16 out of 16 people found this review helpful.
Love this stroller!
Date of Review: Aug 28, 2003
The Bottom Line: Great item, great quality. Easy to handle. Definitely fills a void in the tandem stroller market.
The difference between the LXIII Plus and the LXIII is a big one!! The LXIII Plus actually has a full back seat as opposed to just a jump seat. The back seat is removable and reveals the jump seat like the LXIII.
I just got this stroller today. I ordered through www.strollerdepot.com and paid $170 with free shipping. I haven't been able to find this in stores yet - I even called Baby Trend to find out they only sell them online right now.
I needed a very versatile tandem stroller and the LXIII Plus is unlike any other stroller I found. It doesn't have cup holders (not even a parent tray), or a really big easy-to-access basket (actually very small and useful only for lightweight, squishy items like clothes or blankies), but it does allow me to carry my 1 year old and keep my 4 year old happy and safely contained while traveling next to busy city streets.
The stroller required minor assembly (simple enough) out of the box.
It is heavy to lift, but doesn't feel heavy to push (even with a 4 year old and a 1 year old installed), and even uphill over bridges.
It fits in my Honda Accord trunk, but not much of anything else will fit at the same time.
I took this stroller across bumpy cobblestone sidewalks and through many poorly paved intersections with absolute EASE. The front wheels actually have a bit of a suspension system. Steering was a dream - no problem whatsoever.
The front seatback has 2 positions - almost straight up and somewhat reclined. It doesn't recline flat. The back seat also has 2 positions - almost straight up and completely flat. The footrests on both seats are also adjustable, although not very sturdy.
Both seats offer 3 point harness systems.
The LXIII Plus seems to be built fairly well. The seat pads are removable for washing. The wheels are HUGE - 10" rear and 8.5" front. The basket is on the smaller side and hard to get at, but that seems minor compared with all the benefits that this stroller offers. The navy and plaid pattern isn't my favorite, but looks like it will hide stains well.
Now for the fun part: the convertibility of the stroller. Within 3-5 minutes you can remove the back seat to reveal a padded jump seat for your older child. A 3 point safety harness is provided for the jump seat. Your older child can also stand on a sturdy platform at the rear of the storage basket if you prefer. The platform is easy in, but maybe too easy out if you have a child that prefers to walk. The only restraint is a simple strap to catch the child if she falls back. There are also handrails for the child to hold onto while she stands.
The stroller also comes with an attachment so you can use any brand infant car seat in the front seat. At the same time your older child can stand or sit on the jump seat in the back. I'm not sure if the traditional back seat can be used while a car seat is installed. It just looks a little too cramped.
This stroller weighs 32 lbs. unloaded. It measures 40" long x 22" wide x 10.5" deep when folded. Open dimensions are 40" tall x 22" wide x 37" long.
Added Sept 15 - I've now had this stroller for a couple weeks and I have a few more complaints. First - the handle is not padded at all. After a long day pushing 2 kids around my hands are a little sore. Second - the sun canopies are not adequate for rain. I experienced this firsthand today. Both kids were pretty wet after we got caught in a rain storm. Finally - the wheels started to squeek after a week or so of use. I had assembled the stroller myself, and maybe didn't do the best job. My husband took the wheels off and lubed them up and now the stroller is silent.
Added March 28, 2004 - An update. My kids are heavier now than they were last summer. The stroller has gotten harder to push and steer because of the extra weight. And as a result it is harder on my hands because of a lack of padding on the handle. It still works well, but I'm not always excited to take it out for a spin - especially when the alternative is one kid walking and the other in an umbrella stroller. The other thing that really bugs me is the rear seat footrest. It is not removable, even when the rear seat is removed. It hangs in the middle of the storage basket and cuts the space in half. If I could only get it off, I would be able to fit much more in the basket.
