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iCandy...are they worth the money?

28 replies

K8eee · 10/10/2013 12:10

Dh and I are looking at the best pushchair for us. Originally I was very against forking out a fair bit of money on a pushchair but have sort of realised it'll be probably one of the things that get used the most and I should get what I pay for in the sense of it lasting. I did find the Joie pushchair in mothercare which is also on offer, but it has a plastic ochassis which looks compared to the iCandy a lot let sturdy. I like the look of the iCandy as it has a metal frame and they seem popular and easy to use. Are they worth spending that bit extra? The one thing that does put me off is all the extra costs of add onsHmm

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PeterParkerSays · 10/10/2013 12:17

I'll probably kill this thread dead but we had a iCandy Apple for DS (now 4). When he was 6 months old, his pushchair was squashed against a wall by a lorry who had been illegally parked and was pulling away.

So, in answer to your point about the iCandy seeming study - the metal frame bent sideways but the metal seat retained its rigidity and the fabric on it got worn away on the wall down to the bare metal. Baby DS slept through the whole thing and was completely unharmed.

God forbid anything like that happens to you, but I wasn't planning on it happening to us either! I phoned my mum afterwards (they'd bought it for us) and thanked her for buying a pushchair that saved DS's life. Had he been in a small umbrella type buggy he'd have been dead - it was the handle that took the brunt and because the seat in the iCandys in reversible, he was facing away from me, which also helped.

We then went on to get a replacement iCandy, which did us well until DS was 3.

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K8eee · 10/10/2013 12:23

Jeeeeeze!!!! If it was a life saver in that way it would definitely work I would've thought in an unfortunate car accident!

So, so sorry to hear of the accident though Sadthank god your ds was saved by the pushchair! I think iCandy would appreciate you telling them how lucky you were!

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PeterParkerSays · 10/10/2013 12:28

Oh I did! Unfortunately they didn't feel generous enough to offer a replacement.

On a brighter note though, you need to make sure you have a decent car boot to put the frame in, and even then we generally put the pushchair seat onto the back seat like a chair, so they take up a fair bit of room. The extendable handle's good though, if either / both of you are tall.

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K8eee · 10/10/2013 12:34

That's a shame Grin

I've got the brochure at home (just popped out for the day) but one of the models folds down twice so it's even more compact if that makes sense. What has interested me in them is as I got out my car yesterday, a lady a few parking spaces up got the chassis out her boot with one hand and it was up in seconds! Shock I was impressed Grin we don't have a huge family car at the moment, but will definitely need to try and out in the boot I think.

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Brookofdonny · 10/10/2013 12:52

We were similar to you OP in that we also did not want to spend a lot on a pushchair. After testing just about every brand on the market we went for an iCandy Peach in the end and it was worth every penny. As PeterParkerSays mentions, iCandy make very sturdy buggies. They are also really easy to fold, are a dream to push and manouvre in tight spaces and the travel system attachments are much easier to use than those on my friend's bugaboo. As with any buggy, there are downsides. For us they were 1. iCandy are pretty adept at making sure only iCandy branded goods fit their buggies which can make all the add ons really add up and 2. we bought the peach model because we knew we would have two DCs relatively close in age. Our older DS is tall for his age and outgrew the seat within 18 months, so you might want to watch out for those. We subsequently bought a double Phil & Ted's buggy to fit our tall DS and younger DD and, whilst it suits our needs, it is nowhere near as sturdy as our iCandy was and I find myself really missing the iCandy. Friends who didn't buy an iCandy because of the cost have bought Oyster and City Mini and both are very happy with them. If you really want iCandy you could maybe also consider buying secondhand on Ebay or Gumtree to reduce the cost.

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whitewineforme · 10/10/2013 13:08

I've got the icandy strawberry and would definitely recommend it. Only bought ours when DS was 6 months old so can't advise on carrycot, but he is really comfy in the seat unit. The one piece fold on the Strawberry is fab, I can put it up and fold it down with one hand. It is lovely to push and looks nice as well which is a bonus! Bought it from John Lewis as their customer aftercare is so good, I had an issue with the button on the handle being stiff and it was all sorted quickly with no cost to me.

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K8eee · 10/10/2013 13:22

Would any of you mind telling me how much you roughly spent by the time you got the add ons? I know each one varies but I'm just after some sort of idea. We don't want inflatable tyres for definite, but will be needing to buy the car seat, adapters to fit the car seat, an isofix station, and down the line at some point a parasol and other necessary items.

We tried a silver cross one and I couldn't get my hands around the clasps to get the seats out Hmm

We're off to the baby and toddler exhibition at Bluewater tomorrow Smile am looking forward to trying everything out!

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loveulotslikejellytots · 10/10/2013 13:27

iCandy have changed their website, you can now 'build your iCandy'. It lets you choose model and add ins and gives you the price. A lot better than sitting with a calculator and the price list!

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loveulotslikejellytots · 10/10/2013 13:27

Add ons not ins.

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K8eee · 10/10/2013 13:29

Ah thank you! I'll be having a look at that!!! Smile

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jumperooo · 10/10/2013 13:35

We looked at iCandy amongst other travel systems but didn't buy. It's actually very personal, buying the right pushchair. I know several people who didn't think it mattered what they bought and soon realised the pushchair didn't suit their lifestyle at all, or even their baby (seat positions mainly!)

We didn't go with an iCandy for a few reasons - even the basic accessories cost extra and were expensive, we personally didn't like the blinginess of the iCandy, we saw a couple of them out in town that had badly watermarked fabrics when out in the rain, I read online that their customer service is poor . the biggest reason was that we saw something that was better value and had better features than anything else and that for us was the Uppababy Vista. We chose an Uppababy over the Bugaboo too, based on value for money.

My friend has a BJCM and loves it but was coveting the uppababy bassinet when our babies were tiny. It turns out that My DD loves an upright seat position when she's awake so a lot of the other pushchairs, including bjcm wouldn't work for us now.

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Ihateparties · 10/10/2013 16:53

Re the plasticky/potential breaking issue peaches historically have been problematic, lots of broken handlebars. Earlier cherries had wheel issues, the apple seems to have been the most bombproof. I had a used peach blossom which was fine but the chassis had already been replaced for the previous owner under the warranty.

The amount you spend definitely won't insure you against issues like that.

I agree the joie pushchairs feel rather plasticky but I have had no problems with mine and it still looks brand new.

Have you looked at the baby jogger versa? The quality there is pretty great for the price and I think there is a new bj carrycot due out soon that should be an improvement on the current ones.

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MiaowTheCat · 10/10/2013 18:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Littlemissexpecting · 12/10/2013 21:23

We love our iCandy peach.
Ds looks really comfy in the carrycot and we use the car seat adapters a lot too. We love the size of basket, the adjustable height of handle, the ease of steering.
Only negative for me is when folding down the handle is on the floor (so can get wet/dirty etc) but it's only minor.
With regards to accessories we bought the carrycot, plus car seat adapters and the sun shade.

I would really recommend going to John Lewis or a good independent pram shop (iCandy website lists stockists) and trying out a few. We fell in love with iCandy instantly but made sure we had a good look at a few other makes (cheaper and more expensive) just to be sure!

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Tiggywunkle · 13/10/2013 16:43

I admit to being a huge iCandy fan. I have had 3 Peaches - and still have one - it will be the last pushchair out of here. I loved the Cherry for the lightness and being able to pull the chassis along when folded. The Strawberry is beautiful and I like the one piece fold. The Apple is a good sturdy pushchair too. I love that there are the options to convert to a double but yet leaving the single as a true single. If you buy new, then the iCandy warranty should cover any issues - and I have to add that buying from a retailer with a good reputation is key to getting any issues sorted out.

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Rockchick1984 · 13/10/2013 17:14

Tiggy sorry to hijack - have you used a buggy board on the Peach? If so, how did you get on with it? I know icandy don't recommend it, but am going to need one on occasion once DC2 arrives so debating between a Peach and a Buffalo :)

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Tiggywunkle · 13/10/2013 18:14

I wouldn't put a stroller board on a Peach. iCandy say that the back axle was not designed to carry the weight of a toddler. I have seen boards which attach to the side of the chassis, but I haven't tried any on my pushchairs. I think a Buffalo would be much better to put a board onto. Theres more handle space (or maybe its just a perception because I haven't put the two side by side!).

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Rockchick1984 · 13/10/2013 18:33

Thankyou Thanks

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Sashabops · 15/10/2013 15:58

I think the Strawberry is fantastic and so pleased that we invested our money in this. we haven't had any problems with it at all but have been told by my friend that their customer service is also great, she had a problem with the hood on hers and they got back to her within two days, they were so helpful and that made the decision for me then and there to purchase an iCandy. A gorgeous stroller with great customer service, cannot fault them one bit and definitely worth every single penny! :)

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GwendolineMaryLacey · 15/10/2013 16:04

iCandy fan here too. I had an Apple for 5 years and loved it. It is big but (as has been proved!) very sturdy and a dream to push. Nice big basket underneath too.

I'd love to try a Strawberry but funds have dried up. There's also another one in the pipeline, can't remember the name, but it's aiming at the Bugaboo Bee market I think.

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SmithyAimz · 15/10/2013 16:12

Love love love my Peach Jogger, and so does my LO lol! So glad me and DH bought this, it folds really small and fits in the boot of my KA as well. Which iCandy would you go for if it was an option? I would definitely say they're worth what you pay for them, so strong, sturdy but still so lightweight as well and it's simple but still fashionable. i'm always getting comments on how great it looks! It's really easy to 'drive' as well which is why i probably prefer to walk rather than drive now lol. Riley's coming up to a year old now and there's still so much space for him in the Jogger! Think he'll be in it for a couple more years yet :)

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Tiggywunkle · 15/10/2013 17:16

The Raspberry Gwendoline :) Its fab!

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Franykins · 16/10/2013 10:43

Sorry to crash this thread but need a bit of advice from Tiggywunkle A friend of mine is looking at the Push Me Zebu Loganberry 3 In 1 Travel System - Redkite and I was wondering if you have tried it? You gave me some very good advice in the past so was hoping you can help out here as well, or point me in the direction of where to find out about it. She wants something that is of course safe but looks good and isn't too pricey. I found this one on the mothercare site but has no reviews yet.

Many thanks in advance, and sorry for crashing the thread Blush

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saffstel · 16/10/2013 15:06

I love love love my icandy apple!
My only gripe is that it's pretty big and heavy when folded.

However, it steers amazingly, is lovely and big and cozy, and apart from a few blown tyres is in immaculate condition 3 years on (and I walk everywhere!!).

I'm using it now with a buggy board for DD1 with baby in the seat and it's brill. Miles better than the chunky second hand Phil and teds that I bought for the 2 of them.

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BB01 · 17/10/2013 08:17

A vote here for the Cherry. It's not as popular now the Peach and Strawberry are on the scene but it's perfect for us because we really wanted a pushchair that was as lightweight and narrow as poss but not too flimsy. We found the Cherry to be a great compromise. Definitely not as shiny as the new models but it's also cheaper.

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