Pushchairs: Where to buy? Which one to buy?

[f1silver]

My husband and I are finally starting our pushchair/travel system (to be honest i don't understand the difference) search. I am due early November and it seems these things need to be ordered fairly quickly in order to be available by then. What we're stuck on is where do we go where we can see a large variety of pushchairs on display? We live in South East London and don't have a car. We've spent several weekends already attempting different Mothercare stores but none of them seem to have a large variety of brands (certainly not the ones we really want to check out). So my first question is, where do parents-to-be go for good displays?

We our basically city folks so don't necessarily need an all-terrain type. In fact we prefer a compact pushchair that folds small, has a reversible seat, and can fold with the seat on. We live in a small flat and will have to keep folding the system all the time to be able to squeeze it in the storage cupboard. We don't own a car but will get a car seat for the few times we do rent a car to go out of town. Also, I have a few long haul trips planned for the first year so it would be handy if I can get an opinion on traveling with the pushchair.

Our short list (with comments) is as follows:

1. Bugaboo Bee (have seen) - I personally don't like how low it is
   
2. Babystyle Oyster (have seen) - Won't fold with seat on according to the Mothercare assistant
   
3. iCandy Strawberry (haven't seen) - I understand the seat unit is from 6 months?
   
4. Maxi Cosi Elea (haven't seen) - for the life of me I can't find it on display anywhere
   
5. Jane Muum (haven't seen) - I'm very interested in this but can't find any reviews or a shop that displays it
   
6. Easywalker June (haven't seen) - just discovered it but can't find any reviews or shops
   
7. Uppababy (haven't seen) - we are very much inclined towards the Vista but want to try the Cruz as well. Do you know how long is the waiting time for this? Also, can the Vista be folded with the bassinet on?
   

Apologies I do realise this is one long post, but any help will be appreciated.

[Diamond7]

I went to see the cruz at Tommys in Peckham today and loved it. The suspension is the same as the Vista. Reviews on the vista are brilliant, it's just too big.

Loved the higher seat hight of the cruz and the massive basket. I also liked the fact we don't need a bassinet. All push was lovely, not quite as good as the chameleon but still nice. It probably won't be as good on all terrains due to smallish wheels but definitely better than some, bugaboo bee and this is the compromise to get a smaller, lighter urban pushchair.

With regard to the weight. I can easily carry it, found it very light.

Loved it, just wish the did more colours. And it's only £350 at huggles in nw3 and I think Tommy's will price match.

Sorry this is reviving an older trend.

[Diamond7]

Sorry just spotted lots of typos and it doesnt completely make sense. Should have re read before posting!

[Diamond7]

Cruz order time at Tommy's is 6-8weeks.

[Diamond7]

Last thing, You can also fold the cruz with the seat in rear-facing. It just doesn't go as flat.

I am looking forward to trying the Versa though too.

[pramlover9]

This is my first post on an internet discussion, my friend uses them regularly and suggested that i give it a go. Im expecting my second child in early 2013 and i had problems with by first pushchair (sivercross surf) as i could not see my babys face due to the seat faceing away from me.
Im looking for a pushchair with an adjustable seat which can face both ways. Ive heard of this pushchair called Njoy Bubble and was wondering if anyone has heard about it and has any feedback as it looks like it called be the perfect match for my expected child.

[Tiggywunkle]

Why did the Surf not parent face - that is one of the advantages of the Surf?

The NJoy Petite Star Bubble is really good. It is an umbrella fold pushchair with a seat back that really easily (a squeeze of a handle) moves so that the child can either parent or forward face. The hood flips inside out so that it too faces the correct direction. It works very well. It feels sturdy to push, but it is an umbrella fold with two handles, which is quite different to the Surf. There isn't much storage space, but enough to squeeze small bits or a small bag of shopping into. Its lovely to have a child parent facing. However, it does look very odd with the harness on the front and no visible child - I hope that Petite Star make the front cover come all the way down on the seat to hide it TBH. I did a few second glances at it.
But the Bubble is great though that you dont need to swap the harness - especially useful if children of different ages are likely to use it. But for one child, TBH, I am not sure you would ever use the forward facing seat until they were much older. So if you plan to only buy one pushchair ever, then this would work well. But TBH I think something like the new Babystyle Oyster Gem would work better where you can swap the seats as your child gets older.
I think that the Bubble does what it does well though and if you want an umbrella style pushchair, then its one to consider.

[Tiggywunkle]

I have just come back to update this thread a bit. I put the Uppababy Cruz away for a while and opened it up this weekend. There is a lot to attract me to the Cruz - light seat which is easy to switch around, HUUUGGGGE basket, easy fold, good reclines / footrest positions, big hood etc. With my Versa sadly gone for a short while, I thought I would open the box again and give it a fresh look. As I opened the box I was reminded how light the Cruz was, how narrow, how neat it was standing etc. But today putting it into the car - even without the seat on - and later with the seat on - I remembered how long and unwieldy it is. It was, thankfully, easy to put together and fold (given the pouring rain) but I was NOT impressed when as I gently lifted the raincover off, all the water poured in through the peekaboo window onto my sleeping son.
The crux for me was always the suspension.....and today the Cruz only went from the car into school and back, but it was the most rattly horrible thing - the small wheels and lack of suspension really let the whole pushchair down. It makes a Quinny Zapp feel cushioned!!!!!!!!!! Its going back in its box again and this time I WILL sell it!!! LOL

[Nanny01]

Just wanted to throw another in to the mix. The Cossato giggle. It comes with everything you need. Bassanette, rain cover, bag, coseytoes. I bought iy as a replacement for the vista that me and ds found to heavy like others have said. I am keeping the vista asI hope that it will be used when my circumstances change. However until then. The Giggle is great even takes a carseat. I have had it for 4 months and enjoying a lot more than the vista. I wish it had been out when ds was first born. May not buy another as practically it works sowell. Forgot to add it was £330 car seat would be another 90 but feel I got so much more value for money than the vista where everything was a extra ( pet peeve).

Musty evo would be my second choice gotofferedthedemo at the show for a£100 was really tempted. Baby show on the Sunday afternoon last thing is a good place fora bargain.