Talk to me about the B Dual...

[SickOnMyShoulder]

pros and cons, and if it is suitable for a small and light 2 year old and a newborn (and a mummy who loves her city mini single but longs for a rear facer!) Also looking at city mini double (which won't solve my longing for a parent-facing pram...) or city select (a lot more cash).

See my post below on the City Select! I'd avoid it.

I have the 2009 model of b-dual bought jan 2010. I LOVE the pushchair. I refuse to buy a lighter single.

Cons:
It is high and wide. But this has never been an issue for me. I had a newborn and a heavy 2.4 yr old. It was heavy to push.

Pros:
Lovely big seats. Back lower seat lies flat so perfect for newborn. Can take a buggy board. Main seat faces parent (love this - didnt have it with my first pushchair).

I would say that you couldnt have the main seat facing you in doubles mode (well not 2009 model anyway) as there is not enough room for the child in the second seat. The shopping basket is huge. The pushchair feels very stable. The hood on the main seat is large and great for keeping the sun off the baby/child in it.

I used the second seat for my newborn dd and bought a second hand soft carrycot for her. I stopped using the pushchair for ds when he was 2.7ish and got a buggy board. I still use it for dd aged 1.

Also I remember looking at the city select and if I remember rightly its very long...

The B-Dual is actually longer than the City Select - See here for side by side photos of the two.
But as Craving Sunshine says, the City Select is fab apart from the weight distribution which starts out fine with a newborn but slowly gets heavier until it may well hurt.
The B-Dual is a great all round pushchair except it may not give you the parent facing you want unless your toddler compromises and semi reclines. Its a bit easier with the car seat on top but thats not recommended for long periods of time. I like the B-Dual except for the seating positions of the children. Its got a bit of everything though - nice to push, one piece fold, good storage, good hoods, good off road, bumper bar, adjustable handlebar, suspension etc.
Have a look at the Kidz Kargo Duellette - or even the Smyths Dimples version which from the photos looks like it may have a drop down lie flat seat at the top - ihateparties and I puzzled over it last night and would love to know more. The Duellette has a lovely parent facing option and both children facing option which I really liked.

I've just bought a b-dual for my 2.5 yr old and baby and so far so good. I didn't get a carrycot but put baby(small 12 wks) in with a cosytoes, which is fine. Have also had her the top with nothing once I've dropped dd2 off.
Was a bit appalled by the weight initially but think all doubles are heavy. Top seat very easy to take on and off and change front to back facing. The shopping basket is decent even with both seats, the bottom seat is a little harder to move but still fine and you can fold it with bottom seat attached.
Haven't really put oldest in the bottom as have the cosytoes in, but she could fit. Both seats go fully flat which is good.