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18 of 19 found the following review helpful:
 what's the opposite of Smart? Aug 22, 2011
By Lawrence
My wife's 5', and I'm about 5'6", our baby is within the growth scales as indicated by our pediatrician, not too small, not big. In fact, at 6 months, she's about 13lbs, and can still take a comfortable nap in the bassinet. We got the set before she arrived, and bought the seat cushion separately and verso adapter when it came out. Without the verso, she loved being able to see what was going around, and the attached canopy works to either block the sun, or wind depending on the occasion. After getting the verso, we can actually bottle feed while we walk(we hold the bottle). Since the design is so thin and simple, we can walk in and out of any store without having to go through the wheelchair gates or subscribing to Costco-style warehouse stores.
Structurally, the aluminium frame is strong and simple, a push button locking feature on the left, and two cycling-style quick release levers secure the stroller in the open or closed positions(you need both hands but no feet). The seat is as described by P&T, simple to clean, no seams, hydrophobic. Having the cushion option gives a final touch of elegance to an already eye-catching design. The bassinet too is great, convenient sleep vessel for the trip to grandma's and during the first few months, good diaper change apparatus. It's really not necessary to buy P&T's peanut fitted sleep sheets, most parents will have plenty of swaddling blankets.
Spend the money on the verso kit. The P&T mosquito/UV mesh cover is also well made, very tight knit mesh, but in my opinion, overall look is too black.
The Smart doesn't have huge suspension springs or hydraulic shock absorbing features, it doesn't have a trunk or luggage carrier for the shopping parent, nor does it have an air bag system or LCD entertainment screen. Our baby girl enjoys the walks on sidewalks as much as she enjoys bouncing on my leg, the vibrations don't bother her as much as it concerns onlooking parents as they pass by in their SUS's (sport utility strollers). In fact I think it's often what puts her to sleep during long walks.
We manage to fit it in the hatch of our VW MK5, or in the back passenger seat(foot space) if the trunk is occupied by the dog. While it lies relatively flat, it does not shrink in length. It requires the full handle bar extension down to the front wheelbase, and the width does not change either.
What has been a great bonus, is that we can un-mount the seat, and use it as a baby seat on typical chairs in restaurants. While this doesn't take much effort, it is not for anyone who isn't mechanically minded or prefers spending time txt'ing rather than paying attention to a child. However, placed at correct angles, this is a solid chair option for our baby (again, now 6 months) and it continues to gain praise from wandering eyes. When she was smaller and less desiring to be in an upright position, the peanut sat nicely across two standard chairs. Really, the chair option is obviously not recommended by P&T, and best not encouraged, but I thought I'd mention it 'cause for us, it's wonderful. I'm sure once she starts to get more physically active, it will not be an option, tho I am looking at retro fitting it with tether straps.(P&T, are you listening?)
So if you're not into weight lifting or doing stretches before having to lift the more "popular" SUS models, or if you don't really want to trade in your family sedan because you need a van to fit a stroller... then consider this a nice option. I'm always worried about the structure of the "umbrella" style strollers, and frankly they resemble scissors for fingers too much. One other thing, the seat is not wide... we have no intentions of using it in the winter months outdoors as she'll be nearly 12months old and the thought of a winter coat doesn't work. Also, the little storage net below the seat is small. It holds our diaper bag now, but we only pack what we anticipate using for the day's outing.
Each stroller design has a place... this one fits ours.
I think it's difficult to buy these kind of things online, we bought ours at a local show, but for those without the option, I hope this review helps.
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
A different stroller with some drawbacks Apr 29, 2011
By WhiteBoxerDog
I love how different this stroller looks. The price is also really good for a stroller and bassinet compared to other products. The bassinet is pretty roomy and ventilated which is great. The whole stroller is pretty compact which means it fits much better in the trunk of the car and takes up less space in the house. It also means though that a chunky toddler isn't going to be comfortable in the seat.
Customer service from Phil & Teds is not great. They couldn't tell us how to remove the wheels, no tips on how to fold the stroller when the seat isn't on it (lift it and push down the frame towards the front wheels). They also missed really obvious design points like adjustable handles, proper recline, being able to store the stroller standing up, and the fact that you have to purchase extra pieces to make the seat rear-facing is ridiculous.
Regardless, I like this stroller for going to the mall or stores. The lack of suspension means I can't wheel it around my neighborhood where the sidewalks are uneven - the baby gets shaken around too much. But it handles really nicely for shopping and is narrow enough to get through stores and around displays.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Loving it...for now. Bassinet is narrow. Aug 01, 2011
By P. Mulligan
I purchased the Smart Buggy Stroller and Peanut Bassinet bundle when my baby was 3 months old. I thought we might use the bassinet as a place for her to sleep when we travel, but it's very narrow and constricts her arms, so we probably won't use it at all. That said, she's big for her age, and I'm sure the bassinet would have seen plenty of use if I had purchased the stroller when she was a newborn.
Given her age/size, I wish I had just purchased the stroller with the verso adaptor. I bought the verso adaptor separately, so that she can face me, and so far I'm loving it. It's the perfect size for my height (5'4), it's small enough to wheel up to the table at a restaurant without feeling rude (and the baby is seated high enough to engage with us), and it's very easy to maneuver in the city (it's hard not to feel smug when you zip past mothers with bulkier strollers). Other reviewers have complained about the shocks--it's not a bump-free ride, but my baby doesn't seem to mind. It's very easy to steer and quite compact. My 6 foot husband likes it, too, but he does hunch over a bit when he pushes (but he doesn't use it nearly as often as me).
I'm taking off a star because you have to purchase two key accessories to make it usable (the verso adaptor, as well as the "cushy ride" seat cushion to make the seat comfortable). I'm tempted to take off another star, because I have a feeling we'll be purchasing a new stroller when she's about a year old--at some point we'll probably want a fully-reclining stroller for naps and diaper changes (she falls asleep in it the verso position for now, but it has less of a recline when it's forward-facing)--however, I've had such a good experience with it so far that I can't bear to give it less than 4 stars.
Overall I'd recommend it if you want a compact stroller for the city that is easy to maneuver in stores and restaurants, if you want your baby to face you and be high up, and if you're petit. (I was convinced I wanted the UppaBaby Vista until I tried it out in the store--it's so big that I just looked ridiculous behind it!)
4 of 5 found the following review helpful:
stylish & compact Mar 22, 2011
By City Girl
We live in the city and needed something that isn't too bulky (ie like most "traditional/popular" strollers). We are very happy we picked this bundle pack. It is very smooth, the peanut basket comes off & goes on easily (haven't had to use the buggy seat yet), baby seems very comfortable. I love that the wheels in the back are larger (important on cobblestone sidewalks) and that the sunshade is able to be moved to whatever position you need it to be in. Honestly, my biggest complaint is that the instruction manual was in illustration only (I'm the adult, I prefer words). Be sure to get the sheets and the buggy seat cushion in whatever color you like.
UPDATE: we now use the buggy seat and are just as happy with it as we were the peanut basket! The seat can be reclined to 2 different positions, both of which seem to make our baby perfectly content. The straps are very easy to use and adjust, too. I really appreciate the fact that there are little removable pads to cover the straps over top of the adjustment buckles to both hide those buckles and keep the straps from digging/rubbing on babies delicate skin. We have also used it with the carseat adaptor, which is a great/convenient option for a stroller. We're still very happy with this purchase 9+ months after starting using it.
3 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Love it! May 12, 2011
By K. Iverson
The smart is awesome! it is lightweight, easy to fold up and store. I love the peanut for my little one, the seat will be great later too, but be sure to purchase the verso adapter so baby can face you! and I would get the cushy seat too, be sure and get the doubles size and not the main seat size though.... I made that mistake and had to exchange it! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! so stylish!
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