baby jogger city classic/elite

[hettie]

has anyone used one of these with the toddler seat? Whats' it like (with seat and on own). Does it fully recline for a newborn? Also do you know where in UK you can get a toddler seat?
Ta

[moosemama]

Hi

I have a city classic and absolutely love it. I spent a lot of time researching which pushchair to buy and am 100% confident that I made the right choice for us. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

I haven't used the toddler seat though. If you really want to get hold of one you could try Baby Jogger UK as they are one of the main dealers and should be able to tell you if its available over here.

I use mine on a daily basis for the school run, around town and up hill and down dale walking the dogs.

I also bought the car seat adapter and used it with a Graco Autobaby car seat for short trips when dd was newborn.

Dd loves the seat as it is deep and cosy (quite) cocoon-like but she can look up and see me through the two windows in the hood for reassurance.

It does fully recline. Oddly, although it reclines exactly the same amount as the City Mini, the Mini states that it is suitable from birth but the Classic doesn't. Personally I think it would be fine, but you can buy a carrycot to fit it as well if you want to make sure its totally flat and they may well have brought out the soft carrycot (a bit like the P&T ones) over here now, as they weren't available over here when I bought mine (dd was born in January this year).

The folding mechanism is fantastic, such a huge plus when you have a baby in one hand and need to fold it quickly one handed.

It's heavy, but not as heavy as a lot of three wheelers (fine getting it in and out of the boot) and it folds up quite flat, especially if you turn the front wheel to the side and fold the handle back to keep it in place. Its also really light to push and can be steered with just one finger (in fact my 5 year old ds loves to push his little sister on the way home from school and I can guide it surrepticiously (sp?) with just my little finger so he doesn't notice me doing it ).

The only downside for me has been that its a bit big for getting on the bus (mainly due to the wheel size). I 'had' to buy a City Mini as well for that.

HTH

[hettie]

tahnks mm, that's really good to know. Currently have a mountain buggy which I love, but cause it's the older style it doesn't lay flat nor can it fit a buggy board(and althoguh ds is a good walker i need an option for him).

[basl]

Hi, i have the elite and i love it. I only use for school run and some walking. I recently considered selling as i could not fit it out my front door wich is not the standard size but i have just started removing the wheel while baby in and easily clipping back on. THe reason i love this is the foot rest. Many three wheel pushchairs don't have this and i think this adds so much more comfort. It is big but light to push. Highly recommend

[hettie]

anyone had both this and the mountain buggy....? Wondering if I will regret getting rid of my mountain buggy for this?

[moosemama]

Not had both, but I know people do seem to really love their MBs and say they would never have a different type of pushchair after owning one.

MBs are definitely much lighter to lift and fold a bit flatter than BJs. Have you had a look on ebay to see if you could pick up a newer MB with a carrycot attachment?

Personally I prefer the more urban sort of look of the BJ than the MB, but that's just personal preference really.

[NormaSknockers]

I adore my Elite. I've had over 40 prams & this is the only one that I have never considered selling. It is a dream to push, the hood gives excellent coverage, lies completely flat, adjustable handle, lovely sized pneumatic tyres, good sized shopping basket, fab storage net on the back, a zipped pocket also, there is a built in parent console that has 6 pockets (3 hidden under a magnetic flap), easy realease rear wheels, nice & compact when folded, easy to fold.

It literally glides along when you push it, my DS is comfy in it & has literally bags of room. I don't have the jump seat but I do have a Strolli attached to mine for DD which works a treat.

[hettie]

sorry but I have one last question- does it take a buggy board? Lascal or obaby, don't mind which. BJ hepfuly says it may not comply with warantee (which i don't care about as i am goign second hand) but need to know if one will fit......

[ksmshoelover]

Hi all, trying to decide between the classic and the elite, and having a hard time working out what the main differences are and if it's worth it.... anyone have any thoughts or info? Have a Bugaboo Bee which I LOVE but my DS is only 3 months old and it's already starting to look less than roomy- so decided to get a bigger pushchair that would also be easier to travel with- heard that this is quite robust for flights etc, so if anyone also has any info on that it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[LullayMyLiking]

You cannot buy the BJ toddler seat (Jump Seat) in the UK - it has not passed UK safety standards.

I have ordered one from www.countrymoosekids.com and expect to be stung for import duty too!

I ordered over a week ago - they took my money fine - but I've heard nothing back yet - they were awaiting stock last contact I had (over a week ago).

I will keep you posted!

If the width is not an issue - online4baby on ebay are selling the twin city elite for only £268 - which works out cheaper than a single plus toddler seat.

However, I cannot use a double coz our front door is about a cm to narrow...so I'm awaiting the toddler seat - it's for occasional use only - when my 5y old needs to ride in the main seat (and the baby will have to shift into the "Jump seat")....

The 5y old usually walks but gets a little tired at the end of her 15 mile week...(1.5 miles to school, 1.5 miles back...). The bus is too pricey for us at £3.20 each way per day - for ONE MILE ONLY!!!!).

[LullayMyLiking]

I had the same dilemma and chose the City Elite - it comes with parent console - pull down cover for the mesh at the back of the seat when it is in recline - has the raisable foot rest (which also gives access to the basket from the front too)...
There are side vents on the large "bubble" shaped hood - which are magnetic - as are the viewing windows.

I think the main differences are the parent console (series of pockets/drink holders behind the hood at the handlebar), the hood shape, the calf support.

This is the very one I bought: Baby Jogger City Elite

I love it - don't bother with the babyjogger snuggle bag either - this one alvi outlast snugglebag fits fine and is longer lasting - due to the design - and is quite unique with it's "outlast technology" In the longrun it will be better value for money (and you can sell it when you're done too!)...

Here is the twin babyjogger: twin city elite on ebay

[LullayMyLiking]

Babyjogger are bringing out their very own buggyboard next year - so maybe that's why they say it's not compatible with other brand ones!!!

I think it'd work fine personally.....(the lascal one).

The City Elite is a fabulous pushchair - really light, easy to manouver, really big seat will fit your child up to 6y at least - easily adjustable nice harness - nice everything - the ones I mentioned on ebay are last years stock - they do take the accessories like bumperbar/playtray/jumpseat - but the main difference is the front wheel is attached by metal posts and the wheels themselves are metal - (aluminium?) and on the 2009 versions they are plastic... this is being passed off as an "improvement" in design. but really It wouldn't surprise me if it was actually a production cost cutting measure.
I prefer the metal - looks more expensive!

The wheels all have sealed ball bearing units they run so smoothly - very very nice.

(I do walk 30 miles+ per week - so every little "nice" detail helps!).

The whole pushchair folds so easily - mine actually get's put away every day - whereas the old pram was a bit of a pita to fold - and took over the hallway - which itself is narrow... now the pushchair goes in the cupboard and my house looks a bit bigger!!!
It folds way smaller than you'd think - considering the generous size of seat for your child - and how big it looks popped up)!

Another feature I like - the handlebar is rubber - I hate foam handlebars - I cannot stand the texture (seem to have sensory issues in my hands since cesearian birth!).....
The handlebar is adjustable - it can suit you whatever your height - my 7y old has no problem pushing the buggy the handle goes low enough to suit her - and the buggy is light to manouver.

I like my BJ City Elite LOTS! x

[ksmshoelover]

Thanks Lullaymyliking- one more quick question, is it super-heavy to lift into the boot of the car? And have you travelled with it before? Sorry so many questions, hoping this is the last buggy I have to buy for at least a couple of years... although I gather that compulsive pram buying is a common condition for new mums...!

[LullayMyLiking]

No - I don't think it's superheavy for lifting.

Mine didn't come with a folding strap - so I lay the front swivel wheel flat down - then adjust the rubber handlebar to be turned "downwards" and it holds that front wheel in place - meaning the buggy won't unfold again. It's not complicated, just a neat "trick" I worked out!

I have taken it in the car before - it packs smaller if you pop the rear wheels off - makes quite a flat neat package - much smaller than the urban detour, or easylife sport, or pretty much any atp I've had before. Really surprising considering how big it looks popped up!

I'm a bit of a compulsive pram buyer still - eldest DD is 17y nearly - and I have 4 kids!

I really do like my babyjogger city elite LOTS though - it's much better than most others I've tried (probably over a hundred other makes!!!) I like the design - the small neat fold - the easy folding mechanism, I LOVE the parent "console" thingy - somewhere for my keys/purse/mobile/drink I love the comfort provided for baby.
The massive hood is brill - it will keep a shower of rain off your baby without the need for the big plastic coverall - and it will actually keep the sun off baby too (without the need for expensive mesh or parasol add ons).
It does push easily too - really easily.
My baby likes it - that's a big plus. If he's comfy and happy that's just fab. He's 18 months - I got the playtray (it is worth it!) and he has his drink to hand - and somwhere to run his car/train along or play bricks at to keep him amused)!

I do have a micralite fastfold also - It wouldn't be my preferred buggy for a day out though - it's just for the rare occasions I feel brave enough to try public transport!

[LullayMyLiking]

If you have roll-on roll-off options on your bus - or a train station with access to each side of the line for pushchairs - you might also get away with using the babyjogger city elite on public transport too - just not me with the options in my area!

[ksmshoelover]

Thanks for all the advice, really helpful! Going to go for the elite- now just have to hope it fits on the bus if I need it to... Live in London though so have seen people with much bigger pushchairs manage it- fingers crossed!

[LullayMyLiking]

Fab, post back after it arrives. Hope you love yours as much as we love ours!