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Pushchairs

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Original poster

Kolcraft Contours or Baby Jogger City Select- which is best for mild off roading?

35 replies

Carseatcrazy · 25/10/2011 22:16

Hi, Does anyone have any experience of either of these off road - not major stuff, just gravel path and a river bank (uneven grass / mud surface etc). I'm considering both for ourLONG winter doggy walks for my 3.4 year old and 4 month old.....Any advice would be great- going round in circles here!! (I've also seen the Kolcraft Contours Optima which looks much lighter and slightly smaller- again, anyone with any experience of that one? Thank you lots and lots :)

OP posts:

Original poster

Carseatcrazy · 25/10/2011 22:27

I just thought I should add that I'm specifically looking for something that has the option of parent facing, and I live in the country where the pavements only JUST fit a single down them at times- also I'm 6' and so really don't get on with a P&Ts! (My 3.4 yr old is 14.2kg and before everyone starts saying he should walk- he does, but just not as much as two collies!!!) thank you again for any help ;)

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thisisyesterday · 25/10/2011 22:30

you might be better off with a single off-roader and a sling tbh.
3.4 yr old can walk for as long as s/he can manage, and then pop baby in sling and toddler in pushchair for remainder

FriggOmortisFRIGG · 25/10/2011 23:15

i would heartily recomend the p&t verve.
it is very unlike the other p&t's...
i am 5'7 and the p&t verve has a handle setting higher than i need,which has never happened before!
there is a really good stride length too i have never kicked the back seat like i did with the e3,sport and vibe,
its fab off road,
and perfect for my 3 year old to hop into when she needs to and not too big to happily use as a single.....

i had the contours and it was okay over grass,but it took some pushing,also the handle height was very slightly to low for me...

ive never had the BJCS though so cant comment on that.

Tiggywunkle · 25/10/2011 23:29

To be honest both are fine if it's just gravel etc. My only worry is that with having a 3.4 year old, unless they are very light, the BJCS can be very heavy. I stopped using mine when my two were 2.5 and 10 monthsish. It was painful to push. I wouldn't advise you get one with your eldest already being so old. The Contours is easier to push with the weight in and is better for a sleeping parent facing baby as the seat goes flat without compromising the other child ie your eldest can still face out. With the BJCS either both seats need to face you or each other. The seats are large too but not really suitable until six months - but you get a car seat adaptor.

aswellasyou · 26/10/2011 08:53

Have you looked at the ABC (Adventure Buggy Company) with reclining top seat. It would be good off road and you can have your baby right in front of you. scroll down

Original poster

Carseatcrazy · 26/10/2011 09:07

Thank you all for your comments. Can't do sling or carrier because of my back and also the conditions well be out in through the winter- really want to see my little one so I can b sure he is ok no matter what weather is being thrown at us!

Tiggywunkle- have you seem the contours optima at all? Just wondered if the reduced weight makes a difference? Also what is the suspension like on it- I'm used to my chameleon- and I love love love the suspension on that:). Also what do u think about the handle height- do u think it will b too low for me given that I'm 6'?

Sorry for all the questions. Thank you so much for your help:)

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Tiggywunkle · 26/10/2011 10:02

I am 5ft 6ins and the Contours handle was perfect for me and I like a tallish handle. I have all my other pushchairs (except the Elite which has a very tall handle) on the highest settings including my Chameleon when I had it. I may well have the handle height measurement for you somewhere - I do often measure fixed handle heights.
I haven't seen the Optima.
I also can't really comment on the suspension because it's not something that really bothers me. I know it's not a hard ride though because that's something I do notice! There's a fair bit of 'give' in the chassis because of the concertina fold which cushions the ride or at least the feedback through the handle. In that way it does remind me of the Chameleon. But it's not got air tyres.
I don't know if it will help but I have a whole set of side by side photos of the BJCS next to the Contours that I can try and get online for you?

aswellasyou · 26/10/2011 12:04

You can't get the Optima shipped to the UK. I think the red one is about 25kg, the Optima is 22kg and the grey 'light' one is 21kg if that helps. I tried to buy the Optima a few months ago but it hadn't passed the UK saftey tests yet.

I had the red one and I don't think I'd want to use it for long walks particularly. It was pretty heavy going up any hills, and felt like it might run away going downhill. I liked the height of the Contours handle but I'm only 5'4", although I do like high handles.

I'm also not convinced the BJCS is the right one for the job. I tried it out with two babies of 8.5kg and 10kg and it felt as though they would soon be too heavy for it. It was near impossible to lift the front end up to go up steps, but that may not bother you.

I would seriously be looking at an ABC. You couldn't get your baby any closer to you.

Tiggywunkle · 26/10/2011 12:46

I have to say I love my ABC but the lower seat is no good for an older toddler. The hood height is very low and my 3 year old really doesnt fit in. The straps would be too short as well although there is a good bumper bar with crotch strap.
How about the B-Dual with the baby in a car seat on top facing you? Or an iCandy Peach with the baby in the car seat facing you? But they are similar set ups to the Phil & Teds.
I dont think there are any perfect solutions with double pushchairs to be honest and finding a parent facing pushchair which really works is hard.

Original poster

Carseatcrazy · 26/10/2011 21:25

Thank you all again for your advice- the ABC looks absolutely amazing...exactly what I'm looking for, but do you really think the hood will be too low? I read somewhere that more recent models had a slightly higher, arched hood?

Tiggywunkle, is there any chance at all you might be able to tell me the height of the lower seat to the hood (or alternatively the height of your 3 year old who doesn't fit!) I'm wondering if I could get away with it- I would only need it for short breaks for my eldest and maybe if he was really tired I could lay him back a bit for a sleep!!! doesn't matter if he's not too comfy in there- got to encourage him to walk as much as poss!!!! I'm so mean;)

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Tiggywunkle · 26/10/2011 21:39

Yes, I will measure it in a bit for you. My daughter is 99cms tall. I do have the older version though. My daughter went in it at the weekend but had to sit forwards ie upright. I am sure he would manage :) She would for a nap I am sure.
Just to add a couple of things (bearing in mind I love mine and use it lots), it's very long folded so isn't really a car pushchair. Also it's handmade and it's nothing like a 'modern' pushchair. Expect press pin buttons, nuts, things to unscrew etc. I say this because someone this weekend had her heart set on one, came to see ours, and went away not liking it at all. It's one of the best pushchairs I have owned though. I love the interaction with my eldest on top. The baby just sleeps within seconds of leaving the house every time. I got stopped in the street yesterday by someone wanting to know what it was. the only downer is that it takes up a large amount of space in our hall. It's less practical to fold than it is to keep up and ready to go.

Tiggywunkle · 26/10/2011 21:41

Do these help?

Original poster

Carseatcrazy · 26/10/2011 21:53

Tiggywunkle- you are sooo kind - those pictures are great. I see what you mean about the height....mmmm....I really don't know what to do......In every other respect it looks perfect. I think I'm only really going to need it for this winter, so hopefully he won't grow too much in that time! But as long as its not so crampt that he doesn't want to get into it.....ahhh.....decisions are soo hard! Do you know if the newer version does have a higher hood? I don't know if that's fact, or just hearsay.....? But then is it worth spending out loads more on a new one just for an extra inch or so (or however much extra it gives)

The car bit doesn't matter that much, as anywhere further afield we'd probably just use the bugaboo (so we can use it again after we've used and sold the ABC or anything else we get!!). It would just really be used for local riverside dog walks....

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Tiggywunkle · 26/10/2011 22:22

I honestly know nothing about the new version.
I will measure everything when hubby arrives to take over the baby in a bit. There's probably more room if the seat is reclined before an older child gets in rather than trying to recline it with him in because the hood will already be open and flat. When its pushed back the childs head is on the hood fold. My baby tends to sleep non reclined because when he is reclined his head is directly under / by my DDs feet and she kicked him once! But you wouldn't have the issue with the baby on top. Also the reclining toddler seat fits slightly differently to the static toddler seat so it may make a difference although on my version the main hood is flat so I doubt it would.

Jojay · 26/10/2011 22:32

I've got a BJCS for my twins and I wouldn't recommend it for what you want.

It's great for 2 babies who aren't too heavy, the carseats click on and off, it takes a carrycot etc etc, os it's good for me, but as others have said, it's long and therefore heavy to lift up kerbs etc.

I've also found that when the camber is less then perfectly flat, it drifts downhill and it's heavy to keep straight, even with my 3 month old twins in.

It suits me for now, but once my twins are past the carseat / carrycot stage at about 12 months, I'll probably sell it and get a P&T or similar.

It's just too heavy to use with a toddler.

Original poster

Carseatcrazy · 26/10/2011 22:43

Thanks Tiggywunkle- yes, looking at the ABC stie it does look like the baby top seat has a bit of a gap before it meets the main pushchair hood- so he might even get away with pushing his head up into the hood a bit!!!

Jojay- than you also- the more I hear about the BJCS the more I think it just wouldn't be practical for us....I live at the top of a VERY VERY big hill :) :) unfortunately the only way to get home is to go up it- normally with a heavy 3 year old on board, and with two doglets on either arm......If I can possibly squish him into a ABC then that might be the best of a tricky solution for us (also thinking that where I have to walk there are several "kissing gates" that the Contours and BJCS may not fit through - again, more in favour of the ABC :) Crikey life with two is certainly more complex isn't it?!!!! Thank you all once again - you are stars :)

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thisisyesterday · 26/10/2011 22:45

I have an old ABC buggy and my 4 year old can still fit in it with a seat on the top as well

thisisyesterday · 26/10/2011 22:47

whereabouts are you?
if you happen to be in the south east you're more than welcome to come and try ours

thisisyesterday · 26/10/2011 22:48

alternatively, you could put the 4 month old in the pushchair and the toddler on the top!

Original poster

Carseatcrazy · 26/10/2011 22:52

ahh thank you- but I'm in the SW- near Exeter :( that's really good news about your 4 year old though :) Could I ask what height he/she is? Thank you :) (I want to have the 3 year old on the bottom as he will probably hop in and out and just use it when he's tired, and also I really want to have the little one facing me when it's awful weather so I can keep a closer eye on him :)

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thisisyesterday · 26/10/2011 22:56

I have no idea how tall he is, but I will try and measure him tomorrow :)

Tiggywunkle · 26/10/2011 23:27

I have been having a ponder :)
I reckon you should manage as long as your 3 year old isn't huge for his age. My DD is well over the 90th centile. The seat back is 52cms which is a good height for a pushchair seat. However several cms are hidden by the recline peekaboo window and fabric when upright giving only about 46cms when the seat is upright. But if your son is being reclined then its a good length. Plus the end is fabric so if his head pressed against the fabric then it wouldn't be an issue as long as he was comfy. I think the issue is more when the hood is pushed up ie open because the bar underneath drops down to just 42cms. But yet it will take a wiggle to get under an open hood at the front as it comes down relatively low. So its a clearance issue rather than a seat height issue. Your son just needs to wiggle under the hood or under the bar and then he should be fine once he's in whether sat up or reclined. The seat is also relatively wide - 30cms at the back.
Honestly - its worth a try. Certainly he would be able to sit bolt upright on the seat for the way home if nothing else. You could add a harness on if you wanted (the main seat is pretty reclined even without reclining) but the bar and crotch strap at the front make it pretty secure. If I get chance I will take a photo tomorrow of DD reclined.
If you buy one, make sure you get the stability kit for off road. It does make a difference.

Tiggywunkle · 27/10/2011 20:47

Ok, I tried both children in the ABC. DS aged 15 months had his head against the back of the seat when reclined and asleep - to the degree where it was bulging at the back. DD aged just 3 has just laid down in it for me and she couldn't comfortably lie flat. Her head was twisted to one side and she said she wasn't comfy. Sorry :(

thisisyesterday · 27/10/2011 22:41

ahh i think they must have changed the design. my ancient abc has an open top... ie, when you lay it down (and it doesn't lay flat it just unzips on each side and reclines a little) you can see the top of the childs head.. it's just open.

so maybe if OP looks for an older version on ebay it would be better?

Original poster

Carseatcrazy · 28/10/2011 20:37

I think iv found one- I'm going to go for it and give it a go- I can always sell it on if no good:). I have to say even though it may not be just perfect im v v excited abiut it!!! Thank you so much everyone for all your help with this. Iv come to the conclusion that the perfect buggy doesn't exist but as a result of all your help I may have just found the best compromise I'm going to get:). Thankyou all :):)

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