I met Jon, from Britax on the first day of the ABC Kids Expo. What a wonderful man he was. I promised I would write a review on my personal experience with the Britax B-Ready stroller. This was a stroller I purchased on my own, so a VERY unbiased review.
We took it on a neighbourhood walk. Here are my first impressions of it while walking:
-Pushes GREAT, almost as good, fully loaded, as the Phil and Teds three wheeler.
-Very comfortable seats for both children.
-Easy to fold
-It has nice suspension
-Its a big stroller, not exceptionally wide, just larger then I am used to
-The children loved to look at each other
-It pushes no different with the larger child in either seat, either direction, meaning it still pushes great, and it wasn’t tippy at all
-It has a section in the middle of the nicely padded handle, with extra grip on it, making it easier to push and steer one handed.
-The rear seat is really easy to put on, take off, and recline.
-The harness is going to drive me CRAZY if I don’t figure something out. I might try glue. I don’t THINK you need to be able to take the shoulder straps off the waist belt, but I will have to really check it out. I actually talked to Jon about this. Jon says they will be devising a new “clip” that will still be able to come apart, but will “click” together. This clip is supposed to be updated on the new production of seats. It wouldn’t look, or act any different (I am told), but will stay together easier.
-the basket is AMAZING!! SOOOooooo much room for both the toddlers feet/legs and a diaper bag, and easier to access then the phil and teds. I could never get things out of my diaper bag in the phil and teds, cause my toddler would just kick at me for leaning over him. With this basket, its very easy to access from the side or the front without disturbing the rear rider.
-Love the materials they used. The fabric is soooooooo nicely padded and comfortable. I personally purchased the red stroller, but being at the ABC Kids Expo, I got to see all the others, and that emerald green is to DIE for. Maybe Jon can send me a green rear seat, and we can do a “Christmas B-Ready”!!! Really, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the bright colours of the red and green on the material they used in the B-READY.
– LOVE LOVE LOVE the mesh in the peak-a-boo window on BOTH canopy’s. It was hot out tonight, I opened the baby’s window, and the air just flowed through, and the flap stays open with magnets.
So far, I am really in love. This stroller may actually keep me busy for a while, and keep me from buying any other strollers for some time. Its that cool.
I have taken it around the neighbourhood, through grass, rock, pavement, curbs, mulch, and so far it is amazing. My mom (who is in some of the photos!!) even enjoyed pushing this stroller, and she thinks I’m NUTS, for my stroller obsession. The true test was when my DH and I took the children into Vancouver City one evening for the international fireworks display. It was interesting to see how it did in crowds, and for a sleeping stroller, for when they fell asleep afterwards. IT DID GREAT! My Husband LOVES it, and he hates strollers. Whenever we go out, I don’t even have to ask him to put it in the van, its the first stroller he goes for (for a double).
For Britax’s reputation in the past, for poor quality strollers (sorry Jon, but that is the opinion of other moms, ;0)), the B-READY seems like it is very well made.
One of the other complaints I have is, I WISH they offered air tires. The tires that are on it are okay, but I HATE plastic tires, and these ones are all plastic. The spokes, and the foam tires. The rest of the stroller is sooooo well made (so far) and they put crappy tires on it. I don’t get it!?!?!?! This, I also spoke to Jon about. Will Britax listen, and offer air tires as an option? We shall see………
Anyway, that’s all I can comment on so far.
This is my honest opinion, and things may change over time. I will be sure to keep updating if I receive any more B-Ready products. I’d love to use the Chaperone infant seat on the stroller, and the bassinet as well. So, if I get a change to do that, I will be sure to update with more pictures and my findings.
UPDATE!!!!!!
So, I got to take this beauty to Vancouver for the fireworks display. Its like it was made for me!! LOL!!
First, it fits PERFECTLY in the back of our van, in the well, standing up on its end, and it doesn’t flop around, or bang against the tailgate. (We have a Dodge Grand Caravan).
My DH, who is 6’3″, doesn’t kick the back seat at all.
He HATES my stroller addiction, and usually hates every single stroller I bring into the house, or at least has horrible complaints about them, and this time he actually really enjoyed pushing this stroller. His only complaint was, “I wish this thing had air tires!”. HA, the same thing I said!! He also was wondering why it was so hard to “tip” backwards to get up over the curbs!! LOL!! I explained it to him!! “Honey, Britax designed it to not tip when there is a child in the back toddler seat, and not one in the front seat, so it makes it harder for US to tip is as well”. He said he could live with it!! LOL!!
I have been using it, faithfully since we got it (for a few months now) and I am STILL IN LOVE !!!! I usually know right away if I am really going to keep a stroller or if its going to end up on the chopping block, and right now, its staying off of Craigslist!! I will update again, after I have had a chance to use it for longer, but honestly, I have owned a few hundred strollers, and I have to say, this one, I can’t say enough good things about.
Britax, thank you for your safe carseats, and now THANK YOU FOR THE B-READY!!!
Stay tuned……………
Editor’s note: We would be remiss not to point out all the seating configurations on the Britax B-ready stroller, like the universal carseat adapter, the bassinet and a second stroller seat, plus a full array of other accessories like rain covers, mosquito nets, cold weather boots and snack holders.
Got ours 3mo ago, the 2012 model, and also having trouble with the wheels squeaking already! I was also under the impression that it was supposed to be fixed with the new model.
I’ve also had to have the extension adapter replaced already. I’m glad they have such good customer service, but it’s kind of irritating to need to use it after such a short time.
I am also wondering what they do with all these squeaky strollers?!
Britax consumer number, as of 10/1/2011: 888-427-4829 and 704-409-1700. Be sure to call to let them know of your complaint (I own the B-ready and also have squeaky wheels.)
Has anyone had a problem using the Chaperone baby carrier in the 2nd seat position with a toddler in the “main” seat? I was using our B ready on our daily walk a few months ago and the Chaperone seat our newborn was in lifted out of the little peg holders on the bottom when I had to lift it onto the back wheels to get up onto a sidewalk…I’ve contacted Britax but they’ve insisted that I send photos of the way it is setup (which is fine, just thought I’d poke around and see if its happened to anyone else). For now we’ve discontinued using it as a double stroller until we can figure out the problem.
I love this stroller, its exactly what I needed with a 2yr old and 6month old, but these wheels are killing me. They are so loud and its the actual tire. Calling Britax Monday.
Sorry, to all the readers that this stroller has caused so many problems! I am soooooo frustrated with Britax right now, I could scream!! They have replaced my stroller 2 times now, for this same squeaking problem, and it keeps happening. I really love the concept of this stroller, but if they are just going to keep squeaking, I am NOT going to EVER suggest ANYONE buy this!! BRITAX, you had BETTER make things right with all of us!!
To anyone else who has had this problem, please call Britax, and tell them your problems, and that you are a carseat.org reader. They need to know how many unhappy mommies and daddies there are with this problem, who also read these blogs!!
Please keep me posted with any assistance you get from Britax!
Thanks folks!
Jackie
I came looking to see if anyone else has trouble with the NOISE this stroller makes. For the amount of money this puppy cost, it should NOT be so noisy. Everyone notices us alright-but not always for the hot stroller; it’s usually for the NOISY one! ugh. I’ve tried WD 40, and it didn’t do anything for it. I used the spacers included. Nothing. Very disappointing. I’m loyal to Britax (three kids in their carseats), but I’m almost regretting that loyalty spilling over to their strollers.
does anyone have problems with the straps of the second seat? my toddler is only 2 30 lb and they are not high enough! also seem like they would be too short with thicker clothes on. thanks!
The wheels need to be lubricate then the noise will stop so try using the w40. Apply it inside the slot where the wheels can be attach to.
Hi All,
I am having noise issues with the rear wheel making noise, too. its more of a clicking sound than a squeak. But the click is close together it sounds like a squeak. Annoying. Has anyone got word of a solution?
Any updates on the squeaky wheels? I’ve had my stroller replaced b/c the back wheels were really noisy and now I am about 1 month into using the new one and the front wheels are now driving me batty…oy…wouldn’t expect that from a stroller I paid so much for…
Help – we have had our Britax B-Ready for a total of… TWO DAYS and already the wheels are majorly squeaking. Like squeaking to the point that it is driving me crazy and I don’t want to push it anymore… ugh, how could this happen in just two days? I know our Vancouver sidewalks are bumpy, but seriously!
Pramaholic, have you had any luck getting info from Britax? Please update us! I’m going to call myself tomorrow.
Hi Pramaholic – did Britax have a solution for the squeaking problem? Mine is making all sorts of noises EVERYWHERE! (not just the wheels)… Please let me know, thanks!
I am having a heck of a time with the squeak on my wheels too now!! Very frustrating, I have had the whole stroller replaced, and the new one has started now. I plan on contacting Britax ASAP, because I cannot use it anymore, its driving me batty!! I will post as soon as I get any information.
@MOMTOGUPCPST I am expecting a little girl in January and I have a 2 year old so I have been on the hunt for an awesome double stroller:) I am in love with the B Ready but I had yet to see it in person till yesterday at Disneyland!!! I practically tackled (sort of) this mom who had the only one in the entire park and I was there all day trying to find just one that I could check out!!! I asked her a thousand questions and she even let me push it:) She said hers has that same tire problem you mentioned in your post! She said she contacted Britax and they are replacing the whole stroller for her!!!! She said their customer service is awesome!!!! I hope this helps:)
I have this stroller as well – the stroller, second seat, and bassinet. Haven’t really tested it out, but I agree with your review so far! One thing, did you find the the rear wheels are a bit noisy? (the plastic of the wheel and the plastic it attaches into rub together when they turn)…
I’m test driving one of these for work right now, I basically agree with everything you said! Those buckles drive me nuts.
In looking, at the picture of your kiddos facing each other it looksk as though you’re using the “arm” that moves the “top” seat farther away. I thought that you could only use that with a bassinet or a carseat??? Can I use it with the seat?? That would make me WANT this stroller so much more than I already do. Right now I can only use it with the kids facing away from me, or when I have DD by herself, facing me.
But those buckles. . . who had that brilliant idea?????
I love this stroller though.
air tires have gotten less popular and a lot of stroller companies are switching to foam tires because they don’t go flat… but I’m with you… I’ll take the extra weight from the air in them and the need to check pressure anytime… because strollers that have big wheels like that in back quickly become almost all terrain (with big wheels in front, too, they become all terrain) and just feel like they float over the ground.
I do not need a stroller for the borrowed kids….
Thank you for the great review!
Oh man, why couldn’t they have come out with this in, say, 1999, so I could have gotten to use it with my two wee younguns? What a fantastic addition to any stable!