In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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The BOB Revolution Flex 2.0 is a cool jogging stroller that can do double duty as a useful full-size option (note the 3.0 is the newer model). This means this easy to push stroller can potentially be your only stroller purchase! We love the Revolution for its off-road capabilities, locking swivel front wheel, and tight turning radius that you won't believe for such a large stroller. This stroller is easy to use, has a large canopy and storage bin and impresses with adjustable suspension and handlebar. While possibly not the right option for all families given its larger folded size, heavier weight, and lack of sleek styling, the Revolution offers versatility at a reasonable price. We would definitely recommend this stroller to a friend.
REASONS TO BUY
Ease to maneuver
Easy to use
Comfortable
Jogger
REASONS TO AVOID
Large and hard to lift
Update
The Revolution Flex 2.0 has been updated to the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0. There are some additions for convenience to the new model and a slight change to the folded size. If you can find a 2.0 for sale, it is similar enough that the price savings could be worth it.
Our Analysis and Test Results
In 1994, the Beast of Burden (BOB) Company started in California by Roger Malinowski and Philip Novotny. Yak bike trailers were the first products create by the bicycle professional and the airline mechanic. The men realized a need for a jogging stroller. They continued to revolutionize the stroller in 2005 by putting the first locking swivel wheel on a jogging product. The company was acquired by Britax in 2011 and now offers a full line of strollers designed for a variety of lifestyles and activities.
Performance Comparison
A good jogging stroller, like the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0, can be useful for more than jogging.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
The Revolution 2.0 is relatively easy to use compared to the competition.
The first step of folding the BOB Revolution is squeezing dual levers on either side of the frame to unlock the stroller.
The second fold step for the BOB Revolution is pulling the red fold handle located under the seat bottom. The entire fold process is easy, but will require two hands.
Fold and Unfold
This BOB folds with two hands and includes four steps. It is easy to fold with dual release levers (above left) and a pull handle (above right). It has a manual lock, and no self-stand or carry strap, which makes it somewhat of a bear to transport.
The BOB Revolution brake pedal is plastic and large enough to be easy to set, release and pain-free for sandal feet.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Brakes
The Flex single action brakes are easy to use both for setting and releasing. The brake pedal is in the middle of the frame and sandal foot-friendly.
Storage
This BOB has a large under-seat storage bin you can access from the back and the sides. The basket has a maximum weight limit of 10 lbs and fits our large diaper bag. This stroller doesn't have a parent console or child tray. It does have two pockets inside the seat and a big mesh pocket behind the seat.
Sunshade
The Revolution has one of the largest canopies with a vinyl peek-a-boo window. The canopy has ventilation when the back is reclined for airflow on hotter days.
Harness
The 5-point padded harness on the Flex is easy to use and adjust. It has non-rethread height adjustment and an adjustable crotch strap. The red pull rings make getting the harness snug easy and the buckle opens easily.
The seat on the Revolution is cozy with a one piece sling style design. While it lacks an adjustable leg rest, it is padded and reclines far enough for great napping.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Seat
This stroller has a leg rest and footrest, but neither is adjustable. The leg rest is padded, and the footrest is large and covered in durable rubberized fabric.
The new recline adjustment button on the 2016 Revolution is such a huge improvement over the previous version that it helped increase its overall ease of use score.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Car Seat Compatibility
The BOB does not come compatible with any car seat. You can purchase a car seat adapter for most of the top brands. The frames require some assembly and work with several Britax/BOB, Chicco, and Peg Perego infant car seat models. This includes two favorites from our best infant car seat review, the Chicco Keyfit 30 and the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35.
The Revolution works with a variety of infant car seat brands.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The car seat attaches to the frame by clicking in, but you also need to use the straps provided by BOB for attaching the seat to the stroller. We aren't big fans of the strap-in method because we think many parents will skip the second step leading to a potentially unsafe installation. The straps need to be screwed onto the frame of the stroller and then attached to the seat.
Ease of Setup
The Revolution took 5:30 minutes to put together, and it requires a screwdriver. The manual is wordy and far longer than is necessary and it added to the time as we sorted through the pages for the useful information.
The Revolution is one of the easiest strollers in the review to push and turn. It excels over uneven terrain and off-road hiking with rubber, pneumatic tires, and dense wheels that make it easy to push even with one hand.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Maneuverability
The Revolution is super easy to maneuver. On the pavement and other hard surfaces, the Revolution excels, though some testers feel it is akin to driving a sport utility vehicle. In general, the Revolution is easy to push even if it is wider and longer. It rolls smoothly and with little effort; it can be pushed with one hand.
The locking swivel front wheel on the Revolution is part of the equation that helps it perform so well in our tests for maneuverability. Left to swivel the Revolution can make tight turns and quick responses to traffic and course changes. Locked in place it can traverse uneven terrain without going astray.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
For off-road maneuvering, the Flex is possibly the best in the group. Thanks to its jogging stroller bones with features like large rubber tires and adjustable suspension, it is the easiest stroller to move on uneven surfaces. If it has any trouble, you can lock the swivel front wheel to keep it tracking straight.
The Revolution is the only full-size option in this review with adjustable suspension. The suspension helps increase comfort for the passenger and pusher, as well as improving its overall maneuverability.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The tires are pneumatic rubber wheels on high-density plastic rims. They are larger than most of the competition and designed for jogging over various terrain. The adjustable suspension and rubber tires help increase comfort for passengers.
The handlebar on the Revolution is adjustable from two-sided pivot points. We don't like this as much as a telescoping adjustment, but it works well. The bar is covered with a slip-resistant foam that feels good.
Weight and Folded Size
The Flex is one of the bigger products at 27.3 lbs and a folded size of about 14,500 cubic inches. The weight and size might prevent it from fitting in smaller trunks. You can cinch the lockdown so the stroller is really tight or take the wheels off to make it smaller, but it is still going to take up more space than most of the competition.
The BOB Revolution Flex is a nice quality choice that is put together well even if it lacks the sleek styling of many modern day full-size strollers. This BOB earned the highest score for maneuverability, easily moving over almost any surface.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Quality
The Revolution is a nice quality choice. The fabric is a heavy canvas that wears well. The same fabric is used to create the thermo-molded seats and leg/footrest, with the bottom of the footrest having a rubbery coating. The seat is padded and has reflective elements for increased visibility. The storage basket is a combination of canvas, semi-reflective elements, and mesh.
This stroller has an aluminum frame with more connection points than most options, but they are tight and do not rattle. The adjustable suspension functions well, and the plastic components of this frame do not detract from its look or performance.
