maclaren rain cover

1. Posted: Mar 20 2008

   I just got this and was nervous because I loved the Mac techno classic I had. This is light enough I think I won't miss the full suspension and tall enough we won't miss adjustable handles. The wheels are a good size, the seat seems comfy enough with extendable leg rests, the pocket behind the canopy is nice, the recline, fold and brakes are easy to use and the dark fabric won't show dirt. I wish the canopy had an extra zip-off panel for more coverage, or that it came with a shade screen. Otherwise I'm super pleased with how compact the fold is and how light it is.

2. Posted: Jul 8 2007

   I love this stroller. My son is 18 months so we figured it was time for a lighter, easier stoller. I wanted an umbrella stroller that reclined so that my son could still nap during long days out and about. The quest weighs less than 13 pounds and has a 4 position recliner. My son can almost lay flat and with the leg area extended it is very comfortable. It's very easy to move around and even easier to get into my trunk. What you don't see in the pictures online is the pattern on the stroller is 3 different colors. The rectangle/squares are light blue, grey, and white. So adorable. I definitely would recommend this stroller to anyone with an antsy toddler. My son loves it.

See all reviews...

1. ( 2 of 2 found this review helpful ) Posted: Jan 30 2008

   I just purchased this stroller in blue and have used it twice and LOVE it. It is so easy to handle, the baskets are very easy to get to (I found myself digging to get into my single graco). The canopies are large enough for me to lay my coat/phone on. I was concerned about the lack of snack tray, but actually my kids (6 mths and 2 years) seem to really like having nothing in front of them, and it makes it easier for my toddler to pop in and out so it has turned out to be a good thing. I just hand him a snack in a cup if he needs one. And I pushed it with one hand today while holding a cup of tea in my other hand, that is how smooth and easy it pushes. (there are two cup holder attachments but they are small and low) HUGE improvement over the graco tandem I purchase used and was happy to sell on craigslist. I would buy this, you won't be disappointed. It seems to be a bit hard to fold/unfold by I have read this will be easier after a few more uses.

2. ( 7 of 7 found this review helpful ) Posted: May 15 2007

   Like many other reviewers in the double stroller category, I did a lot of research before settling on the Maclaren Twin Techno. As a 6'2" woman with a 6'2" husband, we needed a stroller that was tall enough to push comfortably without sacrificing our backs. We also needed something sturdy enough to handle a big 2-1/2 year old, that could also comfortably and safely accommodate a newborn. And since we frequent both parks and sidewalks, I wanted a stroller that wouldn't get bogged down in grass, gravel, and mulch. The Maclaren was one of just a few strollers that fit the bill for all three of these requirements. The good: The Maclaren has very tall handles (44"). My husband, my 6'8" father, and I are all comfortable pushing the Twin Techno, and none of us end up stooping or leaning; the handles really are wonderfully tall. The stroller is also very well made, and sturdy. Though it folds like an umbrella stroller, there's nothing cheap or flimsy about it. Everything seems to be reinforced by metal struts, and while these make figuring out, intially, how to fold and unfold it, I feel confident that because of all the reinforcements, this stroller will be able to handle whatever we can dish out. The baskets under the seats are reasonably sized -- not huge, but large enough to accmommodate a couple small bags each. Seats have a number of reclines, including a full recline for the baby. When coupled with the leg rest, this makes a terrific, comfortable flat bed for an infant. The five point harness is very secure, though difficult to adjust. I also love the extras -- the boots for winter warmth, the rain cover, etc. The things that make this stroller a four star rather than a five star for me are, first and foremost, the width of the seats -- or rather, the lack of width of the seats. My 2-1/2 year old son's shoulders are already too wide for him to sit back comfortably in the seat. Granted, he's a big kid (nearly 40" tall and 38 pounds), but it was still a huge disappointment to me to see that it was already a squeeze to get him into the stroller. As other reviewers have mentioned, the lack of a snack/cup holder for the kids is something that could/should be addressed. I have found some clip-on holders that we'll be purchasing, but it seems that Maclaren, for $400, should offer an out-of-the-box solution for this. The bottle holders on the back of the stroller are also next to useless. They're too small for standard water bottles; in fact, I have yet to find any bottle or cup that will actually fit in them. I'd also love to have a handle in the middle of the stroller, rather than just on the two outside edges. With the wheels at the base in the very center of the stroller, it's more comfortable to walk slightly off-center; otherwise, you have to be careful to avoid stepping on the middle wheels. When setting up the stroller, getting the shoulder harness straps out of the grommets to adjust them up or down is next to impossible; it literally took me more than 20 minutes to adjust all four (and it nearly ruined my nails!). Last but not least, it's definitely a two-handed job to recline the seats, which is not always ideal. Overall, I'm happy with the quality and features of the Twin Techno -- but clearly there is still room for Maclaren to improve the design. Let's hope they read some of these reviews and incorporate some of these into the 2008s! Even so, I feel like we did get the best double stroller available on the market now, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. My only advice is that if you'll be using it for a child older than 2 and over 30 pounds, that you try a test drive with them first.

3. ( 6 of 6 found this review helpful ) Posted: May 1 2007

   I bought this stroller when my daughter was 3 months and my son was 21 months after trying several kinds of strollers. The cost was more then I wanted to spend, but after using it for nearly 2 months every day, it has been worth it. Pros - It is about 25 lbs which is good overall. It is a little heavier then some to lift, but the weight makes it far easier to push with the weight distributed oddly (toddler in one side, infant in other). - It fits on elevators easily - Folds small enough to fit through x-ray security at the airport - It fits through all doors I have come across - It accommodates an infant and a toddler equally well - Decent size baskets - After a bit of use, can be folded with one hand (needs to loosen up) - Turns VERY easily - The wheels don't bump into things - Good size sunshades and rain cover - Doesn't feel bulky - Kids seem comfortable - Can push with one hand - Dries quickly Cons - Hard to fold in the beginning - Straps are a pain to adjust - No snack tray - Hard to lay down seat with one hand (possible though) - No middle handle So even with cons, I think this is my 5 star stroller. You can't have it all, I have tested out 10 strollers and this was far better then any other one I tried. And being able to get around easily with two babies in the city, airport and hotels is worth the cost and the minor troubles.

See all reviews...

1. Posted: Jan 18 2008

   I love Maclaren strollers, but I don't get it, the main selling feature of this Techno over others is the car seat adaptor bar, which would make it the cream of the crop - however - I saw it in the store and it is a rigid metal bar so you cannot close the stroller with it attached (I love how quick and easy it is to fold other Mac strollers). You won't find a single photo of the bar anywhere, not even on the Maclarenbaby website. I owned the Techno classic and loved everything about it except I wished they would have just made the basic seat more cushioned instead of adding a separate cushion which I felt didn't look and fit as well and added bulk. My husband still laments that we had to sell it when baby #2 came along. It was so light and manuverable and a smooth, comfy ride... ah well, still waiting. Until then my Zooper Hula will have to do, although it falls short of the Mac brand (see my review on the beige model).

2. Posted: Sep 7 2007

   After having 12 strollers for my 3 children my search for the (almost) perfect stroller is over! The quality & design of this full feature stroller is second to none. (I knew I was on to a winner when it arrived with the wheels already on!) Pros; Reasonable weight Compact umbrella fold Car seat adapter bar Full recline & extendable foot rest Quality fabrics Removable padded seat, strap pads & head hugger Large sun canopy which unzips & rachets forward for even more coverage Decent underseat basket & two extra storage pockets on hood Adjustable handlebars Very manouverable; 'one handed push' Smooth ride Rain cover included Cons; (Well you can't have it all!) Takes practice to fold & recline seat Unable to access shopping basket under seat with seat reclined Fabric colour is unexciting, (I bought the grey/black 'Carbon' colour) No cup holders or child/parent trays Doesn't fold down completely with adapter bar in place Conclusion; Definitely worth the $$$'s. Wish I had bought this stroller for my first child!

3. ( 2 of 2 found this review helpful ) Posted: Aug 18 2007

   i received this stroller as a baby shower gift from my favorite cousin (even though i had registered for the xt model). i was extremely grateful that my cousin picked this one instead of the xt. this is such a great stroller. the quality and durability of the xlr is above and beyond what i expected. being a first time mom, i didn't know which brand to go with but after careful review and suggestions from friends and family i chose maclaren. i'm so happy with this stroller. you can definitely tell that the makers put alot of thought into the functionality of it and it's very durable. all the pieces are made extremely well. i would definitely suggest getting the xlr, it'll last longer and seems like the size of the seat is more comfortable for a bigger baby like mine (more room to stretch out).

See all reviews...