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Original poster

Nightmare trying to find the right pram!

39 replies

kludge · 28/05/2009 11:10

Hello,

I have been reading the threads on mumsnet, and already feel so much better informed.

But despite reading almost all the pram threads, I still can't seem to find a pram that will tick all the right boxes.

My parents have offered to buy us a pram for our new arrival (not due until November, so admittedly there's no massive rush!) They have the only stipulation that it must be rear-facing.

We want something that has 3 pneumatic wheels (as we'll be taking it off-road frequently) and is suitable from birth - we don't mind if that means we have to buy an optional carrycot.

Is this list of requirements so hard to fulfill? I can't find a single pram that has 3 pneumatic wheels and rear-facing, suitable from birth.

After those considerations would be something that's reasonably compact, and has a brake lever on the handles, but I think that's too much to hope for!!

Any help or advice from you much more knowledgeable folks would be much appreciated...

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primigravida · 28/05/2009 11:31

Bugaboo gecko or camoleon. Not three pneumatic wheels only two but ticks the rest of the boxes.

Luvoneson · 28/05/2009 12:23

Silver Cross do a very nice range. Not sure they do the 3 wheel thing. Although they have really moderned up their range.

giantkatestacks · 28/05/2009 12:36

Why are your parents stipulating that it needs to be rearfacing btw? Whats it got to do with them?

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luvaduck · 28/05/2009 12:38

bugaboo chameleon

I had an icandy apple and it does have a three wheel option but bugaboo much better off road, and its lighter

Original poster

kludge · 28/05/2009 13:30

Thanks for your replies.
Am i right in thinking the bugaboo chameleon has 4 wheels?
I just don't think that it will cope with the terrain we expect to use it on. We'll be on rutted tracks and bridleways, probably running with it, so I think a 3 wheeler will be necessary for us. Without pneumatic wheels it will mean a very bumpy ride for baby!
So I guess I'm right in thinking there's nothing with 3 pneumatic wheels that can face backwards.. ?

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JustcallmeDog · 28/05/2009 13:32

This reply has been deleted

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giantkatestacks · 28/05/2009 14:14

kludge - I know am coming across as really curmudgeonly and dont mean to be - honestly I dont but I think that if the bugaboo cant cope with the terrain then you need to be using a sling and then backpack when old enough and if you want to jog with the buggy then you may need to compromise on the rearfacing aspect.

Or compromise on the running on rutted track with baby - you probably wont be doing much of this very early on anyway.

sazm · 28/05/2009 14:29

mothercare do an urban detour one which rear faces and does from birth,
havent seen one in the flesh though so cant comment on the quality,but i did have another urban detour model and it was great,

theres also the quinny speedy(maybe not off road enough),or the mountain buggy which you can put a carrycot on when your little one is small then forward faces when your little one is bigger,

newgirl · 28/05/2009 14:37

i dont think running on rugged terrain with any buggy is a great idea - its like riding a bicycle - even with fantastic tyres you feel the bumps. i ran with my kids and i think you just need to find a slightly smoother route

i hope that helps take the focus off the 3 wheels so much!

rear facing - a bit of a short term factor by the way. babies tend to fall asleep quite quickly in a buggy so they are not gazing at you for very long. and when they become more alert say 4-6 months onwards some like to see what is going on so facing forwards is a good idea too.

jellybeans · 28/05/2009 14:41

Mountain buggy with carrycot, Out n about nipabout, Mothercare urban detour quantum system are all good. Britax Vigour 3 is good but not so much for serious off roading and has plastic wheels.

My DS is 6.5 months and I am so glad I can still forward face him now he is in the pushchair. Also, he has bad reflux so like to see if he is sick etc.

No buggy has everything though, usually you have to comprimise on something!!

jellybeans · 28/05/2009 14:41

Mountain buggy with carrycot, Out n about nipabout, Mothercare urban detour quantum system are all good. Britax Vigour 3 is good but not so much for serious off roading and has plastic wheels.

My DS is 6.5 months and I am so glad I can still forward face him now he is in the pushchair. Also, he has bad reflux so like to see if he is sick etc.

No buggy has everything though, usually you have to comprimise on something!!

CarGirl · 28/05/2009 14:42

I would honestly say get a moutain buggy or similar - XTS twister is good with carrycot and get an about town pushchair that rear faces. However I agree you can't run off road even with a 3 wheeler on the terrain you describe you could give them whiplash!

Tulia · 28/05/2009 14:44

the Quinny Buzz has 3 wheels and can be rearward or forward facing, i'm not sure if the wheels are pneumatic but it does have all round suspension and looks quite sturdy.

i agree with newgirl about the bumpy terrain though, i dont know if its a very good idea with little babies.

CarGirl · 28/05/2009 14:47

quinny buzz is not an off roader jogging or not it is also wide for about town and you can't fold it up with the seat rear facing. Sorry I didn't rater the buzz!

Tulia · 28/05/2009 14:55

i'm not really the best person to comment as i am not an off roader sort of person!

the quinny buzz is sooo preddy though!

Original poster

kludge · 28/05/2009 15:44

Okay, so I wasn't planning on running up and down mountains with a newborn baby, but we live in a very rural area, where modern conveniences such as pavements are few and far between.
I figured I'd wait until it was a bit bigger before running with it, but am seriously considering long walks over bumpy terrain at a very early age (although poss with sling if it is too bumpy for pushchair).
Given that we live in the middle of nowhere, if we want to get out and about with a pram (without driving to a town) it's going to have to be something that will cope with rough terrain.
Thanks for the pointers to Mountain Buggy - are there any chains of shops which stock these so I could look at it in the flesh, as it were? Our closest city is Bristol, if that helps.
Right now, the 3 pneumatic wheels criterion is more important than the rear-facing - I was hoping I could fulfill our needs and my parents' wishes with something that had both, but it looks like they are out of luck

OP posts:

CarGirl · 28/05/2009 15:48

I think huge mothercare stores may stock them or it could be on line only. I'd seek out independent nursery stores in the Bristol area.

tutu100 · 28/05/2009 15:52

Bebecar used to do a 3 wheeler that was rear facing, but not sure if it is part of their current range. I have had their 4 wheeler all terrain model and found it pretty fantastic on the forest walks we did with it and the bumpy car boot we walk round everyweek (very rutted unkept feild). However I never jogged with it! Only downside I found to the bebecar is it is pretty heavy to lift in and out of the car, but a dream to push.

We could fit it in our golf boot, but had to take the wheels off first.

giantkatestacks · 28/05/2009 15:52

In my newfound role as prophetess of doom [tm] I would say as well that it might be best to wait until baby is actually here before buying a lovely but huge mountain buggy - I know that I couldnt lift one up a small kerb after my emcs.

Mnd you I struggle to lift them anyway [weakling emoticon] and my ILs certainly couldnt...

messymissy · 28/05/2009 16:03

So many to choose from - and giantkate is right - the weight issue in the early months and ease of putting in / out the car is key. I had a mommas and pappas and it felt like it weighed a tonne. hated it.

Get a rear facing, so much nicer for you and the baby to see each other for as long as possible.

invest in a very good baby sling - oh so much easier than a pram or pushchair and oh so much fun for you and baby - and it helps shed pounds of post baby weight!!

traceybath · 28/05/2009 16:06

I'm very rural - no such thing as pavements here and bugaboo has served me well with 2 children.

But on really bumpy terrain as others have said you'll need a sling or backpack when baby is older. Also if going over fields/stiles a buggy is just not practical really.

Also regarding jogging - am pretty sure you'd need a proper jogging buggy - certainly says on most that you shouldn't run with them.

only1malteaser · 28/05/2009 16:17

We are on baby no3 and our Jane powertrek 360 has been fab, does everything you are looking for but not rear facing, they may do something now though as it has been a few years since we bought ours. Lots of dog walking through forests etc and its still in fab condition.

imaginewittynamehere · 28/05/2009 16:26

I'm also very rural with a bugaboo however can't say I would recommend it, even with large wheels at the front unless it is dry the small wheels get clogged with mud and/or dry leaves making it a nightmare to push, 3 large wheels would be much better. I also second a sling for bumpy journeys!

sazm · 28/05/2009 17:53

the jane powertrack 360,you can use the matrix car seat on it to make it rear face,as it does up to about 18months,

if you walk a lot then does this pram you are looking for need to be able to fold up small/be lightweight for putting in and out of the car,or will you keep it at home and use something else in town??(thats what i do)

i have a teutonia y2k at home and a bebecar rversus/sling/stroller for in the boot of the car/town

Original poster

kludge · 28/05/2009 18:35

Wow - sazm, you're a great help!
I had not heard of Teutonia before - and after a bit of searching, I have discovered that they do an air-filled tyre 3 wheeler that is forward or rear facing!!
I know you don't have the Spirit S3, but can you give me an idea of how small your Teutonia folds up? Are they generally bulky?

(trying not to get too excited)

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