Which Maclaren buggy is the best - have heard mixed reviews!

[bridgecara]

I have a just-turned-two year old and absolutely depend on public transport to get around. Have a mamas and papas stroller but it's bulky to fold and am thinking of getting a maclaren as i trust the brand. Comfort for baby and lightness are my main concerns but i don't like boring colours
Am torn between the techno, quest and triumph. They're up at great value at a certain store til thurs! Would be grateful for confirmation or refutation of the following rumours!

Things I've heard:
triumph :not enough leg room for baby and raincover doesn't cover feet. also, shoddy?

quest: falls apart easily eg if you rest shopping bags on handles, over oevrload basket. not that i would ever contemplate such a thing.

techno: perfect in every way but five times more expensive... oh and a few kg heavier.

Thanks for your advice!

oh yes - have also heard that the triumph doesn't allow your child to sit up straight - is that true?

|love my Quest! Perfect for public transport which I'm always on, reclines well and the basket and handles have coped fine with my shopping.
My mum has the Techno, itsnice but more expensive and like you say heavier.
The Triumph looks ok but the recline isn't as good in my opinion but then I guess it depends if it would be used etc..
I got the Lulu Guinness ''This is the Life" version to be a little different but only because I found a promotion code for boots and got lots of extra points too.
Have found it to be lightweight, compact, easy to steer and folds well if needed on buses.

Hope to help :-)

I have the Techno and I love it. Folds easily and has been pretty sturdy. My 3yo DD has used it since birth and it is still in great condition. Easy to manouvere. I still use it for the school run as it is quite a way and her little legs can't cope with walking there and back to drop her big brother off and even though she is quite heavy now at 3.5 it is still easy to push.
The downside is the cost, but if you are going to use it loads then maybe it is worth it?
I got mine from Kiddicare for a good price.

Thank you! That's really helpful! Boots does have great advantage card deals at the moment on all the pushchairs hence i am in a rush to buy. The recline is very important to me as I want my boy to be comfy. Can you carry the Quest by a shoulder strap?
The techno looks a bit dull to me, if i am honest! grey grey grey. then again so are all my coats. oh, and they've sold out

thanks blame the parents... i am tempted to hold out for the techno in a way as i am never happy with a pushchair if i think there's a genuinely better model out there. wish i could try them all out! no pushchair shops for a hundred miles!

Oh my God - have just seen an exclusive tartan one on mothercare website - it's love.. doesn't say what model it is, mind.

My quest has a carry strap but aiend's doesn't. It may just be the older moidels didnt have them.
Its a shame you can't have a test run.
Wouldn't go for a triumph then as you just unbuckle a strap for recline which put me off. The Quest reclines further and my a better method, it also has an extendable leg rest.

I have the Techno XT and the Triumph. Both have good and bad points though.

The Triumph is very light to fold and carry, though does fall over easily if there is a bag on the handles and you've lifted baby out. My DS is 23 months and he hates it, mainly because he is always trying to sit forward as if the seat doesnt give him enough support to sit straight up.

The Techno has a full recline, its sturdier and the hood can be extended to protect from sun (not needed in this weather obv!) On the minus its heavier, more expensive and some people find the handles are too high. I think its great personally.

Oh that would stand out from the crowd, mothercare do free delivery on all macs and there is more than likely a 10% off code floating around!

I trashed my Quest by resting school bags on the handles - the rear left wheel wore down completely. I then got a second hand Techno which I love - better made all round, and it's taller too which is better for my back. Every Techno I've ever seen does tend to be grey though, which doesn't fulfill your colour criteria!

have quest and a techno -would echo what others have said -techno better made, sturdier but heavier,less easy to steer
quest - lighter, easiers to steer, but easy to tip and has less easy to fit rainhood.

personally I'd agree with your view on techno given age of what you are using it for (techno is my main one - quest fine imo but I only use it as spare)

GET THIS: just rang Maclaren and apprently the tartan one is a Techno!
Now what is all this business of discount codes? I've never shopped online in my life and it seems I could save a few bob! Educate me Cath81!

My Techno is has a cherry red seat, and grey hood. It is quite nice, I think!

Some good prices and colours here

Oh that's great then! Sounds like it's meant to be! I haven't seen the tartan one before, have only ever seen the grey version like my mum has for my ds.
Is it Mothercare that stock the tartan one. If so I will take a look around the web for a discount code for you.
Basically you choose the item you like and usually when you get to the virtual checkoput there is a box to enter a promotional code into and it then works out the new reduced price to pay!
Hope to help

Type in the following code into mothercare promotion box for 10% off a spend of £100+ PS8

also if the maclaren free delivery doesnt automatically come off here is a free delivery code to enter in for that CGD8

hope to help.
You'll have to post a pic when it arrives. Sounds v nice.

Thank you Cath! You may have just saved me twenty pounds or more!
Now it's a 111 cm handle height and non adjustable on this model. Will that be too big for a 5'4'' girl like me? I wear a lot of heels.

Thanks blametheparents there are some gorgeous quest colours there.

great, hope they work ok. I have the opposite at 5ft 10.5!
am sure there is someone who can help you r.e the height.

I'm about 5 6 and sometimes wear heels -you'll be fine

I'm 5'5" don't wear heals and have a techno. Handle height is adjustable but as DH is 6'3" I have it at the highest level!

I love it's chunky wheels compared to the cheaper models, it has lasted 2 babies and some serious abuse.

BUT the shopping basket is hard to access (my version is 4 years old) and if I put the seat into recline if DS2 reaches forward to get something it sits the seat back into the upright position.

I'm just about 5ft 4 on a good day and I don't find the Techno too high at all. I also don't find it heavy. I don't like it though All that money and the shopping basket is as good as useless. And the brakes are still dodgy, like my old Maclaren Vogue. I wish I hadn't bought it tbh.

I have the Techno xlr. It's my third buggy (previously had a Micralite Fastfold and a Quinny Buzz).

I love my Maclaren, it does everything. It rocks.