Michelle's Test Drive Faceoff | Indie Twin vs. Tri Mode Twin

Michelle's Test Drive

VS.

Molly's Height/Weight/Age during testing: 30.5 "/19 lbs./11-12 months

Assembly

Honestly, it wasn’t that hard! That said, I struggled with the wheels. I tightened the front wheels too much and couldn’t flip the levers down. I needed some help to loosen them back up. Otherwise, it was really not too bad. Since it’s a big stroller, it is probably a good idea to have a second pair of hands available – especially to pull it out of the box!

The instruction manual that I received with the stroller appeared to be out of date. Some of the parts looked and assembled completely differently than as described. That being said, once I tossed the manual to the side, it was pretty intuitive. You really need a second pair of hands to handle this. Attaching the canopies proved tricky - they have a really tight fit.

Fold & Fit

This stroller is quite large when folded. The brackets (forks) for the front swivel wheels do not come off so it still stands pretty tall when folded, almost to my knees, even with all the wheels removed. I was able to get it in my truck, but all 4 wheels and the rear axle had to be taken off. This is not something I would want to do in the middle of a parking lot! It is pretty easy to carry when folded and folding it is not hard to do. It felt relatively “light weight” for a double when I carried the frame without the wheels.

The Tri Mode Twin has straps that hold it together when folded - thank you Valco Baby!!! That made carrying it while folded a bit easier. It is a large, heavy stroller but what else would you expect: it is a double stroller! I needed both hands to carry it’s weight. The wheels popped on and off very quickly and easily. The Tri Mode Twin fit in my trunk with all four wheels removed. This really wasn’t a big deal since the wheels are quick release.

Features

The separate sun canopies are very large and do a good job blocking the sun. I wish the viewing window was a little larger. The zippered pockets on the back of the canopies are wonderful for keys, camera, cell phone, garage opener, or whatever you carry! I love that the handlebar is height adjustable; however, it is a little tricky to push the buttons on both ends to lift and lower. The under seat basket is huge! And by huge, I mean perfect!!! You could carry shopping bags, jackets, toys, and just about everything you need with absolute ease.

The handlebar is easy to adjust; however, I had a hard time finding a height that was comfortable for me. The zippered storage on the back of the canopies is awesome and can be zipped off to carry items with you. Perfect when you need to leave your stroller but want to keep your phone, keys, etc. with you. The sun canopies are large but when pulled down, it sort of creates a dome around the baby. I felt like Molly couldn’t see anything. On the other hand, she was completely protected from the sun. The under seat basket was a bit of a disappointment. It’s really large but there is a bar that divides the opening in half, making it a tight squeeze to put items in.

Getting Baby Comfy

Lots of nice features keep baby comfy! You can unzip the back of the sun canopy to let air in, the foot rest can be moved into a flat position or point toward the ground. Infant inserts are included.

The harness is really nice and looks very comfortable. There is lots of leg room which is great for taller/older kids.

On The Road

I was really shocked at how easy the Indie Twin is to push. It doesn’t feel heavy at all. It handles very similarly to my single all-terrain stroller. I thought I’d be ready to pass out after pushing a double stroller for a mile or two but not at all with the Indie Twin! I can’t stress how comfortable and easy it was to push.

This is a double stroller; therefore, it is pretty big and heavy. It does handle very well though. With the tri –mode capability, you can choose swivel, fixed, or 45 degrees of turning. You can choose whatever works for your situation! Walking, shopping, trails, etc.

Learning Curve

It’s easy! Nothing to learn. Due to the size, folding may take a little practice, but it’s certainly not difficult.

The only thing that is a little tricky is the harness. To unbuckle, you need to push the clips further in and then push the button to release. It’s not hard to do at all, I just kept forgetting!