Inline double for toddler and new baby- Uppababy Rumbleseat unbelievably shit!

[Giraffeski]

Currently we have an Uppababy Vista for DD2 who is 16 months, and the intention was to buy the add on Rumble seat to make it into an inline double and bobs your uncle!
We even bought the Uppababy with this in mind as an option, but at the time I think the Rumbleseat was new and there weren't many reviews of it out so we didn't know what it was like really.
We are really happy with the Uppababy in all other aspects I think.

Just been to have a look at it and tried DD2 in the seat and I was unbelievably disappointed. DD2 is not a large 16 month old, average height and slim build but she was almost too big for it and as the seat was so shallow and sloped down she was slipping off it, held in only by the strap which is obviously not acceptable.
Her feet were right in the bottom of the shopping basket.

The thing is, it's so small that it wouldn't work for a bigger toddler, and yet I can't see it working for a younger one either as it doesn't recline AT ALL, so not sure what it's all about really!
It also doesn't work with the carrycot on the pram so would have to have baby in car seat for first few months until big enough to go in buggy, so again not ideal really at all.

Anyway, I looked at the Baby Jogger City Select which on paper does everything I want, the chassis folds reasonably small (looks about same size as Uppababy chassis) and can use with carrycot etc.
But the carrycot was really low to the ground which I didn't like (maybe possible to have configured differently?) and seemed very heavy to push, even empty. The JL woman even pointed out how heavy it was. Not sure if this would just be a general problem for doubles though.
I did like the look of it though.

What other options do I have?
Boot space shouldn't be a problem as am currently in process of buying new car and it will be either a 4x4 or an estate.

[Giraffeski]

Ooh, just seen the Jane Twone- has anyone tried this? Don't really need a new car seat but like the lie flat car seat thing.

[NancyinCali]

I'm deciding between the city select and britax (it's called b-ready in the US but think it's something else in the UK). Also debating not getting one at all as DD1 will be 2.4 when the baby arrives!

[onedogatoddlerandababy]

I also tried and tried to see how the rumble seat would work and gave up. Bought an ex display Phil and teds navigator from John Lewis instead.

DD2 gets to lie flat (and she sleeps for hours in it) a little below 75th centile, and there's still some room for her to grow, hopefully there'll be enough space for the next couple of months!

She is close to the ground, but very sheltered and I can see her face by just looking down, so I'm quite happy with it.

I really miss the uppababy's huge basket and the foot brake is easier to operate, esp barefoot/flip flopped, but it just didn't work for 2. My DD1 is 2 + 2 mths and would probably be quite good with a buggy board, she will walk for about 40 mins, but I walk along a lot of narrow roads and over rough terrain (dog) and we really needed a narrow double. The Phil & Teds has been great so far and once we only need one seat, I will be interested to see which one I decide to keep!

Oh, and I think the P&T handles nicely. If you find it heavy and awkward on a smooth shop floor, it'll be shit outside. DD1 weighs a bit under 12kg and she fits fine in the small seat.

Hope some of that helps!

[onedogatoddlerandababy]

Should have mentioned that DD2 is 3.5 mths now, there was plenty of space when she was first here!

[Giraffeski]

Thanks for that, yes, I did wonder what the BJCS would be like going up and down kerbs!
I have just been looking at the Jane twone and there is a stockist near me so might go and have a look at them, and the same shop has lots of P&T too so hopefully get some advice.
I must say, the John lewis woman didn't seem keen on the BJCS at all as a double, and was very honest with me.
She had also never seen the UB Rumbleseat in action so to speak so was a bit shocked when she saw how uncomfortable DD looked in it, don't think she's going to be going in for the hard sell on those! Very glad I tried her in it instead of just ordering one online or getting DP to pick one up in USA as I nearly did.

[Giraffeski]

DD2 will be 22 months when the new baby is born by the way.

[Giraffeski]

Nancy- that's brave! I did consider just using the Ergobaby we have for the new baby and keeping DD in her single but she might need it for another year or so so I think maybe not.
If I can't make a decision that's what we'll have to do, as I can totally see me sulkily buying nothing due to not liking any of the options.

[NancyinCali]

giraffe I think I'll end up with one for the nursery run if nothing else . A couple of my friends are due with the 2nd babies in May and one has the britax and one the city select so was also thinking of seeing how they get on before deciding .

[Giraffeski]

Ooh, will you report back?
I am at a loss now, just don't know what to do. Been looking at new cars all week too and my head is just fried.

[TribbleWithoutATardis]

My friend has the select and loved, personally to me it looked like a bus. It's so long!

I had the Phil and Teds Dot with ds1 and 2 and loved it. We're still using it a year later, I'm a real convert to them. I'll admit there is about a month where it is a bit awkward when they outgrow the cocoon. But a padded footmuff worked really well when they outgrew that stage.

Failing that, Oyster Max or Jane Twone?

[Ihateparties]

On paper the oyster max is better than the twone IMO, however in reality I preferred the twone. Go see one if you can, it's a different world to the select when it comes to pushing and general handling. The oyster max is also light. Doubles don't need to be heavy to push, I think people put up with that in exchange for other features (ie seating options on the select). The b dual is good but now there are more tandem options it looks very big and very heavy by comparison.

If you have six months till the baby arrives you have plenty of time to look around and figure out what aspects are most important to you.

[MissWimpyDimple]

I definitely think that the best option for transporting two is the P&T. I tried so many and they were all beasts!

The navigator has recline on the second seat or you can use the car seat as an alternative option.

[Giraffeski]

Think I may have a job persuading DP that the Twone is better than the BJCS though- with all the bits and including having to buy new car seat (wouldn't need to for BJ) the Jane will be a lot more expense especially as we could get the BJCS in the USA for a lot less than here! That's what we did with the Uppababy and haven't regretted it at all.
I reckon we would have to spend the best part of £800 on the Jane and prob only £500 for the BJCS.

[Giraffeski]

I would still like to have a loom at the Jane Twone though, I have emailed a local stockist to check they have it in stock.

[Ihateparties]

£800?! It was less than 400 for the pushchair and raincover just under 2 years ago when I got one, are you sure it's that much? I know the matrix lite is expensive but not that much

[Ihateparties]

I brought it from Spain btw as it was less than here at the time and it was released sooner however I'm sure I have seen them for circa 350 more recently.

[Giraffeski]

Looking at over £200 for the seat and nearly the same for the isofix base, so it's the car seat that adds up really.

[Giraffeski]

Just checked:

Twone:
Matrix car seat base : £192.50
Twone travel system (pictured with a Matrix car seat so am assuming it includes this) £549.00
rain cover £42
Total £783.50

BJCS:
pushchair $499.99
Second seat unit: $169.99
Bassinet kit: $89.99
Rain covers: $39.99 x 2
Bassinet rain cover $39.99
Car seat adapters:$59.99
Total $ 939.93
Which according to my currency exchange app is £559.73

So about what I said, I hadn't previously accounted for all the different rain covers on the BJCS.

[Giraffeski]

I know it would be about the same price if we didn't have the isofix base but I have heard that the matrix seat is a bit of a nightmare to fit without it so want to make my life easier really.

[Ihateparties]

It's still quite a difference. The twone is a bit marmite I think, i loved it but at the same time I can see why some people would hate it. The seats are close together, which I'm sure some children would hate (mine weren't bothered but it would def depend on the child). There is also no basket space to speak of in double mode. The oyster max has more space and would be cheaper because of the car seat thing.

[Giraffeski]

I will have a look at the oyster max, thanks. I have emailed the local shop to see if they have the Twone in stock so i am definitely going to try and have a look.
They carry the oyster but can't see the max on the website, they also do the Britax B-Duel and some Phil and Teds.
I have also just spotted this [http://www.ladybugsbaby.co.uk/Mountain-Buggy-Duet-2013-including-1-Carrycot_A5SPD.aspx Mountain Buggy Duet] which although isn't inline, says it's the same width as a single so might be worth a look.

[Giraffeski]

Sorry my link was shit. here

[Giraffeski]

Is the oyster seat any better than the Uppababy Rumbleseat though? I've just looked online and it looks about the same.

[hm32]

I'm not getting one. DS will be two, and we are gradually building up how far he can walk by leaving the buggy at home for short trips out. New baby can use DS's old buggy, and DS will walk. It's enough of a struggle maneuvering his buggy around our tightly packed shops, I don't even want to imagine what a double would be like! We have two buggies (umbrella fold + 3 wheeler) so longer walks when DH is around will be fine as they can have one each.

[Ihateparties]

:-D none of mine were reliable enough at 22m but no double undoubtedly works for plenty of people.

The oyster max second seat is nothing like the rumble seat, the depth is reasonable and there is a recline albeit not a very substantial one. You can either lie the baby flat on top and have the toddler in the lower seat or carrycot in the lower position and the toddler in the main seat until the baby outgrows the carrycot. There are definitely twone pics on my profile, I'm not sure if there's an oyster max one but there are loads here as well as lots of other doubles.

I had a duet briefly, liked it but despite it being narrow it just didn't work for me. Personal preference I guess.