Folding system
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Book folding system. In pushchairs, this system involves connecting frame parts along a common axis, resembling closing book pages when folded. Despite being somewhat more complex and heavier than umbrella pushchairs, book system offer versatility, suitable for various pushchair types. They work well with both walking seat units and carrycots, accommodate different handle types easily, and significantly reduce height when folded, unlike umbrella structures.
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Umbrella folding system. In the unfolded position, the frame of a pushchair, with its umbrella mechanism, appears as a front wheel support inclined backward, extending to a top handle, and a rear wheel support attached to it, standing vertically. During folding, the rear support pivots at the attachment point and aligns with the front support. Unlike book folding system, the front support remains rigid and doesn't fold independently. Umbrella pushchairs got their name from the handle — which is curved, like an umbrella handle.
The advantages of this type of mechanism are low weight, low cost and quick unfolding/folding. On the other hand, the umbrella structure is not well suited for carrycots, which is why it is used mainly in pushchairs and individual universal models. In addition, curved handles are somewhat less convenient than solid handles (the latter are also found in similar designs, but much less frequently).
Viewing window
A window made of transparent or translucent material, built into the hood that covers the cradle or seating unit. In the version with a walking block,
the viewing window is usually located so that the parent can see the baby directly while moving, without being distracted from controlling the stroller. In cradles, the parent can see the child through a window by approaching the stroller from the side of the hood (that is, on the opposite side of the handle); implementations with a window in the front hemisphere of the hood are less common. In addition, a baby lying in a cradle can usually see the outside world through the window (primarily the sky above the stroller). The viewing window can be made in the form of oilcloth or a mesh mosquito net, through the holes of which air freely penetrates, but insects and small debris raised by the wind are retained.
Handle type
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Classic. U-shaped handle (or similar), which is a kind of frame. It is slightly less comfortable to hold with two hands than a double handle, but can be comfortably held with one hand.
— Double.
A pair of separate handles without a bridge between them. The handles themselves are usually curved so that the parent's hands resting on them are in the best, most comfortable position. At the same time, double handles should preferably be held with two hands; it is much more difficult to handle them with one hand than with a classic handle. In addition, it should be noted that this option is considered the most suitable for pushchairs (see "Design"), while for pushchairs with a carrycot it is not very suitable.
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Universal. A design that is a combination of the classic and double handle described above. This allows the parent to choose the option depending on the situation: for example, it is more convenient to hold the stroller with two hands by the "horns", and if one hand needs to be free - you can take the single (classic) handle. At the same time, such a choice is not really necessary for everyone, and universal handles are more complicated and expensive than specialized ones, so they are much less common.
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Round. The handlebar can have a different design: in some models it is an oval loop mounted on a long
...bar, in others it is a kind of "steering wheel" on a frame above the hood. Whatever the case, in some models such a handle is a round: it is directly connected to the front wheels, and when you turn the handle, the wheels turn to one side or the other. This noticeably improves maneuverability, but complicates the design and increases its price. However, there are also simpler designs, where the round handlebar differs from the classic handles only in shape. All these nuances should be specified for each model separately.Double wheels
The presence of
double wheels in the pushchair — when two wheels are installed instead
of one, at a small distance from one another. This somewhat increases the weight and cost, but improves stability, and also has a positive effect on the reliability of the design and patency.
Note that all wheels are not necessarily double wheels - for example, some pushchairs have single front wheels. This is mainly done to reduce the price and weight.
Rear wheels without axle
Pushchairs in which the rear wheels are mounted on completely separate stands, without any additional bridge between them.
The main advantage
of rear wheels without an axle is that the legs of the parent following the stroller do not touch the bridge between the wheels. In addition, this feature slightly increases the mobility (allows the stroller to pass between the wheels lying on the road objects, without clinging to them with the axle).
Wheels
The type of wheels installed on the pushchair.
The most popular in our time are
rubber wheels, including
air-filled ones.
Plastic wheels are used mainly in inexpensive pushchairs to further reduce the cost, while
gel ones, on the contrary, are considered a very advanced option.
Polyurethane wheels and
EVA foam-filled wheels are also widely used. Here is a more detailed description of each of these varieties:
— Rubber. Rubber solid tires, found in many modern pushchairs, are popular due to their affordability, quiet operation, and smooth ride over bumps. While less effective on uneven surfaces compared to air-filled and gel wheels, solid rubber tires are cost-effective, low-maintenance, damage-resistant, and suitable for various wheel diameters, including small ones.
— Air-filled. Air-filled rubber tires, commonly featured on pushchairs, offer a softer ride and facilitate easy maneuvering on uneven surfaces and high curbs. Despite their higher cost, they require periodic maintenance to ensure proper pressure and protection against cuts or punctures. However, users find air-filled wheels manageable, as they are thick and less prone to damage.
— Plastic. Plastic wheels, commonly featuring both tire and rim made from this material (thou
...gh some have metal rims), are known for their simplicity and affordability. However, they lack durability, reliability, and effective vibration dampening due to their hardness. Typically found in low-cost pushchairs with small wheels designed for flat surfaces.
— Gel. Wheels similar in design to air-filled tires (see the relevant paragraph), but filled not with air, but with a special gel. The main advantage of this option is its insensitivity to small punctures and cuts: coming out, the gel in the tire in contact with air almost instantly solidifies, effectively sealing the damage. In addition, such wheels are virtually maintenance-free — they do not need to be inflated. The disadvantages of gel tires include high cost and somewhat higher rigidity than air-filled tires (although in terms of softness of running such wheels are still noticeably superior to rubber and even more so to plastic ones).
— Polyurethane. Solid polyurethane tires offer excellent maneuverability, shock absorption, puncture resistance, and durability. They are unaffected by extreme temperature changes and are cost-effective, making them a common choice for various pushchair types.
— EVA. Wheels made of microporous foam rubber, specifically EVA material, offer high elasticity, excellent cushioning, and wear resistance. Lightweight and puncture-resistant, these wheels provide a smooth pushchair ride. However, they may stiffen in cold winter weather.Front wheels diameter
The diameter of the front wheels installed in the stroller.
At the same time, the front wheels are not as important for mobility as the rear wheels: for example, to overcome obstacles, the stroller is often lifted "on its toes" by tilting it towards itself, with only the rear wheels working. Therefore, the diameter of the front wheels may be noticeably smaller than the rear wheels. It should be noted here that the small size also has its advantages — the wheels are lighter.
Speaking of specific numbers, diameter
up to 15 cm is considered very modest,
16 — 20 cm — small,
21 — 25 cm — medium,
26 — 30 cm is larger than average and
more than 30 cm is large.
Rear wheels diameter
The diameter of the rear wheels installed in the stroller.
The larger the wheel — the better it overcomes obstacles and bumps, the more convenient it is to drive the stroller over mud, snow and other difficult surfaces. For the rear wheels these moments are most relevant: for example, when driving the stroller over obstacles, it is usually tilted towards itself, so that the front wheels are in the air, and the rear wheels have to overcome the obstacle. On the other hand, small wheels weigh less and are easier to move, they are better suited for flat surfaces. So choose a stroller on this indicator should take into account the roads on which it has to be driven. If you plan to move on flat floors, good asphalt and stroller ramps — it is worth choosing small wheels, up to 20 cm. For difficult terrain, driving on mud and snow, regular overcoming steps and curbs it makes sense to pay attention to wheels in 30 cm and larger. And the diameter of 20 — 30 cm is an average option — it is suitable if you have to ride mainly on flat surfaces, but occasionally there is a need to overcome obstacles.
Chassis width
The distance between the side wheels of the pushchair; this generally corresponds to the overall width of the pushchair. If the front and rear widths are different, the greatest distance is indicated, usually on the rear wheels; the same wheels are used to measure the width of three-wheeled models.
In general, the wider the chassis, the more stable the pushchair is and the more difficult it is to tip it over. On the other hand, greater width can cause problems in tight spaces such as narrow hallways and doorways, elevators, etc. The narrowest modern pushchairs have a width
of up to 45 cm, the widest —
more than 70 cm (these are mainly models for twins or triplets , where two seats are side-by-side). Models
46 – 50 cm are also considered quite narrow, a width of
51 – 55 cm can be called small,
56 – 60 cm — medium,
61 – 65 cm — more than average,
65 – 70 cm — large.