German Ruby

This week, I was unfaithful. My loyalties to a long term relationship were tested and (in the blink of an eye)were extinguished. All it took was one demonstration to break a bond of over 10 years. Move over Maclaren. Cybex just swooped in and stole my heart.

Being an active mom on the Upper East Side has gradually made me a bit of an expert on many things "baby". Strollers are no exception. In fact, at some points in my parenting, strollers have been a bit of an obsession. I have done my research. I have done my field studies. I have bought and sold and returned and donated more than a handful of strollers. Up until this morning, I was a Maclaren advocate. I have owned more than a couple and would have sworn by them, and only them. My love of strollers was changed today, or at the very least, it was broadened.

The only unfortunate part of this new experience is that my purchase was not made on the Upper East Side. I ventured out of the neighborhood and found this gem in the "hood" across the park. The gem I am referring to is a lightweight, aluminum umbrella stroller designed by a German company called Cybex. The style is one of their very latest called the Ruby.

My mission was to go in and buy a Maclaren Volo that I had seen online. My friend and I were floored and taken in by this oceany-green/blue stroller that was placed in our path to the Volo. We checked it out and gave it a little spin in the aisle. When the man came over and asked what we were looking for, we could not help but ask about the Spring colored "ride". He went on to tell us that they were in the process of urging people to take this stroller instead of the ever-popular Maclaren version. He pointed out all features then added that Cybex also gave a lifetime warranty on their wheels! That was music to my ears since I pound the pavement a LOT and tend to be a bit rough on my wheels. I was almost sold. Almost.

I was really looking for the under 9 pound weight of the Volo. This Ruby is 12 pounds. 3 pounds is a big difference when you have a 24 pound baby inside! The gentleman went on to show us why EXACTLY the Ruby wins. The 2011 Ruby comes with a "Super Canopy". This feature means that the hood(which is also made from SPF 50 material)can be pulled forward for extreme sun coverage and can be pulled up and down to accomodate a wide height range of children. To me, this means the stroller would be a good fit for my child for much longer. Volo hoods are short in comparison to this one.

Another advantage over the Volo? Ruby lays down! Only one position, but one position is enough. It is just enough that if my child falls asleep, I won't get the dirty looks from people in the street. You know, when they fall asleep in an umbrella stroller that does not lay down, they tend to just bend their neck and lay on their own shoulders. Not comfy at all. Being able to lay him back is great.

Another plus? Everything is machine washable. I can take the seat off and throw it in the wash. All the Cheerios, and ice cream, and other food that gets mashed in can be easily washed off. And the hood? Also machine washable. My hoods always end up getting coffee stains eventually. At least I can fend the nasty stains off very easily!

There are a few tiny disadvantages, although none are too tremendous they kept me from buying. A rain cover needs to be purchased separately. I worried about that for only a second when I realized that the hood nearly completely covers the passenger anyway. Only other issue is the poundage. 3 pounds heavier than the stroller I went in to buy.

What more could I ask for in a stroller at only 20 dollars more than my planned purchase? That 20 dollars pays for the reclining feature and the Super Canopy. I now have a nice, summery, washable stroller. The baby looks comfortable and I have no trouble carrying it up the subway stairs. And although my eyes were drawn to the cool and bright color of the demo, I opted for black. It has silver/grey accents and matches much more. Besides that, I know my husband would have had issues pushing that bright color down the street!