Bike trailers and jogging strollers

I spend a lot of time in the summer with rollar blades (inline skates) strapped to my feet. Being hugely pregnant last summer, I went stir crazy being unable to skate!! My husband likes bike riding, and usually I skate while he bikes.

Now that we have our little 7 month old, we are thinking about getting a bike trailer and/or jogging stroller. I figure it would be better to get a jogging stroller if I will be skating, as they are designed to go at higher speeds. I've been skating since I was 3, so I am very good on my feet and also very safety conscience.

Anyone else have either a jogging stroller or bike trailer? I realise that I might be directing my queries to thin air... as there aren't many baby wearing/jogging devices... lol.

 

The only experience I have with a bike trailer is a friend of mine had one for his son. He took a turn too hard and the trailer turned over and the kid got severe road rash. Granted, the dad was/is and idiot, but they just scare the poo out of me...

 

We have a jogging stroller...saw it as a bit of an essential after our car was stollen and there's nothing else with big enough wheels to get through the snow here, lol
But yeah, I'm the same as you, I love to go rollerblading in the summer, and it really helps having the jogging strollers. They really are desgined for higher speeds. Some tips for getting the right one: make sure the one you get has shocks...they all should, but because you're moving at such a high speed, it really helps downplay the impact of hitting a bump or something. Also, make sure that you get one with a front wheel the turns...ours doesn't and you have to lift up the front to turn. If you don't, it warps the front wheel and the stroller will never go in a straight line again. They should also all come with a strap that wraps around your wrist while you're rollerblading so that just in case you fall, you won't loose your stroller.
So yeah, happy rollerblading!!!

I haven't bought a bike trailer yet...getting one this summer, but from what I have heard, they're awesome.

 

Thanks for the input ladies!

I am looking at some that convert from jogging stroller to bike trailer... they are a bit more expensive, but figure they make the most sense for our family. They are cheaper than buying a stroller AND a trailer, thats for sure.

We are looking at some with padded straps, a 300 lbs impact roll carriage and an included helmet (wearing a helmet is a new family rule). Its got fine mesh sides (bug protection!), a weather guard and other fantastic features. Am going to do some comparison shopping this weekend when we go to this "baby expo" in the city.

 

We looked at this last summer. I found the greatest jogger/bicycle trailer unit. It could be converted to whichever you wanted at the time with various attachments. The total cost was over $600, so that put that option to an end.

We decided to shoot for just the jogger/stroller. I found that by definition at the local sporting goods store that a jogger had the front wheel locked and would not swivel. As barefoot_kirstyn said, this is a pain. In the end we found a Schwinn jogger/stroller. It had the big tires, shocks and brakes of the typical jogger, but the front wheel could be locked in place or unlocked to swivel. This cost us $200, a good bit more than the straight joggers, but way less than the super tech do all machine. Earlier this winter we ordered a ski kit for the Schwinn which worked out great.

For bicycling I ended up with a bike seat that bolted directly behind mine on the bycycle. In the end I think I prefered this. I really never felt that comfortable with a baby riding a foot off the ground six feet behind me.

 

my mom had a baby not long after me and she was all over buying a jogging stroller because she lives in the country. She found one that has the front wheel that swivels, and when the stroller is stopped pedestals drop on both sides of the swivel tire. Ones that dont have a front swivel tire are a pain in the rear when your walking, so it wouldnt be much fun roller skating with it. Also the ones that convert from trailer to stroller tend to be bulkier than a regualr jogging stroller. Best wishes enjoying the weather with your baby!

 

i've had two bike trailers in the past 7 years.. i LOVE them! .. my kids LOVE them.. i'd rather do that than have a car. i would cram groceries and everything else in mine. i even moved with one.. moving most of my small stuff with it.

i'm bikeless right now and it's making me nuts. yes, definitly get one that turns into a stroller.. my sister-in-law used to borrow mine and squeeze 3 kids in it. they're worth what you pay for them. the more expensive .. probably the safer.

 

thats what I figure... this one would mostly be holding the kid and the cat (he likes to go biking too!) Hope to find a good one tomorrow at this Baby Expo we are going to! Will keep you all updated.