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Our Review of the Schwinn Free Wheeler AL stroller
A swivel wheel jogging stroller, the Schwinn Free Wheeler AL takes walking with baby from city streets to trail with ease thanks to a 12" swivel front wheel and two 16" rear wheels. The swivel wheel locks in place with relative ease, allowing you to jog lightly or negotiate bumpy paths. The lightweight aluminum frame folds compactly for travel.
IS IT FOR YOU?
The Schwinn Free Wheeler AL is for parents of one child who intend their stroller to work for all situations – walks, the park, or the mall. More serious runners should consider a stroller with a larger 16" fixed front wheel.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE IT
Schwinn has thought of the effort pushing a stroller requires, and included a 12" front swivel wheel for easy maneuvering. A rear suspension system ensures a comfortable ride for baby, and smooth pushing for mom and dad. Take the Free Wheeler AL anywhere thanks to the easy-folding design, and put all your odds and ends in the extra large storage basket. The included zip-out weather shield makes this stroller good-to-go, rain or shine.
Convenience
Take this stroller anywhere, from city stroll to the neighborhood park - the lightweight aluminum frame folds quickly and compactly for storage in closet or trunk. While jogging, keep everything you need close at hand on the parent tray, and store everything else in the under seat basket. A convenient child tray not only keeps baby's snacks close to hand so you to don't have to, it also doubles as a safety bar.Comfort
Moms and their taller spouses push the Schwinn Free Wheeler AL in comfort thanks to the adjustable height handle. A foam push handle reduces pressure on hands while cell phones and snacks remain handy on the parent tray.Safety
- 5-point harness offers a safe and secure ride
- Parking brake
- ASTM Certified
WHY BABY WILL LOVE IT
Babies love riding with parents, and they'll love to get outside more often with their snacks and toys handy on the Child Tray. Neither rain nor sun shall keep baby from their daily ride thanks to the generous canopy and weather shield.
Comfort
No matter a trail's conditions, the rear suspension system ensures a smooth comfortable ride every time, while generously proportioned wheels smoothly negotiate corners and bumps. Children feel secure bundled in the 5-point harness, and can nap in the reclining seat.
COMPARISON
For similar comfort and convenience, but with a 16" fixed front wheel more suitable for serious joggers, read our review of the Schwinn Free Runner LT.
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- Blue/Green
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- Folded w/out wheels
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- Folded with wheels
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- With included weather shield
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- Red/Black
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- Folded w/out wheels
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Specs
- Capacity
- 1 Child
- Maximum Weight Capacity
- 50 lbs.
- Stroller Weight
- 26 lbs.
- Front Wheel Size
- 12"
Dimensions
- Width
- 25"
- Ground to Handle
- 32 - 44"
- Stroller Length
- 45"
- Seat Back
- 20"
- Hip to Knee
- 9"
- Knee to Foot
- 8.5"
- Folded Dimensions
- 16 x 20 x 32"
- Aluminum frame
- Aluminum spoke wheel
- 12" Front Wheel
- 16" Rear Wheels
- Adjustable Handle
- Tether
- Parking Brake
- Foam Push Handle
- Rear Shocks
- Weather Shield
- Reclining Seat
Schwinn Free Wheeler AL stroller Reviews
All Customer Reviews
- Average Rating:
- Highest Rating:
- Lowest Rating:
- Number of Reviews:
- 10
great stroller, could use some improvements.
Reviewer: krissie , London, Ontario
Date: April 11, 2008
we purchased this stroller last year, really on a whim.. I don't drive so I rely on my stroller A LOT! I was sick and tired of wrestling with my other stroller through the snow, we saw this one, liked it with a great price so we got it.
Overall I would say its a great stroller for the price and would purchase it again. If I had to be picky however, there are things I would improve.
It is true that the seat sits too far reclined. We fixed it slightly by tying the strap that holds up the seat in a couple knots so it holds the seat more upright. My son (now 19 mnths) does strain and lean forward to look at things.
I haven't read in any other reviews a problem with the lap buckle, but it seems to fit my son very oddly. (even before we 'fixed' the strap. It doesn't fit against his body or up high enough. it sticks out rather oddly when it's done up, although he uses it to put little toys in.
The canopy is FAR better than our other stroller. It stays in place when you put it down, provides a fair amount of shade and there is a little window you can open so you can still see the baby when the shade is down.
I also REALLY love the fact that you can unsnap it from the back and push it all the way forward or at any angle and it will stay there to adjust to where the sun is.
Also when walking quickly or jogging I've often kicked the brake bar as it sticks out somewhat far.
The feature that I really don't like the most is that there is nothing that keeps it folded, it is rather large to have it folded with the wheels on and it doesn't stand upright on its own when folded, which is a big problem for us because we don't have a garage and takes up a lot of space.
the removable snack tray for the baby to me was just a hassle and have never really used it. I like that I had the option to remove it though. It just seemed like it was at an odd level and angle for my son to really take advantage of it.
and this is being really picky.. but I hate that there is such a weird shaped cup holder. My son doesnt drink from drinking boxes and no cups hes had ever fit in it. When we used it for snacks they would just fall into the cup holder and he would have problems getting them out.
The basket at the bottom is very generous and i like how you can pull it down for easier access. However, if you're planning on putting anything more than a stuffed animal or blanket in it (not both), it's not strong enough to go back up and just hangs down. It doesn't cause a problem unless the ground is wet (then it makes the basket wet) or if there is snow it doesn't always clear it. I do really enjoy the fact that the material for the basket is removeable so it can be laundered when it gets muddy/ salt stained.
one last thing that would be better is if the parent tray closed like many other strollers. if you're going to be jogging, everything is going to fall out of the tray.
Overall I do really like this stroller and it's made my life a lot easier.
It's the easiest stroller I have ever maneuvered, I have no problem pushing it with one hand and can open doors myself and push it through without any problems at all, thats a big plus. it rolls so nicely you can really push it with a finger.
And like other people have mentioned the adjustable handle is fantastic. I use it almost every time I use the stroller.
Again.. very much worth the money, has made my life easier, but certainly isn't in need of some improvements.
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Wow! Impressive for the money
Reviewer: Karl , Chicago, IL
Date: November 16, 2007
I was very impressed by the build quality of this bike, considering it's one or two hundred dollars less than the "BOB" stroller line. Assembly was very easy and it rides very smoothly. Kudos to joggingstroller.com for the excellent and quick shipping and price. Very sturdy and sound construction. Great for our our local trips to the zoo, parks, city, etc. Makes pushing our umbrella stroller a joke! As everyone else has said, we wish our child didn't sit so reclined. If Schwinn would fix this, this stroller would be 5 stars. Even with that negative, saving a hundred or two dollars by buying this is really a no-brainer!
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Great Value; shade does not come low enough
Reviewer: Tricia Arieta , Boston, MA
Date: November 15, 2007
This stroller is a great value for the money. It is lightweight, easy to maneuver in lots of terrain, easy to fold, and the shocks are great. The show stopper issue, for me, however is that, I use my stroller a LOT outside and I found that the sunshade did not do its job effectively in all light and wind conditions. Therefore, ultimately, I ended up exchanging for a BOB revolution stroller. For me, being able to use outside is a must and I needed the most versatile protection, from sun and wind. Bottom line, if I was going to use this stroller inside or not during peak sun hours I would have kept it. Great value for the money. I rated it a 3 star because I felt that the stroller was a great product, it just didn't meet all needs.
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baby loves it
Reviewer: Anonymous , carlsbad, ca
Date: September 07, 2007
Had a BOB and baby did not enjoy riding in it. Sold it, bought this-baby is HAPPY. It does recline too much, but I put a blanket behind her and she seems fine. Because of the recline, however, the sun is in her eyes a lot. Would alter the recline or fix the canopy.
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Does Not Go Upright
Reviewer: Anonymous , Olathe, KS
Date: May 04, 2007
Before buying this, my biggest concern was the recline. I didn't want my baby constantly pulling herself up to see, as some other reviewers have said. I read the latest review saying the seat back did in fact sit "fully upright". The reviewer must have been standing on an incline, since the "fully upright" is a 50 degree (from the ground) incline at max (and yes we know how to use the strap). And my little girl does pull herself up all the time. This isn't really such a big deal when you're jogging, but I was hoping to use this stroller for outdoor events and the zoo as well. I tried propping the back up with a pillow, but the legs are at such an angle, it's hard to do without folding your baby in half. My theory was that most jogging strollers are at an incline, and since this stroller has a tray, babies pull themselves up using it. It does seem to be true that most strollers have a pretty deep incline, but there are some that sit more upright. I'd like to return it, but in the end, even with shipping insurance, it would cost too much to replace.
Other than that, this is a nice stroller. I love, love, love the adjustable handlebar. It was the deciding factor in buying this stroller. Both me and my husband are tall, and could never jog with a regular stroller, we'd have to use our fingertips to push it. It's not too heavy and I love the swivel wheel. I even jog with it in swivel mode because there's too many turns in my neighborhood and the stability is fine. The bin is easy to throw things in and grab them out. The trays are good, baby loves hers, and mine is nice. I like that they're included and you don't have to buy them separately. I really like that the tray is removable. It folds easily, although it doesn't have a folding latch, which isn't that big a deal.
Some other reviewers mentioned problems with the harness, which is a bit big, but only because she's in between the harness sizes. There's a couple loops you can slip the harness straps under to shorten them. Even if that doesn't work for you, the lap belt works fine.
My only other complaint is the folding grab bar at the bottom. I kick it every once in a while when I jog.
I was a little disappointed with the condition it arrived in. There was some weird goo stuck on the parent tray and the handlebar padding was all squished. These things don't matter, I just like stuff "shiny new" when I get it. On a side note, I also purchased a stroller bag and a velcro strap on it was falling off. I could return it, but can't be arsed, and can sew it back on myself.
Overall, we got a better stroller than you can find in your average baby store. It's cute, utilitarian, and baby likes it.
Comments from The Staff:
Hi Stacey! The purpose of the return shipping insurance is so that you can call us so that we can email you a prepaid shipping label to send back. It is definitely worth it if you are not happy with your stroller. There are many other brands to choose from. Please give us a call, so that we can help you out!
Janice
Customer Service Supervisor
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European style practical design.
Reviewer: celticcanoe , washington state
Date: April 05, 2007
I'm a runner and started off by looked at all the high priced jogging strollers. The Bobs were recommended but looked so darn uncomfortable for the child. Before I became a father I always wondered why kids in jogging strollers looked so miserable. A close examination of the standard strip of canvas that passes as a seat on most of these strollers explains why. Of course all the high end joggers offer a cushioned seat for thirty plus extra dollars. When I'm paying over three hundred bucks for a stroller don't insult me by asking for more cash to make it comfortable for my child! I also wanted a drinks tray for my daughter. What could be a worse nightmare than sitting around for an eternity (in an uncomfortable seat) without having access to a drink or a fist full of pretzels? Again the Bobs etc. offer one as an option; with the padded seat we are now looking at refinancing the house.
I came across the Schwinn models when I asked a search-engine to find me a three wheeled stroller that came equipped with a drinks tray for the child. Out of a thousand possible models only four came with a non-option tray! Wow, a company that actually thinks about the kids. It was therefore no surprise to see that their models came with padded seating. I was ready to pay a lot more for a stroller that I hoped we could use for a few years so getting this one for a reasonable price was a nice bonus.
It arrived and I easily assembled it in fifteen minutes. It's light, easy to maneuver, comfortable and looks like something that was designed by a caring parent (engineering type parent of course). It's also very cool to look at. Some other reviewers on other sites thought that the seat reclined too far and the child could not sit upright. This gave me some concern about ordering it but lo and behold there is a simple strap tightening move that adjusts the seat angle from full recline to the fully upright:so that proved to be a myth.
I rarely write a review on anything but the field of strollers is daunting. No local store is going to carry more than one or two models so decent folk are at the mercy of reviewers, many of whom I believe must be on the payroll of the manufacturers. I am not. This is a great stroller for everyday use, you can jog and you can also walk around the streets and enjoy spending the money you didn't waste on it's outlandishly expensive rivals.
Recommended: Yes
I came across the Schwinn models when I asked a search-engine to find me a three wheeled stroller that came equipped with a drinks tray for the child. Out of a thousand possible models only four came with a non-option tray! Wow, a company that actually thinks about the kids. It was therefore no surprise to see that their models came with padded seating. I was ready to pay a lot more for a stroller that I hoped we could use for a few years so getting this one for a reasonable price was a nice bonus.
It arrived and I easily assembled it in fifteen minutes. It's light, easy to maneuver, comfortable and looks like something that was designed by a caring parent (engineering type parent of course). It's also very cool to look at. Some other reviewers on other sites thought that the seat reclined too far and the child could not sit upright. This gave me some concern about ordering it but lo and behold there is a simple strap tightening move that adjusts the seat angle from full recline to the fully upright:so that proved to be a myth.
I rarely write a review on anything but the field of strollers is daunting. No local store is going to carry more than one or two models so decent folk are at the mercy of reviewers, many of whom I believe must be on the payroll of the manufacturers. I am not. This is a great stroller for everyday use, you can jog and you can also walk around the streets and enjoy spending the money you didn't waste on it's outlandishly expensive rivals.
Recommended: Yes
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Schwinn Free Wheeler
Reviewer: Christina , Springfield, MO
Date: April 02, 2007
We purchased the Free Wheeler over the Safari because we do alot of walking on both smooth pavement and rough terrain (3 mile minimum a day). I needed something I could take off road, to the mall, and use all day to manuver around a university campus with ramps, etc. We have had the stroller for 4 months now and love it. My 5 year old (43 lbs)rides in it just as well as my 9 month old (17 lbs). I was suprised how it just glided along with no effort! Have had no trouble with wobbly wheels even when aerobic walking/jogging on the track. Love the adjustable handle, parent trays, etc. Plenty of room for shopping at the mall or outdoor gear. I give it 4 stars because I wish the seat sat up more. The straps are also a bit big, but once I put a pillow on her back so she can see, the straps are fine. The brake bar also seems to slip down on rough terrain, but I think we can tighten that. I like the zippered compartment on the back of the seat. Great for keeping items clean and handy when going off road. I think this is a great stroller for such a great price. No regrets.
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Almost perfect
Reviewer: Anonymous , Richmond, VA
Date: April 01, 2007
Why doesn't any stroller have everything?! Well, this one almost does...I love the fact that the handle is adjustable (my husband is almost a foot taller than me). I love the swivel wheel. I love the canopy, I love the drink holder/tray for the "driver" and the passenger ;). Drawbacks: the seat doesn't sit up fully :( My son constantly sits forward so he can see everything -- the highest it goes is still in a pretty reclined position. There is no ventilation on the sides, so it gets REALLY hot for your child if you live someplace warm. Other than that, I'd recommend this stroller -- it's a great all-terrain stroller!
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Great Stroller
Reviewer: Anonymous , Gainesville, FL
Date: March 05, 2007
I purchased this stroller 6 months ago for my 4 month old son and it has been perfect. It is great for long walks, short runs, and on the trail. The aspect I found most useful is the shade is adjustable to keep the sun out of his eyes which is most important in Florida! I considered some more expensive strollers such as BOB and they did not have adjustable shade canopies. I have been really happy with this product and highly recommend it.
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