Tuesday, February 28, 2012

InStep Grand Safari Swivel Wheel Jogger

InStep Grand Safari Swivel Wheel Jogger

Product Details

  • Product Dimensions: 35 x 19 x 14 inches ; 37 pounds
  • Shipping Weight: 25 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
  • Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
  • ASIN: B002QDX9ZM
  • Item model number: 11-AR

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List Price : $159.99
Price : $134.54
You Save : $25.45 (16%)
InStep Grand Safari Swivel Wheel Jogger

Product Features

  • 12-inch front and 16-inch rear pneumatic tires with molded rims provide performance and durability; front swivel includes remote lock out
  • Molded parent tray with two cup holders adds convenience
  • Dual trigger folding mechanism offers uncompromising safety; rubberized, adjustable handle is comfortable and slip resistant
  • Pivoting, molded child tray with two cup holders; exposed spring suspension delivers a smooth ride
  • Built-in MP3 speaker keeps child entertained; faux lambskin seat pad adds warmth and comfort

Customer Reviews


I already have a travel system stroller, which I love, but needed something to actually go running with. I also know that I want to have more than one child, so I didn't want to spend a ton on a jogging stroller when I knew I'd need to upgrade to a double someday. This stroller met many of my requirements, works great and best of all is a great price.
I have had the stroller about 3 months and go running on average 10 miles a week. Here are my pros/cons:
Pros:
-Great price
-sun shade moves all the way forward and back so no matter what direction you're facing, the child's face is always shaded
-Handle bar is adjustable, great for my husband who is taller
-front wheel has remote swivel lock so you don't have to go to the front to actually lock it, just press the button while it's moving and you can lock/unlock
-has a child tray
-mp3 mini speaker for child (I don't really use this though because my child doesn't listen to my audio books)
-smooth ride (nice big air tires and springs) and easy steering
-has a wrist strap (good for if you don't want the stroller to get ahead of you going down hills)
-The wheels come off and on super easy for storage
-child seat reclines
Cons:
-the handle bar is plastic, so when your hands start sweating it becomes obnoxious to grip. I solved this by buying a foam, zipper on handle from stroll-air
-the mp3 speaker cord is not very long, so if you have to move the sun shade all the way forward, chances are you won't be able to leave your mp3 player in the cup holder to reach the speaker (but it comes out of it's little pocket on the sunshade, so you could just put it in the cup holder as well)
-the manual says most infant car seats will fit. It comes with a strap, but if your car seat doesn't have notches (like my Chicco Keyfit 30)to fit in the cup holders, then it's not very stable. I think as long as it has notches though, it should work fine. My child is 9 months anyway, so she doesn't need to be in her infant seat.
-Compared to my Chicco travel system stroller, it's a little on the heavy side. I don't take it shopping with me because it's a little awkward to get in and out of my car's trunk (and heavier). For running though, I don't mind. The ride is so smooth and the little added weight gives me a good workout!
Overall the pros outweigh the cons for me and I would definitely recommend this stroller if you want the features without the price.

I have used this stroller for 6 months now, 2-4 times a week on average I'd say. I loved the value of it - in terms of the features it has for the cost. It came down to getting this or a Bob... which is a LOT more money, and I'm frugal and a SAHM on a budget, so I went with the Grand Safari. I bragged to all my friends about how silly Bob's are to not even come with cup holders! Haha, joke's on me!
While out on a 4-miler yesterday, the front wheel came clear off. Just... popped off. LUCKILY I had slowed down to a walk as I was going around a 90-degree corner downtown. I was planning on popping into the library really quickly, so I was going to go into swivel mode. I had just flipped it to swivel mode from locked (as I was WALKING)... and then the thing lurched. I looked down to see that the wheel and the metal U-shaped thing that holds it were all bent at a funny angle. I just thank God this didn't happen while I was at full speed. We both would have crashed... badly.
I had to do my best to reattach the wheel so that we could walk home. I had to cut my run short, this happened 2 miles in. As I walked home, the fact that I nearly crashed set in, and I decided that I was NOT using this stroller again no matter what. It just did not feel safe anymore and I did NOT trust it. Also, even just walking home, it didn't push quite right anymore. Something had gotten bent/broken on it when the wheel came off.
Now, I need to say that I've been training for competitive races for 3 years now. I've been running with a jogging stroller of some kind for a year. I've used THIS model for 6 months. I'm not an idiot. I know HOW to run with a jogger. I check the air pressure on all tires every other run.
Yesterday morning, I put air in all the tires (which is a HUGE pain in the ass on the front wheel, even with a specially-designed pump). That's all I did. I didn't mess with the quick release wheel mechanism. I NEVER have messed with it. EVER.
When I got home, I put my son down for his nap and IMMEDIATELY contacted In Step... thinking that surely a company who makes BABY products would have excellent customer service and be eager to help me be as safe as possible. I asked to talk to someone about a warranty claim, as this stroller supposedly has a 1-year warranty. The rep I was connected with was vaguely sympathetic, but very firm in that it was somehow MY FAULT. She was convinced that either I had loosened the quick-release wheel or had been running with it in swivel mode. I argued with her, and told her 3 separate times that I had not messed with the wheel and that I'm not stupid and was NOT running in swivel mode. The very suggestion of it is kind of laughable, as the stroller wobbles dangerously at even a fast walk in swivel mode - it would be pretty much impossible to really run with it. She finally said that what they could do under the warranty was send me replacement parts. I said thanks but no thanks, I am not using an unsafe product with my first born son in it, and that I will not be giving In Step any more of my money ever again (we have a bike trailer from them that we LOVE though).
Thank goodness for Amazon. I called them up and explained what happened, and how this is a BABY product which I have SERIOUS safety concerns about. They allowed me to return the stroller for a full refund, with prepaid shipping, even though my return window expired 30 days after I bought it. I'm so glad about this. I would not feel good even selling this stroller on Craigslist.
Now I am going to be taking my refunded money and investing in a Bob Revolution. With as much running as I do, I probably should have gotten one all along... but I was trying to be frugal. I will say that this is a good stroller in terms of features ; function - my son loved the comfy seat pad, the tray ; cup holders, the mp3 speaker. I enjoyed the adjustable handle bar, the cup holders ; small storage on the parent try. I found the basket size to be adequate. I liked the colors and the adjustable sunshade with the peekaboo window too.
If you are just looking for a stroller that's NOT a travel system one and don't plan on doing any serious running with it, then it's probably fine. But please be CAREFUL with it. Check the wheel attachments and air pressure every time you go out, and only switch from locked to swivel with caution. I wouldn't run with it at all. If you are interested in jogging or running at ALL, just save yourself the time ; trouble and get a Bob... avoid this stroller and In Step's awful, careless concept of "customer service" and "warranties" like the plague.
ETA: I did wind up reporting this incident to the CPSC. Unfortunately, it seems that InStep/Pacific Cycle continues to pass the buck on this matter. But, it's there... if more parents run into this issue, please report it. If enough people have the same problem - and REPORT it - then a recall will happen, and InStep/Pacific Cycle will be forced to make this product safer.
You can look up my report on saferproducts.gov under this number: 20110701-AE9B4-2147477653.
InStep Grand Safari Swivel Wheel Jogger

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