Double buggy help on a budget!

[Chrestomanci]

I hate shopping for pushchairs, so wondered if any nice folk on here could help me. Will have a 2.2 yr old and a newborn. Currently have an icandy cherry which I love, and maxi cosi base. Looking for a budget double pushchair, where baby can lie flat, and which also works as a travel system with a car seat as that was a lifesaver with DC1.

So far am thinking of britax b-dual which is £400 with car seat and extra seat. However am swayed by the Graco stadium duo, which is v cheap (just over £200!) and has mainly good reviews.

So is the Britax worth the extra money? There don't seem to be too many budget double pushchairs, or am I just being dim. Any help would be so much appreciated, my head is about to explode!

Thanks

[Ihateparties]

There are LOADS of used b duals around, it would be worth looking at 2nd hand on ebay/preloved etc. Not sure you can get a maxi cosi adaptor though? Hmmm.

I had a Smyths Toys Dimples Duo (£250 off the smyths toys website but they do sometimes have sales), which wasn't top quality in the frame but I didn't keep it a long time to really test that out however it had absolutely the best seating positions of any tandem I've ever had (the baby lies flat facing you on top, the toddler forward facing in the lower seat with plenty of space and view).

No personal experience of the stadium duo, I think Tiggywunkle had one maybe so could comment?

[Chrestomanci]

Thank you! Can the dimples duo take a car seat?

[Chrestomanci]

Also wondering if I could use the cosy toes instead of the soft carrycot in the bottom as it comes as part of a deal - anyone know?

[Tiggywunkle]

Gosh yes, the B-Dual is worth the extra money. The Graco is much longer, much heavier and has identity crises'. The B-Dual offers you so much more in functionality, seating options, push, size, fold etc.

I know some MN-ers here have used Oyster adaptors to put their Maxi Cosi seat onto the B-Dual but its not safety approved and I am not recommending it. Just saying it is possible.

The issue with the B-Dual lower seat is that there is no leg support. So as the baby grows but is still under 6 months you need to lift their legs up to horizontal. The soft cot has a harder base so will do this job well. The cosy toes will be more flexible. I do know of someone who used the cosy toes and said it was fine, but I think thats your choice knowing the difference. It might be worth trying to see a B-Dual and the footmuff to decide?

The Dimples Duo is a good option too. Apparently a car seat - Britax - does fit on the Dimples Duo but again its not safety approved.

[Chrestomanci]

Oh, thank you. I find this whole pushchair thing so confusing (too much choice), but I really like the b-dual, and there seem to be some good deals around. Am quite excited!

[Tiggywunkle]

The B-Dual is a good all rounder for reasonable money. The wheel trims make it a bit wide, and I am not desperately keen on the seating position for an older child, but there are work arounds for both of these, and all doubles have compromises somewhere, but it just works well.