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Looking for one that can do it all?
When buying a stroller these days, you're faced with a myriad of choices: full size carriages, joggers, car seat/stroller combos, and lightweight umbrella strollers, as well as double (and sometimes triple) versions of all of these.  Through experience we found that most perform their designed task reasonably well.  It gets a lot more challenging when strollers are called upon to do more than one job.

Travel strollers are a case in point.  Inexpensive lightweight umbrella strollers (as they're most often called) are most popular for families on the go.  They fold small enough to fit in an overhead bin, though most airlines will ask you to gate-check them.  They usually weigh less than 10 pounds and cost less than $25.  But umbrella strollers have a few drawbacks for active families.  They can't hold much other than your child, are not very rugged, are sometimes difficult to briskly walk behind with their short handles, and the teensy wheels make it tough to navigate anything other than the local mall. 

Once you reach your destination, jogging strollers can handle nearly any terrain.  But can you imagine lugging one on and off an airplane, train or full bus, or pushing one through a busy shopping area?

We sought a solution that was strong, compact and foldable, lightweight, suitable for walking trail use, and cost less than $100.  We nearly concluded this was a need no stroller manufacturer was filling, until we found the Schwinn SC 600 Sport Utility Stroller.  Read on to see if it passed our tests.

Schwinn, the venerable bicycle brand, has expanded beyond bicycles and fitness equipment, and offers a line of intelligently designed strollers.  The SC 600 is an 8 wheel design.

Schwinn SC 600 Features:

• Advanced all-aluminum frame
• Wide design with oversized wheels
• 5 position telescoping handles
• Two position reclining padded seat
• Comfortable T-shield buckle system
• Flip-away canopy
• Compact, umbrella folding capability
• Removable storage pouch
• Large under seat basket for storage
• 8" quick-release swivel front wheels
• 8" double fixed rear wheels with brakes
• Pneumatic rubber tires do not need inflation
• Weight: 16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 29"L x 19"W x 39"H
• Accommodates one child, up to 40 pounds

The price of the SC 600 is a very reasonable $69.99.  It comes with a one-year warranty.  Oddly enough, none of the Schwinn bicycle dealers we called carried the SC 600.  We purchased our test unit from Target.com, but we also found it at Burlington Coat Factory. 

A bit of corporate history may be in order.  Dating from 1895, the Schwinn brand was sold to Pacific Cycle in 2001.  Pacific Cycle is a manufacturer of bicycles and other recreational products.  In 2003, Pacific Cycle purchased InStep, an established manufacturer of various types of strollers and other equipment for active families.  Pacific Cycle decided the Schwinn moniker would make sense for a line of well-designed strollers, and the SC series was created.

A side-by-side double version of the SC 600, the SC 700 is also available.  Except for separate canopies for each child, the SC 700's features are identical to those of the SC 600.

The GFR Test Team decided to put the SC 600 to the test on a family vacation to Arizona, including a trip to the Grand Canyon.  We thought this itinerary would test the portability aspects of the stroller, along with its 'off-road' capabilities.

The SC 600 arrived nearly completely assembled.  All that we had to do was slide on the front set of wheels.

A unique feature of the SC 600 is the adjustable handles.  Based off an umbrella stroller design, these handles can extend 6.25 inches.  Individually adjustable (we're not sure why), each handle can be set at 5 different lengths, to accommodate most anyone.  We're not tall, yet on umbrella strollers, we've found ourselves hunched over while pushing because the handles are too short.  And when attempting anything faster than a very slow walk, we'd kick the rear wheels or axle of the stroller when stepping forward.  After adjusting the SC 600's handles, we were able to maintain a brisk pace without ever 'outwalking' the stroller.  We would like to see thicker handgrips on the handles.  After a long walk, it became a little uncomfortable holding the flat, thin handgrips.

The designers seemed to have paid attention to ride comfort, as the rear wheels (which support most of the weight) are sprung to absorb small bumps in the road.  We found the SC 600 to be easy to push, as it's larger wheels enable it to roll easily.  The front set of 4 wheels swivel, but you can't lock them to point straight all the time, like some competitors.  Unlike jogging strollers the tires are pneumatic, and so never need to be pumped with air.  Their smooth tread design did not pick up dirt or mud.  The rear wheels have brakes so that the stroller will not roll.

At the Canyon Rim Trail, the SC 600 performed well, whether on paved, grassy or gravel portions.  On loose gravel, the SC 600 did not burrow into the stones, like strollers with small wheels often do.

There are two storage locations on the SC 600.  A roomy basket between the wheels and a removable mesh pouch.  According to the manufacturer, each has a 2.2 lb. capacity.  The aluminum cross braces made it a little difficult getting things in and out of the lower basket, but once something was placed inside, the basket sides prevented items from falling out while going over rough surfaces.  We found the pouch handy for baby bottles, small board books, baby hats, etc.  It has a Velcro closure and is attached to the aluminum frame with a strap and snap.  Since the handles use the umbrella design, we were able to hang a small diaper bag and camera from each handle, increasing the SC 600's storage capability.

Our toddler was able to fall asleep with the adjustable seat in either position.  Adjusting the seat back is easy.  The fabric seat back extends on both sides to cover the side frame, making a good head rest.

Once the owner learns how, the SC 600 does fold easily.  But it was frustrating at the beginning.  Like most umbrella strollers, you push forward on one on the locking hinges slightly, to unlock it.  Then you step on a red lever nearby which actually starts the folding process.  Before collapsing, the canopy is folded all the way back.  We found it initially difficult to unlock the hinge, perhaps because the tab you push on with your foot is very small.  Unfolding the SC 600 is easy and straightforward.

Storing the folded SC 600 is easy.  It does take up a little more space than a traditional umbrella stroller, partly due to the larger wheels.  You can lower the handles if you want when folding, and the collapsed length will be less.  But when we left the handles extended, we found it can still fit in the back of a minivan crosswise, which is often necessary when using all three rows of seats.  The SC 600 has a storage latch to keep the stroller in its folded position.

The SC 600 requires no maintenance other than occasionally checking the fasteners to make sure they are secure, as with any stroller.  The seat, canopy and frame can be cleaned with a soft cloth with warm water and mild soap.

The GFR Test Team liked the Schwinn SC 600.  It performed well, and is reasonably priced.  We feel it meets the needs of parents looking for a travel stroller that is durable and capable of active use.  Check it out on your next family vacation!

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