Has anyone used the Buggypod Smorph 2 with the Baby Jogger City Mini?

[TartyMcFarty]

I'm considering this combo for newborn (in a carrycot or bassinet) and DD, who'll be 2.8. I'm loath to buy a double because I don't think we'll get the use out of it, and I want the newborn to be comfortable and facing me. A buggyboard seems out of the question to me, for safety reasons. Although DD is a good walker, she does dawdle and we live a 30min walk from town, so we'll need something.

It looks like we could get a lot of use out of this combination - DD's current buggy is a Britax B-lite which is pretty hopeless really, so it would be nice for her to use the Baby Jogger as a pushchair for the time being. Obviously if we buy this, the baby will have the pram and then a pushchair, whereas if we bought a double we'd be replacing with another single after about 6 months.

Two things are holding me back: mixed reviews of the Smorph 2, and the fact that though it's compatible with the City Mini, it compromises the secondary brake. So, anyone tried it?

Yes two buggy addicts from here bought them and both were back on EBay in days. I personally have heard nothing good about them - only stories if them collapsing when crossing the street / going up kerbs. Plus the wish is something around the 30cm mark which makes a single pushchair into a very wide double! Fine for walking but hopeless in shops. Honestly if you need a double then buy one wisely second hand and you will get your money back upon resale. Doubles often barely get used so there's some bargains to be had.

Any recommendations on a double, Tiggy?

With your age gap and second hand I would get a Peach Blossom. It shoud see you through at least 12 months and should resell for similar if you bought well.

I'm not keen on the idea of a tandem, and the product info recommends use only up to 3 yrs. DD is quite little, but I wonder if I'd get much use out of it, esp for those kinds of ££££££s.

Maybe a Baby Jogger or similar with carrycot, using a buggyboard and reins or baby in a sling depending on the weather and distance.

Otherwise, a double with some kind of carrycot insert (problem is that baby would have to face away from me).

I figured I'd not get much use out of a double.. tried to do it on the cheap etc. Didn't work cos turns out I walk everywhere and I needed something I could a- get in through the door and b - push without killing myself! Depends on your lifestyle but if you walk a lot then a buggyboard could potentially be very annoying if the buggy/board combo is a little off and also I found the hard little wheels on them drove me nuts! I have a buggyboard with a seat (google junior x rider) which is fab for the short smooth journeys but turns out not so good for loads of walking.

If width not an issue city mini doubles seem to re sell well and you can have a carrycot on the 2011 onward ones. Mountain Buggy Duet? Anything that's half decent seems expensive (to me anyway!) when you know with your age gap you'll not get years of use out of it but if you don't mind re selling it could be the way to go?

I've just noticed the Mountain Buggy +one which can be used as a single too - think that might be the (expensive) answer! Thanks for pointing me inB direction.

The +One works brilliantly for us. There's 2 ways to use it as a single too. The proper way which involves moving some clips and then you get the benefit of the full deep recline, or you can simply hide the rear seat by pulling up / zipping the fabrics and then you still get a partial recline. Either way the second seat is hidden. Its easy to slide the second seat pad either behind the front seat or in the basket in case you need it. I have to say I dont use the harness in the rear - its too low for me to access and DD can't escape any way. The only negative really is having to lift your toddler into the back as its quite high - but you can load the toddler in via folding the front seat down but that doesn't work later when they need a wee and the baby is asleep in the front!!

One aside, my +One and Frigg's both have D rings that are too small to convert into single mode easily - its a fault with the first batch. MB in NZ made me a little strap with two clips on either end which I posted through the D rings once and it is left in situ. At this stage you probably dont have a clue what I am talking about, but if you get a +One remember there is a fix :) But its a thoroughly good pushchair for an older toddler and a younger one.

Ooh, that sounds like the solution then. And of course I can use it before the baby arrives with DD Thanks for your input.

I know you have been told how bad the BuggyPod is but I can't stress how rubbish it is. I could cheerfully set it alight on the front path BUT I need the money so will sell it on to someone (poor person that buys it)

If it doesn't fit in a lift attached to the pushchair, you need to take child out, fold it up which takes a good minute (you have to remove the wheel!) then unfold and re-sit the child in. By the way they crotch dangle in it too so not terribly comfortable either.

On the plus side the manufacturers are lovely and so helpful (I needed another sized attachment for the buggypod) but the product is not good.

Tiggy has given you some good info so I hope you find something that works for you