Note: This topic is for discussing pushchairs. Read our round up of the top pushchairs to find out which ones were awarded Mumsnet Best.
Note: This topic is for discussing pushchairs. Read our round up of the top pushchairs to find out which ones were awarded Mumsnet Best.
Pushchairs
Gah, I'm dithering! Please help my make my mind up :)
tabbycat7 · 20/05/2011 21:30
I've decided that DS3 neeeeeeds a new pushchair. I'm currently using an abc takeoff, which I love, but it's not great for the 2.5 mile walk back from taking DS1 to school. I was tempted to get a bee but I decided it probably wasn't right for bumpy country lanes, so then I thought I'd get a frog but I was outbid on ebay this morning and nobody on ebay seems to want to post them 
. Also it would have been interesting if I'd had to fold it up on the bus. I'm now thinking maybe a micralite but they look wierd and the seat looks flimsy and i can't make up my mind!!
So as you ladies have road tested a few (who's had 70???? I'm going to show that thread to DH when he freaks out when he discovers I bought another buggy :) ), perhaps you could give me some advice please. :)
These are myrequirements: I need to be able to get it on a bus. They are mostly nice easy access ones but they do get busy and wheelchair users do use them, so I need to be able to fold it up and hoik it into the luggage rack.
It needs to be able to cope with country lanes, mud and gravel. I don't do totally off road very often and I have an ergo those kind of outings, but the roads near us are bumpy.
I need to be able to push it with one hand so I've got a hand free to grab the other DSes if necessary.
I'd like a rear facing option but it's not essential.
I'd also like to be able to attach the litaf seat 2 go, but I could always buy another buggy board.
Thanks. Your expert knowledge is appreciated :)
Guildfordnanny · 20/05/2011 22:44
Hmmm... I miss my Takeoff! My immediate reaction is a Baby Jogger Elite but I haven't seen the single. But BJ have the amazing one handed fold - grab the handle and it collapses instantly still holding your childs hands. But I don't know of that will be too big for you. There is the Mini but I think the Elite is better for offroading.
MonkeysPunk · 21/05/2011 08:21
Maybe the Micralite, but consider the baby jogger city mini also, I found it. Pretty good off road. I think its the best all rounder and by far the easiest for the bus. The city elite although nicer to push is a lot bigger. I think too big for the bus.
MonkeysPunk · 21/05/2011 08:23
Baby jogger are bringing out their own glider board soon. I've seen the video of it and its fab. Easy to attatch, easy to adjust and easy to clip out of the way when not in use.
tabbycat7 · 21/05/2011 20:06
I like the look of the baby jogger. Have either of you used a micralite as well? How does it compare?
thisisyesterday · 21/05/2011 20:10
i tried a micralite out with ds2 and ds3 and they both hated the narrowness at the top. ds3 is quite tall (not quite 2 yrs ol) and it seemed to really irritate him
I would say a baby jogger or a mountain buggy? baby jogger does have a fantastic fold on it.
that said you can get an amazing deal on the pre-"phil and teds takeover" mountain buggy breeze here
I desperately want one but can't justify it!
tabbycat7 · 22/05/2011 07:27
That's my concern with the micralite too. I don't think I would like to sit with my head right in the hood and I can imagine DS3 not liking it either.
Thanks for that link. I might have to tell DH what I'm planning to do and see what he says. :)
tabbycat7 · 22/05/2011 07:35
Here's a suggestion for you pushchair addicts!! Somebody needs to set up a thing where, for a small fee, people can borrow a buggy for a week to see whether it is really what they want before buying one. It's so hard to know without actually trying it out. Will my kid like it? Can I get it on a bus? What's it like on gravel. Will it fit in my car? Will it fit in my car if half of Ikea is also in there?
I know there's rentabuggy but I don't want one for three months!!! A couple of days would probably do. :)
Guildfordnanny · 22/05/2011 09:53
Lol it's a great idea but costly to do not least coz of the courier fees, storage and initial cost. To be honest if you can find a good independent shop you can learn a lot by taking your children. Best Buggy is trying to make choosing a pushchair easier with lots of photos etc.but it's mainly doubles at present but long term should help!
codandchipstwice · 23/05/2011 12:50
It was me 
. I've had several Micralites and would not recommend for either off roading or bus - they are awful on a bus - really wide so get stuck down aisel, and the tip all the time (and spin around and fall over unless you lock both front wheels). It doesn't fold hugely easily but I found my frog the best for all these - was fab with a board - fitted neatly on bus, coped reasonably well off-road, had decent basket, rear-faces and does pretty much most things pretty well
Either that or accept you need two - a Mac for public transport and a big 3 wheel jobbie for the other times (although am getting annoyed with having no hall)
tabbycat7 · 23/05/2011 13:43
I'd nearly bought a micralite but thankfully a cash machine ate my card and I can't remember DH's passwords!! Cod, have you tried a mountain buggy breeze? The non-swivelling wheel is putting me off but it looks pretty robust. I'd be worried about tipping it back to turn with ds2 on his buggy board!
How big is a frog compared to a chameleon? I saw a chameleon at close quarters on saturday and it looked huge!
codandchipstwice · 23/05/2011 13:54
I have only had Urbans which are good but big - would worry about the same with a Breeze, although swift narrower and swivels if you could stretch to one.
Frog is smaller, not sure how much and seat only marginally, but as it has slightly different wheel base feels far nippier and smaller than a Cam
There are some with much more Bugaboo exp than me though - so shall wait for their definitive replies 
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