Jogging Stroller: Swivel Vs. Stationary

I bought a jogging stroller when I was training for a marathon. I did not have any idea there was a difference. I bought a stationary and wish I would have bought a swivel. When I did track running, it was a pain to go around the corners. I ran mainly around town on the sidewalk or edge of street (I live in a small town) It was basically a pain for any corner, but especially when I was tired and corner was sharp and I couldn't swing big because I would go in street. Go swivel

I can not say enough good things about the BOB Revolution. I had the Stroller Strides red single one and now have upgraded to the double. The front wheel is swivel that will also lock into place. It is an amazing stroller and well worth the money, they last forever!

I'm with just about everyone else - we have a stationery one and it is VERY difficult to maneuver, even to adjust to minor turns on a sidewalk...if you are running or jogging, you can forget it!

I would say it really does depend on how much jogging you do. If you are looking for a decent around the neighborhood one that you are not putting a lot of miles on, swivel is fine. I had both (I now have a double BOB; which is great because it can do both and i use it for more than just jogging...but not at all necessary). The trouble with the swivel front is that, while it is easier to turn, it is much easier to tip as well because that wheel can swivel and catch. I REALLY enjoyed my locked wheel while i ran. I was really doing less than 4 mi a day and it was MUCH easier to run with (plus, I had a dog w/ us too). I LOVED my Dreamer Design Rebound Lite...they are way way way less expensive than the others, but still rated higher by Consumer Reports than Kelty. They are not really in stores, so we bought on line and were NOT disappointed. If I could have found a double Dreamer Design that had the ability to lock and unlock the front wheel (making it also easy for everyday stuff) I would have gone with that rather than the BOB...i think double strollers are the WORST to have to buy and at that point the cost is almost a wash. I will say, that REI sells Bob's and offers a FULL LIFETIME guarantee on them so if ANYTHING goes wrong at all they will do a full free replacement. That is what pushed us that direction after the 20% off deal we got as well. BUT for a single jogging stroller, i really liked the Dreamer Design.

We have the BOB revolution (swivel/lock) and LOVE it! I never bother to lock it straight to run, though you would want to if you're fast or if you do lot of hills. The front wheel catches on rough pavement, but I've gotten used to it. We take ours on all plane trips - one handed steering in the airport, hand check at security since it's too big to fit through the conveyer, and gate check - a bungee keeping it closed helps prevent scrapes. It makes a great place to stash gear with baby in a sling! There's also a carseat adapter available for about $50, so I started running with her at about 2 months rather than waiting until 6. BOB is expensive, but we found it on 20% off sale at REI (members often get 20% off coupons during the year). Happy running!

Im not sure if your jogging with it or not and if the style matters for safety and all that but I have tried them both for walking and I much prefer the swivel front wheel.

HTH
A. j

C., you definitely want one that at least has the option to swivel. I have had one now for about 3 years that is stationery and it drives me bonkers. When I run it's a total hassle and I have to lift the front wheel off of the ground to maneuver even a small turn. A friend of mine has one that swivels and I'm sooooo envious. If they didn't cost so much I would upgrade,

I have one that does both and my personal prefferance is when I am walking and going somewhere where I am walking I use the swivel because it's easier to turn corners, but if I am jogging or running I use it stationary cause it jiggles too much when I jog or run. Good luck.

I'm a triathlete/marathon runner and could not live without my swivel front wheel. My mom gave me a cheap stationary (neither of us knew better) when my oldest was little and I got so mad at it - every tiny little turn, even just to get it straight on the sidewalk, I'd have to tilt it back and pivot it. I consigned it and bought a double swivel one (it also converts to a bike trailer). I got my good one at Richardson Bike Mart and love it!

Good luck!

P.S. If you're running with a dog - lock the wheel - it will tip otherwise

Hi C.,
I was in the same situation that you are in a couple months ago, trying to decide between swivel or not. We ended up going with the swivel option so that we could walk the bike paths around my neighborhood easier. I found the fixed front wheel too difficult to walk with.

I found an affordable jogging stroller with the swivel wheel at Burlington Coat factory at the Grapevine Mills mall (in their Baby Depot section). I think it is made by Baby Trend and was only $90. We've been happy with it.

Good Luck!

Swivel, Swivel!! I just walk and the wheel that does not swivel was a pain. I can't imagine running and not having a swivel wheel. You have to sort of pick up the front and turn..which you get good at. But if you can afford the swivel wheel...go for it!

Serious runners/joggers need a stationary wheel. The swivel/lock strollers are called all-terrain strollers and are really made for parents who want to walk or hike or occasionally jog for short bursts.

Hi C.... If you are an avid walker/jogger, I would highly recommend the Baby Jogger City Series. It's pricey but well worth it. The front will does swivel for easy turning... but it also locks in place if you want it to stay put. Good luck on your quest to find one!

If you are not wanting to spend a ton of money I love my Jeep jogging stroller it had a swivel wheel and could be locked. I am glad I didn't spend a ton of money on a BOB because we had another baby pretty quickly so we needed a double one. We bought the Schwinn Joyride and I love it, but I think it only comes in a double.

Dear C.:

I had the stationary wheel jogging stroller and loved it. I did a lot of running with my daughter (6 miles every other day) and found it was easier to use. I used my stroller so much I had to replace the tires!

I'm afraid I don't remember the brand I had; it was too many years ago.

L. F., mom of a 13-year-old

C.,

I know this post is a little late so you may have already made you decision but I wanted to say that the BOB is totally worth the money! I had 2 other double joggers (both swivel) and both fell apart. The BOB is wonderful and has so many great features like mesh pockets for the kids to store things in & sunshades that go WAY down and actually block the sun. Even my husband agrees it was money well spent.

swivel is the way to go. Most can be locked in place wich is only needed if you are jogging fast to running. I could also see locking the wheel in place for trying to push the stroller with your hands full.
Stationary wheel bases are good for serious joggers and runners, not for getting around stores, or the zoo, or any place with lots of turns.
I have had both and found the swivel to be far more practical.

http://www.joggingstroller.com/catalog/product_matrix.jsp...
This is a good place to check out.
I will say the most inportant thing to look for is seat recline, width, and swivel. (Naps, doorways, manuverable)
I have a bob aw" revolution and love it! I didn't need the huge wheels of a traditional jogger. Silver Cross "pop" is what I am getting for the daily use. I live on the soccer fields and am always outside so the bob is a must and it shops well too, but a bit big to pop out at the outlet mall when crouded or take on the plane. It does keep people from running into baby. hehe.
I would reccomend ebay for good prices or check several websites and even calling local resale shops for the one you want. Last years models are just as good at better prices. Oh, check for recalls if you go the resale route. I also check reviews for little details like tips over easily.

Whatever kind you decide, I would highly recommend getting one with a swivel wheel at least in front. It makes it SO much easier to drive. Other wise you will have to always have to be adjusting the stroller by tilting it backward on it's back wheels to "steer" it. And of course the light the stroller the better!
Good Luck,
C.

It really depends on how much money you are going to spend. If your budget is not very large, like mine was, then I would go with a stationary wheel, because the lower end strollers with swivel wheels seem to wobble really bad, even when they are locked into place. The higher end ones, on the other hand, are just that - higher end. The BOB in particular is great, but costs an arm and a leg.

We purchased two different strollers, both around the $200-$300 dollar range (these were double strollers so while this is pretty expensive, they were still the lower end) and both with swivel wheels. The first one was a InStep Safari TT (or something like that) and it was terribly wobbly; the second was a Baby Trend Expedition and it had the same problem. We took them both back and ended up with an InStep Runaround and we love it. The front wheel double forked and locked into place. My one and only complaint is that the seats kind of slump into each other - a problem you probably would not get with a more expensive brand.