Best P&T for our kids?

[MommyMaggie]

Currently we have a Carena Double Swing for my 2,5-year-old and 1-year-old. I'm not sure it's even available in the UK, but it looks a lot like Mountain Buggy Duo - the one built sideways.

We are moving to London and we need something a lot smaller/narrower, so I've been looking for the "perfect" double/tandem buggy for us. I'm leaning towards a P&T, since I've heard most London parents use them. We will probably buy a used one.

The "problem" is that there are so many to choose from! I can't seem to find any good information which would suit our needs. Most reviews are written from a toddler+infant point of view and I don't care about the cocoons/peanuts etc since I don't need them.

So, which one is best and why?

I would like a model with...

• the possibility to recline the back seat.
• the longest possible back seat, so that both of them can sit there
• possibility to hang a small bag somewhere (on the side or on the back seat)
• the smallest possible foot print, so that we will fit on the bus or tube
• a double rain/wind cover

Both kids weight the same (11,5 kg), but the older one is 90 cm tall and the younger one is 80.

First of all have have a look here and then under the tandem section. I have to say, P&Ts have a reputation for being small and neat but they are actually relatively long. A B-Dual has a smaller footprint and more space for two older children. content/uploads/2011/11/tn_P1340209.jpg This is my just 3 year old in the Verve. Look how squashed her feet are. I struggled to lift her through the chassis etc. The Sport is supposedly the one with most space but I think the B-Dual, Hauck Duett or Kidz Kargo Duellette are better options.

Sorry the second link didn't work:
www.bestbuggy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/tn_P1340209.jpg

You may also want to look at the Mountain Buggy +One if your eldest doesn't nap. It's very neat - like a large single. It's not without compromises ie upright rear seat, slight recline on front seat, but we are approx 6 months on from you and it's working fantastically well for us.

Hi Tiggy and thank you! You have also answered my other thread about the best tandem for London :)

I felt like the B-Dual was too heavy and bulky when we tried it in the store. I didn't like the P&T either, but the one we looked at was a Classic. Then I read that the majority of London parents use P&T and it kind of changed my mind about it.

How tall is your three-year-old?

The +one is our favorite so far (thanks to you), but the eldest still naps and I'm guessing he will continue to need his nap time a couple of more months, maybe a year. Sometimes he sleeps 3 hours during the day...

I was thinking of getting a P&T and use it until he stops napping (or maybe longer if I like it) and then buy a MB+one instead. Do you happen to know where I can find some pics of the +one? When I google it there only seems to be two or three pics of it with 2 children in.

My 3 year old at the last look was about 103cms. But I need to remeasure her! She wont be far off though.

The +One is fab....just be aware of the limitations ie upright back seat etc. I have a head / neck support that I want to try with my eldest and that may work. It also depends when you go out - I mean if I go out in the morning I know my baby wont usually nap. Look here under the green reviews and information tab in the middle of the page for lots of photos of the children in the +One. Scroll right down!! I like ours for shopping too - I can get tons and tons of shopping in the rear section. I push them both to the supermarket and then get my toddler out at the check out and she walks or scoots home!!

if you are buying new the classic or the explory are the ones i would be looking at, aviod at all costs the verve and i would also not recommend the vibe, if looking at buying second hand i would be looking at the sport v1 or v2 it makes no odds really, the sport as far i am aware has never had any recalls or known issues, i have owned 2 sports and never encountered a problem, however i have owned a verve and encountered several major problems and sent it back for a refund, it was unrepairable and mine was not a one off case, also encountered issues with the vibe and mine was also not a one off, the explory, dash, hammerhead have all had recalls so i would avoid buying these second hand, however i do believe the new ones have had all the issues ironed out now hth

Tiggywunkle: I love the +one! Thank you for the link, I had totally missed it while looking on that page. As soon as the eldest stops napping we will look at this option and try it out in a store. Although there is another problem - the poking, kicking and pulling the hair of the younger one in the front. If we would get the +one now it wouldn't work. They fight all the time...

OnePramWoman: Thanks for sharing! We will most probably buy a used one, so I'll be looking for the Sport model. I like the Vibe looks though, but if it's like you say and it has a lot of faults (which ones exactly?) then we'll skip it. Have you experienced any cons with the Sport? How tall were your kids when you used it? Is there a canopy for the back seat? Gosh, so many questions

Oh, OnePramWoman, I almost forgot. If we would buy a new one - why are the Explorer and Classic the best choices?

my kids are short, so can not help you there, have never had a second seat canopy, the vibe had a front wheel issue it shock badly, was a known fault but a known fault you only found out about when you had the problem and reported it, but i have heard of many issues, i sold mine as soon as it was returned from getting repaired. i would look at the explorer and the classic from new as the space between the front and rear seats will be like the sport , i think the explorer is the new sport, the vibe back seat is also difficult for a child to get in and out of.

Hi mommy I've got my 1 and 2.5 yr old in a p+t sport. The back seat reclines, there's no hood on the back but it does have a double wind and rain cover. I just hang bags off the handle bar using a random strap that came with the buggy (it probably has a proper purpose but I've never worked it out!). There are saddle bag type things too but Ive never used them. I've seen my neighbours 4yr old in the coveted back seat of their sport though she did look a bit squashed!

I love it and use it on buses all the time and it can squeeze in tight corners really well. The only downside is I find a bit too heavy to bump down stairs now and a bit unstable on the escalators which makes tube journeys difficult.