For the last twelve months we have tested out a succession of strollers with
our second son who was born in June of last year. Usually with our blog
posts and videos, our focus is on evaluating strollers from the
viewpoint of repair. However, having again become regular stroller
users, we have discovered that there can sometimes be differences
between judging a stroller's design when repairing it, which has more to
do with simplicity, strong materials, ease of maintenance and general
longevity and judging a stroller while using it, which is about comfort
and ease of use. As we continue to test out strollers with our new baby
we will share our experiences as stroller consumers.
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| Mountain Buggy Terrain |
This spring we bought a used Mountain Buggy Terrain hoping to get the most out of its sixteen inch all-terrain wheels as we again set off into the woods. Overall, we were very satisfied with the performance of this stroller, though part of this is undoubtedly due to a prior knowledge and acceptance of the stroller's faults. This model has come into the workshop several times and we knew which mechanisms would require regular maintenance.
The large wheels definitely helped with difficult terrain, allowing the stroller to easily traverse fallen branches and rocky hillsides. This was not a silent process however, as the stroller clunked loudly from the front end and rattled from the rear. If the hand brake was tightened too much, it squeaked, and if loosened did not function at all.
I had anticipated all of these little irritations however, and thus was not fazed by them. What we were after with this stroller was a combination of its large wheels, relatively sturdy and simple chassis, its handy sunshade and its comfortable seat.
The clunking noises emanating from the front end occurs with most Mountain Buggy models and can be reduced by making sure that the front wheel is tightened properly. The rattly red caps covering the brakes serve no purpose and can be easily removed if they're found to be bothersome. And the hand brake, which helps to slow the stroller a bit while maneuvering down steep hills, rarely lives past the first six months of use with this stroller, and so I didn't expect much from it.
What we needed to work, with this stroller, worked. Off-road, this stroller out-performed any of the other strollers we've covered so far in this series. That being said, if you're thinking about buying one, we'd like to give you few tips.
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| Mountain Buggy Terrain understell |
Firstly, unless you're prepared to regularly shift out the calipers, give up on the handbrake. The design is simply not made to last. Secondly, tighten the screws on the chassis whenever it begins to feel wobbly. Letting this go too long can result in damage to the plastic joints. Thirdly, it's important to oil the front wheel mechanism as well as all of the wheel shafts to prevent the wheels from becoming rusted to the axles. Lastly, be aware that the tires and ball bearings on all the newer Mountain Buggy models tend to wear down quickly. If you need to replace the tires, we advise buying tires of the same size from a different manufacturer (many children's bicycles also use sixteen inch tires). If you have any questions regarding the maintenance of your Mountain Buggy Terrain, as always, feel free to contact us.
