iCandy Cherry or Babystyle Oyster??

[IzzyWizzyletsgetbusy]

Hoping you can help - I'm going round in circles here!

Currently 23 wks with dc3 and looking for a new pushchair - I want something with a carrycot and it has to fold up pretty small due to tiny Suzuki Ignis boot.

I have had a look at the iCandy cherry and Babystyle oyster (both of which fit in my boot with one wheel removed - yay!) but really can't decide.

They clearly both have good and bad points - I'm put off the Oyster slightly because the seat unit feels quite open at the sides iykwim whereas the Cherry is a bit more enclosed and cosy-looking. On my (brief!) push around the shop I also thought the iCandy felt a little sturdier. However I'm not keen on the fact that the Cherry seat back doesn't recline but instead the whole seat tilts - ds used to nap a lot and would often fall asleep in the buggy, and I liked being able to lie him down flatter. I'm also concerned about the "lip" on the bottom of the seat - I don't know if this would limit the height of toddler who could use it (dc1 was and is very tall). Also might be helpful to be able to fold up pushchair with seat still attached on occasion.

My mum and dad have generously said they want to buy this for the baby, but obviously I'm very aware that I can get the Oyster for about £150 less than the Cherry and I don't want to go mad spending someone else's money unless it's really worth it!

Can anyone share their experiences/opinions of either pushchair with me so I can make a decision before I drive dh mad going on about it?! . Thanks!

[mckiwi07]

I had the exact same dilemma between those to prams as they were the only ones that would fit into the ridiculously small boot of our car! I ended up going for the Oyster and I am really happy with it. If I'm honest price was probably the main factor in helping us decide however I have yet to regret my decision. Things I love about the Oyster:

• parent or rear facing seat unit
  
• fairly lightweight compared to others
  
• the integral UV shade has been really useful on holidays (although i don't know if they still have this)
  
• really easy to manoeuvre
  
• you don't see too many of them around but there are loads of icandys
  
• you can adapt it to suit boy or girl - we bought a colour pack for the stroller once our DD was born
  
• large shopping basket
  

Cons:

• not dead easy to fold with the seat unit attached (I always take the seat unit off to put in the car anyway)
  
• not quite as sturdy as some other bigger prams
  

HTH

[suzie38]

Well taking the seat off wouldn't be an issue as that's the way the Cherry has to fold but at least the Oyster gives the option of a one piece fold...The only niggle i've got with my Oyster is the front wheels buckle slightly going down curbs...They work in the same way as the Bees do but whereas the Bee's stop after so much pressure the Oysters continue to bend...but i think you'd get used to it very soon and know which curbs you might need to just roll down using the back wheels...Cherry handle isn't adjustable whereas the Oysters is...Great if you're small and your partner is tall...Color packs are great for the Oyster plus you can buy air tyres and a snack tray and colored aprons if you don't want to bother with a footmuff...Yes the UV shade is still attached to the hood.

[IzzyWizzyletsgetbusy]

Thanks both - that is helpful

Anyone got any feedback on the iCandy Cherry? Also, has anyone tried the Oyster Plush and if so what's it like? Does it justify it's higher price?

[IzzyWizzyletsgetbusy]

its not it's - stupid iPhone!

[gabity]

Was the same choice for us and we went for the Cherry (well my mum did, I was on bed rest in hospital and she was paying!)

I love it. DD used the pram top instead of a Moses basket for 7 months (although she was ridiculously small) and then went into the pushchair. It's great to push, looks comfy, still in fab condition 18 months on.

The only thing that slightly annoys me is that you have to take the seat off to fold it. Up until 4 months ago we stayed in city centre so barely had to fold it, now we live in a field and so using the car a lot more and it's a pain in the ass if I'm being really honest.

Still think I would go for it again and it fits perfect into the boot of a mini which was a big consideration for us.

I got mine in fudge but would have really liked it in the purple (again mum paying couldn't choose!)

[gabity]

P.s mum said that when she tried them in the shop the shop model of the oyster 'squeaked' when she pushed it and felt flimsy compared to the cherry. She lives her life by the moto 'you never regret buying a good thing'

Think if it had been me and my money I would have gone for the oyster as it is essentially the same pram with a reduced price tag.

However I haven't pushed the oyster so maybe she is right?!

I'm no help what so ever.

[PrincessScrumpy]

I loved my cherry and am really sad that I won't be using it with this pg due to the fact I'm having twins. The seat seemed much bigger than my firends' pushhchairs and dd was so comfy. I loved the recline, as did dd (now 3.5 years). We also bought a moses basket stand and used the carrycot at night which dd seemed to like with the hood up. I occasionally used the car seat attachments too. I can't priase my Cherry enough and never regreted my choice. Haven't tried an oyster though.

[MadameAdelaide]

I was walking down the street the other day behind someone with an Oyster (I always notice prams) and although it looked lovely it squeaked the entire time which put me off a bit

[IzzyWizzyletsgetbusy]

Apologies for returning to this after a week...

So it seems that Oyster owners are happy with Oysters and Cherry owners are happy with their iCandys

I was starting to veer towards the Cherry (still quite liking the look of the Oyster Plush but can't find anyone who's got or seen one!) but I looked again in John Lewis and I'm sure the harness in the Cherry didn't have variable height...

So, Cherry owners, does the harness in the pushchair seat have different height thingies to go through? I'm thinking surely it must otherwise it just wouldn't work for little ones?!

[suzie38]

Bugaboo Cameleons have harnesses where the shoulder part isn't adjustable height wise.

[rushofbloodtothefeet]

I loved my cherry (have passed it onto my brothers new baby now my 2 are bigger). TBH I never used the shoulder straps, just the lap ones (you can unclip the shoulder straps). That way they could sit up straight or lean forward if they wanted (and they always wanted!). The bumper bar feels very protective, and when used with the cosy toes actually gives them a very safe and cosy nest to sit in.

Mine always slept fine in the seat unit (though I would advise getting a cosy toes or the fleece insert to make it more comfortable.

For a taller child I wouldn't worry about the lip, it never bothered DD at 3+ when she snuck in when her brother wasn't riding.

[IzzyWizzyletsgetbusy]

suzie how does that work on smaller children (ie 6 months onwards) then? Isn't it too big for them?

[Tiggywunkle]

I dont think the regular Cherry's have harness height settings. The special British edition one seems to have two height settings at least. The Pear doesn't either and TBH the harness was massive even on my two year old, never mind my 12 month old. I wouldnt have used it like that after seeing a baby fly out of a pushchair once when it tipped. Harnesses are there for a reason and should be able to be made to fit even a 6 month old baby.

[suzie38]

Well to be honest i never used the shoulder straps on my Frog or Cameleon or any pushchair to be honest...The Donkeys does adjust, by sliding up and down.

[tryitandsee]

I got my Oyster Style Plush with the carrycot free for under £360 at Babybaby online.There is currently a promo for 15% off if you spend over £150. They also call you to let you know they are ready to dispatch and when it would be convienient for you to have it sent out. I couldnt find this package any cheaper.

[saoirse86]

tryitandsee what's the 15% off code?! My sister and I just bought a B-Dual from there and we couldn't find a code (apart from the £15 off one but that didn't make much of a dent in the price). We're hoping to go tomorrow to collect it because they're only a few miles away. So far the service has been great, they're very helpful on the phone.

[saoirse86]

Here's the link to that Oyster Plush for £379 then use the code 15OFF to get £15 off. If they still have that code for 15% off, that'd be even better!

I have an oyster (the black chassis one though, not the plush one) and I do really like it. I've just bought the air tyres and they're really good. I've had it for 7 months and my only niggles are that it does squeak and the front wheels can't cope well with curbs. The squeaking probably just needs a bit of WD40 as it's only started recently. I've also got used to the issues with the wheels. You just find a dropped curb or lift it up a bit. Also, did you try it in the boot folded with the seat on? Because when the seat's parent facing, the fold is very long and when it's folded forward facing it's like a big wedge shape. My boot's huge so it makes no difference to me, but you may still find you have to take it off to fold anyway.

This is the forward facing fold but I've never got mine to look as neat and small as this!

I can't find any pictures of the parent facing fold, possibly because it's so big

I've never used a cherry so can't compare to that, sorry!

[PrincessScrumpy]

Don't think my Cherry had adjustable straps (dd1 is 3.5 so can't remember) but it was never and issue and she was in the seat at 5 months. It's very deep and she slept in it a lot so must be comfy.

[TheWicketKeeperIsDown]

You can fold the Cherry with the sear unit on, but only when it's facing forward (and it's particularly compact).

[TheWicketKeeperIsDown]

Meant it's NOT particularly compact when you do it that way!