Micralite Fastfold Review
- Introduction
- Seat design and function
- Child Safety Harness
- Hood or Canopy
- Handle design and function
- Storage
- Wheel brakes
- Fold mechanism
- Wheels
- Manoeuvrability
- Size
- Accessories
- Conclusion
Review by: Annabel
Introduction
The Micralite Fastfold is a lightweight stroller with rear air tyres. It has a funky look and manoeuvrability akin to the Quinny Zapp, with the functional advantage of both a basket and reclining seat. The Micralite also has the option of taking a bassinet, making it a versatile stroller that can be used from newborn to 4+. Whilst not for everyone, the Micralite Fastfold has a lot to offer those who are after something that is both functional and fun.
Seat design and function
Seat in upright position
Seat in reclined position
Handle pulled down to put seat into the upright position
Handle pulled up puts seat in reclined position
Middle strip of seat is made of mesh
Head hugger held at top of seat with veclro
Optional bassinet for newborns
The Micralite has a slung seat which can be adjusted to two positions. Because of the unstructured seat the sitting position is not particularly upright, especially when used by younger children.
The layback position has only a small recline angle (it's not always obvious by looking at the seat to tell which position it is in). The recline is easily sufficient, however, to stop a child's head from dropping forward, and provides a comfortable place for naps on the go. Children do slouch a little in this seat and I personally would not use it for extended sleeps on a regular basis.
The seat position is adjusted by pulling on a cord at the back of the seat. Pulling the cord down, puts the seat into the upright position, and pulling it up makes the seat recline.
There is no adjustable legrest on the pram, and younger children's legs do tend to dangle over the edge of the seat. The seat has a mesh back which is brilliant in hot climates, although a seat liner would obviously be needed in the winter months. The seat has a head snuggler included which can be moved up and down the backrest and easily removed for an older/taller child.
The instructions claim that this stroller is suitable for children from 3 months. I personally would not have felt comfortable putting a very young baby in this seat, nor using it for a child who sleeps a couple of hours at a time. For a quick nap on the go however the recline is perfect, and makes this stroller much more versatile than the Quinny Zapp.
The dimensions of the Micralite seat are 25cm or 9.8 inches deep, 30cm or 11.8 inches wide and 51cm or 20 inches high.
A bassinet is available for the Micralite so as to make the stroller suitable for use from birth. In order to use the bassinet a stabilising bar is added to the frame, and this bar and the bassinet need to be removed to fold the frame. The bassinet has a covered mattress, its own hood, apron and carry handles which tuck into pockets on the side when not in use. Its inner dimensions are 69cm or 26.9 inches long,
34cm or 13.3inches wide, and 18cm or 7 inches deep.
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Child safety harness
The Micralite has a great harness with a soft fabric crotch strap and shoulder strap pads. The clips easily do up without pinching your fingers.
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Hood or Canopy
Viewing window in top of hood
The Micralite hood provides average protection which is fairly typical on a lightweight stroller. It has a very large viewing window with a toggle to hold it open and velcro to hold it closed.
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Handle design and function
Screws need to be loosened with Allen key to adjust handle
Allen key attaches to frame for storage
The Micralite handle is well designed for both user comfort and optimal manoeuvrability. The stroller can be pushed using two hands with a hand on each end of the handle bar, or with one hand in the middle of the handle bar.
The handle bar can be raised by using an Allen key (which is attached to the stroller) to tilt it upwards. This does not however raise the height at the centre of the handlebar.
At its highest point the handlebar is 108cm or 42.1 inches high. The middle point measures 96cm or 37.4 inches high.
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Storage
Under seat storage basket
Access to basket from the back
Access to basket from the front
Small zip pocket at top of seat back (under hood)
Bag in which to store seat fabric when using bassinet
For a stroller of this size the Micralite has a good sized mesh basket under the seat. The size of the items that can be put in the basket is however limited by the frame above the basket which only allows fairly small objects to pass through. I can just fit a loaf of bread through, but not my child's backpack (which would easily fit in the actual basket). The basket can be unhooked at the front of the stroller for better access.
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Wheel brakes
Wheel brake engaged
The Micralite has linked rear brakes which are operated with a single bar above the back wheels. It is a simple system that is very user friendly. The brake easily and dependably locks on and off without straining against a spring or poking your foot onto small buttons or levers.
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Fold mechanism
Fold buttons
As the name suggests the Micralite Fastfold really does have a super fast fold. The trigger to unlock the frame is easily released with one hand. The front wheels come back towards you which means you don't need to bend over and neither the fabric nor frame drag on the ground.
The only trick with the fold is it can be hard to get it to lock into the closed position if the front wheels are not facing the right direction. Sometimes the whole thing folds and locks in one quick movement, and other times you need to physically rotate the wheels and jiggle the frame to get it to lock closed.
When the frame is locked closed it stands upright by itself which is a handy feature. Again you don't need to bend down to pick it up, and it easily stores when not in use. The stroller can also be wheeled around when folded which saves having to carry it.
To unfold you simply release the lock and the stroller springs open. You do however need to walk around to the front and bend down to lock the front bar into place.
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Wheels
Rear air filled tyres
Front swivel wheels
The large air filled rear wheels are great over uneven surfaces. The front swivel wheels make manoeuvrability easy on smooth terrain, and can be locked for rougher surfaces. The rear wheels are quickly and easily removed for compact storage.
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Manoeuvrability
The Micralite is a dream to manoeuvre on smooth surfaces. It glides along with the slightest effort, and easily handles one handed, even with a 15kg child on board. Around the shops it really is a pleasure to push.This is no off road stroller, however the Micralite really holds its own outside. It easily tips back onto the large rear wheels to go over bumps or down curbs, and can still be pushed one handed over uneven terrain. I took the Micralite down a steep bush track and while it was fairly hard going at times it certainly handled better than a typical umbrella stroller would have.
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Size
The Micralite weighs 7.4kg or 16.3lbs which is very light for something sporting air tyres. It is on the wide side, however having the widest point at the front of the stroller makes it very easy to navigate through tight spaces.The stroller folds compactly although the large rear wheels add bulk to the fold when compared to that of a typical umbrella stroller. These can be easily removed for a more compact fold.
The folded dimensions are 102cm or 39.8 inches long, 40cm or 15.6 inches wide and 35cm or 13.7 inches high.
In use the Micralite measures 62cm or 24.2 inches wide, and
83cm or 32.4 inches long.
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Accessories
Rain cover included
Carry bag for rain cover
The Micralite comes in various packages containing a variety of different accessories. The 'newborn' package comes with a carrycot and travel bag. Also available (as part of a package or separately) is a UV sun shade, footmuff and Maxi Cosi carseat adaptors. A nappy bag will also be available in the UK in April. A raincover with its own carry pouch comes included with all strollers.
Toddler Seat
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Summary and Rating
Pros
- Fantastic manoeuvrability on smooth surfaces
- Rear air tyres mean it handles well outside for a stroller of this size
- Quick and easy to fold
- Stands upright when folded
- Excellent brake mechanism
- Having the widest point at the front makes it easy to negotiate tight spaces
Cons
- Stroller does not always lock closed on first attempt
- Seat has only a small recline
- No adjustable footrest
- Hood offers little sun protection
- Stroller frame can make basket access difficult
- Easily tips backwards if anything is hung from the handles without a child in the seat
Conclusion
The Micralite Fastfold is a fantastic stroller for people on the go who need something that is lightweight but also has great handling and manoeuvrability. It has its peculiarities, but for people who are prepared to try something a bit different, this stroller really performs well.Rating
Overall Rating(out of 5)
Seat Rating
Harness Rating
Hood/Canopy Rating
Handle Design Rating
Storage Rating
Brakes Rating
Fold Rating
Wheels Rating
Manoeuvrability Rating
Accessories Rating
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