City select or PB2?

[Rockchick1984]

As the title says really! I had my heart set on a Peach Blossom 2 for when DC2 arrives, but it's really stretching our budget (though I can usually convince DH so not ruling it out!). Was looking in a shop a few days ago and saw the Baby Jogger City Select which I'd never considered before. Tried DS in it and he seemed comfortable, it was nice to push (but aren't they all around the smooth floor in the shop) and DH prefers the price!

I felt it was a huge frame though - both width and length. I'd use it while a double was needed but probably not as a single whereas I love the Peach. Someone has said elsewhere though that toddler at the front = difficult up kerbs, on the select DS could be at the back.

So basically, which one would you go for and why?

Oooh, also, I'm sure I read somewhere that the lower carry cot on the PB can be used as a single, have I dreamed that? The man in the shop said it can only be used with the blossom kit on!

[madwomanacrosstheroad]

I had for a short while a icandy pear and found it easy to push (it is fairly similar to the peach). However the seats were tiny and the pram was very bulky when folded down. As soon as i passed that one on i found ou i was pregnant again....At the time the city select was just out and i looked at it closely. Yes it is a bus. However all narrow double buggys are. It would be easier to push with the toddler in the back. I liked that the kids were able to face each other and the way it folds very easy and flat. It does fit into a sevenseater with all seats up. I did not like hoe low the front seat is. I also remember there was an issue of the seat not going in all positions when used as a single. My children would have only been less than 18 months apart so i was looking at prams that two young babies can use.
I eneded up not needing a pushchair at the end but if i was in the situation again i would probably discount the bus type pushchair and depending on age of the toddler look at phil and ted used with a car seat so baby can be parent facing and toddler can hop on and off in the seat. Otherwise emmaljunga prams are fantastic, sturdy, good quality, big seat units and an optional detachable toddlerseat. However your toddler would not be able to sleep in the seat as it does not reclime. There also is the zoom by abc design which is much cheaper than the city select. It is also a bus but seats arr rrversible.

[madwomanacrosstheroad]

Basically how much of an age difference will there be? How much and where do you walk and how important is parent facing for you. I would also look at mountainbuggy. They are far easier to push even with two jeavy toddlers and one of theirs is fairly narrow.

[Ihateparties]

I agree, what's more important to you, seating combinations or ease of pushing? The select is hard to tip with no children in. What about an oyster max or mb duet as mentioned above? Altho i've had a duet and a peach blossom and it wasn't easier to push imo. People will differ in their opinions on this though, it's subjective. It's best to try and see in person any recommendations.

[Rockchick1984]

There will be nearly 3 years between them. I don't like using a car seat for the newborn as we can be out most of the day sometimes. Toddler would need to be able to nap, so that has to be a consideration although he's happy to sleep semi-reclined rather than fully flat. Sorry I'm so fussy :)

[madwomanacrosstheroad]

You will be very unlikely to fit a three year old into the peach. Especially with a coat. Also pushchairs with toddler in front will be horrendous to get up and down kerbs.
I unxerstand that you dont want baby in carseat for any length of time. Most doubles are designed for a smaller age gap. In real life you will only need a pushchair for a few months. Do you not have one from dc1 that you could use with buggyboard and then get a cheap 2nd hand threewheeler for the short time you ll actually need the double? They have the advantage that they are still balanced with two children of very different weights.

[Ihateparties]

From experience the peach isn't difficult to get up kerbs with toddler in the top seat but some tandems certainly are it's very true. I have a jane twone, which is also fine up kerbs and light to push and turn however the lower seat is a bit short and the seats are closer than the pb2. The oyster max seems to fit your criteria fine and cheaper than the pb2. What about a mountain buggy +one, they are reputedly good for a bigger age gap and a proper single that will take a buggyboard when you don't want to use a double anymore... whenever that may be. With dc1 and 2 ours was gone before dc1 was 3 and to be honest it was never really necessary, with dc2 and 3 the gap is smaller but not only that dc2 does a lot less well with the buggyboard and with walking. Have cleaned and boxed the twone to sell several times only to crack after a fortnight of trialling other methods (board, scooting, slings etc.)
There are pics on best buggy of older children in the peach if you want to see, they fit but some differences in opinion on how well is inevitable.

[Rockchick1984]

I know we won't need a double for long which is why I want something that can be a good single as well but I know that for the distances we go DS won't walk all day. Hadn't considered the oyster max, is it a good pram? Does it still function well as a single?

[Ihateparties]

It's on the large side for a single in a way the peach isn't because of how the peach converts allows it to have a shorter chassis but it's not insanely large as a single. I really like it, we have a pre production one and they've made some great changes on the production one, there is a bigger basket, the main seat lies completely flat instead of almost flat and i think.. but not sure.. you can buy spacers to lift the upper seat up a few inches to allow the lower passenger more space.

Imo the seating layout of the oyster max makes more sense for a newborn and older toddler, with the elder one in the lower seat they can be in and out more easily themselves and when just the baby is riding it is up top rather than underneath as would be on the peach.

I like both, they both have their strengths.

[Tiggywunkle]

Ok, first of all there is absolutely no comparison between a Peach and a Pear except when pushing on the straight. They are chalk and cheese. The Peach is much much better.
However I agree that with a 3 year age gap, there really is no point looking at the Peach. I had my Peach Blossom until DD was 3 and a half but we barely used it after the age of 3. You will find your son changes a lot at around the age of 3 and is likely to walk more. Dont get me wrong - I think the Peach Blossom 2 is fabulous and can tell you all you need to know. I just dont think it would last you long with a 3 year old.
Equally I wont even consider the City Select with a 3 year old.
I would send you down the Oyster Max or Jane Twone route (with the baby at the bottom). I think both would make much more sense with your age gap.
Also look at the Mountain Buggy +One, and the new Micralite Twofold which would give your son a seat to start with and a buggy board option later (as would the Oyster Max).

[Rockchick1984]

Thanks everyone! Just out of curiosity, does the blossom carrycot fit on the frame as a single on the peach 2, or would you have to buy two carry cots depending if single or double mode?

[newtonupontheheath]

The carrycot fits, as in the fittings are the same and go into the hole,but it isn't safety tested.

I didn't get to try this out on the pb2 as ours didn't arrive in time so we ended up with a loan pb v1 and the lower carrycot was much much smaller than the normal (single) carrycot. I'm not sure whether the pb2 lower carrycot is bigger though?!

[Ihateparties]

It is bigger but still not big iyswim.

[Rockchick1984]

Thankyou :)

[jezebelle]

I love love love my city select, however there is only 11 months between my boys. I love the seat combinations, its so easy to push, though better if the heaviest is at the back, its not massive, but quite long, especially with carrycot on which i had to have at front because ds1 would kick it if not ! My boys are both big, the peach was no where near comfortable enough i tried both in John Lewis, but now at 20 months ds1 is getting on the bigger side for the select, however baby number 5 arrives in summer so i'm getting ds1 a buggypod :)