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Pushchairs

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Original poster

Mountain Buggy Urban Jungle or Swift.....

39 replies

MonkeysPunk · 01/06/2011 09:20

I'm trying to choose between the Mountain Buggy Urban Jungle and the Mountain Buggy Swift.

I want ONE buggy that does all things - it has to be capable off road - but also good for everyday - school run and some shopping!

It is not for a newborn - but for my boy of almost 3y - and it has to last until 5y - as we have a really LONG walk to school and back - 3 x in a day really - because of dropping off and picking up siblings - around 6 miles a day as of September - so you see - the little lads legs are just not going to manage all that walking as well as his pre-school activities (unless he's going to spend his whole time there sleeping)...

One thing that concerns me - I will be buying "blind" - unable to get to a shop that stocks them prior to making my mind up - although I'll be getting out the tape measure to check it'll fit in our hallway and car boot.

How is the quality - I have a mountain buggy breeze - bought recently in the sale - sadly I missed out on the larger model that was apparently on sale just a short while beforehand.

I LOVE the compactness, and the quality of the breeze - but I would wish for more space in the basket for shopping if I was to use it everyday - it was perfect for our holiday at the seaside - not taking up much room on small crowded footpaths - or in gift shops - and still being capable at the beach.

I am proposing to sell all other buggies in order to get the MB - but cannot decide on the Swift or Urban Jungle - the swift seems the obvious choice - but is the Urban Jungle really that much bigger? If it's only a tad bigger - them maybe it'll be better for the long-run as I'm thinking the seat will be bigger for our growing boy. Plus you get the rear wheel suspension too in the Urban Jungle model...

But will the Urban Jungle fold quickly and easily enough for the bus? It's hardly an umbrella fold. I don't use buses often - infact only rarely...

If you have a Mountain Buggy Urban Jungle or Swift - can you say what you like about it and if it's ever inconvenient in any way?

Also - is the quality good - have you had any issues with the build quality of your 2010 or later model?

OP posts:
FriggFRIGG · 01/06/2011 10:31

swift Wink

Original poster
MonkeysPunk · 01/06/2011 11:17

Ty!

OP posts:
MissHonkover · 01/06/2011 21:16

Been doing a bit of research on this one, with the assistance of clever MNers. The Swift doesn't have a suspension, and has smaller wheels. The seat is also narrower than the Urban. The Swift has the flick out sunscreen, but the hood is larger and can be pulled down further on the Urban. Hope I've got all that right, no doubt someone will correct me if not! Grin

Monkey, is it only the size of the basket you don't like about the Breeze, or is the actual pushchair too small?

Guildfordnanny · 01/06/2011 21:47

That's about right. Both have flick out sun visors but UJ is a follow the sun hood. The UJ has bigger wheels, wider wheel base, higher tallest handlebar setting. The Swift is 7cms shorter when folded, they are the same width. Both take up to 35kgs of child weight ie up to 6 years. Oh and don't forget you get the free bottle holder with the UJ! Just 7cms difference is food for thought although the fold width I am sure is deeper on the UJ because of the wheels?

Original poster
MonkeysPunk · 01/06/2011 23:25

webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:S99nI7fmkA8J:mountainbuggy.com/en/community/forums/view-postlist/forum-125/topic-125-swift-big-enough-for-tall-kids+mountain+buggy+swift+big+kid&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk&source=www.google.co.uk I found this link - in which a MB expert states the back rest is as long on the swift as it is in the UJ - that really puts my mind at rest so I know I've made the right choice! Grin
Doesn't the swift come with bottle holder - it pictures one (at least it does on the boots website) - so that would be a bit naughty to show it with the accessory if it doesn't include it.

Swift is said to be 23" wide - and UK 25" wide - Folded the swift is 36" long and the UJ 41" long. The breeze folded is 23" wide and 40" long.

OP posts:
Guildfordnanny · 01/06/2011 23:50

I thought they were the same...I was sure I had measured them at some point. I know the Duet / Duo seats are nearly identical in size. Other sites are showing the bottle holder too so you probably get one. Let us know :)

MissHonkover · 02/06/2011 08:10

Hiya, a pram retailer emailed me to say that the Swift is 59cm wide, and the UJ is 63 cm wide. It's so frustrating not to see them in the flesh, isn't it?

Thanks Guildfordnanny for the info and Monkeyspunk for the link. Width of seat as well as length is important for me (gargantuan DD), plus I think the bigger wheels and pull down hood would be more useful for me (windy coastal area, need to go on sand). Now need to find a bargain second hand Urban! Grin

Original poster
MonkeysPunk · 02/06/2011 20:49

shop.mountainbuggy.com/index.cfm?id=278654 This has a lot of seat measurements on - and it seems the urban jungle seat back is taller - and it looks as though the seat to footrest length is longer too - so not sure I've made the right choice or not.... I will find out when it's delivered how much room our 3y old has in it! I did want compact though - that was the main thing - something that was good for the pavements, school run, in shops and also a bit capable for non too extreme off road - a good all round buggy for travel, holidays, and small in the car boot.

OP posts:
Guildfordnanny · 02/06/2011 21:37

I know you have ordered yours now Monkeys but I saw a Trends for Kids Joggster Twist today and immediately thought of this thread. But what hubby loved most is TFK do a 'mamaboard' which is a kind of skateboard for the mum / dad for behind the pushchair, you can literally stand at the top of a hill and skateboard down with the pushchair with a hand disc brake (like a bike one) to slow you down when you get to the bottom!!! How cool is that????

Guildfordnanny · 02/06/2011 21:39

Baby Gizmo link for the Mamaboard www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYxL-62mKyc

FriggFRIGG · 02/06/2011 21:54

that.is.amazing!!!!

i always wondered why no one had made that already!!!Grin

suzie38 · 02/06/2011 22:01

Wow, that'd be great around here as it's quite hilly...Mind you i'd rather something power the buggy up the hills!!!

Guildfordnanny · 02/06/2011 22:29

Lol we talked about that idea as well Suzie! Apparently there are some amazing quad pushchairs with motors attached in Germany! I need to track the info down.

FriggFRIGG · 02/06/2011 22:46

Shock Grin

get on it Guild!

i WANT a quad pushchair!!!!!!

Guildfordnanny · 02/06/2011 22:48

Apparently it will take an adult lol

Guildfordnanny · 02/06/2011 22:57

I can't find the one we were talking about but I have found this one for six children www.babyhaven.com/Angeles-6-Passenger-Folding-Commercial-Stroller.html

Original poster
MonkeysPunk · 03/06/2011 07:21

Wow, loving the idea of the mamaboard! Is that buggy available in the uk?
It's not particularly hilly here, but it is at my hometown where my family live. Could be fun.
Not sure how it would pass uk safety testing though.

OP posts:
Guildfordnanny · 03/06/2011 10:48

Yes you can buy http://www.trendsforkids.com/index.php?id=26 the Joggster Twist now and also the fixed wheel version the Joggster III. I will check re the mamaboard but I believe it is coming here. I think me suggesting hills was probably a bit wrong....after seeing the baby Gizmo video where they skate along a flat path! But you have a disc brake like a bike squeeze brake to slow you down on hills and anywhere else.

Guildfordnanny · 03/06/2011 11:26

Ok, I have just asked. There are a limited number of mama boards coming into the UK soon. They are designed to go on the jogging pushchairs ie fixed wheel eg Joggster III but they don't see why if you fix the wheel they couldn't go on either the single or double Twisters.

Original poster
MonkeysPunk · 03/06/2011 11:40

it says US and Canada shipping only unfortunately.....Definately a good buggy to look out for though - how did you like the quality of the build and fabrics - was it as good as mountain buggy - it looks really good on the video.
I wonder how much $599 is in GBP around £500 at a guess....kind of expensive - but if that is reflected in the way it's manufactured it would be worth it.
I love how you can have 3 styles of jogger in one by adding on the different wheels.
How big was the seat by the way - similar to swift? Or Larger?

OP posts:
Original poster
MonkeysPunk · 03/06/2011 11:41

trying to track my swift order - the boots website seems to be down...

OP posts:
Guildfordnanny · 03/06/2011 11:55

It's definitely here in the UK (I saw one yesterday) but it's brand new and they are going into independent retailers. I am being sent stockist information. I know of a few eg Jan Stewart in Glasgow, Golden Cot in Bath. The build quality is fab. I think for joggers the choice of wheels will be good. The double Twinner Twist with two seats is £599 so I would think it would be less than £500 for a single? I would say the seat height isn't as tall as the Swift (I would love some measurements when you get yours for BB), but the hood height is huge and the harnesses are massive! Ie there's loads of room for a taller toddler, but not really for napping beyond say 4. But my tall 2.5 year old is fine (in age 3-4 clothes). I will measure it when i get chance.

Original poster
MonkeysPunk · 03/06/2011 16:40

Are mountain buggys a bit tight to begin with? The front swivel feels v stiff.
I'll get some measurements for you.
Give a shout if you need pics also.

OP posts:
Original poster
MonkeysPunk · 06/06/2011 10:15

After spraying with wd40 the buggy is now running beautifully! You do have to oil the swivel from beneath and its helpful if you can prop the buggy frame upside down with the swivel resting on a chair to let gravity help the oil to sink into the swivel mechanism.
Perhaps mb should give instructions for this in the booklet. It does tell you in there to Lubricateds these points periodically, and it does have an arrow pointing specifically to the underside of the swivel mechanism. They just need to add a note telling people to do this when new also.

OP posts:
Guildfordnanny · 06/06/2011 11:00

That's a good tip re the oil. I need to remember that one :) Thanks re the measurements. I will drop you a PM later on :)