I've fallen for the P&T Explorer - really that bad??

[ahhhhhpushit]

I've looked and tonnes of doubles and tandems and just keep on coming back to this.

Planning on getting (unless you wise MNers persuade me otherwise!!) the cocoon for the snuggly newborn stage and then the back seat for when baby big enough (if anything like DS, will be sitting up from 4/5 months).

I just love how they look, how the work, the size etc etc.

I know MNers hate them - why????!!!!!!!

Am I about to make a mistake??

i love my P&T's but found the cocoon to be a waste as DD1 was too big in 3 weeks. as for mistakes - I have sold 3 of them thinking I no longer needed it only to find I do still need it!

If you get an Explorer, do get a reclining doubles kit. You would certainly regret not doing so. The Hammerhead had a reclining doubles kit which fitted. The Sport had one that I think....fitted...but do Google and check.

Thanks for letting me know about the cocoon Hevster. DS1 was 9lbs is now 30lbs+ at 16m so if DC2 if anything like its brother then I guess the cocoon isnt gonna last 5 minutes!

Good tip about the reclining double Tiggy - will have a look into that.

I loved my p&t vibe, just parted with it very reluctantly as my eldest started ft school.

Brilliant pushchair!

Loved my Sport and loved the cocoon (but DS was tiny and born in snowy January.) I would get one second hand (the cocoon that is) although you can sometimes get some great new bundle deals.

Just about to post on this...

PS aaaahpushit, there is an amazing deal on in Boots on the Explorer, way cheaper than OPS even, around £319 I think. I did masses of research on where to buy which I can pass on if you need it. Currently looking for a Hammerhead seat, let me know if you find one anywhere?! They are hard to get hold of and about £80 it seems...
I have been using an old E3 seat, but weirdly it fits underneath but not on top with the elbows...?
With hindsight I think I should have bought a Sport.
Will post this in your thread too in case you are only watching that one!
x

Pps I do know people that used the cocoon and loved it, but personally it never worked for us (used it with our previous third hand E3) I always felt it wasn't snuggly enough and ended up using my Wallaboo footmuff or P&T sleeping bag instead. Now with the Ex I never felt comfortable carrying it by the straps with a baby inside either, it seemed too tippy.

Thanks Frustraaated! Great to know about Boots - will check that out!

Just make sure you buy some tough tyres (from any cycle shop) and replace them before you even think about taking it out for a spin.
Also, the hood on mine keeps sliding down (drives me demented) - just don't put anything in the hood pockets, not even a tissue!
Plus the straps which form the reclining mechanism are pretty long and dangle in the face of the child on the bottom seat.

Other than that, it's a fab buggy. I had a Sport once but got into a hissy fit when I had my 5 puncture in as many months and sold it. I went on to buy a side by side Baby Jogger City Mini but the wheels fell off (my luck?) and went back to a P&T. An Explorer this time.

Argh sorry, pressed post while in middle of amending my message. It was meant to read: "Now with the Explorer the baby feels well enclosed by the head end, so there is even less need for the cocoon IMHO. I never felt comfortable carrying..."

I am a childminder and bought the Phil and Teds Explorer as I thought it was the best option for the children I had on different days. ie. some days I might have 2 that needed to go in a buggy, other days just one. It meant I didn't need to have a double buggy and a single buggy.

I really love pushing it and it is fantastic for my job, but ......... it is so heavy to lift in to my car. I have a Volvo XC90 and the boot is higher than most people carrier eg espace, citroen. I am now having trouble with my shoulders from lifting it in and out of the boot.

I am now waiting for the Babystyle Oyster Max to see what that's like and if its lighter will definitely be selling my Phil and Teds and buying it.

If you don't have to keep lifting the pushchair in and out of a boot, I would definitely recommend the Explorer. If I didn't have to use the car for the school run, there would be no issue in me keeping it.

Frazzlerock, the hood issues have now been sorted and if you contact P&T or your supplier they will send you out a new free one! Also older frames because of a brake issue... Good for if you want to sell it at any point?! Have a look on their website.
Haven't had the tyre issue yet... Oh joy to come. Will take it to bike shop ASAP. Did you get new tyres or just the anti puncture gel?

Also, sorry!!, it isn't very stable with the car seat on when you are on a camber... But I think that is similar with a lot of buggies. Not great for your back though...

I loved mine when I needed a double for 2 of mine, it still comes out for long walks as it's great on uneven terrain, didn't realise people disliked it. My ds lasted in the cocoon for 6 months, but he is small.

Oh, just realised I have the classic, not explorer, ignore me.

Frustraaated - The brake is hopeless but I thought that might have something to do with the tyres I replaced as they are bigger? I asked in Mothercare about getting the brake sorted (as I'd heard about this prob) and they wanted a receipt which I can't find anywhere! (I'm an idiot)

I had no idea about the hood issues either... Thought I was just unlucky.
I suppose they'll want the receipt for that too

I've used the gel stuff before in the Sport I had. It was crap and leaked everywhere. I bought brand new tyres for this one, having learnt my lesson! I've had to remove the wheel guards as they are slightly bigger mind...

Frazzlerock - no, you don't need a receipt I don't think. You can contact P&T directly via their website.

They had brake issues with the first batch of Explorers, if your serial number on the frame is below a certain number they just send out a new frame directly, there is a form on their website here:
philandteds.com/recalls-nz#exhh

you just give them the serial number and your address. having said that, mine was supposed to be the new frame and I still had issues ...
If you also send them an email about the hood and explain that Mothercare aren't being v helpful they will prob send you a new hood.
Hope this helps xx

Ah thanks Frustraaated!

Ps. Don't understand why mothercare are being so picky about the receipt since it is no skin off their nose if a new hood is sent out... A friend did it via them and it took them one phone call to sort it. That was back in Jan, but she only got a new hood at the beginning of this month because they were low on stock ... She did at least get one though and she says it has made all the difference, her old hood fell off all the time, new one hasn't come off once.

Woooo! Replacement P&T frame arrived today. It was pretty easy to take apart/put back together too. I now have a brake that works and a brand new frame. Thanks for the heads up Frustraaated!

I've loosened the screws on the bits that hold the hood on so hopefully it should stop sliding down. We shall see....

Now I want nice clean mould free covers...