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Original poster

Uppababy Vista and London buses

34 replies

featherblue · 05/02/2011 11:34

Does anyone have an Uppababy Vista? We've really fallen in love with it, but we're a bit worried it's too wide for public transport.

It's here.

Has anyone ever used an Uppababy on London buses? We will be living here for the first few months with the baby, and we mostly use buses to get around. After that, we'll be moving and will have a car, so it will be used more for walking/wandering the shops, etc.

I'm really just wondering if it fits down the bus aisle! We're going to measure, but wanted some first-hand experience if possible.

Also, if you have the Uppababy, do you like it? We like it because it's rear facing, comes with all its accessories, has a huge basket, has a rumble seat for future siblings, adjustable handle, etc etc and is cheaper than the Bugaboos.

OP posts:
onimolap · 05/02/2011 11:44

The width is the key dimension. The MacLaren XT which I know fits well into London buses is 49cms (18.9 inches) wide. Bigger is problematic, both getting on and off and in consideration of how many pushchairs can fit on.

Also, can you fold it one handed?

Original poster
featherblue · 05/02/2011 12:19

I've just looked, and the Uppababy is 25 inches wide, which is definitely bigger than that! It seems it's about the same size as the Bugaboo Cameleon. Are Cameleons annoying to use on buses?

I haven't tried to fold it yet. I know that it folds with the seat/bassinet on. I'm planning to go try a bunch out soon, just wanted to have an idea about transport before we go.

We'll only be here when the baby is a newborn, so ideally we'd like to have one with a bassinet. Not sure if it's worth mentioning, but I'll be on maternity leave during that time, so at least I won't be trying to get on rush-hour buses. Though I guess that means we'll be getting on with all the other pushchairs!

OP posts:
suzie38 · 05/02/2011 13:44

The Uppababy Vista is identical to the Britax B Smart but with a bucket seat rather than the Smarts lie flat seat...I bought a B Smart as i had my eye on the Uppababy...I opened it up and thought 'Bl*dy h*l' this thing is massive...No way would it be suitable for public transport use...I immedietely re sold it on eBay...I've got a Frog and Cam and it looks so much bigger than them.

IndigoOrchid · 06/02/2011 07:00

Hi

I liked the sound of the Vista too. It is quite wide compared to other pushchairs (I measured the chassis as 64cm wide so about 25" as you said). The thing that put me off it was the folding mechanism. My OH managed it OK but I could only get it to work occasionally while in the shop. Folding doesn't sound awkward though it is two-handed but I found it took a lot of effort and there was a definite knack to it. I'd advise trying it out if you can. Also you may want to buy the baby ganoosh (available separately) for protection when using the pushchair, though blankets may be fine depending on the weather. The basket is huge btw.

If you do try it out let me know what you think of the folding mechanism, maybe my heavily-pg state made it harder than it really is!

londonboots · 08/02/2011 15:49

I have an Uppababy Vista and I've taken it on loads of buses in London and no problems yet! On one type of bus, it just makes it - but it does get in fine.

We don't fold ours a lot, but have never had trouble folding it. It does require 2 hands though. I think it's easier than the Cameleon.

We bought the Uppababy in 2008 for DS1 and now using it for DS2. For various reasons we don't need a double (mostly use the Maclaren for DS1) but another great thing is that you can really easily switch bassinet for seat which is great when we want to take DS1 in the Uppababy.

Original poster
featherblue · 08/02/2011 20:37

Londonboots that's very reassuring! Thanks so much! Have you been happy with it in general?

I plan to go have a try at folding it as soon as I can find somewhere that stocks it. But I'm still definitely leaning towards it.

OP posts:
londonboots · 09/02/2011 13:41

Yes, have been happy with it (although, as I wrote in response to another post some time ago, I kinda prefer the Cameleon aesthetically...) We just had to buy some replacement back wheels - we had worn right through the tread after 2 years on London streets (we do loads of walking) - not sure how often you have to replace wheels on other buggies? But because they are solid (not air tyres) we never had to worry about punctures, so that is good. It's traveled to both the US and Australia as over-sized checked baggage and held up fine. It's a good height - especially when you've got a winter coat and footmuff and toddler to deal with! Also great for walking if you are tall as there is no rear axle to kick. Lots of positives, I think. Hope that helps!

akatwinkle · 14/02/2011 11:48

its just won the Which award with the highest ever score and they test it on Buses as part of the review

suzie38 · 14/02/2011 20:45

^^^^^^ Don't say that, i'll be coveting it again!!! If it came just as a pushchair rather than a whole package i'd be buying one in a trice.

akatwinkle · 15/02/2011 08:37

Sorry lol but it scored 85% and the Bugaboo Chameleon got 68%.

suzie38 · 15/02/2011 09:09

Ahhhh...I've got a Cameleon, be reluctant to sell it as i've got snow tyres...Need to be able to get to work on buses when it snows...Wonder if Uppababy Vista works well in snow??? A shop not too far from me sells them according to the offical website, so may trek over to check one out in person...I've made a few major mistakes with pushchairs recently including a Britax B Smart which is almost identical, bar the lie flat seat, which was the problem, seat not upright enough for DD plus bumper bar at wrong angle so was very uncomfortable for her to sit in...The bucket seat on Vista would be fine plus it has the very upright position now...That's what's great about Bugaboos, seat is 90 degree angle.

akatwinkle · 15/02/2011 09:38

a shop near me in Godalming sells it, ive had a look and its superb. the seat is designed to sit level with tables in Coffee shops and restaurants. i cant see it being a problem in snow either. Do London buses run in the snow my husband got stuck in the City last time lol

suzie38 · 15/02/2011 10:14

Ah...Where i live, the buses were fine in the snow...If it's too bad i'd stay home anyway, nothing worse than getting stranded in the snow with a toddler!!!

Stokey38 · 15/02/2011 10:16

I use my PHIL & Teds Dash which is huge on London buses and it's fine, I just have to get on the back doors.

suzie38 · 15/02/2011 21:16

We're all off tomorrow to check it out in person...Will most likely sell my Cameleon and Bee Plus if i decided to buy one...Will i regret selling them???

Original poster
featherblue · 15/02/2011 22:34

Y'all have me convinced! Just have to find somewhere to have a look. Very cool about the Which award.

Suzie38, let us know how you get on? As far as snow goes, it might be worth looking on some US forums for information? The Vista is much more popular there, and I imagine there's a lot of pushing it around in snow, especially this year.

OP posts:
akatwinkle · 15/02/2011 22:56

where are you from Feather?

akatwinkle · 15/02/2011 23:13

forgot to mention that it has a second seat coming this year. It clips onto the front

suzie38 · 16/02/2011 05:35

I won't be needing a Rumble seat as definetely sticking with one child.

suzie38 · 16/02/2011 15:31

Finally met a Vista in person...It looks great and pushed really nice in the shop...Seat is very high up...Just can't decide on what color...Black is great as easy to 'Snunkie' with a seat liner but black on it's own a nightmare i've recently disovered with my Brio Go...Like the silver too but would my giraffe print Cameleon footmuff look ok??? I love my recent buy footmuff and don't really want to buy a full price proper Vista footmuff...Guess if i buy a Vista, i can see how well Bugaboo footmuffs fit on it...Didn't try folding it down but seemed simple enough...Didn't seem as big as the B Smart but maybe the giant hood on that makes it seem massive...Also the yellow with darker frame looks good, that was the one in the shop

Original poster
featherblue · 16/02/2011 18:31

akatwinkle I'm from the southern US, but we've been living in London for 6 years. We will probably be moving back home when the baby is 3-4 months, so that's why we need it to satisfy all sort of different situations.

Suzie38 we were trying to decide about colours too. I'm worried the black will be too hot when we move back home, but I like the look of it the best. Have you seen the 2011 ones? The only difference is in the colours. They've put out one that is sort of slate coloured. We're leaning towards that one now.

You can see it here.

OP posts:
SamShaw · 16/02/2011 18:44

Hi Suzie

Where did you see the Yellow one as thats the one i want but OH wont buy it until he sees it.
Does it stand out better than the Silver frame?

akatwinkle · 16/02/2011 18:56

Hi Feather
Depends on where in London you are the A3 Baby Barn at Chessington sell them as do the new shop in West London I think they are called Huggle.

suzie38 · 16/02/2011 20:20

SamShaw...I saw the yellow one at a shop near me in Nottingham...Guess as it's a special edition, they show it off more, as there were no silver framed ones in the shop...Takes up to 4 weeks to order in...
featherblue I've seen the new colors on Youtube trailers...Still can't make my mind up...Mind you i could do with selling my Bugaboos before buying because if i buy from Kiddicare i can use my Paypal account.

akatwinkle · 16/02/2011 21:05

I would advise buying in a shop though as buying it on the may not be cheaper in the long run