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Pushchairs

Join our Pram forum for pram advice. Plus read our round up of the best pushchairs currently available.

Bugaboo Bee v Uppababy Vista or Cruz v BJ City Versa v Babystyle Oyster

19 replies

minipie · 02/07/2012 13:08

More help please! I posted a week or so ago when I had no idea and got some great advice. I've now done some more research and think I have narrowed the choice down to these five (!). Would really welcome your views on the pros and cons of each.

We are city based and don't use the car much. Will use buses and tubes occasionally but not often. I will be doing lots of walking. We don't need to fold the pushchair often as we can keep it unfolded at home easily. Budget is pretty flexible.

My must-haves are:

  • very easy and light to push (I am small, and weak!)
  • very manoeuvrable
  • good on lumpy city pavements/kerbs (no need for off road though)
  • small and narrow (so I can get it through doorways/in shops etc)
  • extending handles (I am 5'3 DH is 6'3)
  • will last well into toddlerhood (so, adjustable size seat is good)
  • will take a buggy board
  • will fit into Golf boot when folded (but won't be folded often)

For comparison, I tried a friend's Bugaboo Cameleon at the weekend and it felt quite large and bulky to me. So I'm definitely looking for something smaller than that.

I also tried a friend's Bugaboo Bee and liked it, but am put off by tales of shimmying wheel and other quality problems - have these been fixed in later models does anyone know?

Other options I considered: I wrote off the iCandys because they seem quite heavy/bulky and don't take a buggy board. I wrote off the Mutsy Evo because it's on the wide side and I can't find a stockist near me. I wrote off the Stokke Xplory ... can't remember why!

All views very welcome!

OP posts:
Tiggywunkle · 02/07/2012 14:45

Easywalker June ;)

minipie · 02/07/2012 14:52

Eeek not another option Tiggy! I wrote the June off because the bestbuggy website said it was heavy... is that not true?

Also I would prefer not air tyres, don't want to have to worry about keeping them pumped up.

Go on, convince me... what's it got that the others don't? Grin

OP posts:
Tiggywunkle · 02/07/2012 17:46

No, no, no don't write the June off. Its a nice weight slaps the BB writers hands for putting you off because for me the Bee is too light but the Strawberry is verging to the heavier side. Its probably a perfect weight TBH. But the June looks tiny and light and I think that when you actually feel it, its heavier than you think IYKWIM??

Weight in kgs bears no relation to pushability though....and I can't answer how that, or say the Strawberry or the Versa all compare because I haven't had any long term as yet.

I don't like air tyres too but there's always Slime...

OK....sooooo what are the options:

Bugaboo Bee v Uppababy Vista or Cruz v BJ City Versa v Babystyle Oyster

Bee - very light - highly manoeuverable - a bigger chunk that you think folded in your car boot. Good basket. Good upright sitting position. I don't like the baby in a Cocoon in winter - the seat is very exposed and the hood is too high to really protect. For me its fab for an older baby. But I know many do use the Bee and love it. Good seating positions and I love the super adjustable seat.

The Vista - an even bigger chunk when folded - pretty tall / long. Will it fit in your car boot? But top of the range, great functionality and spec. Very good. But I don't like the way it looks. Because of this, I have a Cruz on order and I hope that I will like it better because its a bit smaller and neater but yet seems to have a lot of the advantages (except the bigger wheels) of the Vista. But TBH I totally appreciate the features of the Vista, value for money, lovely carrycot etc.

The Versa - the Versa v's the June is my nemesis at present. Both on paper and IRL seem to be the perfect pushchair. The Versa I have been very hands on, know how easy it is to fold. Its got a huge seat, huge hood, huge basket etc etc etc - all tick boxes for me. The only thing I can fault it on, is that it is a huge metre long - maybe over without looking it up. Thats a long pushchair. It shouldnt bother anyone unless you go on a bus though....and even then may not because you can scoop the child out with one arm, and fold the pushchair neatly with the other hand making it easy peasy.

The June for me has the edge - its smaller, neater, huge seat, my eldest looked super comfy when facing both ways. I can not speak for how a baby sits though - I know not all seats are suitable for both a baby and a toddler - but hopefully its fine. It seems very strong and durable and I just like the neat look of the June and the way the hood slides behind the seat and the customisability ie changing hood and liner colours. I prefer the extending rather than rotating handle - again personal preferance. But I haven't been as hands on and I couldn't find the seat recline when I looked for it - its under the front somewhere!

I think there isn't much in any of these though. I am looking forward to either the June or Versa replacing my Bee though - the Bee is just too light for me and for example this weekend we got invited to a party where we had to first go through woods, then on really thick stones, and then across soft wet grass - and its somewhere we wouldn't normally go but we had to - and honestly I was glad the Bee didn't come. It wouldn't have coped. Normally we are on smooth pavements. At least the June or Versa would cope with anything life throws at you. The Vista would too, I am less sure about the Cruz.

The Vista to me feels bigger than the Cameleon. The Bee feels smaller but actually fills my car boot more than the Cam. The Versa I think will feel bigger than the Cam, just because of the build and colour. The Cruz and June I think will feel smaller. I have just paid for my June today :) and I am hoping DH is going to buy me my (2nd) Cam for my birthday this weekend. I miss it!

At the end of the day its personal preference though :)

Ihateparties · 02/07/2012 19:26

I seem to remember the versa is also heavy. Oh and if the Mutsy Evo is too wide then so is the Vista, which is 63cm I think. The Versa said it will be 56 but I measured it at 59 :-S

My preference out of the above is the June, even though it wasn't on your list! It's so small and neat yet does everything, if it turns out to be as good as it might potentially be then I can see it being a realistic birth to 3plus years job. I wouldn't go for air tyres really either out of choice but it this case I will make an exception Grin

minipie · 02/07/2012 19:32

Thank you so much! Gosh you really are the pram guru

Ok, the June is on the list.

That puts me off the Versa a bit, the length issue - I really want something that feels small and fits in small spaces.

That also puts me off the Vista if you say it's bigger feeling than the Cameleon (but the Cruz may be smaller as you say).

Hmm interesting point about baby in winter in a Cocoon. I do have a slight preference for one with a carrycot as it could be useful as an overnight moses basket at the PILs etc. That probably pushes the Bee down the list slightly.

Not so worried about the all terrain ishoos though - we really are very city based...

I agree with you about extending vs rotating handle, will have another look to see which are extending and which are rotating, didn't check that before. That may bump a few options higher/lower.

Sooo... winning at present (subject to handle check) are the June and the Cruz, and maybe the Bee if I find the June/Cruz are too heavy.

Any thoughts on the Oyster? I think I saw you say on another thread it wasn't great quality...

Oh and what on earth is Slime? Grin

Thank you!

OP posts:
minipie · 02/07/2012 19:34

cross posted Ihateparties

your post has confirmed that the Vista and Versa are out, and that the June is on the list.

So, two off the list and one on... that's progress of sorts Grin

OP posts:
Ihateparties · 02/07/2012 20:10

I too prefer an extending handle, the feel of it. Can't remember if the Versa rotates, I seem to think that it does?

Waiting to see the exact measurements of the Versa, Best Buggy has the 56.5cm. I measured it when we saw it because due to my obsession with width I felt that it looked bigger than that. Don't quote me on this but I will be interested to see when it actually comes out. I suppose for now we should believe the offical stats and put it at 56.5 Wink

I'm trying to think if there's anything we've forgotten. I've not has a oyster but Tiggy has and I'm sure she thought it was pretty good (but preferred the Mutsy Evo in the end). In a way it does sort of sound like the Cruz might suit you quite well too but I'm not sure if it's really narrow or just gives the impression of being. Narrow in my head is why a lot of people have Bees, narrowest parent facer (to my knowledge.. please someone come along and correct me or I'm gonna end up ordering things from china Blush)

Tiggywunkle · 02/07/2012 23:00

Yes the Versa handle rotates. A rotating handle isn't a bad thing especially if there are lots of stopping points. It does depend on the pushchair.

In some ways I wouldn't totally rule the Versa out as yet - if you can get to see one when they arrive in August then the ease of use and huge basket are good selling points as well as that fabulous fold in either direction.

I have had an Oyster and I did prefer the Evo - my ideal though would be the Mutsy Evo (4 seating positions including lie flat and bolt upright) on the Oyster frame (extending handle and more enclosed basket and not as wide). The seating position for me is critical though and if my child(ren) don't sit correctly then nothing else really matters. I would rather put up with width or other issues to have them sat right.

ihateparties is queen of narrow pushchairs! To be honest, width has never really mattered to me although to be fair, when I meet a wide or long pushchair, I do notice!!

minipie · 03/07/2012 17:23

Ok that's another nail in the Versa coffin then - large and wrong sort of handle. I'm not wooed by the fold as we'll very rarely fold it I reckon.

I would presume that the rotating handle makes it more difficult to use a buggy board... is that right?

Will go and check the others on the list for extending vs rotating

Narrow and short is important - or at least narrow and short feeling even if it actually isn't, if that makes any sense! I am tiny and don't want to be dominated by my pushchair Grin also am hoping to spend a fair bit of time going in and out of coffee shops small spaces while on maternity leave.

Sooo what's wrong with the Oyster seating position?

Thanks again - you are both so helpful!

OP posts:
minipie · 03/07/2012 19:36

Found another option... the Joolz Day.

Thoughts??

OP posts:
KosherBacon · 03/07/2012 19:48

I looked at the Joolz Day over the weekend. The seat has to be taken off the base for it to be folded up to go in the boot and I think the wheel base is about the same size as the Cameleon.

PrincessOfChina · 03/07/2012 19:53

I'm no expert but like to sing the Oyster's praise when I get the opportunity.

It is light, pushes well, has height adjustable handles, the carrycot was lovely when DD was teeny and the seat well padded for an older baby. It a lot of pushchair for the price IMO.

KosherBacon · 03/07/2012 19:57

I also forgot to ask, how much does the Easywalker June cost, including the CarryCot? I can't find it online and there aren't any stockists near me with it on their website.

minipie · 03/07/2012 20:27

Hmmm if the wheel base is same size as the Cameleon that probably makes the Joolz Day a bit big. It looks smaller though... maybe it's the rounder rather than the squarer buggy shape...

Princess any issues with the seating position in the Oyster? And any quality/stuff breaking issues? Those are my reservations...

www.bestbuggy.co.uk has prices for the Easywalker June on I think.

OP posts:
Tiggywunkle · 03/07/2012 21:42

RRP is £679.98 for the silver chassis and carrycot. The carrycot comes with a raincover but the pushchair raincover is a separate cost.

minipie · 04/07/2012 11:05

Anyone seen the Oyster Max in the flesh? Looks good on line, I like the option to convert to a double.

OP posts:
Tiggywunkle · 04/07/2012 11:26

Yes I have had a play but thats all. Its not due here until the end of the year though....I dont know when you are due.

minipie · 04/07/2012 12:05

7 December so end of year is a bit late! Thanks.

I think I need to rope DH into some buggy shop visits. Might as well wait a few weeks till the Cruz is in though. I still can't find anywhere in London that is going to stock the Easywalker June... have emailed them to find out.

OP posts:
PrincessOfChina · 04/07/2012 18:05

No quality issues here, and the seat has always been as flexible as we've needed it to be. It doesn't lie flat but it doesn't pretend to. My one complaint is the basket - it's awkward when the seat is front facing.

I will admit having switched to a Silver Cross Zest or LittleLife backpack now DD is 17 months. She is a very confident walker though so walks most places and we can carry the pushchair or backpack easily.

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