BOB Ironman Duallie

Bottom line

The BOB Ironman Duallie earns high praise as an excellent choice for serious runners with two children, including from parents of twins and parents with young children of different ages. As reviewers point out, this is a serious running stroller for people who run every day or run long distances. It gets kudos for ease of pushing.. Some of those runners with children of differing ages say the seat back/canopy combination is short for their older child, so it may be best to try before you buy.

Safety

As safe as it gets, but two recalls in one year. The BOB Ironman Duallie has a five-point padded harness, one-touch heavy duty linked parking brake on the back wheels, and a handle brake made to carefully slow the stroller on hills, something parents appreciate. There also is a wrist strap in case the stroller slips out of a parent's hands, but at least one owner says the wrist strap is fixed on the right side and is rather short. She'd like to see it made longer or made to move from one side to another so she can switch hands. The wrist strap doubles as a manual fold, so the stroller does not open when carried.

BOB single and double strollers manufactured between April 2002 and February 2011 were voluntarily recalled in February 2011 due to a strangulation hazard from the drawstrings on the strollers. Another voluntary recall for strollers manufactured between November 1998 and October 2011 was issued in October 2011 due to a possible choking hazard if the stroller canopy's embroidered logo patch detached. No injuries were reported in either recall. BOB responded quickly, offering fixes based upon reports from consumers. If you have a stroller within those manufacturer dates, discontinue use and contact the manufacturer for repair information.

Ease of use

Runners love its easy push. Experts and owners praise the BOB Ironman for its ease of pushing due to its 16-inch, high-pressure tires. The fold and the recline are two-handed, but reviewers says it's easy to do. It is bulky when folded, but the wheels pop off easily to make it more compact. The seat can be spot cleaned. It is also heavy at 34 pounds, so it may take some muscle to lift in and out of car trunks.

Lifestyle features

The stroller for serious runners. The BOB Ironman Duallie has a fixed front wheel without a swivel option, so it's not a good choice as an everyday stroller. However, it's not supposed to be an everyday stroller; it's a stroller for long-distance or everyday runners.

The Ironman Duallie takes a car seat with optional adapters (*MSRP $85), but it only takes one at a time, so it won't accommodate two newborns or babies under 8 months old. Also, it should not be used as a running stroller with the car seat in place. According to the manufacturer, newborns up to 8 weeks old can ride in the stroller only with the car seat in place. After 8 weeks, they can ride in the stroller without a car seat, but they may need additional head and neck support if they cannot hold their heads up. Until the child is 8 months old, the stroller should be used only for walking, not running.

After 8 months and up to 100 pounds (total for two children), experts and parents say this is a very safe, comfortable stroller for jogging with children. It features extra back support, good padding, leg support with a bumper to keep children's feet from the front wheel and two side pockets for snacks or drinks. The tracking and suspension are adjustable, with suggested settings for children of different weights on the suspension. The seat is roomy, but taller children may hit their head on the canopy due to a lower clearance. The large canopy is split and can be adjusted independently; both canopies have a large peek-a-boo window. There is a large under seat basket and two large pockets on the back of the seat. There is no parent cup holder, but a handlebar console (*MSRP $29) is sold separately, as is a child's snack tray (*MSRP $50).

The BOB Ironman Duallie is bulky, so it may not fit in all car trunks, and it's heavy at 34 pounds. Both are to be expected from a double stroller. The tires do pop off for a smaller footprint. The handlebar is not adjustable, but taller parents say it fits them well.

Customer service

Solid stroller, solid warranty. The BOB Ironman carries a five-year warranty on the frame, one year on small parts and fabric. BOB and Britax have excellent reputation for customer service