Maclaren Quest or BJCM???

[sum10]

I am having a 2nd pushchair dilemma and DH just blocks me out now when I talk about what pushchair to get.

I am 5'2 and quite petite, want something light, easy to maneuvre, easy to fold, good on bumpy terrain, will fit in the boot of a VW polo with room to spare, good for travelling on a plane, and i want it to look nice, around the £100 mark or slightly over...am I asking for too much?

BJCM cons:
Heavier than the Quest and can't be pulled along. Handle height is slightly high.
But bigger wheels (so I'm presuming it'll be better on bumpy terrain) AND easier to fold

Quest cons:
Smaller wheels so I'm presuming its not good on rough terrain, is that true?

[sum10]

I really want to get the BJCM but everyone seems to end up with a Maclaren

Should I just give in now and accept that the BJCM is too heavy and the handle is too high??

[SweetApril]

Ah, 2nd buggy dilemma! We originally had the Quest and I hated it. Couldn't bear the rattly boneshaker wheels and our tall DD never looked comfy in it. The handle height was also way too low for us but then we are both fairly tall. Was good for plane travel, lightweight and easy to carry but for me those were its only plus points. And I figured DD would spend more time sitting it than I would carrying it or taking it on planes so....

..I eventually got a BJCM (Mini not Micro) instead. And I absolutely love it. All these things are a ZILLION times better:
the fold, the recline, the sun canopy, the ride over bumpy ground, the stability (when you hang shopping on the handle I have never yet had the BJCM fall over backwards).

Yes, it is heavier and slightly more awkward to carry when folded but for all the reasons above I'd take that any day over the Quest. And, yes, the handle is high which I suppose is the only potential problem for you. Try one out, see what you think.

Also fine to carry on a plane. I recommend you take the back wheels off (really easy, just press a button) before you put it in the hold and take them on board with you - just in case the wheel release button gets pressed against a suitcase or something and releases a wheel by mistake. Also we put a luggage strap around ours to make sure it kept securely folded. There is a clip to keep it folded but I had visions of baggage handlers dropping it from a great height or something! The quick wheel release also means it's easy to get in the boot of a small car. Would probably go in a Polo wheels on but I'm not sure. We have a Clio which I think is a bit bigger bootwise.

DON'T GIVE IN!

[sum10]

Thanks for the reply SweetApril!
I read somewhere on here that someone got used to the handle height of the BJCM so I'm hoping it'll be the same for me.

[SweetApril]

I hope so! I know someone who is 5' and tried the double BJCM and thought it was too high but then got used to it and liked it.

[nappydaysagain]

Hi sum10, it was me who posted about the BJCM handles being too high for me (I'm 5 foot). The handle was bust hight on me so I did feel like my hands were too high when I was pushing it and it just didn't feel right for me . I also wear quite flat boots and shoes. I think if I was a couple of inches taller that would have made a huge difference.

It's such a shame that the handle isn't adjustable as I loved everything else about the BJCM.

[ENormaSnob]

I loathe my quest.

[suzie38]

Ditto...I'd love to hire different buggies by the week.