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

3 if you walk a lot, without a doubt (and I've had 6 yrs experience!)
good to have a 4wheeler lightweight cheap Maclarean type thingy for back up/in the car/flights - though try to get one in an unusual colour (not standard grey) otherwise you'll never be able to find your own in busy places (well, unless occupied, I guess ) as they're very popular.

Sadie I know what you mean. Too much choice! I have been looking at those Britax prams and wondering the same thing. This is my 4th but I feel none the wiser

Have to say - PHIL & TEDS

Reason being:

3 wheeler, but can have front wheel fixed, or swivel, depending on terrain.

Excellent turning circle & narrow (so easy to use in shops with small aisles, etc, or getting through single doorways)

Can lie flat, semi-reclined or upright.

Can be used as a single or double buggy (for newborn & toddler or two toddlers - not twins) by using extra seat.

Travel adaptor will allow use of any car seat to turn into a travel system (ideal if nipping out to shops in town, and baby has fallen asleep in car), although recommendation of not having bubba in seat for more than 1.5 hours still applies.

Can pick and choose extras according to lifestyle, including panier bags, under buggy storage bag (really helpful, because you put everything inside it, but when you need to get buggy into car, you just pull out the storage bag with everything in it), UV sun cover, rain cover, travel bag for flights, etc.

We have used it for the last 15 months (bought second hand from ebay), and have taken it to France, used it on beaches, in the woods, in town, etc, with no problems.

Another thing is that it tends to keep it's retail price well.

It isn't umbrella fold, though, so you do need boot space, and it is heavier than an umbrella fold.

I have 3 big dogs and i'm planning on walking them with baba. (i'm only 17 weeks)
What would you suggest for this? will probs be mostly on grass, mountainy ground, but will need something good for pavements too. and i'd like something quite light
Also would a sling be ok for using when walking the dogs??

ta xx

Hah, I've had THIRTEEN!!! And I've only got 3 kids! After all these many, many buggies, I've come to the conclusion that you need a 1)Urban Detour with a swivel/lockable wheel and 2) A Maclaren Techno XT to put in the boot for whizzing round town. And if I'd known that 10 years ago, I'd have saved about £500!

Me too. One regret of not having any more kids, really and truly.

We had a three wheeler with fixed wheel to begin with, couldn't steer it, so bought 2nd hand Urban Detour, is fab. Fixed wheel great for off-road, swivel is just fab on pavements etc. Very comfy for LO too.

Yes, the only thing really. The ones with a fixed wheel, like the mountain buggy, are the sturdiest, but can be more cumbersome on pavemnets. We take ours on the beach all the time (urban detour).

Some 3 wheelers, espec Quinny Buzz, are crap on stuff like this though, just 3 wheels to look cool IMHO

My advice would be buy 2 and a wrap.

1st, a comfy 3 wheeler that lies flat (love my phil and teds and it did fit in the boot of my micra) - use this one for walking a long way or up/down hills or over bumps/cobbles.

2nd, a maclaren but I'd go for a from 6 months one (or 3 months if desperate) as they're much lighter and fold smaller. These are useful if going on public transport, round shops etc.

The wrap (or something like a bushbaby cocoon, sling etc) use while you're waiting for baby to reach 6 months as they're still light enough and you get round all the shops and up/down steps easier.

If you can buy all 2nd hand and plan to sell them on ebay, that way if you're not happy with them you just move them on and buy something new. With both buggies make sure they have the option of making the wheel swivel and adjustable handle height.

hth

FioFio- the P&T did great on a beach last year - as well as you could expect of anything with wheels anyway!

liquidclocks, i nhvae often wondered why you chose that nickname... sad as i am, i have thought about it on and off for a while .
I used to be oops- but the oops incident is now 1.5yrs old, so have recently changed name- but why liquidclocks??

and agree whole heartedly re the advice

...I tkae it roundthe shops all the time too - it's less wide than some of the other ones. I just always carry a spare tyre and hand pump 'just in case' as I got a thorn in the wheel the 2nd time I took it out - Hell!

I have the chicco trio...tis a lie flat umbrella fold buggy with carry cot attachment for when they are small. Carry cot was fab, cant recommend enough. Was lovevly as a pram and was great when we went to stay with people as we didnt need a travel cot, just used carrycot

It is great as a buggy too now ds older....umbrella fold so fits in car no probs but not little and crappy like maclarens, has a good sized padded comfy seat and sturdy wheels (4 of).

Also it came with a cosy toes and raincover you didnt have to buy them as extra plus raincover fits in a pocket in the hood so you dont have to fill up your shopping basket with it. (you do have to buy extra raincover for pram mode though but wasnt dear.)

Some of my friends have maclarens and they seem v rickety in comparison, small seat and v. little wheels. Only disadvantage to Chicco is that buggy isnt rear facing (carrycot is though).

Have two friends with bugaboos and they are lovely and light but both have bought lightweight umbrella folds for their LOs to use as well as bugaboo is so impractical for travelling and days out. Also one friend said it doesnt go up kerbs well but other friend never mentioned this.

sorry can't type today ...

mrsjohnsim, been asked before - chose my internet ID in a rush when I was 13 and it just stuck - think 'salvador dali, persistence of memory '

Fiofio - there'ye SO snuggly in the cocoon, it's just gorgeous, I was so sad when DS2 outgrew it ... Means he's growing up though and he said 'dah' this morning so it's some compensation

hairybabysmum,
Chicco Trio stroller = 9kg
Maclaren Triumph = 5kg
I know which one I'd rather lump up and down steps and onto buses, esp with hefty toddler

I think that's the thing though mrsbadger - the right pushchair for a tiny baby is not the same as the right one for a toddler, I don't know why I ever thought I should be looking for just one to see me all the way through! More realistic now, the only one that's lasted more than a year is the maclaren (th p&t's might make it though... 3 months to go!)

True MrsB but i pesonnally think the 4kg is at the expense of babys comfort so depends how much carrying of said buggy you will do i guess, plus whether it is an everyday day use buggy or just a travel back up in which case comfort less important. Also i walk everywhere as dont have a car in the week, i guess if i was in/out of a car with my buggy the weight would be more important to me.

Obviously im still looking for that elusive pram/buggy that weighs nothing, faces either way, looks fab and costs less than £100!!!

Im afraid SadieMcG this is all the personal preference stuff that the shop lady said to you.

that's the clincher, isnt it - the lighweights really are great for bigger children / slinging in cars, but they aren't anywhere near as comfy.

I think liquidclocks 3-item combo is spot on