When choosing a stroller, it is important to pay attention to shock absorption. This (at first glance not the most significant) moment seriously affects the comfort and mood of the child. The depreciation system can be of several types, in addition, other factors affect its performance, for example, the size of the wheels. To choose a stroller with good shock absorption, you should familiarize yourself with its features in more detail.
Features:
A shock absorber is a mechanism responsible for comfortable movement in a wheeled vehicle (in particular, a stroller).
Its primary task is to absorb vibrations. They can be created by any bumps in the road, jolts to the lower part of the stroller frame or collisions of wheels with various objects, for example, curbs or steps.
As an element of a stroller, a shock absorber is of great importance: if it is of poor quality or is not available, the child will be in a state of discomfort and irritation, will not be able to calm down and fall asleep.
The essence of the shock absorbers is similar to the principle of operation of human legs, which in conditions of various irregularities (of course, up to a certain level) maintain the vertical position of the body due to the difference in flexion of the joints. Also, the shock absorber of one of the wheels, meeting with unevenness, allows the wheel to rise smoothly without transferring all the push force to the stroller body.
The main difference lies in the ranking of irregularities: the surface that the feet feel relatively flat will turn out to be far from the same when moving on wheeled vehicles. In this regard, the shock absorbers are smoother and more responsive, they serve to completely absorb even small irregularities, but do not allow you to overcome such significant path defects as your legs do.
Checking the stroller for shock absorption consists of several stages.
- First, you need to shake the stroller from side to side, and also push it from different sides, while the cradle should move relative to the chassis smoothly and without the use of force. If the offset requires pressure, the shock absorbers are too tight.
- Rocking the stroller by the handle shows the quality of the rear shock absorbers.
- Front wheel shock absorption is more important than rear wheel shock absorption (especially in tricycles).
Shock absorber types
There are several different wheel damping systems available, each species has specific characteristics.
- Simple spring cushioning. The shock absorber cuts directly into the wheel rack and serves as a direct vibration damper. It is commonly used in transformers. The shock absorption parameters depend on the size and material of the spring, the general design of the stroller.
- Cushioning on belts. It has the greatest softness: the cradle can swing in different directions (both along and across). Because of this feature, it is well suited for motion sickness in newborns. Common in cradle strollers and transformers.
Belts have poor wear resistance, which is why they wear out and stretch, becoming less elastic.
- Springs or complex spring damping. The spring system uses a spring, but the pressure is not transmitted in a straight line (as in a simple spring system), but with a slight displacement of the wheel and support leg off the same axis. This allows you to significantly soften shocks and impacts. Such strollers are much more maneuverable than their counterparts on springs and are easier to deploy and tilt from side to side.
- Pendulum or lever shock absorption. For work, springs are used, which have several "joints", which provide smooth compensation of shocks and impacts. Often used in strollers due to their small size, also used as rear shock absorbers in modular models
- Complex modern systems. They can consist of several mechanical units, consistently damping shocks and almost completely absorbing them. These multi-level damping systems allow you to adjust the suspension depending on the terrain in which you are walking. For example, the HartanVip stroller has 2 levels of adjustment, while the Bugaboo Cameleon has 4 of them, from the three-wheeled devices, the Peg-Perego GT3 with 3 levels of shock absorption can be distinguished.
Factors affecting depreciation
There are several characteristics to consider.
- Wheel size. With their increase, the shock absorption and the ability of the wheelchair to overcome obstacles are improved.
- Wheel structure. Chamber inflatable wheels are the most comfortable option with the strongest shock absorption. The degree of wheel inflation also affects: the higher the pressure in the chamber, the weaker the shock absorption.
Cast wheels, for example, made of polyurethane, are much inferior in shock absorption to inflatable ones, but they have greater strength and durability.
- Stroller load. Up to a certain point, the workload increases the depreciation in direct proportion, but then affects it negatively. This level can be determined from the characteristics of the stroller's shock absorber system: the more rigid it is, the longer the increasing load will act positively. Soft shock absorbers provide excellent cushioning only for lightly loaded strollers.
- Weight of the stroller. With its increase, the inertia of the stroller increases, which is directly proportional to the level of depreciation. The greater the mass of the stroller, the better it absorbs.
Manufacturers and models
When choosing a baby stroller, there are many factors to consider: for example, a trusted manufacturer with a good reputation, as well as brand ratings. In general, there are many models on the market that have received a large number of positive reviews.
Peg-Perego Pilko Mini
The highly demanded universal stroller for walking is distinguished by good quality parts and an acceptable cost. Easily transported by public transport, folded and stored in the car, you can also take it with you on vacation at sea. The stroller is sold with a minimum configuration, but additional accessories can also be purchased. The design of the product stands out for its simplicity, strong frame, reliably working mechanisms.
The Peg-Perego Pilko Mini benefits also include:
- good stability, even when only one side is loaded;
- the folding mechanism is clear and easy to use;
- all upholstery is removable for washing.
But there are also weaknesses:
- it is hard to carry the stroller with one hand;
- inconvenient basket;
- small hood;
- there are no pockets for small things.
The cost of the Peg-Perego Pilko Mini is about 11,500 rubles.
Vikalex Lazzara
An excellent stroller for winter walks. It is equipped with four large chamber wheels, spring cushioning, a powerful frame, a large hood that reaches the bumper, and a leg cover. The upper part of the stroller is lined with waterproof fabric. The large seat allows the child to fit freely even in winter overalls. Cross-country ability due to large wheels is very good: snow, holes and drifts are not a problem. The seat can be rotated 180 degrees.
Also, the positive features include:
- good maneuverability with rack spring and rubber wheels;
- the handle can be adjusted in height.
Weaknesses include:
- the bumper is too low;
- the large dimensions of the stroller will take up almost the entire trunk in the car.
Vikalex Lazzara costs 18,500 rubles.
Britax B-Motion
The stroller has large inflatable wheels, which determine its high cross-country ability and allow you to walk with your child without losing comfort (even over rough terrain). The basket is located high, which facilitates off-road walks without clinging to bushes and other obstacles. Also worth noting is the high quality of the fabric material, the large capacity and the sturdy frame.
Other positive features include:
- good protection from atmospheric precipitation;
- high maneuverability and quiet running;
- roomy seat;
- easy adjustment of the handle in height;
- full compatibility with the car seat;
- The covers are removable and machine washable.
The disadvantages of the model include the fact that, due to the rather large dimensions, it is inconvenient to climb onto the curb with a car seat. The Britax B-Motion costs 21,995 rubles.
For information on how to choose a stroller with shock absorption, see the next video.
