Bumbleride Flite and 2010 Carrycot Review + Giveaway

In the first year of my son’s life we purchased a small snap and go stroller for our infant carrier, a full size stroller with bassinet and a lightweight stroller for travel at a grand total of over $750. I’m not telling you that so you can laugh at the newbie parents making costly stroller choices, because the truth is we used all of them. They each served a very different (and necessary) purpose. I’m telling you because the functionality of all of those strollers can be found in one single stroller at a much lower price point. The Flite is a complete lightweight stroller and the newest in the impressive Bumbleride fleet.

About the Flite

Flite is everything you love about Bumbleride in a small package. Blending all the style, comfort and safety features found in our other models; Flite travels light and complete. Built on a lightweight aluminum frame, Flite features a multi-adjusting backrest, footrest and offers versatile car seat compatibility. Its unique shape folds ultra-slim to be easily stowed in the tightest of spaces. Bumbleride Flite allows you to go where you want without sacrificing the functionality that you need.

Flite Specs

• Standing Dimensions: 32 inches long, 19 inches wide, 39.5 inches tall
• Folded Dimensions: 41.5 inches long, 10.5 inches wide, 9 inches tall
• Seat Width: 11.5 inches
• Seat Height: 20 inches
• Seat Height to Canopy: 26 inches
• Weight Capacity: 50 pounds
• Total Stroller Weight: 13 pounds
• Full adjustable recline
• Compatible with 7 popular infant car seats

Bumbleride Flite

I admit to being a bit biased before I even received the Flite as I am a big Bumbleride fan and had a sneak peek of the Flite last fall at ABC Kids Expo. We have a 2009 Indie Twin (and a few updated 2010 features) and it’s been a fabulous double stroller. Knowing the Bumbleride quality and craftsmanship I had high expectations for the Flite in use. Overall, the Flite has absolutely lived up to my expectations. It is truly a full-size, full-service luxury stroller in a light 13 pound stroller package.

Assembly was quick and easy; I assembled it myself in about 10 minutes and we were ready to go. To get moving, you pull up on two triggers (one on each handle) and push down on a kickplate with your foot to open the stroller. To close, you pull up on the kickplate with your foot to “unlock”, and then pinch the two triggers and push forward to collapse and fold. The stroller folds extremely compact and is perfect for small cars and travel. To make it even more travel-friendly, the Flite has a handle on the side and an optional shoulder strap to carry it over your shoulder.

Safety Features

Like other Bumbleride strollers, the Flite features a padded 5-point harness system that is a good looking at it is functional. I love that it’s a secure 5-point harness that can also easily be opened with one (adult) hand. There is a foot brake on each set of rear wheels, and they work very well. I know because multiple times I tried to push the stroller only to realize it wouldn’t budge because I hadn’t unlocked one of the rear wheels. You can also lock the front wheels in the straight position.

Standard Features

The Bumbleride comes standard with some features that, combined with the aesthetics, really set it apart from comparable lightweight strollers and infant stroller systems.

• Rain Cover
• Removable Carrying Strap
• Cup Holder
• Headrest and Shoulder Pads
• Infant Seat Adapter Bar & Safety Belt

Infant Car Seat Compatible

The standard infant car seat adapter bar is one of the best features of the Flite because it makes the stroller suitable for use from birth (and replaces the need for that snap on stroller that can only be used with a car seat and replaces the more bulky and less functional infant travel system). I tested the stroller with our compatible infant car seat and found it very easy to attach and use. It requires a strap and can not be folded with the adapter bar on so it is an extra step that traditional travel systems don’t use. But, frankly, the Flite is high on style and functionality that traditional travel system strollers lack.

Bumbleride Carrycot

“New for 2010, the Bumbleride Carrycot combines the luxury of a bassinet with the ease of a baby carrier.” And it does! I absolutely love that this compact lightweight stroller can accommodate the function and comfort and indulgence of a bassinet, to create a truly full function stroller. The Carrycot itself is extremely lightweight. (Remember how I mentioned our fullsize stroller has a bassinet? Well it is heavy and cannot be carried around separate from the stroller.) The Carrycot snaps in and out of the Flite easily so if you want to carry a sleeping baby in the house, it’s entirely possible.

As a nice bonus, the Carrycot comes with the Footmuff and Seat Liner to create a warm cozy stroller during colder winter months.

Video Review

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The Flite is a travel system, infant stroller, toddler stroller and lightweight travel stroller in one single stroller. If you are looking for a system to use from birth the Flite is a great option because it can be used with your car seat but has some high end features that many traditional car seat compatible strollers do not. Add the Carrycot in and you have a full stroller system for half the price of other strollers with the same function. The featherweight 13 pounds make the Flite perfect for travel and because it’s suitable for up to 50 pounds you’ll be able to use it for several years.

Or Not to Buy… My main complaint for day to day use with the Flite is that the basket is rather small. It’s certainly not large enough for my diaper bag. It’s more useful for small items like cups, books, lunch bag or small shopping bag. The other issue I have with this stroller is very typical of a lightweight travel stroller and not necessarily specific to the Flite: the tires. To make the stroller lightweight, the tires are small and not as multi-surface ready as the large tires of the Indie.

Shop! The Bumbleride Flite Lightweight stroller is $249.99 and can be purchased directly from Bumbleride and on Amazon. The 2010 Carrycot is $99.99. Both are available in five bright and distinctly Bumbleride colors.

Win! A Bumbleride Flite and Carrycot! A $350 value.

How to Enter: Check out the Bumbleride Flite and leave a comment with your favorite color and favorite feature on the Flite.

Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

• Follow Bumbleride on Twitter
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• Blog about this giveaway including a link to this post and Flite
• Post the Flite giveaway button on your blog

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Giveaway ends August 31 – open to US and Canadian residents.

Disclosure: Thanks to Bumbleride for providing a sample product for the purpose of this review and the giveaway prize. Others may have a different experience. Opinions are my own.