Note: This topic is for discussing pushchairs. Read our round up of the top pushchairs to find out which ones were awarded Mumsnet Best.
Note: This topic is for discussing pushchairs. Read our round up of the top pushchairs to find out which ones were awarded Mumsnet Best.
Pushchairs
Bugaboo Donkey, I-candy Peach or BJ GT double? Please help!
notso · 13/06/2012 16:11
Currently using and loathing a hastily bought B-Dual for an 18 month old and an 8 week old and have reached the end of my tether it is just so heavy so it and my beloved Cameleon are going and I'm going to buy...?
Any advice appreciated.
TIA
Tiggywunkle · 13/06/2012 16:24
Three very different pushchairs! But three of the best.
Fundamentally which do you prefer, a tandem or a side by side?
I do also have concerns that if the B-Dual is heavy to push now with a nearly newborn and young toddler that you may also ave unrealistic expectations that a double would be light to push. The B-Dual is certainly not at the heaviest end of the scale to push. However I do think again the three pushchairs you have chosen are lighter but not by huge amounts. Side by sides are usually lighter to push anyway although the Peach Blossom is excellent too.
I think the choice needs to be made based on more information eg where do you go? what do you do? do you put the pushchair into a car and would size / weight to lift matter? Do you go off road? Do you need a travel system option? Is parent facing important? Do you need basket space?
cairnterrier · 13/06/2012 16:26
Have a look at the P and Ts Promenade as well. New to the market and I love ours!
HappyCamel · 13/06/2012 16:29
Watching with interest, dd will be 20 months. At the moment I'm favouring the Bjcm double because I can't see how access to the lower (usually smaller) child works with the peach and I can't justify the donkey. I have an cherry at the moment though and love it, I wish iCandy would do a side by side!
Tiggywunkle · 13/06/2012 16:46
I think the youngest needs to go in the Peach Blossom 2 until 6 months and then you, or the child in our case, can choose who goes where.
Access isn't the best, but the ease of se, narrow size, neat fold etc carry a lot of weight. I don't have any problems putting my two into the lower seat of the Peach Blossom and when I remember I load the lower one in first before putting the top seat on.
The cons of the other two are that the Donkey is a piglet if you need to convert it. Sadly, I do, and it doesn't get any easier. I long for a huge hall to push it in in double mode and leave it up, and a car I can lift it in open. Folded its large, doesn't lock shut. It slides to the floor open if you don't fix the front wheels which then means you forget when you open and wonder why you can't move easily! It's got lovely big seats though. Looks gorgeous, is easy to push - but I wish my hand naturally went on the foam than the extension. The basket is shallow with the bar in the way - I can get more under the Peach.
I haven't properly used the BJCMGTD - I have seen and played several times, i have had the single GT and double BJCM and Elite and the GT seems to be a good compromise between the two. I woud certainly consider it for ease of use, good push, etc but it's a big chunk to lift into the car each time and the children are forward facing - but with the Peach I can hear my eldest chatting from underneath. With the double BJs, I had to keep running round to hear. But it's much easier to flick a pushchair out and go than mess with adaptors and seats.
I should add that the Jane Twone seems easy to push, small to fold etc too. I also love the Stroll Air MyDuo. I had the Aussie version and loved it. Well worth a look for easy to use plus it has air tyre options.
HappyCamel · 13/06/2012 16:49
Thanks for that Tiggy, it gives me lots of food for thought.
notso · 13/06/2012 17:05
Thanks for the quick replies.
I think my expectations are probably unrealistic with the weight, I do keep comparing everything to my Cameleon, however I have tried a friends peach with my children in and it definately feels better to push than the B-Dual. Is the PB2 still not out though?
I think I probably do prefer side by sides although I haven't owned one, it feels awkward getting 8 week old DS3 out of the lower seat.
I don't drive so only needs to go into the boot once or twice a week.
I do like parent facing especially for the youngest but have come to realise it's not as essential that they both see me all the time.
I off-road a lot (over fields and along muddy tracks) but also go into town regularly and school run everyday.
Space for shopping is a must.
Not bothered about adding a car seat but something removable, either a car seat or carrycot would be nice for toddler group as prams have to stay in the hall.
Tiggywunkle · 13/06/2012 20:28
The first PB2s were given out to JL customers this week.
Have you looked at the TFK Twinner Twist Duo which would be better for running with long term once the baby is over 6 months old. You can't run with the PB2 and I don't think the BJCMGT wheels are enough either. Maybe the BJ Elite or even a Nipper? The Nipper or TTD would feel the lightest though.
notso · 14/06/2012 16:27
Sorry Tiggy I think you misread, I do the school-run everyday not run everyday!!
TribbleWithoutACause · 14/06/2012 20:57
Nippers are a dream to push, I love my nipper single.
My friend has a honda jazz and can get hers in the boot folded.
holyShmoley · 14/06/2012 21:00
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
Ihateparties · 14/06/2012 21:25
I have a peach currently and recently had a b dual, at the risk of having things thrown at me although the peach is different to push and it could be argued easier I found the b dual really nice to push (think I must like something on the bouncier side, the suspension in the middle of the frame really worked for me) and I didn't find it noticably heavier than the peach.
I could push one handed when necessary, although not all the time and tipping up kerbs was easy. In the past I had a BJCMD and it was also nice to push, I think generally easier to handle than a tandem but wouldn't go into my house.
I find loading the lower child no problem in the Peach (or b dual for that matter) but haven't used the carrycot so not sure how that would be.
notso · 14/06/2012 23:22
I know what you mean about the suspension on the B-Dual Ihateparties, but I found the peach so much smoother.
I think I must be feeble though as I find it a real struggle getting up and down kerbs, and I find the second seat hits the kerb going down if I'm not careful.
I have had a go with the Donkey today and I do love it although it is a big fold and won't fit in the boot in duo mode but will in mono with room for a smaller single.
Mosman · 14/06/2012 23:29
If you do a lot of walking the Bertini or Emmaljunga twin prams are amazing for carrying all of your shopping, like a weeks worth in the basket and lots of suspension so comfortable and roomy for the children, will probably cost you under £75 off ebay.
Mosman · 14/06/2012 23:30
Can't beat them for off road either and at that price you could buy another fancy one for when you take the car or want to pose
ceeveebee · 14/06/2012 23:36
Sorry to hijack but I have a peach and find it really hard to get my twins into the lower seat unless I remove the top seat which is really impractical unless I am at home (eg baby asleep in top seat, baby hungry in bottom seat). How do you do it? Am I doing something wrong??
ceeveebee · 14/06/2012 23:38
Oh and there is zero storage space in the peach basket when you are using it as a double buggy, can just about fit my pacapod nappy pod and milk pod in there, not the whole bag (and can't hand bag over pram handle as it hits my knees due to position of lower seat)
Unless these have been fixed in the new version in which case ignore me
Tiggywunkle · 15/06/2012 00:55
LOL re the running! Sorry I did misread!!!
I have the Peach Blossom 2 and its no problem getting a child into the lower seat in the new version - there is more space between the seats. I also could get a weeks shopping on the Peach - about 4-5 full bags under the lower seat by reclining my baby pushing the shopping under - the new lower seat has a flexible footrest - and then reclining him back again. I also hang my large handbag with long strap so it sits underneath the lower seat using the hood of the lower seat to stop it sliding down. There's no doubt the new version is better.
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