This stroller fits a very specific need fairly well, that is when you have two children separated in age by a few years. Compared with other doubles strollers this inline stroller is narrower and more compact and allows for various seating configurations to allow handling a newborn up to two toddlers. Phil and Ted have made changes over the years to correct some problems and shortcomings. This stroller had an early 2008 model defect with the folding latch that has been corrected with a recall.The doubles seat that was included is fairly easy to put on and remove and is according to others easier to use than on the sport or classic model. It must be removed when folding the stroller when it is in the rear position. The rear handle rotates into three positions by depressing two buttons , the lowest for locking the parking brake which is cable activated and the other two positions are for different height operators. I am 5'-11" and found myself wishing for an additional inch in extension but others my height are satisfied. The cable brake does not look easy to repair if there was a problem with it and when the handle is in the brake position it encroaches on the rear passengers head room which seems like it would make it more difficult to remove the passenger which already looks hard enough. I have to say this is one area where a side by side or a larger heavier inline double stroller would have an advantage but the compactness and narrowness of this stroller outweigh the disadvantages for us in part because we have a small car and we will be using the stroller in stores where the maneuverability is a plus. Some have complained about hitting their legs against the rear seat on earlier models that did not have the adjustable handle. I don't think it will be a problem with this one but it is close.
Folding the stroller is easy enough. You push a button and pull two levers and it folds with out much prompting. You need to tuck the basket out of the way to get the latch to catch and hold the stroller folded. To keep it from getting dirty I allow the handle to rest on the tops of my feet as I fold it. Up till now we have been using a Maclaren stroller that weighs a third the weight, steers easily with one hand and is much more maneuverable and I would stick with that if it we didn't need the double stroller. With the double seat on the stroller weighs 32 pounds and with it and the grab bar removed the weight is 27 pounds which is strange because the web site and the booklet that came with the stroller lists the weight at 23 pounds. I do wish that the frame was made of lighter aluminum instead of steel. ON the plus side the stroller seems very stable.
Many people have reported flat tire problems with other Phil and Ted strollers but it is too early for me to comment on this one. A friend with a Sport model changed her tires at a bike shop to ones with deeper tread and has not had a problem since. The sun shade works well for an overhead sun but cannot be rotated to block the sun when it is lower in the sky. Strangely our stroller came with two sets of rear fenders that are made of very flimsy plastic. One set is shorter than the other and can be mounted at one of two rotation positions on the tire and the other set covers more of the circumference of the tire but mounts in only one position. The larger fender seems more flimsy just because it is larger. There was no info what so ever about the extra fenders in the manual. This stroller has a front wheel that can be locked or allowed to rotate
by twisting a knob that is easy to operate. The locked position makes the stroller harder to maneuver when turning. There is a good bit of weight on the front wheel and not enough leverage on the rear handle to easily lift the weight off the front wheel for turning. Locking the front wheel makes it easier to go through narrow spaces especially when backing up. This stroller is not considered a great jogging stroller. When the front wheel is locked there is still a little play in it, I think a jogging stroller should have no play in the front wheel and have the leverage on the handle to be able to lift the weight off the front wheel easily for turning. This stroller rolls easily on the large tires and the ride is comfortable for the passengers. This model has a hard plastic footrest for the main seat that allows a toddler to climb in easily. There is an attachment for a car seat to go in front of the main seat when you want to move a newborn from the car to the stroller without disturbing them but we have not purchased this yet. It seems like a good idea.
All and all it seems like a sturdy and unique stroller that will serve our purposes fairly well but heavier than it needs to be.
Phil & Ted's Overview
active urban inlineTMThe dash inlineTM stroller, phil&teds latest answer for parents with active lifestyles, has all the great functionalities to provide hassle-free travels for parents & comfort for child. The dash features include all the great benefits in phil&teds products-ultimate functionality with upgrades in features including the intelligent handle with hand brake, ezy fold mechanism for quick and seamless folding and an easy to clean plastic foot well. multi positional active seatTM to provide unlimited options and the most comfortable position for your toddler and/or baby.? fully adjustable seat angles from upright to totally lie-flat newborn? plush padded and dual tone fabric? intelligent handle including:- hand brake for quick & easy stops- trigger action ezy fold mechanism for quick & easy folding and packing? durable plastic foot well
Buy Phil& Teds Dash Buggy Single with Free Doubles Kit Red CHEAP and FREE shipping
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Phil& Teds Dash Buggy Single with Free Doubles Kit Red Feature
- Upgraded Seat Cushion - waterproof and machine washable
- Sturdy Stroller - Updated from the Sport Buggy
- Phil and Teds Doubles Kit Turns your Stroller into a double buggy
- New Durable Plastic Footrest
- Swiveling Front Wheel makes manuevering easy
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Phil& Teds Dash Buggy Single with Free Doubles Kit Red Customer reviews
gorgeous - Gloria Essner -
My daugther and son in law loved this stroller, specially now when they are expecting their second child, I think both girls are going to love riding it.
My son in law put it together with no problems.
Excellent stroller, Dash - Raphael Freeman - Modiin, Israel
The Phil&Teds isn't available here in Israel so all of our research was online. I felt it was important to help other shoppers out too!
Anyway, we were expecting number 2 and number 1 isn't even 2 years old so we need a solution. My sister in the UK was in the same situation 3 month's earlier and had the luxury of actually trying out the various options. She had gone for the Sports model. We liked the fact that on the Dash there was a strengthened plastic footholder and the handle drop down to act as a brake. We were told by friends that the footbrake on the Sports was a bit of a pain to operate.
So this is my short-term review. We have had the stroller for about a week and these are my observations.
Our first challenge were the instructions. They are very small and the photos are b/w making it particularly difficult to understand. I was very careful in the assembly because my sister had managed to break her Phil&Teds by forcing it. Since I don't have the luxury like she does of returning the product to be fixed, we have to be extra careful.
I (being somewhat dimwitted, but we just had a newborn baby so I'll use that as an excuse) didn't realise that the tires were flat making the stroller particulary difficult to move around. After realising that a bicycle pump was a complete waste of time, I went of to the local gas station and 2 minutes later pumped up the tires. The wheels were very easy to release so I didn't have to bring the whole stroller.
Manoevering takes a bit of used to. We are not used to 3-wheelers, but basically you have to slightly push down on the handle when turning and then it turns very nicely. The ride is easier than our umbrella stroller.
Of course we are using it as a double stroller. It's in "new-born" position which is lots of fun in the park when everyone asks, "where is the baby". The problem is that the stroller bag that we have kind of blocks the baby altogether so we really need to get the pannier bags but Amazon is out of stock!
As everyone mentions, the basket in the new-born position is almost useless. It's fine if you have to throw a diaper in there, or perhaps a few cookies, but it's very hard to access when used in this way. Think of it not existing and you'll be less frustrated. However, the really frustrating thing is as follows: We bought the Dash because we like the handles acting as a brake, however, when the handle is in "brakes mode" that means the handle is down. That makes it harder to get the new-born out of the stroller... oh and the diaper bag falls off... Again, we need the pannier pages (cue Amazon to restock!)
The hood is a bit of a joke. It's very flimsy and since we are in new-born mode, the doubles kit is on top and higher up too close to the hood. That means that really the hood is only useful when both children are sitting. Okay, it doesn't really rain in the summer here in Israel so I'll stop complaining. But it's good to know.
Okay, so far, I've been a bit negative, but it's important to understand the shortcomings of this otherwise excellent stroller. Let's now be positive.
1. In new-born position the baby is 180 degrees flat. That means that if you want your baby to be on their front (yes, yes SIDS and all that, but nevertheless), you can in this stroller.
2. Size. It's brilliant! When you see it you don't realise it's a double stroller. It's narrow and short making it a pleasure to use. We have no problem going through doorways. When we eventually get the pannier bags, I'm not sure that this will cause a problem because the back wheels are much wider than the stroller so I think the width will stay more or less the same.
3. Compactability. The biggest problem with big wheels is that although they make for a great ride and it's much much easier to go over curbs etc. it is larger for when you want to fold up and put into the car. We have a Ford Focus which although is a "small car" has quite a large trunk for a car of it's size. There is no problem whatsoever getting the stroller into the trunk and plenty of room for the groceries. It isn't the lightest stroller and is a little bulky to put in the car, but you can't really complain. For the Dash, when in new-born position you simply fold it. Once you move to 2 toddler mode, apparantly you have to detach the 2nd seat before folding. I have yet to try this. If this is a problem, then you need to get the Vibe.
All in all we are very very happy so far. Our eldest son is happy (well as far as we can tell) to go into it and enjoys being higher up in the stroller.
Highly recommended.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Oct 12, 2010 15:27:08
Thanks To : Single Baby Strollers Double Baby Stroller Baby Stroller Travel System
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