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Sunday, February 14, 2010

BOB Review

For the past few weeks, I have been investigating running strollers, and after reading plenty of reviews and hearing what the sales people have to say, I decided that the only two brands to consider were the Baby Jogger or the BOB Revolution. So, on Saturday, I went to the baby stores and tested a few models out, and after those tests, I made my decision: The BOB.

The Baby Jogger is also an excellent product, but it is a little taller, and I am a munchkin, so the BOB just made better sense for a shorty like myself. But, also? I like the chocolate/pink color combo available for the BOB, and I know it's a superficial reason to base a purchase such as this on, but what can I say? I really, really liked that color combo.

So, I checked Craigslist and eBay to see if I could score a deal on a used one, but the pickins were slim, and even the used ones were going for nearly $300 on eBay (new, the BOB retails for $389). Today, I hemmed and hawed most of the morning about just going and buying a new one when, finally, Jerry said, "Oh good god, just go get the one you want!" Gladly, I drove across the street to Baby Love and made my purchase.

Jerry put it together for me: And, he asjusted all the straps for Norah and got her belted in:
And then we were ready for our first test run:

We went for a 3 miler, and I didn't take anything else with me: No Garmin or iPod. I figured the fewer the distractions, the better. (Oh, but I did take my cell phone because Jerry was nervous about the maiden voyage and he wanted me to call if "a wheel fell off or something" -- classic Jer-Bear the worrier.)

It was tough to get used to not swinging my arms, and it was certainly a harder run pushing the extra weight (the BOB is 22 lbs and Norah probably weighs somewhere between 15-16 lbs), but it felt great. It turned on a dime, and it was smooth and light, and the big wheels went over the divets and bumps in the sidewalks easily and didn't jostle Norah.

I loved the run and felt like the stroller was money well spent. I know I'll use it enough to justify the cost; plus, what it gives me is worth way more than $400:

1.) It gives me freedom! With this, I can go running whenever I want; I don't have to rely on Jerry being home. I mean, I'm still gonna run on my own (especially for long runs) and I'm sure I'll still have to fit in runs in the early morning or late evening, but having this provides me with more way more options and flexibility, and that makes it invaluable to me.

And, 2.)
No more explanation needed, right?

39 comments:

teacherwoman said...

definitely money well spent! Glad to hear you enjoyed using it, I think it would be hard to get used to! Too cute...sleeping beauty!

Agate Lake Girl said...

Awesome! The chocolate/pink combo was definitely worth it. :)

Ryan said...

Nice. Not only that, but you will be one of the people that runs right by me during the corporate run pushing a baby. That makes me angry. However, since you are pushing Norah, I will not trip you.

Anonymous said...

So funny...that is the exact one I have...but I have a boy! My husband surprised me with it after #3 was born and said the pink was for me and the brown was for the baby (I think he was trying to make me feel better because I thought for sure the third was a girl). Anyway, it is a wonderful stroller and a breeze to handle...congrats on your purchase!

junie b said...

jess: i see you got the revolution (i worked in a running store for a while and we ONLY sold BOB's)...and the best thing to do is when running, put the front wheel on lock. when you go to turn corners, you are supposed to lift up the front and turn, then put the wheel back to the street/pavement ... the unlock is for using the BOB as a 'regular' stroller in stores and such for easier turning.

just fyi.

Unknown said...

#3 - you're going to get stronger pushing that thing!

Anonymous said...

Glad it worked out for you! I am always in awe of people who can push those things and still run fast!

I would have picked the pink one too.

Clare said...

swing one arm!! really awkward to push with both hands.

MCM Mama said...

Pretty stroller! I always wanted a BOB, but they became popular after I already had mine LOL.

Jones used to only sleep in the stroller, so we'd run and walk for hours with him.

Unknown said...

Yay! Welcome to the jogging stroller club! And good choice on the BOB! They have such a high resale, I think it was definitely worth purchasing new. The arm-swinging thing gets way more comfortable after a couple of runs too. And isn't the freedom great?

Heather said...

Yay for a sleeping baby in the jogging stroller - she looks so sweet. I did all my long training runs for Grandma's '08 with Sophie in the jogging stroller during naptime.

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Love the colors!! You were way smart going with the BOB I love the front wheel. Both of my joggers have a fixed wheel. I am always wishing it pivoted. I know you will get loads of use out of it and the extra time with Norah is priceless!!

Sarah said...

Cute pic! I have a BOB double and LOVE it! My daughter is now too big for it (almost 7), but my son just uses her spot for his snacks. I also feel weird without the arm swing...I usually alternate pushing with just one hand so that the other is free to swing. Enjoy!

Monica said...

great investment! great outcome at the end...a sleeping baby.

p.s. isn't that "the outfit" that she's wearing? :)

MNFirefly said...

AWESOME!!

SavvyFitChica said...

no mor explanation needed indeed! How cute!

I think it was a smart investment and I'm glad it fits you~

JojaJogger said...

Norah looks right at home! (I'm not even going to confess that my first thought was "battery operated boyfriend" when I read the title of your post)

Anonymous said...

1) So glad you got the running stroller - freedom on wheels!

2) The chocolate/pink = hideous! Hopefully Norah hasn't developed color acumen yet. If she hurls in her stroller, you know why! Then again, as long as you are happy, that's all that matters.

:-)

Erin said...

That is a wise purchase and you will get your money's worth. Looks pretty darn slick and Norah didn't seem to mind it either.

Alison said...

Love the color combo! I also love that you're wearing shorts in February. :)

Lily on the Road said...

Good choice, and you will use it for the next three kids too!

Love the colours, now you need a matchy matchy outfit! (ps, Norah has on my favourite outfit).

Hope Norah had on sunscreen and a hat! Too cute!

Carly said...

Yay! You will get your money out of it. I love the colors.

Running Jen said...

Awesome! You will definitely get your money's worth out of that! You will love having the flexibility now with running. I miss my jogger, but my daughter is 6 now, so....

Enjoy! And, I see you were wearing shorts during your run - I guess it was a lot warmer in S FL yesterday than it was in Orlando! I ran with gloves on yesterday, for the first time in years, granted my run was in the morning, but it was that cold!

Teacher Pursuits said...

HAA!! She looks totally content to "run" with Mom! We have a Baby Jogger and love it but the BOB is definitely sweeter looking!

Crissy Rae said...

Love the colors-very snazzy...and what's better than a sleeping munchkin at the end?

Carolina John said...

very cool! plus the stroller will create extra resistance. you'll be amazed how fast you are when you get to run without it. very cool.

N.D. said...

I have the BOB ironman but wish I got the revolution - I love all their colors too.

Andy said...

I love the pic! And the freedom you get is great. I am seeing more and more running baby strollers all the time in Atlanta. Whomever invented them is a genius. Glad to see you are happy with your purchase.

Krissy said...

I have the same one, except mine is blue with grey...I can't wait to strap Eli in it this spring, it just too cold to put him in it yet. But in the fall when I was home on maternity leave I had him in it w/the infant carrier adaptor and my long power walks were great! He too slept just like Norah did which was lovely!
Overall - a good justified purchase for you in my opinion!

Katie A. said...

That pic is priceless (or worth every penny of that $400 pricetag!)
Glad you were able to find something that works for you - not just think how buff your arms are going to get :)

Oz Runner said...

great purchase...

Wes said...

definitely worth the money. Just promise me a ride. k? :-)

Laurel said...

We were thinking of getting the Ironman, but because I would like to take it on some more trails (pretty flat trails, but trails nonetheless), we may get the Revolution. Glad to see you liked it. I haven't heard a bad review on the Bob yet.

Marlene said...

Great choice - that is a snazzy looking ride! And Norah doesn't seem to mind it one bit!

runner26 said...

awesome!! i agree--it was worth the $$!!

Tim F said...

I have the same Bob. Have not ran in it yet (baby is only 8 weeks), but so far it is great to take her for walks (the car seat fits in it with an adapter) and we have even went on trail hikes. It's great.

Anonymous said...

That looks like a lot of fun. I'm glad you can bring Norah on your runs now.

I'm applying to grad schools and am considering U of F. Looking at the palm trees in the background of your pictures is really making me want to go there!

Tiffany said...

Too cute! Love the pictures.

Stuart said...

We had a BOB for 4 years and I trained for my first marathon pushing it! Awesome piece of kit, we just sold ours earlier this year it had about 2000 miles on it!