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Pushchairs

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Original poster

Double buggy for 12mo twins

20 replies

ceegeebee · 03/08/2012 07:24

My DTs are 9mo and so far we have had an iCandy Peach which I have loved, but I think it's time for a change

Basically the lower seat is the problem. Its tricky to get a twin in or out without removing the upper seat, it doesn't have an upright position (so always reclining) and twin 2 doesn't get to see much of the outside world. Also when the lower seat is on, there is very little storage space in the basket.

Also it doesn't fold down easily - you have to remove the seat units and fold the chassis - pretty impossible if you have two babies to hold too. When travelling by car so far we've used the car seats at the other end as we can't fit the seat units in the boot with the chassis and any luggage. So now they are growing out of car seats it's time to move on.

Plus points are its size - very compact, which we need as we have a narrow hallway- and manoeuvrability- really easy to steer.

Can anyone recommend a side by side double which is easy to fold, easy to steer, and narrow enough to fit through shop doorways etc?

Thanks in advance

OP posts:

Melindaaa · 03/08/2012 07:29

Baby Jogger City Mini.

SpagBoltTheFastestManOnEarth · 03/08/2012 07:48

Out n about 360 nipper. Steer it with a finger, collapses easily and I think is one of the narrowest doubles. Bought ours on eBay for 70 and I love it (for a newborn and a 2yr old). Also good off-road so great for walks.

forevergreek · 03/08/2012 14:39

Mountain buggy duet. The new double side by side is same width as single

Tiggywunkle · 03/08/2012 15:25

Why don't you have a look at the new Blossom kit before getting rid of your current Peach? The rear seat sits upright, the rear seat is now bigger with space for a child to put their legs in the basket or on the basket frame. The seats nest inside each which makes it easier to store them eg in the car. There's more space between the seats so the lower child has a better view. My eldest fights to get in the underneath seat. As a tandem the Peach Blossom 2 is superb.

For side by sides, I like the Bugaboo Donkey - the new chassis would make it easier to get in a car but if you struggle with the Peach then the Donkey is bigger with longer seats. The TFK Twinner Twist Duo has a neat Trifold. The Easywalker Duo and Baby Jogger City Mini have neat folds too. If the latter won't fit in your car, then I doubt anything else will fit. The Duet is massive folded and the Nipper is a fair chunk too unless you remove the front wheel. I have just got my second Nipper - the new narrow version - but it barely fits in our car. I think your car could be an issue if the Peach doesn't fit.

Original poster

ceegeebee · 03/08/2012 18:28

Thanks all, this is great!

Re fitting in the car - we can fit the seat units and the chassis in the boot, but then we can't fit anything else in. So if we are going away for weekend/holiday we wouldn't be able to get suitcases in. Do far it's been fine as we've not taken the seats and just used car seats as our buggy when there but can't do that once they grow out of the car seats.

Twiggywunkle - do you know if you can just buy the new Blossom second seat converter kit and use with old Blossom main unit? Or do I need to buy a whole new Blossom? Not sure if either of these will work tbh as it is still impossible to fold properly for buses, planes etc, but if it's a cheap way of getting a new Blossom might be worth it!

OP posts:

Tiggywunkle · 03/08/2012 18:53

This link might help (or confuse more) but in a nut shell. You need to make sure you have an extended basket on your chassis. There is information on serial numbers etc on the link. If you don't have one, then it will cost you £50 to get done and I believe its quick and easy. You can then buy a Blossom convertor kit - seat unit and the convertor bars - but only in the new colours ie you will have a mixed colour Peach Blossom.

To be honest, if you can't get the Peach in, or a Baby Jogger City Mini, in the car then I am not sure you will find anything smaller. Umbrella folds are chunky and long and hard work to push. If there are two of you, you may well be better investing in two smaller single pushchairs. But there arent many single pushchairs which take up less room than the Peach would. The Baby Jogger City Select has a very flat fold - probably the smallest tandem - but a) its lots of pieces to fold on a bus or plane and b) it quickly becomes very heavy to push and you are already past the newborn stage. The Jane Twone has a very small fold, but there's no basket space and access to the lower child is worse than the Peach.

You certainly wont be able to find one pushchair which does everything - doubles are a nightmare and most twin mums end up with two or more pushchairs. Ultimately nothing else will matter than how easy it is to push with two 18 month+ children on board and this is when the Peach Blossom 2 comes into its own.
I wouldnt consider taking a Peach or many other pushchairs on a plane anyway - you need something robust and that you wont cry about if it gets damaged. I really think you need to separate your uses of pushchairs out because one pushchair won't do it all. A roof box may also be an idea?

Original poster

ceegeebee · 03/08/2012 19:34

Thank you

I think you're right about needing two buggies - I think I need to buy cheapie umbrella fold Maclaren type for holidays etc. and I'll have a think about upgrading the Peach - not that keen on mismatching seats though. Very annoying they haven't kept the old colours but I guess they want people to buy a whole new unit!

OP posts:

Ihateparties · 03/08/2012 20:46

If you can cope with the 75cm width then I understand it's hard to beat a city mini double for a basic, fairly light, easy to push and fold side by side..

bagpuss · 03/08/2012 21:04

Hi, we had the nipper360 with our dts from birth and I soon got fed up with it taking up the whole boot of the car so last year we bought a maclaren twin triumph for the car and now use the nipper from home. The triumph is about 74cms wide and I never really struggle with it through doors and shops. It is also shorter than my other buggy. Most importantly from dh's point of view it was cheap too!

AppleAndBlackberry · 03/08/2012 21:19

Baby Jogger City Mini is great, I loved mine.

Original poster

ceegeebee · 07/08/2012 23:42

Ok I have been looking at umbrella folds for holiday. The Obaby Apollo Plus looks pretty good - does anyone have any experience of this one?

I have also emailed Icandy to ask about the upgrade - my concern is that if I get the chassis converted to take the new seat, will the old one still fit? As I want to be able to sell it on later and I have 2x old carrycot, 2x main seat and car seats that I want to include when I sell it....

OP posts:

whattocallmyself · 07/08/2012 23:45

I have a Jane powertwin - but it's not side by side - 'mine are 2 and 4.

They are on the same level folds really easily.

Tiggywunkle · 08/08/2012 00:18

Yes the old Blossom kit will still fit. ICandy just replace a piece of the basket to make it longer. The old or new Blossom
Kits fit fine.

jellybeans · 08/08/2012 00:32

Instep Nipper is amazing.

Original poster

ceegeebee · 08/08/2012 08:08

Thank you all again!
I think the nipper will be too wide for our hallway - its 77cm which is 14cm wider than the iCandy. But thank you anyway

OP posts:

IwanttoflyonA380 · 08/08/2012 11:18

Get at least one really nice easy to push single that will take a buggy board. my friend has twins and bought cheap buggies for holiday and has regretted it as they are difficult to push.

20weeksandcounting · 08/08/2012 11:35

The Jane is a diddle to push - even with a 4 and 2 year old - obviously the 4 year old rarely goes in it now - but if we go somewhere for the day that involves miles and miles of walking then they have both been known to fall asleep in it.

I picked it up for £100 second hand and it's the best money I spent, I've taken the hoods off and they both have really good views.

It's been ideal for us.

Original poster

ceegeebee · 08/08/2012 14:25

Thanks
I think we're a long way off buggy boards - DTD can't even bear weight on her little legs yet (she is very small)!

I assume the Jane has the same issues re folding for planes, car boots etc? Ie it will not fold very small?

I think I am going to go for the peach upgrade and get an Obaby Apollo umbrella fold (might start another thread on this as can't find many reviews). Then when I am done with the iCandy I can sell the original seats, carrycots etc (although I know the resale will drop now the peach 2 is around) and also sell the peach 2 converter.

OP posts:

20weeksandcounting · 08/08/2012 14:30

We've taken the Jane on the plane - and it fits fine
Into boot - the front wheel loosens and sort of folds down.

Tiggywunkle · 08/08/2012 15:59

It depends on the Jane. The Powertwin Pro we had, had the bulkiest fold ever. It totally filled my boot partly because it wasn't neat and tidy. Hasn't it got air tyres which could be an issue for flying?
The front seat of the Jane is very very short leg room wise. Children end up resting their feet on the front wheel and stopping the wheel. Its one of the most problematic tandems I have tried for many reasons.

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