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Pushchairs

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Original poster

hmmmm - can't decide - should I go for the MB Duet or not?

19 replies

TinyPenguin · 02/11/2011 20:19

I have 20 month old and the new baby is due in a month, I've been looking at twin pushchair and am undecided whether to get one or not. I originally wanted a Jane powertwin but this felt really long and the leg room was poor for my 20month old. I was then introduced to the mountain buggy duet - ooooooo - well, if money was no object then I would take a punt on it - but sadly life isn't like that! I like it because it's only 63cm wide - same as my single buggy so I know where I can fit with it! And our front door is only 70cm wide so I know I can get in the house no problem. However.........
I can't decide if I will need one or not? Part of me wants to see how I get on with a carrier & my single pushchair the order a double if I need one when new baby gets too heavy for carrying long periods - and by the will my 20 month be suitable for a buggy board?
i also really liked having my 20month old forward facing until she was 12 months or so - will I miss this with the new baby?
my car seat will clip onto my single but not to the Duet and don't want to fork out for new car seat.
if I'm out with my partner couldn't't we have a buggy each rather than one twin? I'm not sure how this would work practically?
is anyone able to help me with a little advice,/first hand experience so I can come to a decision?
thank you!

OP posts:

pramsgalore · 02/11/2011 20:43

i would say you would need a double, i would not have been with out my double i had the last 3 dcs less than 2 years apart and having a double was a life saver. have you looked at the b dual or the uppababy vista with rumble seat [theres a rumble seat on ebay at the moment] they will be coming to the uk soon, the vista has rave reviews on here. i would avoid the duet, they don't seem to have good reviews, look here for some good reveiws and pics of different doubles www.bestbuggy.co.uk/

pramsgalore · 02/11/2011 20:44

sorry thats less than 2 years apart between each of them

Original poster

TinyPenguin · 02/11/2011 21:09

have looked at b-dual - don't like it. I had a b-smart for a while & it was so heavy to push (we live up a steep hill).

the vista looks very similar to the b-smart, had a quick look at one in the shop - my dear 20month old refuses to sit in the lower seat - massive tantrum when faced with a Phil Ted's!

in the reviews I've read about the duet - the issues mentioned seem to be snags rather than major problems? Or can you point me in the direction of any further reviews?

lightweight/easy push is a major need for me - owing to the hills!

have seen best buggy site - spend nearly every night on there! :-)

OP posts:

Original poster

TinyPenguin · 02/11/2011 21:11

have looked at b-dual - don't like it. I had a b-smart for a while & it was so heavy to push (we live up a steep hill).

the vista looks very similar to the b-smart, had a quick look at one in the shop - my dear 20month old refuses to sit in the lower seat - massive tantrum when faced with a Phil Ted's!

in the reviews I've read about the duet - the issues mentioned seem to be snags rather than major problems? Or can you point me in the direction of any further reviews?

lightweight/easy push is a major need for me - owing to the hills!

have seen best buggy site - spend nearly every night on there! :-)

OP posts:

pramsgalore · 02/11/2011 21:24

all i can advise is when looking always go for large wheels as they are easier to push with the weight, i am afraid no double pushchair is light to push and up a hill, but i have found side by sides the lightest, but they would not fit through your door, well apart from the duet which would, maybe it is personal choice, i know the hole in the hood has been resolved and has now gone/being replaced, but the build quality on the mountain buggys and p&t's is not what it used to be.

Tiggywunkle · 02/11/2011 22:31

First of all I have a 21 month gap and believe me there will be many times where you are grateful for having a double pushchair to strap your child into. Only now, a year hence, am I starting to consider a buggy board. Yes we do sometimes take two singles, but one double is actually much less hassle.

I had the Duet and yes there are loads of little issues, but I had one big one. It was too heavy to push. This was partly because the pushchair pulled to the side of my eldest child which meant I was constantly pulling it back into line. But also for whatever reason pulling the pushchair back into line or something was causing me issues and I ended up with agonising back ache and couldn't walk easily for several days. The handle is pretty low (it looks high) but I dont think it was due to just that fact. It must have been the weight as well. It may feel light to start with but believe me, mine isn't. And yet I was playing with an Air Buggy Mimi today and that really is very light to push. I could spin it round on the spot with both children in and on gravel! The Nipper is very light too. But both of those are too wide for your door.

The Vista with Rumble seat works well with the children facing each other.
Also bear in mind that say with a P&T's (not that I like them) the older child starts out on the top for six months rather than the bottom. Six months can change their views on the world dramatically. My DD hated lower seats and now I can't get her out of them! She also hated not being sat upright and now will choose to be reclined! With the B-Dual the baby is better in the bottom to start with.

Its your choice but a tandem that converts to a single would give you options, and believe me 2 year olds have minds and directions of their own that 20 month olds dont!

codandchipstwice · 03/11/2011 08:22

and don't forget p and t resale value pretty good so if in a few months you find it's not working you will barely lose out, if at all (and you can get some great second hand ones on ebay). I would often use the p andt and sling the baby anyway, but then had somewhere to carry all the stuff, and it was pretty easy to push with the sling on. I also had a maclaren techno for when I was sure I would be fine with just the sling, and that was easy to push wearing bubs. As to buggy board it depends on the child, my first was fine at 22 months - I wouldn't trust DC3 and nearly 3.

Original poster

TinyPenguin · 03/11/2011 19:07

thanks for your replies - just wondering about p&t - when new baby is 4 months I anticipate moving on from the carrycot/front toddler seat position as this is when my 1st outgrew carrycot, so - I think the lower seat seems too upright fir a baby - and would want them reclined in the top - which would leave hardly any room for toddler in lower seat? What are your experiences?

I love the nipper and am gutted it won't fit through front door! Tiggy - do you find all side by sides pull to the side of the heavier child?

OP posts:

Tiggywunkle · 03/11/2011 20:30

No, not at all. Just the Duet as a side by side and the City Select as a tandem. Everything else is fine. Its hard when a pushchair pulls to one side because you are using your arms, back and shoulders to pull it constantly back into line. I went out with an Air Buggy Mimi yesterday and it was incredibly easy to push. The Duet was heavy.

Original poster

TinyPenguin · 05/11/2011 20:13

so..... I've ordered one - 63cm wide was just too good to miss - so will see I suppose! ;-)

OP posts:

mamaesi · 05/11/2011 20:56

tiggy, your experience is really putting me off, but I also still think after all considerations...thats its still the best for what I need...none of the doubles are perfect.

I need:
1.small/narrow, because of my doorway and getting around london, and on buses

suitable for a very large toddler, who still likes a recline option, and a newborn

my other choices are the peach, b-dual and uppababy vista with rumble seat...
but all of them don't seem great for a large toddler who is already nearly 14kg
which would you choose in this situation?

tinypenguin- please let me know how you get on with it

Tiggywunkle · 05/11/2011 21:14

Out of those choices, for me there is doubt the Peach. My second choice would be the B-Dual. I think the Duet, like the City Select is probably better with smaller children or twins where weight / weight distribution is less of an issue. The Rumble seat has no recline and is near enough bolt upright. It's really for a non napping toddler.

Ilikechicken · 05/11/2011 22:07

I may be the voice of dissent but I have a duet and I LOVE it. I am 5'4 and dh is 5'9. Both find handle fine. Way easier to push than p n t which is now on eBay! It's really easy to push and gets in every door. My toddler is 2 and fits in fine. Also the carry cot is lovely to have my baby facing me. I think it's great. And I like that my baby won't be staring at me upside down or on the 'parcel shelf'

Tiggywunkle · 05/11/2011 22:17

Let me just add, seat size was never an issue. It's the weight / weight distribution with older children. My Duet pulled so badly to the side my eldest was in that I hurt my back with me trying to keep it straight. I will be interested to hear how those with newborns are getting on 18 months hence. The City Select was amazing until again the weight of the children became too much.

Ilikechicken · 06/11/2011 09:55

I only have toddler and carrycot on at the moment but no issues on that front so far

Original poster

TinyPenguin · 06/11/2011 16:05

I'm imagining that in 18months my 20 month old will be walking longer distances & only hoping in the buggy when tired - as my nephew does, so hopefully based on ilikechicken's experience the duet will suit me fine. Hopefully it will hold some value for resale as well.
mamaesi - will let you know, it doesn't arrive with me until Dec (buggy.... And possibly baby!) though.

OP posts:

lateatwork · 11/11/2011 16:04

i have 6 week old twins and 3 year old (just). i have the duet. we started out having it configured with one carrycot and one seat as my normally scooting dd decided she was constantly tired so needed to sit. my dd is big. she is over a meter and weighs 18kg. my duet did not pull to one side when pushed. handle height fine (i am 175cm...5ft 10). but... it is big when folded- and heavy. the carrycots not easy to put on. the seat was small for dd- but she still managed to sleep in it. the hoods on the carryco dont fold back well. one of the seats broke at the stitching after a day. rain cover doesnt work well over single carrycot and seat. size wise... fab. fab. fab. fits onto london busses with one other single buggy but only through back doors. has fitted through all doors so far...

Lambethmum · 14/12/2011 14:02

Just wondering if Duet owners who are using one carrycot have come up with any solutions for how to cover up the toddler seat in rain? I've bought the buggy but baby isn't here yet, but I can see the storm cover is designed for two seats - has anyone tried a 'universal' plastic cover for the toddler seat when using one carrycot?

misdee · 15/12/2011 07:22

tiggy, am wondering if your duet was faulty as i remember u saying on the review that it didnt click in. if the frame was twisted ever so slightly, then that would cause pulling issues.

i have the duet, currently in use for a 3 year old and 11month old, and i love it. i have no pulling issues, even with one child in the duet.

i am debating getting the carrycot for the duet for when bubs arrives. and will be getting a throwover raincover from undercoverpvc on ebay for the other seat. i think a stabndard stroller one would fit ok.

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