Pram aficionados walk this way. This fat bird needs you...

[LittleMissFlustered]

I need pram ideas. Like that's a surprise. I gave my pram away after I had my son as no more babies were happening. Ever ever ever. It was a silver cross classic sleepover, lovely for a baby but pants for my very small and slight toddler boy. My friends with kids all have kids at least five years old, so no advice from them... Halp! Please

Bullet points ahoy for easier dissection of need

I am due in December.

I have a budget of £400-500.

I hate three wheelers.

Needs adjustable handle height.

Air tyres are lovely.

Carrycot a bonus - separate or 'converter'.

I do not drive, piddly baskets are made of evil.

If it is carseat compatible it would be handy, but not necessary (see above, though I have friends with cars and we sometimes go on jollies).

I walk a lot. Bus sometimes. Buses are roll on types, my route very poorly used during the day.



So. What do we think? There are a few shops in my area that have demo models out. I just prefer to talk to mums first, rather than the young lasses in in one shop who have no kids (I asked) and the grumpy old bloke who runs the other one If you can offer some suggestions I have something to go on, other than panic and temptation to stick the carseat on a go-cart and buy a brolly >_

[ThePrincessRoyalFiggyrolls]

Bugaboo? Via Ebay?

[Tiggywunkle]

Uppababy Vista? Baby Jogger City Select? Baby Jogger City Mini 4? ICandy Apple, Cherry, Peach or Strawberry? A B-Dual (single) or one of the other Britax, I get them all confuseled with the B's at the start!

[ProcrastinatorGeneral]

I am about to speak heresy, so I shall whisper...

I greatly dislike the babyjogger thingies. I saw raves, so I looked at one. It was pants!

[LittleMissFlustered]

Thanks Tiggy

Any more for any more?

[mamadivazback]

Maxi Cosi Mura 4 - This pushchair is amazing for walking because of the big chunky air tyres BUT it does make it pretty bulky when it's folded and it's generallly not the smallest open either but I have seen it used on public transport easily enough before oh and the seat rear faces.

It can be used with a hard or soft carrycot (which is cheaper and easier to transport/store) and also as a travel system with the Maxi Cosi Cabriofix which is one of the top rated on the market at the moment.

[homeaway]

Have you looked at the emmaljunga pram, not sure of the cost but it is really sturdy.

[TimeWasting]

Don't get an Emmaljunga if you go on the bus, they are bloody enormous.
It is my solemn sworn duty to warn you of this.

This is what I wish we'd bought in hindsight, though as I haven't tried one can't swear to it's suitability.

[titferbrains]

I have a micralite toro and have loved it for 3 years. Only reason I am getting Uppababy vista (being delivered tmw!) is because I want a rear facing pram and Toro only faces forward. Otherwise, it's been great, have only had to pump up tyres twice, they have extendible/adjustable handlebars, it stands up by itself when folded, easy to pop off wheels if you want to pump them off, and it reclines fully and the seat is well made and comfortable for DD. Basket is deceptively spacious and it can cope with a couple of bags on the back if the bottom is full (DD is quite light). Easy to adjust the recline. Goes on buses fine. Made in UK so you don't have to send it off somewhere silly to be fixed if it does break but as I say mine hasn't ever broken.

DD loved the bassinet, we borrowed it from a friend who had persuaded me to get the Toro in the first place! It has a lovely mattress which takes a standard cotsheet. Seemed very cosy. You can buy maxicosi adaptors for it, yes.

[Honeydragon]

If your not going massively off road then for walking and bus I'd go Bee+ anything with a carry cot will piss you off on the bus if you need to fold. The Bee has a small foot print when left up too

[titferbrains]

Never had to fold a pram with a carrycot on it on the bus, would just politely ask if person with foldable pram could fold theirs. Unlikely that someone would really make you do that and have only been asked to fold a pram once or twice in 3 years - and I take the bus a few times a week.

[MonkeysPunk]

Uppababy Vista! It's the nicest in so many ways. I doubt you'll find an easier to use, lighter to push or more easily manouverable pram/ pushchair. The carrycot is organically lined and suitable for overnightsleeping. The pushchair seat is large and has 4 layback positions and is reclined using one hand! The bumper bar gate opens from either side and drops down out the way.
The wheels and chassis are fab quality, as are all parts. The brake is a dream to use. Flip flop friendly too.
It's a fab pram if you like to cosset your baby in the lap of luxury and at the same time its really lovely to use and practical. It's compact when folded. It's pretty lightweight. The seat or pram sit quite high from the ground compared to other systems.
I use mine rear facing or forwards facing with our three year old. It's so easy to push. You can easily get 4 large carrier bags of shopping in the basket...or a family picnic, drinks, picnic rug, football and frisby, plus changebag in there!
We have 4 kids too.

[titferbrains]

ooh monkey am excited now. Really hope DD is amenable to a trial tmw.

[MonkeysPunk]

You won't miss that the Vista hasn't got air tyres either, it has solid tyres with rubber outer. You will never have to worry about punctures.
The shock absorbing suspension ensures your passenger has a comfy ride.

[MonkeysPunk]

Tifferbrains, I am excited for you! What colour did you get?
We have the yellow!

[MonkeysPunk]

Tifferbrains you will also love the Vista hood. It has a huge flip out sun canopy, and the viewing panel allows breeze to pass through if its hot.
I love the option to have Ds face me. Even though he is 3. We communicate far more when he's facing me. It's lovely!

[titferbrains]

I went for Denny red. HAve seen the yellow - it's the only Vista I've actually seen in real life, I stopped the poor man pushing it and quizzed him and peeked at his cute little boy. Really hope that it works for us. Just worried about the width/footprint. Am also looking forward to DD facing me for chats. She is not terribly patient about being in a pram so maybe this will change her mind...

[stripeybump]

Hmmm is no-one recommending the Babystyle Oyster? It's my current fave - also due in Dec. Is £420ish including carrycot at Mothercare.

[suzie38]

I like the look of the new Toro with the adjustable footrest.

[MonkeysPunk]

The new toro has an adjustable footrest? Iust see! Does it extend or merely waggle?

[MonkeysPunk]

Lol.....!
I must see!
Daft HTC typos again.

[suzie38]

Yes but it's not easy to find pictures...On the official site it's still the older model but a link on the Mothercare site to a video, shows the newer model...The footrest goes up around the carrycot and car seat.

[suzie38]

It's the same footrest as a Vista one.

[suzie38]

www.preciouslittleone.com/product-information/24/16946/micralite-new-toro-stroller---black/

[suzie38]

www.isitetv.com/fac9dc4159e2cd32ebb95bd18a906fd8-p4.htm

[MonkeysPunk]

It looks fab. However, think I had better stick with my BJCM now. I'm sure the Micralite is easier to push though!