Pushchair addicts - a challenge for you!

[Cattleprod]

I'm looking for a second pushchair to keep in the car. What I need is...

Smallish when folded
Easy to fold and unfold
Suitable for newborn and 3 yr old (not at the same time obviously!) without too much faffing about adjusting stuff
Reasonable amount of storage
Easy to push both on pavements and grass/dirt tracks
Handle not too low (I'm 5'9")
Available secondhand (or new) for less than £100 (preferably much less!)

All recommendations and bright ideas gratefully received!!!

Many thanks!

[Cattleprod]

I know the following fold up nice and small, but no idea if they are suitable from birth, or in my price range...

Quinny Zapp
Microlite Superlite
Babystyle Quicksmart
Graco Citisport
Zia +

[saoirse86]

The quinny zapp is a definite no. It's supposed to be suitable from 6 months as it doesn't recline at all, and many people say it struggles with a heavier child. Unless you mean the zapp xtra but that's expensive and the seat doesn't fold at all so not small and not easy to fold/unfold.

Don't know about the rest, sorry.

[tutu100]

Right,

Quinny Zapp, nice to push particularly for older toddlers, but no recline so not suitable from birth, although they are compatible with Maxi Cosi car seats to make a travel system.

Micralite. Good handle height, but quite long still when folded and again only suitable from 6 months unless you buy the adaptors for the car seat or carrycot.

Babystyle Quicksmart I have never tried one of these, but always thought they looked flimsy.

Graco Citisport, these are great I actually like Graco's which most pram addicts don't (bit of snobbery going on I think ). Light, suitable from birth, but on the small side so might not be great for the 3 yo if they are on the tall side.

Zia +, I have recently been converted to these so much so that I am selling my Maclaren XT which we had for the high handles. I bought a recondtioned one from Nursery Value for £65. It didn't have a raincover, but looked brand new with brand new wheels. It is light, folds small and best of all is freestanding when folded. My 2.5 yo old fits in it fine, and it reclines so it is suitable from birth. Just make sure you do get the version with the adjustable handles.

[Cattleprod]

Great thanks - looks like the Graco Citisport and Zia + might be possibilities then.

The 3 yr old probably won't use it much, but I'd like to have that possibility as it's easier to carry a newborn in a sling than a tired little boy!

Any other suggestions?

[saoirse86]

I'm not sure but hear good things about the maclaren techno xlr. It's suitable from birth and looks like it has a big seat. Not cheap but you should be able to get one under £100 on ebay.

[Deflatedballoonbelly]

Graco citisport. I had one year sago, In a grey and purple colourway. I loved that!

[MayDayChild]

Has to be baby jogger city MICRO
Easiest buggy to fold and the straps adjust uber easily for different children.
And wheels pop off if your boot is tiny.
Can also customise if you want to spend more money at later date with belly bar footmuff etc.
Might be tricky to find 2nd hand as they are very good so not often sold on n

[Guildfordnanny]

Or the Baby Jogger City Mini?

[saoirse86]

The problem with the BJCMicro is that it's not suitable from birth. But you can get a BJCMini for under £100.

[suzie38]

If i could only keep one pushchair it'd be the Citisport...I have 2 at present...First one i bought from a car boot for £8 and is moving to the in laws very soon...Loved it so much i bought a brand new one via eBay, though listing has disappeared of late, but could possibly enquire for you, if still available as last time i looked they still had 41 available...My dad mostly uses the new one, the 2 days a week he brings DD back home on 2 buses...Supposed to be used from around 3 months of age but my DD would have been ok with it from birth for short journeys, she was probably 2 months when i bought it...It's so light and nippy but with a huge basket for it's size...And a true one handed fold, though only figured that out with the instructions that came with the new one...Twist with one hand and finish fold off with your foot...True genius!!!

[suzie38]

And it only cost me £69 including postage...Plus a raincover from Toys r'Us for £14 though someone sells the covers on eBay.

[MilkNoSugarPlease]

Chicco Liteway

[Cattleprod]

Thanks very much - a few different options here.

Are the BJC Mini and Micro similar, apart from one being suitable from birth. I mean in terms of ease of folding, pushing etc?

[TribbleWithoutACause]

Oh you can fold the baby city mini with ONE hand, really it's the easiet thing in the world to deal with. Big roomy seat and I can fit the contents of my child's toy box in the basket. You have to go at the basket from the side, but it's a small niggle. It even has a pocket for the raincover at the back of the seat. Why all prams don't have this I will never know.

[TribbleWithoutACause]

Oh and it's lovely to push, I've had a quinny buzz and that feels like a rusty shopping basket with a wobbly wheel cOmpared to the city mini.

[MonkeysPunk]

The Maclaren Triumph in Racing Green or Raspberry from Mothercare with Maclaren seat liner of your choice from Mothercare - this makes the bill £100 - then add the coded SAS at checkout to take it down to £80.
Its very light and practical and should cope with pavements and dirt tracks (so long as they're not too lumpy!).
It's all I had when my now 18y old was a baby - and we got everywhere with it - so light, practical and small to fold - 3 wheelers were only just coming out then - and not many could afford them (at least not in my area)! You can get hamster bags to add onto the sides for storage - these are really very practical. They make the lightweight maclaren much more of a work-horse without making it unstable - perfect for picnics or shopping!

[plinkduet]

Silver Cross Dazzle.

Umbrella fold
Reclines flat for newborn, several other positions inc. bolt upright
Side access storage basket so can get to it even when fully reclined
Pushes fine on pavements and grass, not tried on dirt track
It's the tallest handle height Ive come across (I'm also 5'9") but it's not adjustable
Sell for around £75 on ebay

:)

[eeyore2]

Britax B-Mobile.
Not umbrella fold but reclines down for a newborn, really really really simple mechanism, very comfy, decent size wheels we have taken across grass and dirt tracks. Plenty of storage space. Not too expensive. Choose from 3 or 4 wheel model. Very light (6.4kg from website).