CM Club - What Double Buggy

[glenthebattleostrich]

Hello,

Just after some advice on double buggies. I've been childminding for 1 year now. I now have a range of children from 10 months to 2 years (all part timers) as well as my DD who is only 2 (well is from Thursday ;) ) but is really big for her age (about the size of an average 4 year old). I really need a new double buggy but am struggling to decide which one I need. It has to:

• be reasonably priced (only working 3 days per week at the moment but full time from September)

-Be suitable from 9 months to 4 years

• Be able to fit on public transport (I don't drive but like to take children out lots)

-have a decent sized shopping basket

• preferably be able to fit a buggy board onto it for those days the little monkeys refuse to be carried (I also use a back carrier or sling for the smallies)
• be sturdy, I live in a semi-rural location and we go on lots of nature walks and wanders into our local village
• fold up reasonably small, preferably with an umbrella fold but don't mind folding the other way.

Does such a buggy exist? If so where do I find it?

Please help :)

Thank you

I have had a huge collection of double buggies over the years. My current buggy (and I think the ultimate one for my setting) is an ABC buggy (google them, they're amazing). It is a single three wheeler with an optional second seat that sits above the hood of the buggy and another optional seat that attaches to the front. So it can be used as a single, double or triple.

They are ridiculously expensive to buy new but you can pick them up secondhand on eBay relatively cheaply...not sure what sort of budget you have.

The only box it doesn't tick on your list is the small fold. It is quite long when folded but the wheels pop off easily and the handle can be removed to make it smaller.

I've been using it for about a year and I think I have finally found 'the one'!

A close second for me is a Phil & teds. Again, you can pick up a secondhand one for a good price. You can attach a buggy board but it's not the most comfortable thing to push with it attached.

I could spend the whole day talking about buggies...especially doubles so if you have any more questions I can help with, I'd be happy to discuss!!

I have a joovy caboose. I can't express enough how fantastic and versatile it is. Quite expensive to buy new, however well worth it.

Folds down compact, and light to carry. Not great for 2 babies though due to 1 baby seat & 1 toddler seat- however I have my Graco tandem as a back up.

I second the ABC though I have the side by side double with extra seat on top. I've been using mine for 4 yrs now and it's still in excellent condition. It doesn't fold up small but I wouldn't be without mine! I see other minders struggling with umbrella fold doubles which are useless in rural settings or snow....but brilliant in town or when using public transport!

I've been drooling over the ABC, now it's just a case of getting one I can afford. Think I'll be ebaying lots, or selling children, I have plenty!!!

It is exactly what I need and looks awsome.

I had the double ABC with the extra seat on top - I road tested a friend's before I bought one new (in the January sale, direct from ABC). Hers was a dream to push, light and maneouvreable (sp?).

But, when mine arrived it was quite cumbersome, heavy to get up kerbs (imagine a 5'2" childminder having to jump and put all her weight on the handle just to lift the front wheels!), difficult to fold, I couldn't push it single-handed. I think they had perhaps changed the design before I got mine. My point is - if you can wear-test one before you buy then perhaps that is the best idea.

I've now sold it and gone back to a Mountain Buggy Urban double, with buggy board if necessary. I can push it one-handed, ideal for holding a toddler (or puppy) whilst out walking. It's brilliant off-roading, spacious shopping - but it is HUGE when folded!

If you're not in a rush then occasionally singles come up on eBay on their own for very little money (well under £100) and the extra seats sell for approx £50-£100 on their own. It's the triple combinations that seem to attract the big bucks (£400-£1000!!).

The additional seats come in 2 designs, a static toddler seat which is quite basic or the reclining seat which is much the same as the main seat of the buggy. The toddler seat is suitable from 1yr whereas the reclining seat is suitable from birth.

I have bought a few secondhand combinations over the last year to get something to suit my exact requirements. I have done a lot of research !

Spacious shopping bag, I mean!!

and do all of the above fit through a standard door? That is my bug bear

If i have 2 babies and they fall asleep, i can't wheel them straight into my hall (grrr)

The ABC and Mountain Buggy Double both fit through my slightly-narrower-than-normal front door, although I had to change the side tri-bolts on the ABC to fit (replaced them with standard bolts, 15p each from the hardware store!).

Paula - that was my biggest problem with a double buggy. The single ABC fits through perfectly. I had a double MB which didn't quite get through. I bought the double ABC a few weeks ago (just to try it out ) but it didn't fit either. Also, and I know I'm going to sound like a nutter, I have the double top seat which I thought would reduce the number of extra bits I'd need but that won't go through the door. The actual double seat will fit but not with the hood and bumper bar fitted and they're too much of a faff to be putting on and taking off every time I go through the door.