I'm the wiener winner! I won the stroller from the Stroller Rodeo contest. FIRST, a HUGE thank you to MicraLite and DadLabs for the giveaway!

So, as I promised, here is a random Dad review of the MicraLite "fastfold Super-lite" stroller(ML), as compared to a 3-wheel 'jogger stroller' (JGR). Wordy and lengthy. 'Tis just how I roll. Sorry.

Right out of the box, I dig the ML. (Who doesn't love something cool for free!?) Lightweight, and just cool looking. Assembly was fairly easy, though the instructions seem a bit vague (yes, I reviewed them). Probably took me twice as long as anyone else because I kept trying to check to make sure what seemed obvious was clear in the book. I'm not a complete idiot, so the assembly was indeed as expected, but the instructions didn't really confirm anything. And I have this leftover thumbscrew, that isn't mentioned anywhere in the instructions, nor does it seem to have a home.

I should also say, that as much as I like the MicraLite, neither my household income nor personal frugality would have allowed me to purchase a $300 stroller(particularly when a $50 stroller will do). However, I totally understand why this is a more expensive ride. There doesn't seem to be ANYTHING standard on it, except maybe that the wheels are round. Every piece looks to have been re-engineered from scratch. Every joint, pivot point, latch and handle look different than anything else I've seen in my 3.5 years as a parent. So, I do understand that takes dollars, and a lot of them.

The JGR, for my purposes, is not at all a jogger stroller. I don't run. I picked it up from Craigslist for $40. And I've easily gotten 3x my money's worth of use out of it, if not more. And the ML is not designed to be a jogger stroller either. So consider this comparison as 2 daily use strollers. (Ok, for me, maybe weekend use.)

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Size/Folding: While the ML does have a relatively small footprint when folded, it's still a large item to throw in a trunk, but the longer configuration allows for other stuff, because there is more floor space left over. Dig that for sure. It's also lighter, so it's less effort, even to go up and over a trunk lip. The ML will also roll easily when folded, IF you make sure the front wheels fold in correctly. The JGR simply will not roll.

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Also, the size of your vehicle matters. The JGR will not even fit in our compact Aveo trunk. (Well, it might, IF I were to take the front wheel off, but I'm not gonna go through all that.)

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They both fit in the Outback, but that's because the Outback is awesome. ;)

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If you are a regular public transportation user, the ML would be a great addition to your kid toting trips. It won't take up too much space on the bus/subway. The JGR just really isn't an option here. It's too big (folded or not) and likely won't even be allowed on a bus. I guess you can probably take it on a subway, but I'd bet you'll get lots and lots of stink-eye from other riders.

The "one handed folding/unfolding" claim of the ML is a bit exaggerated. It can be done, but you'll get it done faster and easier using both hands. But it is simple button/latch execution.

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The JGR is also simple, but both hands are required and you'll be more bent over, which can be trying on the lower back, particularly after a long day of strolling.

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The JGR also feels sturdier/more rugged than the ML. I believe that's mostly due to the fewer folding pieces of the rigged JGR frame. With the ML, most of the frame folds up in some form or fashion. The ML can take some abuse I'm sure, but it just "feels" a bit more wiggly. It's much shorter front to back than the JGR, which is certainly a plus in a crowd/store/mall trip. The back wheels are much closer together on the ML, so you can get closer in on the sides and not be kicking the wheels. But I had to adjust my stride to keep from kicking them when pushing, as they are directly in front of my feet, while my stride fits easily between the JGR wheels.

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Storage: As in what it can carry (besides the kiddo). Both are fairly lame here. The JGR is slightly better for a few reasons. The JGR has a tray for Dad. Beer Drink holder and a spot for keys or a phone. The ML has nada. Also the ML has a strap down the middle of the 'basket' which is required for folding and stability. This essentially cuts the size of the largest item you can shove under the seat in half. So the backpack diaper bag is a no go. I remedied this problem on our zoo trip by splitting our gear into 2 smaller bags, and really stuffing them in under the seat. A lil' extra work, but nothing terrible. Access is better on the ML, directly from the front.

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The JGR basket will hold the backpack diaper bag, but it's harder to get to it from the back.
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And a big difference between the two… You absolutely cannot hang anything (besides a pirate flag) on the handles of the ML. Because of the placement/angle of the handles behind the wheels, even the slightest bit of weight on them will cause the stroller to fall over backwards if there is no child in the seat.

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The JGR can hold a diaper bag draped over the handle.

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Customization: What? By that I mean STICKER SPACE! The JGR wins here, as it just has more places for stickers/patches. The ML only has the sunshade really, but it's a cooler looking rig really, so with a nice screen printed logo on the sunscreen, it'll look like a pro-ride. (I WILL be customizing it. I'll add those photos to the thread eventually.) (If ever I get really ambitious, you can bet the JGR will have a flame job.)

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Seat Carrier(option): The JGR loses big time here. It won't hold a car seat for the younger spawns, and it's not even an option. The ML has an optional car seat adapter, which we absolutely WILL be purchasing, for TheNextOne. (No, not yet. We're working' on it.)

Handling/Terrain: The clear difference here is the front wheels. The ML has swivel casters, and the JGR is one large fixed wheel, built for speed. I took TheBoy to the zoo with the ML, where we have also ventured before with the JGR. The ML is much more maneuverable with the swivel casters. When in the various indoor spaces, this was a HUGE plus. Uphill pushing was the same as the JGR, but downhill, the JGR is more comfy, as it has a wheel brake for easy control.

Now, having only pushed the ML in my yard, and having taken the JGR to a couple of outdoor (open field) events recently (note the mud on the wheels in the photos)... for that type of terrain, the JGR is much better. The larger wheels roll over the grass and lumpy ground sooo much easier than the swivel casters of the ML. You can lean the ML back to use only the rear wheels, but you and the kiddo can only handle that for so long. Those events also have parents with wagons and triple wide strollers, so the extra size of the JGR goes completely unnoticed.

Seat/Rider Comfort: Pretty much equal seating. TheBoy has lil' trouble getting in/out of both rides. Both sit up and recline. The JGR requires a strap adjustment for this, the ML only raising or lowering the attachment points by sliding them. On the ML the sunshade is only directly overhead. The JGR screen rotates from overhead to directly in front.

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At the zoo, even with the reduced carrying capacity, the ML is the clear choice. The smaller footprint when indoors or amongst a crowd was great. The JGR tended to get the occasional stink-eye from other patrons in that "you idiot, don't you know that's a jogging stroller" kind of way. The push and ride on smooth paved paths are easy with either stroller. I think ANY situation with smooth terrain that has a crowd or any enclosed areas, the ML is the stroller to have.

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So… what does all that mean? Would I recommend the darned thing or not? YES! The MicraLite "fastfold Super-lite" stroller is a GREAT stroller. It folds up easily and is lightweight. It has the optional car seat adapter, so it can be a long term tool in your child raising arsenal. It's very maneuverable and easy to handle in a crowd, in a mall, or at the zoo. Storage capacity isn't great, but no stroller has that. Can it be your ONLY stroller? YES! It absolutely can. The only place you might want something different (meaning with bigger wheels) would be those outdoor events with rougher terrain. Our jogger stroller will see much less daylight now, but I like having the option. My only major checkmark against the ML, is the price tag.

(Please feel free to add your review of your stroller to this thread! You don't have to be as wordy as me, just share what ya like/didn't like about it. Help out other Dads!)

thanks for the review. We have the B.O.B stroller and will never own anything less. However, after reading this I would really consider this in a city like NYC or for those with limited space and enough smooth surfaces around. As for us, we enjoy a multitude of terrain and need a stroller that can handle the city and the mountains as well.
Thanks N,
Theron

great review, thanks for the read. love the photos too.

fb | m4a

While workin' on shirts for the Kids Expo, I also customized the MicorLite sunshade. Not the easiest thing to do, because the shade can not be removed from it's frame.


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I had planned to do a skate logo on the other side, but I ran out of time. Will probably do that the next time I do a batch of shirts.