by-side full size stroller that easily fits through a doorway - we are on board already!
Even though we consider this a narrow side-by-side stroller for a doorway's sake, it still has two very roomy seats. Each seat is wide and tall enough for our 1 and 3 year old testers to fit with no problem. There are padded 5-point, adjustable harnesses for safety and adjustable footrests for comfort. Each seat is padded with 4 recline positions, that stop just short of flat (fully reclined). We like that the individually reclining seats have a one-handed adjustment bar unlike many strollers that have a strap system that requires two hands. Additional thoughtful seat features are a removable bumper bar and fabulous matching foot muff that zips in place.
The Indie Twin also features two independent, huge canopies. These canopies are very large and no question adequately shades your child. Both canopies have a peek-a-boo window, two convenient back pockets for storage and back zipper openings that allow air to circulate through one or both of the stroller seats.
The adjustable height handle is wonderful for parents of different heights. It's easy to operate with two push buttons on the sides and can be set at any position including all the way up for taller parents and all the way down so that other siblings can "help" push the stroller. The handle bar extends out far enough that we never kicked the back of the stroller even when exaggerating our stride to test it. There is also a very much appreciated cup holder for mom on the side of the handlebar that is very secure yet is detachable if need be.
The storage basket underneath is GIGANTIC, easy to access and can easily accommodate at least 2 large diaper bags. The overall stroller fabric is well-made, tightly woven polyester that is easily removable for washing. The foot rests are full-size, mounted over the wheels, and has multiple positions, including upright, allowing more room for sleeping babies.
The Indie Twin has four 12-inch air tires and rear suspension that offer a wonderful, smooth ride for baby. The front wheels pivot a full 360 degrees, making it one of the easiest double strollers to maneuver, even fully loaded with one hand. The construction is solid enough to handle minor off-roading and definitely earns the title "all-terrain" because it easily glides through grass and over mulch and small rocks. The front wheels lock for jogging, and even though it is great for jogs (what most moms would do), we wouldn't consider this a suitable full-time jogging stroller (not a marathon stroller) but definitely an all-terrain-great-for-everyday use stroller.
The Indie Twin folds in half, making transporting this stroller not too bad regarding the size. While the three steps for folding can be tricky at the beginning, it's no problem once you get used to it. Even though we absolutely adore this stroller, we do have one major problem with it. Bumbleride didn't include any locks on the stroller that keep it closed and secure while folded. As all side-by-side double strollers can be awkward while lifting into a vehicle, we find this one especially difficult because the stroller starts to open up on us if we don't lift it perfectly. And lifting 34 lbs perfectly into a car or SUV trunk is difficult to do every time. (Note: Just like most double strollers, the Indie Twin probably will not fit in a small vehicle trunk.) There are carrying straps (the same straps you use in the folding process) that makes carrying and lifting the Indie Twin a bit easier but this stroller is still very awkward to get in and out of a vehicle. Since more than once the stroller started to open up on us while taking it out of the trunk, we found two straps with buckles of our own that we now use to lock the stroller closed when transporting. When we inquired about the lack of locks with Bumbleride, they were as nice as can be (as they always are) and said that in the design process they couldn't find a place to have the locks that wouldn't get in the way while the stroller was unfolded. We beg you, Bumbleride, please find a place for locks!
While folding the stroller can be tricky at first, unfolding the stroller is a cinch. You lift the handle bar, shake open, and the stroller locks into place and is ready to go. Couldn't be easier!!
A great feature of the Indie Twin is that it accepts a wide range of different brand infant car seats with the included car seat adapter. (We hate having to buy important accessories separately.) The universal car seat adapter fits into the place of either one of the bumper bars but know that the stroller can only accept one infant carrier at a time.
Like all Bumbleride strollers, the Indie Twin is stocked with style as well. With five-color options, Koa (Brown), Seagrass (green), Ruby (red), Spice (orange), and the fun limited edition pattern, Bwana, which is blue with colorful faces, there is a choice for everyone.
Weighing in at 34 lbs, and accommodating a combined 90 lbs of passenger weight, the Bumbleride Indie Twin has some fabulous features to make it a double stroller you should sit up and take notice of. With huge canopies and basket, all-terrain tires, adjustable handlebar and great maneuverability, this is an excellent double stroller.
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