Maclaren Techno XLR Review
All stroller reviews- Introduction
- Seat design and function
- Child Safety Harness
- Hood or Canopy
- Handle design and function
- Storage
- Wheels and Brakes
- Fold mechanism
- Manoeuvrability
- Size
- Accessories
- Conclusion and Rating
Review by: Jelita78
Introduction
The same as everything else, it all began with the birth. In this case, it was the birth of Owen Maclaren’s first grandchild in the early 1960s. Inspired by the umbrella folding mechanism, in 1965 he invented the first umbrella fold baby buggy weighing only 6 pounds! Maclaren goes into production two years later and have been an instant success.
After more than 40 years, Maclaren still holds strong to its originality. Maclaren has emerged strongly with the Ryder, Quest, Triumph, Volo and Techno XT, all with their own individual features. With innovative improvements and fantastic designs, the latest Maclaren Techno XLR has sparked the imagination of the stroller world and is indeed here to stay.
Seat design and function
Seat in fully upright position
Seat in 1st reclining position
Seat in 2nd reclining position
Seat in fully reclined position
One-hand-recline seat mechanism
Fully extended legrest
Retracted legrest
Footrest
Removable head hugger with the reversible shoulder pads and matching reversible seat liner
Opposite side of the shoulder pads and seat liner in delicious chocolate shades.
The Maclaren Techno XLR is made of a high performance aluminum frame covered with high durability fabric that is completely removable and washable. This Maclaren Techno XLR has indeed a very high backrest seat. It is measures 18 inches tall (45.7cm), 15 inches (38.1cm) wide and 8.5 inches (21.6cm) deep. The seat base measures 18 inches (45.7cm) from the ground. It is stated in the user guide booklet that this stroller can take the weight of a child up to 30kg (65lbs) maximum.
The Maclaren Techno XLR comes with 4 seat reclining positions. Although it doesn’t have the reversible seat functions, the seat can be laid flat enough to be used for a newborn and due to the high backrest and wide seat, it indeed fits my 5 year old son comfortably.
All Maclaren strollers are well known for their not so user friendly recline mechanism. To raise the seat up is easy, just push the seat from behind, to the desired upright position. However, to recline it is a slight hassle. It requires the release of metal seat grips located behind the seat, on both the left and right side. Both seat grips need to be pulled slightly upwards to allow the metal bar to slide back to recline the seat. I feel that this is one of the drawbacks as not only do I need to use both hands to recline the seat, but also I need to press the front of the seat to make sure both left and right sides reclined to the same level.
But behold! The newly improved Maclaren Techno XLR 2008 recline mechanism! Maclaren has given a major makeover this time! It’s like they have finally been listening to the users complaints and stepped into a new dimension with this one-hand-recline mechanism! Hip hip hooray! Just simply lift the middle tab located behind the seat to recline and release it to the desired level.
The legrest can be extended to a maximum of 7 inches (17.8cm) length by pulling the metal sliders located at the corner left and right sides of the seat openings. Simply push the sliders back in to retract the legrest. With the legrest fully extended, the whole seat becomes a whopping 15.5 inches deep (39.4cm).
The Maclaren Techno XLR seat comes complete with removable head hugger, shoulder pads and the ever so plush double sided seat liner. This 1 inch thick seat liner is simply gorgeous. It’s my favourite! One side is in sky blue shade and made of microfibre while the other side is dark chocolate polyester fabric.
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Child safety harness
5-point harness with centre buckle control
Like any other Maclaren stroller, this Techno XLR model also comes with a 5-point harness controlled by a centre buckle. This Maclaren patent harness is different to other umbrella type stroller harnesses. It can be released only by pressing both the front and back of the centre buckle making it very secure and difficult for your kid to undo it.
There are 2 shoulder slot levels on the seat with the lowest slot at 10 inches (25.4cm) from the seat base and the highest slot at 12 1/2 inches(31.8cm).
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Hood or Canopy
Main hood coverage
Extended hood unzipped
Zip part to extend hood coverage
Extended hood coverage
Sun visor pop out from under the hood
Sun visor for extra protection from the glare
UV protective viewing window
Viewing window from the top view
Two storage compartments at the back of the hood!
Reflective accents at the side of the hood
At first sight, you may think that it’s like any ordinary Maclaren, just a simple hood with reflective accents and providing only minimal coverage of 19 inches (48.3cm). But then you notice a zipped area on top of it and as you unzip it, voila! Another portion of hood is neatly tucked inside it, enlarging the hood to an additional 11 inches (27.9cm). And it doesn’t end there! There’s the 10 inches (25.4cm) long of sun visor too, folded flat up front which can be whipped out with just a flick! How cool is that!
This water resistant hood comes with 7 x 8 inch (17.8 x 20.3 cm) UV protective viewing window at the top and not one, but two storage compartments at the back of the hood! One is a velcro secured flap compartment size 6 x 8 inches (15.2 x 20.3cm) and 2 inches (5.1cm)deep, and another one is a mesh pocket of the same size, right below it, with velcro fastening too.
Another feature that I must point out here is the reflective accents on the side of the hood which you can’t really see it, unless you flash lights onto it.
This is a great safety measure if you are to push the stroller maybe at dawn or late evening. When compared with the Maclaren Techno XT which has reflective accent stripes on top of the hood, I believe this is a better design because being at the sides of the hood it will easily be seen by others.
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Handle design and function
Handle at lowest point
Handle at highest point
Metal switch to adjust the handle height
The Maclaren Techno XLR comes with a handle height which adjusts up and down an extra 3.5 inches (8.9cm). Although it doesn’t extend as much as a Bugaboo stroller handle does, I believe it certainly is sufficient, for the stroller itself is already taller than others of its kind. The handle is lowest to the ground level at 40 inches (101.6cm)and the highest measurement is at 43.5 inches (110.5cm).
The handle can be adjusted by pushing in the metal switch looking button below the grip on both left and right sides of the handle.
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Storage
Storage basket
Impossible to access when seat is reclined
Even though the storage basket on the Maclaren Techno XLR is the largest when compared with other Maclarens, it is still inaccessible from any other angle except from behind and is completely unreachable when the seat is in the full reclining position. Oh well, you just can’t be perfect in everything. Basket size is 14 x 4 inches (35.6 x 10.2 cm) with 9 inches (22.9cm)height.
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Wheels and Brakes
Lockable front swivel wheels in unlock mode
The 6.5 inch (16.5 cm) diameter independent suspension wheels on the Maclaren Techno XLR are the main components which add to the height and size of this model. The swivel front wheels can be easily locked to unswivel by pressing down the flap in the centre top part of the left and right front wheels.
Locked front wheels
Brakes disengaged
The brakes on the rear wheels can be secured by flipping downwards with your foot on the square tab located on top of the rear wheels either on the left or right wheel. Both sides of the brakes are linked hence either side will activate both of the brakes.
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Fold mechanism
Folding mechanism
Stroller folded halfway
Stroller fully folded
The Techno XLR folds like any other Maclaren, which is by flipping upward the centre tab between the rear wheels and pressing down on the metal tab located on the right side of the stroller frame near the storage basket area. Bring the handle to the front wheels by naturally allowing the stroller to crunch itself downwards. Press it down and the side hook will automatically hold the stroller together.
At 41.5 inches (105.4 cm)long when folded, I have to admit that I do need to struggle to put it into my Honda City boot. It can’t fit directly in it. I have to put one side in diagonally before sliding the other end into the boot.
But despite that, the plus factor that I’ve discovered with the Maclaren Techno XLR is that it is capable of standing when folded, unlike the Maclaren Ryder, Quest and Triumph. So, it’s absolutely neat to have it stand in the store room next to hubby’s ladder!
The Maclaren Techno XLR also comes with a carry strap on the side for carrying ease although I must say that due to its size, it is not so easy to carry like this (it is the heaviest among its family members, slightly more than 8kg (17.6 lbs)).
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Manoeuvrability
Seriously, this will be the shortest paragraph in my review. In my opinion, with my humble experiences of handling a Stokke Xplory, Bugaboo Bee, Combi, Quinny Buzz, Quinny Zapp and Mountain Buggy Urban, nothing beats the Maclaren in manoeuverability. Case closed!Back to top
Size
It’s definitely the largest in the Maclaren umbrella folding family, and I would say it’s the best there is on the market. It is still very slim and compact and lightweight.Materials:
Aluminium frame
Fabrics:
Water resistant polyester
Weight:
8.3 kg (18.3 lbs)
Stroller Dimensions:
Folded
41.3 inches long (including wheels)
16 inches (104.9cm) high
12 inches (30.5cm) wide
Unfolded
24.4 inches (62cm) long
40.5 inches (102.9cm) high (with handle at lowest positioning)
43.5 (110.5cm)inches high (with handle at highest positioning)
20.5 inches (52.1cm)wide
Seat dimensions:
8.5 inches (21.6cm) deep
15 inches (38.1cm) wide
18 inches (45.7cm) high
Seat positioning:
Position from ground 18 inches (45.7)high
Seat to footrest:
Seat distance to footrest 10 inches (25.4cm)
Ground distance to footrest 8 inches (20.3cm)
Handle bar:
Lowest position from ground 40.5 inches (102.9cm) high
Highest position from ground 43.5 inches (110.5cm) high
Harness level:
Lowest distance from seat base 10 inches (25.4cm)
Highest distance from seat base 12 1/2 inches (31.8cm)
Wheel size:
Front wheels
Thick 1.2 inches (3cm)
Diameters 6.5 inches (16.5cm)
Width 10.5 inches apart (26.7cm)
Rear wheels
Thick 1.2 inches (3cm)
Diameters 6.5 inches (16.5cm)
Width 11 inches apart (27.9cm)
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Accessories
The Maclaren Techno XLR comes complete with frame, removable and washable seat cover, removable headhugger, reversible harness pad, reversible seat liner, mesh storage basket, raincover, matching bootcover, user guide booklet and a sovereign-lifetime-warranty.
Maclaren has really made the seat liner the envy of all because it is one seriously thick liner. You can tell just by the look of it.
Other accessories offered separately for this stroller are a mosquito net, parasol and matching colour Recaro car seat. It is obvious that Maclaren is trying to compete with Peg Perego with this Maclaren Techno XLR model as it is enabling the stroller to be compatible with car seats. According to the Maclaren official U.S website, this stroller will cater for most major U.S car seats, including the Peg Perego Viaggio, Graco Snugride and Britax Companion.
I would suggest Maclaren come up with a proper travel bag for this Maclaren Techno XLR because the current single Maclaren travel bag is slightly too small to fit this stroller and the travel bag for the double stroller on the other hand is slightly loose.
I would also love it if Maclaren would design its own cupholder too as an accessory because the Valco cupholder that I’ve been using is extra large in size and difficult to attach.
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Summary and Rating
Pros
- Huge seat allowing bigger toddler capacity and more comfortable ride
- Uber plush reversible seat liner!
- New and improved one-hand seat recline mechanism
- Extremely large hood coverage
- Extra storage behind the hood
- Big wheels making the stroller higher than others and suitable for all terrain handling
- Fabulous manoeuverability and lightweight
Cons
- Longer in size making it unable to fit the normal single stroller travel bags
- Storage basket hard to access when seat is reclined
- No cupholder
Conclusion
The thing I love most about Maclaren strollers is the manoeuverability, and lightweightness. Although it is a two handle stroller, it can really be steered with one hand even with an 18 kg (39.6lbs) 5 year old sleeping in it! Yes, this stroller is perfect for my 102 cm (40.2 inches) tall son who doesn’t like to walk much and still takes his afternoon nap!But honestly, if you put aside the newly designed one-handed-reclining mechanism and the car-seat compatibility, I would just conclude that Maclaren Techno XLR is just an upgrade in size from the Maclaren Techno XT. And if you have a little extra cash to spare, I suggest you get the Techno XLR model just because it will last longer for your child as it is bigger in size and you simply just can’t resist the beautiful seat liners ;)
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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