In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Bumbleride Speed Combo Review

While it works with lots of car seat brands, the strap in connection is bummer for us
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Bumbleride Speed Combo Review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $579 List
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Manufacturer:   Bumbleride
By Juliet Spurrier, MD & BabyGearLab Team  ⋅  Oct 14, 2019
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OVERALL
SCORE
  • Ease Of Attaching Car Seat - 30% 4.0
  • Ease Of Use - 30% 5.0
  • Weight/Folded Size - 25% 2.0
  • Quality - 10% 7.0
  • Maneuverability - 5% 8.0

The Skinny

The Bumbleride Speed is a nice jogging stroller, but it isn't the best for infant car seats. Thanks to a higher weight, larger folded size, and strap in adapter connections it struggles to keep up with the more comfortable to use competition that is lighter and smaller. Even if your goal is to purchase a one and done option you can use for your little one's lifetime that is also good for jogging, there are better options.
REASONS TO BUY
Great maneuverability
Works with lots of car seat brands
REASONS TO AVOID
Requires straps for car seat connection
Harder to carry and stow
Price
Update — 2020
The Bumbleride Speed has been discontinued by the manufacturer.

Our Analysis and Test Results

2017 Bumbleride Speed vs. New 2018 Version


The 2018 version of the Bumbleride Speed has redesigned fold triggers that are more ergonomic and easier on the fingers. The canopy has been raised 1.5 inches to give more head space to older toddlers. Bumbleride uses a water repellent treatment on their canvas fabrics, and they have switched to a more eco-friendly treatment that will degrade faster in the environment and cause less potential toxicity in the long run. There is a new selection of colors for the 2018 Speed, and it has a price tag that is $20 higher than the old version. Below you can see two strollers side by side, the 2017 (left) vs. the 2018 (right).

Hands-on Gear Review



bumbleride speed combo - the bumbleride speed works with a variety of car seat brands...
The Bumbleride Speed works with a variety of car seat brands depending on which adapter you choose to purchase. However, some require using a strap for a secure connection (like the Chicco/Graco pictured her), which hurt its overall score.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The Bumbleride company was launched in 2004 by Matt and Emily Reichardt in San Diego. After having their first baby, the family was compelled to create baby gear for active families. Bumbleride dedicates itself to creating safe products with the environment in mind using 100% recycled polyester made from post-consumer water bottles.

Performance Comparison



bumbleride speed combo - using the chicco adapter requires removing the canopy and a two-step...
Using the Chicco adapter requires removing the canopy and a two-step attachment process making this harder to use than much of the competition.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Attaching Car Seat


Bumbleride makes adapters that work with some seats from Chicco, Cybex, Graco, Maxi Cosi, Nuna, and Peg Perego (available in April 2018) including the Chicco Keyfit 30, Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35, and the Cybex Aton 2. We tested the Speed Car Seat Adapter - Graco/Chicco (below left) and the Speed Car Seat Adapter - Maxi Cosi/Cybex/Nuna (below right).

The loop style Chicco/Graco adapter requires a screwdriver to attach...
The loop style Chicco/Graco adapter requires a screwdriver to attach to the stroller but the carrier is easy to drop into the loop frame. If it didn't require straps to connect, it might have scored better.
The car seat adapter for the Speed to work with Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, and...
The car seat adapter for the Speed to work with Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, and Cybex is a two-part adapter where you need to align both sides of the carrier before pressing down. This style is harder to install than loop connectors.

The Chicco adapter requires a screwdriver to install, and you need to remove the canopy to use it. The canopy is easy to remove, and it decreases the weight somewhat, but it is annoying that you can't leave it on. The adapter is a click in and a strap adapter with the second step being mandatory for safety, but we worry parents will forgo it anyway. It isn't that easy to install the carrier or remove it, but at least you can't do it wrong, and it feels stable.

Weight and Folded Size


The Bumbleride Speed is one of the heaviest in this combo review. It weighs 27.9 lbs and measures 13,283 cubic inches. These measurements make the Speed a poor choice if you have limited space or want to avoid carrying heavy items.

bumbleride speed combo - the rubber front tire on the front swivel wheel helps the speed earn...
The rubber front tire on the front swivel wheel helps the Speed earn high marks for maneuverability.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Maneuverability


Thanks to the larger rubber tires and jogging stroller design, the Speed is effortless to maneuver. The front-wheel swivels easily, which, in combination with its small footprint, helps make it easy to maneuver. You can lock the swivel in one of two locking positions which makes it good at moving over flat surfaces as well as rough and bumpy ones.

bumbleride speed combo - the canopy pocket remains on the speed even after you remove the...
The Canopy pocket remains on the Speed even after you remove the main canopy for car seat attachment.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The Speed disappoints for ease of use, making the Speed one of the more difficult options to use when combined with an infant car seat.

Folding the Speed requires pulling up on the frame locks...
Folding the Speed requires pulling up on the frame locks simultaneously which requires two hands.
The Speed has an auto-lock feature to keep the folded stroller closed.
The Speed has an auto-lock feature to keep the folded stroller closed.

Fold and Unfold


The Speed requires two hands to fold with side frame locks (above left) that need to be pulled simultaneously. It isn't hard to fold, but it has multiple steps and is somewhat convoluted. This stroller self-stands when folded and has a carry handle which makes its weight a little easier to manage.

bumbleride speed combo - the speed brake pedal is large but only average for ease of use...
The Speed brake pedal is large but only average for ease of use thanks to a rougher underside that makes it hard on the top of feet and shoes.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Brakes


The Speed's brake is a large center pedal that is average to operate. The bottom of the pedal is somewhat rough, making this pedal painful on bare or sandaled feet.

bumbleride speed combo - the speed storage bin is large and carries up to 10 bs, this is...
The Speed storage bin is large and carries up to 10 bs, this is average for a jogger and more than the frame products made for car seat attachment.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Storage


The Bumbleride's large storage bin can hold up to 10 lbs. It is easy to access from the rear only and fit our large diaper bag. The Speed also has pockets on the back of the canopy for quick access items. It isn't bad compared to some of the car seat combos, but there are full-size strollers that hold more supplies.

bumbleride speed combo - we tested the speed with the chicco keyfit 30 infant car seat and...
We tested the Speed with the Chicco Keyfit 30 infant car seat and Chicco adapter.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Sunshade


The Speed's canopy is large, but unfortunately, it is not usable in combination with the infant car seat. This lack of canopy use is true of several competing products.

Ease of Setup


The Speed is harder to set up than much of the competition taking over 14 minutes to put together. The documentation is good with clear directions once you get past the multiple pages of warnings in all languages. We were able to assemble it using only the pictures.

bumbleride speed combo - the speed is nicer quality with durable materials and a sturdy frame...
The Speed is nicer quality with durable materials and a sturdy frame with little flex and few plastic components.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Quality


After maneuverability, the Speed scored best for quality. It has a sturdy frame with thick canvas and solid connections. The tires and wheels are nice with ball bearing hubs that allow for smooth rolling over every surface and tracking and locking mechanisms that work well. The Speed has an attention to detail we don't remember on previous Bumblerides, and we like the overall design and finish.

Manufacturer Video



Juliet Spurrier, MD & BabyGearLab Team