OK, in the big minefield that is buying a pram/pushchair - why have 3 or 4 wheels?

[sadiemcgrady]

Does it matter?

Why would I get one over the other?

First baby due later this year

i think 3 wheels on the Britax one would be more for looks than anything else as it is not the 'off-road' type of buggy even with 3 wheels. think some people just like the look of them...

I have the opposite problem kite - I was looking at the Jané Slalom and DH said we weren't allowed to buy any pushchair that had better brakes than his mountain bike .

Definitely no jogging with either of us

lol!

mine has to be able to fit an LVAD on it pgrin]

Why not break out and do something wild and wacky, go for two wheels!

TBH I have had both three and four wheeled and when you have been up six times in the night it no longer seems to matter.

Oh and if you do go for two wheels I think one wheel in front of the other would be far more challenging than two wheels on the back.

I only mentioned it because it was an unexpected twist in our relationship that my BF was more worried about the look of the pushchair than I was - given he would only be pushing it on hikes in the middle of nowhere...I actually find it hilarious that he has become a pushchair spotter.

He hated the first pram I bought which was a lovely traditional Inglesina with white wheels on a steel chassis. I am keeping it anyway because it sits higher off the ground than the frog, and I want to be able to take bubs to the park when really little to have outdoors naps.

Seventeen weeks pregnant and already i own two second hand prams - so beware sadie!!

Why are the bugaboos so expensive? Same shop lady said it was just a designer label thing. Is it?

no, not just about designer label. it really is the best one i have owned. large basket, rear facing, front facing, easy to steer, great on beaches (two wheel mode), comes with mosssie net (not that we need it here), a very versitile and good all rounder tbh.

btw did not pay RRP on mine,

You can get them for around £200 on ebay, so don't go near the new ones! It is a designer label thing but they are a great design and very durable. We were nearly put off by the numbers you see in the streets (how do all these people afford £600 for a pram I wonder?) but my neighbour swears by them being so light to push and steady.

If you really don't think you will use it much in the first six months though, I think the veteran mums are right to recommend a lighter pushchair like the McLaren instead.

So...

4 wheels better about town

3 wheels for country folk or image conscious townies?

i prefer 3 wheelers or the bugaboo

Don't forget swivel wheels for shops, fixed for rough ground LOL

Some can be fixed or swivel...

Oh god, this is so confusing!

Kbear said "Fixed wheel meant I didn't lose the front of the pram down every dropped kerb!"

not sure I understand...

Always found the Mothercare Urban Detour to be a good buggy, had two of them over the years, however if I had another I would choose the swivel wheel at the front would make life easier.

sadie, I meant when pushing the pram along suburban roads nearly every house has a drive way with a dropped kerb and the front wheel automatically dips down the slope so you have to straighten it up. Not a big deal with a new born but hard work with a 2 year old in it!

OK. Save confusion. Get a Maclaren (lie flat one - they have different models) and a Maxi Cosi car seat! As Mrs Badger said. And as I wish I had done.

It certainly is a minefield!! I just want something light, think we have settled on the m&p aria.

Oh I get you now Kbear. yes, I can imagine

What sort of thing do they have in the states, Cali?

they all drive huge Graco ones with latte holders thus IIRC

Blimey....DO NOT get one of those Sadie. You will sell it on ebay about 1 month later, for a quarter of what you bought it for.

I have a maclaren quest which is brilliant for shopping/ buses/ sticking in the car... but it is rubbish on the beach/ in a wood/ in mud... so for all that I have a very old (bought for DS who is now 8yrs) 3 wheeler all terrain thingy made by XTS, which is great for the great outdoors! Although as it has pneumatic tyres, I once got a puncture in the middle of a 5 mile walk, without my puncture repair kit...

I have to say that the price tag of some buggies on the market today is OUTRAGEOUS! There is such a ridiculous keeping up with the jones image thing... personally can't bear it! The muddier and dirty the buggy the better... a bit like my car...