Steelcraft Strider Plus 4 Review

All stroller reviews

Review by: Ally

Introduction



The Strider PLUS has earned its reputation as a great all-rounder pram. When used with the optional second seat it can comfortably transport two children and is also a great travel system option when using with the matching capsule. The solid frame is purpose built to make it suitable for shopping or for neighbourhood walks. Marketed as ‘Take One Take Two’ the Strider PLUS definitely does everything it claims to do, and more.


Seat design and function


Seat upright



seat fully reclined



Seat recline lever



Footrest in highest position



Footrest in lowest position



The Strider PLUS seat is high-backed and extremely roomy – my three year old fit in it with ease, yet with the included infant insert my 11 week old was also snug and cosy. The recline is a simple one-hand squeeze-style lever on the back of the seat. There are two grey buttons on either side of the seat that can be pressed to remove the seat from the chassis and place the seat in either forward or rearward facing directions. One of the unique features of the Strider PLUS is the multiple positioning footrest – it can tilt 90 degrees out from the seat frame which essentially cocoons a younger baby in the seat. With a rotating bumper bar for easy access, the Strider PLUS seat seems to have it all.

Seat back - 55.5cm/22in
Clearance to hood - 63cm/25in
Width - 30cm/12in
Seat depth - 22cm/9in
Footwell - 18cm/7in
Weight limit Main Seat – 20kg/44lb
Weight limit Second Seat – 15kg/33lb

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Child safety harness


Harness buckle - 2 pieces separated



Harness buckle - 2 pieces together



Harness secured



Harness adjustment



The Strider PLUS has a 5 point harness with a unique shared clipping system. To secure the harness, the shoulder piece and waist piece need to be wedged together before clipping into the crotch buckle. This could be a bit difficult to do with a tantrumming toddler, but I found it pretty simple to use.

The harness height is adjustable to three levels through the back of the seat of the pram. Simply unzip the back and find a small circular housing. Squeeze the sides together and slide up or down the rail to the required height. This adjustability is one-handed and very user friendly and fabulous if you have more than one pram-rider sharing the seat.

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Hood or Canopy


Hood extended with mesh section open



Hood extended with mesh panel closed



Hood fully retracted



Peek-a-boo window on hood



The Strider PLUS offers a generous canopy that provides plenty of coverage. The pram does come with an additional sunshade, but this reviewer found the canopy to offer sufficient coverage on its own. In addition, it has a zip out UV rated mesh middle section to increase air flow and a flip out visor at the front of the canopy.

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Handle design and function


Handle on highest setting



Handle on lowest setting



I found the handlebar to be very ergonomic and pleasing to use. There is a large rubber grip in the centre of the handlebar which gives you a lot more control when steering the pram with one hand. The outside of the handlebar is a grippy foam that is comfortable to hold. The handlebar is on a rotating pivot, controlled by two buttons on the inside of the handle. The safety tether is loose around the handlebar, allowing the user to attach it to either their left or right hand.

Handle tallest setting: 115cm/45in
Handle Lowest Height 82cm/32in

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Storage


Underseat basket



Front and side acccess to basket



Underseat basket



“Lets-go-shopping” is the Strider PLUS’ middle name. The storage basket is ample, and easy access is provided from the front and sides of the pram with generous zip-openings. I could easily fit a week of groceries in the basket. However if that isn’t enough, in addition to the huge basket the pram comes with an extra storage accessory that attaches with Velcro straps to either the handlebar or the base of the pram. This is fabulous for keys, loose change and a water bottle/kids drink bottle.

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Wheels and Brakes

Front wheel lock


The rear wheels are 12” air-less plastic and the front are 8” of the same style. The rear wheels also have mud guards included.



Brake engaged


Brake disengaged


The brake toggle is foot operated and located on the inside of the rear right hand wheel. The toggle can be pressed down easily with your foot, however this reviewer found the toggle to be very tight and difficult to release, though I think it may loosen up with more use.

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Fold mechanism


Fold lock


Pull plastic grip to fold


The Strider PLUS is a heavy pram, weighing in at 15kg. I found it easier to make it a 2 piece fold, separating the seat from the chassis. However the pram can be folded with the seat in forward facing position and it can stand upright on its own.

To fold the pram, stand behind the handlebar and pull the two levers on either side of the chassis upwards. This will release the lock and allow the handle bar to lower towards the rear wheels, automatically pulling in the front wheels as well.

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Manoeuvrability

On a flat surface I admittedly expected a much smoother ride than what the Strider PLUS provided, however it came into its own when going for neighbourhood walks or trips to the playground. It was an easy one-handed steer with the comfort-grip in the centre of the handlebar.

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Size

The solid sturdy frame is very wide for a single pram, you will need to find the wheelchair-checkout at the supermarket. In small shops it was a very tight squeeze but keep in mind that the Strider PLUS has an optional inline second seat that can fit behind the main seat; it is no wider than any other full sized double pram on the market.

Folded Dimensions (height x length x width)
31cm x 90cm x 70cm
12in x 35.5in x 27.5in

Unfolded Dimensions (height x length x width)
121cm x 93cm x 70cm
47.5in x 36.5in x 27.5in

Weight
15kg/33lb



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Accessories


The Strider PLUS is loaded with included accessories;
- Front bumper bar
- Raincover
- Suncover
- Storage holder
- Bootcover
- Infant insert

Optional accessories include a second seat, bassinet, footmuff and infant carrier.

Toddler Seat


The Strider PLUS has an optional second seat that can be attached to the rear axel, behind the main seat. The second seat can accommodate a child up to 15kg and has three recline positions and an independent canopy which is also UV rated.



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Summary and Rating

Pros

  • Intuitive fold
  • Enormous and accessible basket
  • Can easily accommodate older children (20kg main seat)
  • All accessories are included
  • Solid structure

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Very wide for an inline pram
  • Not a perfectly smooth ride

Conclusion

I am a self-confessed pram snob but found the Strider PLUS to be quite user friendly. Although the fold is chunky and quite heavy as a single, it is also intuitive and very easy to use. The basket is enormous and extremely accessible, the seat unit is comfortable and accommodating, and the colour choices are eye-catching. Its extremely solid – my daughter stood on the rear axel at one point (as three year olds do) and there was absolutely no way the pram was going to tip. The handlegrip is a feature that I wasn’t expecting – I really enjoyed having the rubber centre piece for one-handed steering. Overall, I think the Strider PLUS comfortably fills a niche in the market for parents who have two pram-riders and need a well-priced all purpose pram that has all accessories included.

Rating

Overall Rating(out of 5)

star star star star

Seat Rating

star star star star star

Harness Rating

star star star half star

Hood/Canopy Rating

star star star star half star

Handle Design Rating

star star star star star

Storage Rating

star star star star star

Brakes Rating

star star star half star

Fold Rating

star star star

Wheels Rating

star star star

Manoeuvrability Rating

star star star star

Accessories Rating

star star star star star



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