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Lightweight & Fashionable! The Indie is a Bumbleride winner!
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BumbleRide was started by a couple in San Diego that wanted to offer the sleek stylings of the European designer strollers for half the price. BumbleRide strollers come in vibrant, designer colors and are very attractive accessories for the modern parent. The Bumbleride Indie, premiered in August 2007, is the newest addition (and basically replacement for the Rocket) to the fabulous line of Bumbleride strollers. It is the company's new 3-wheeled, all-terrain stroller and it offers an excellent, very smooth ride. We think the Indie has some great improvements and is a great replacement for the previous discontinued Rocket stroller.
The BumbleRide Indie's 12-inch air tires and rear suspension offer a wonderful, smooth ride for baby. The front wheel pivots a full 360 degrees, making it one of the easiest strollers to maneuver, especially one-handed. 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 wheel locks for jogging, and even though it is great for light jogs (what most moms would do), we wouldn't consider this a suitable full-time jogging stroller but definitely an all-terrain-great-for-everyday use stroller.
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Unlike most "active" strollers with an unsupported sling-like seat for baby, the BumbleRide Indie has a traditional, rigid, fully padded seat with 4 positions, that stops just short of flat (fully reclined). We like that the seat has a one-handed adjustment bar unlike many strollers that have a strap system that requires two hands. Additional thoughtful features include an adjustable height handle, one-touch rear brake system, removable bumper bar and foot muff.
The adjustable handle is 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 that even my 2 ½ year old 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.
The stroller also features the very necessary sunshade that is vastly improved from the previous Rocket. The Indie sunshade is very large and adequately shades the child with no problem. The best feature of the sunshade is that it folds all the way forward to the bumper bar to protect the baby from the sun, wind or rain. The canopy has a window for peeking, a convenient back pocket and a back zipper opening that allows air to circulate through the stroller. The Indie has a 5-point adjustable harness with shoulder pads for safety and a universal car seat attachment that works easily with most infant carrier seats.
The storage basket underneath is very large, easy to access and can easily accommodate a large diaper bag. The overall stroller fabric is well-made, tightly woven polyester that is easily removable for washing. The foot tray is full-size, mounted over the wheel, and has multiple positions, including upright, allowing more room for a sleeping baby.
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One major improvement over the Bumbleride Rocket is the weight and size of the Indie. The Indie lost five pounds (that's a 20% reduction) and brought the weight from 25 lbs (Rocket) to a mere 20 lbs. That 5 lbs makes all the difference in the world when transporting this stroller. The Indie is light enough to lift in and out of the trunk to make it great for your everyday, take it to the mall, run errands, and to the park stroller.
The Indie folds into thirds, making it very compact for travel. It is considered the smallest folding jogging stroller in its class. While the three steps for folding can be tricky at the beginning, it's no problem once you get used to it. There are two manual, secure locks on each side of the stroller that keeps it closed and secure while folded. There is also a carrying strap that makes carrying and lifting the Indie in and out of the trunk easier.
While folding the stroller can be tricky, unfolding the stroller is a cinch. After unlocking both locks, you lift the handle bar, shake, and the stroller is ready to go. Couldn't be easier!!
Other improvements that the Indie has from the Rocket: The frame is more compact because they brought the frame closer to the seat all without changing the seat size. Also by changing the frame, the turning radius is tighter, increasing maneuverability. Bumbleride also made the center of gravity lower, making the stroller sturdier thus safer for strolling with baby. The front swivel wheel lock is now made of metal parts vs. the plastic parts of the Rocket making it more durable.
If we had one complaint about the Indie, it would be the placement of the cup holder. Now don't get us wrong, we love that it has a cup holder! Once attached, the cup holder is very secure and we never worry about it falling off when we fold the stroller. But the cup holder is placed at a very inconvenient spot that gets in the way of your hand when trying to lift the right lever to fold the stroller. We would suggest Bumbleride raise the cup holder a bit on the handle bar to allow enough room to get to the folding lever.
Like all Bumbleride strollers, the Indie is stocked with style. With four-color options, Koa (Brown), Bamboo (green), Ruby (red), and Marine (turquoise blue) (koa being our favorite), there is a choice for everyone.
Overall, the BumbleRide Indie is a sporty alternative to the traditional 4-wheel stroller and has more convenience features than a jogging stroller. If you are looking for a beautiful, head-turning, all-terrain stroller, that is friendly for everyday use, then the Indie might be the stroller for you.
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