M&P Sola, iCandy Cherry, or Babystyle Oyster?

[VeronicaSpeedwell]

First off, I know people have posed similar comparison questions before, and I have read and digested those threads, so this is really just trawling new wisdom and any advice you can all offer which is particular to what we need. I am 25 weeks with DC1 and really quite clueless.

The shortlist of three has come about because they tick all our boxes, which are:

• Carrycot option for tinies (I know you can get away without this on some - pushchairs, but we really want a proper carrycot at first)
• Not massive, but reasonably solid
• Reversible seat
• The option of using the chassis with a carseat, though I do think this would just be used for pretty rare swift errands.

We will mostly be using it around a pretty congested town, though might also want to do some longer walks on pavements and would hope to tackle outdoor walks on paths (think National Trust garden stroll rather than fell running). We're unlikely to be on public transport much, more likely to take it on trains than buses.

We were impressed by Which reviews of the Sola, but haven't been able to see it in the flesh yet. The only place we could get it, other than online, is about an hour's drive away. This in itself is a downside, because I worry about the inconvenience of either of those options if we have a problem with it. Our local Mothercare stock the Oyster, and we could get the iCandy from John Lewis with a 3 year guarantee.

The price difference between these isn't really material, though if two are equally good I wouldn't say no to some savings. We aren't really interested in any kind of pram kudos, and I think all of these look good enough for our requirements.

I'd definitey rate longevity and quality pretty highly -- we'd really like not to buy another pushchair for a good while. With that in mind, I'm probably most wary of the Oyster, having read lots of reviews of all three.

Any thoughts? I'd be really grateful for any views!

One of my biggest specifications is weight... I have pelvic / back issues so anything that pushes like a supermarket trolley is an absolute no :)

I don't think any of these would run badly for you. You may find the Strawberry fod useful because it will stand up as you fold ie no bending down. The Vista seat is also a good height off the ground for not having to bend. The Cherry chassis feels very light to lift though.

Soozy, you and I are now on the same track I think! I was supposed to go and play with some of these again this evening, but my back was too sore to face traipsing round a department store.

My 'local' pram shop is an hour away... finding the time, energy and right pain levels to cope with it is difficult! I have made so many poor decisions about prams and I need to get this one right.

We should compare notes Veronica :)

I will keep reporting .

Well, the Vista's out for us, it just felt altogether too big for the town we live in. I agree though that you get a lot for the money, and the carrycot is really beautiful. Personally I felt that heaving the chassis out of the boot would be a pain, though I haven't checked the weight. Somehow it just didn't 'suit' us. The Cherry is still in the running, though DH found it awkward getting the seat on, as it doesn't have anything to guide you in the right direction, and we actually ended up with the demo one wedged half on, which wasn't good. We'll revisit the Oyster this week. I like the slightly bigger back wheels, and the fact that you can put air tyres on those. I'm slightly put off by the shallowness and exposed natured the seat for a baby. Somehow the liners look a bit sweaty to me too, but that's probably my fevered imagination. Due at the end of May, so waiting for the Easywalker June is probably not realistic, and we want to reach a conclusion.

There is a trick with the Cherry. Because (unlike the Peach) the seat and rotate buttons are the same, its really easy to accidentally rotate the seat as you pull it off - even more so if you pull one side off cleanly first but the other is still stuck. The trick is to line the two parts of the line on top of the side piece up before you put them back on otherwise as I too discovered, you end up with the seat wedged on. I have been using the Cherry for a week now and apart from that I have had no problems at all. Its been really great.

Have a look too at the MyChild Pinto - I got ours out this weekend and I had forgotten how good it is. The fabrics aren't the best, but the spec is pretty good and its really easy to use. Its the same (different fabrics) as the John Lewis travel system if you have a JL near you. I am swapping to that tomorrow to use for the week just to check its all as easy as it seems!

I have to wait until the Easter Holidays before I get to 'play' and make a decision... I'm hoping MIL will look after my other DCs for the day and then me and DH can go off for the day and have a quiet lunch out too :)

Thanks for the Pinto tip Tiggy! I had a play with the JL one at lunchtime and was quite impressed, though it's a shame they only seem to sell it as a travel system with the car seat included, as I'd rather get that separately. Will show DH... The Cherry worked better once I followed your tip -- I really hadn't noticed those lines before, but I totally get your point about how the wedging happens because of potential confusion between the recline and release functions. I'm sure with long use you get the knack, but DH is troubled by it.

I am glad you had a look at the Pinto. I have put it in my car tonight to start using properly tomorrow - its had a short trip before now. I have one niggle about the Cherry and that is the brake. I have found it really hard to do and will feed this back to iCandy. I know its their entry level pushchair, but even with good shoes in, its hard to flick off again. But in all other respects I really like the Cherry. I notice the Apple has the same style of brake too.
I have to say, I am struggling to pick one pushchair that I think stands out...I think the Mamas and Papas Urbo is one I want to have a good look at next week - that or the Silvercross Surf - but I am struggling with the poor storage on the latter, plus although the chassis folds small, the seat unit doesn't squash flat and is awkward to store.

I'm not keen on that style of brake either, actually -- the lever you can operate from the top seems much better.

Poor storage is a deal breaker for us I think!

LOL. I am worrying that I am pushing it hard enough to engage as well though.
The Pinto and I are getting on quite well at present. I love the one handed seat removal and easy drop back on, the huge massive basket, the tall handlebar, good seat recline, fairly decent hood, magnetic peekaboo window, adjustable footrest, easy click on and off brake. Even the fold which I thought was a bit OTT with three steps is really simple and easy to do and the chassis locks into place easily. My minus points are the flexible footrest which is an issue for my 3 year old but not for my 19 month old, and the straps aren't terribly long - again fine for my 19 month old but not for the 3 year old. Its a bit of a hard ride but its doing quite well all round.

Meanwhile I have had the Sola and Urbo out this afternoon. I definitely warm to the Urbo more than the Sola. They are very similar in characteristics though. I dont like the way on both when you pull the hood up, the seat back comes up too. Both seats are fairly low. The Urbo feels more substantial as well as feeling neater. But there isn't much in them size wise. The finish on my Urbo is much nicer - leather finish to the handlebar and bumper bar, satin feel seat, but the Sola is much cheaper feeling with sponge handle and fabric covered bumper bar and poorly lined hood - but that could well be an option rather than an issue. The hood on the Urbo is much more sturdy - it feels flimsy on the Sola. The nice thing about these two M&Ps is that the seat does lie flat - rather than being a bucket shape that tilts back. The seats have been easy to turn around and they are both easy to fold and unfold (well my Urbo is a bit stiff but I think thats through lack of use). I am not really a Sola fan even after another play, but I do like the Urbo just because it feels a bit more substantial.

Just wanted to add I've got the cherry (which I love) we have flown with it without any problems. Just told the check in agent that it would need an extra label as it folded in 2 parts.

HTH

I don't have wide experience, but I have a Sola, or rather I am now on my third Urbo/Sola as the wheel falls off. (Urbo and Sola are both very similar M&P designs). Customer service from Mamas and Papas has been a nightmare. When the Sola works I don't have a problem with it (as long as you don't by the footmuff), but I've had nightmare experiences being stranded at the shops and then lots of stress dealing with M&P customer service. I totally regret buying it.

Also - the Urbo has a brake that is painful to use in open shoes.

I have to say the Pinto and I got on very well last week. It's really easy to use. I loved that I could fold it almost stood up so it was then easy to put in the car. The huge basket was great. I think I said all the good bits earlier, so won't repeat myself. The fabrics aren't the best but aren't bad and it's all nicely finished. The JL travel system version fabrics may be nicer? It was a relatively hard ride and not quite as responsive as say the Cherry. But all round I was very impressed and would recommend it. There was nothing niggly this week apart from the points above with my 3 year old who really shouldn't have been in the seat anyway!!
I should really have put the Urbo or Sola in the car for you this week, but the Buzz got voted in instead!!

Do these photos help at all? The Sola, Urbo and Cherry are all here.
This is the empty pushchair set.

Ooh thanks for all the updates! I am actually on holiday right now, with dire 3G reception, so can't post much or open photos. But I look forward to checking if all out when I'm back on Monday .

Happy Holidays :) I have lots to show you. I am using the Urbo this week and am liking it....but it's early days :)

Right, I'm back. I'm surprised to find deletions. Were the Cherry enthusiasts dodgy characters?! Anyway, thanks so much for all the photos, Tiggy, your children are real stars I must say. I think we have decided to go for the Oyster DH has an issue with the way the Cherry works, and the Oyster just seems to do everything we want for a really good price. We'll invest in the air tyres to give us a bit more freedom out and about. I'm encouraged to see that there's been lots of positive Oyster chat on this board since I've been away, and really we're not going to be able to be any more sure until we actually have this baby. Now we just have to decide what colour . Thanks a million to everyone, and especially Tiggy, for all the advice it's been beyond valuable .

I am glad you have made a decision. I think the Oyster is a thoroughly useful little pushchair, and the more I use the others, the more I appreciate it. Happy colour choosing! Enjoy!