Double under £200

[DeathMetalMum]

Having decided I definatley need a double for my toddler and newborn I am now looking properly into things. We ate hoping to puck up something second hand (not due until march so ages away yet). I have already see a few good things on the net but it's too early just yet, as we will be movig in the next few months and trying to reduce how much we have to move. However if we don't find anything when we are ready I am looking for a back up.

I know there are plenty out there under £200 but am at a bit of a loss to which one really are there any that should be avoided with a bardge pole?

Yes...avoid anything umbrella fold and look out for tandems which are low down at the front.

If you can let us know if you prefer a tandem or a side by side then we can give you some ideas.

I think I am swaying towards a tandem as I think it will be mostly used for trips to town, on the bus and in shops, so worried about the width of the pushchair and the bus and shop aisles.

I would have a look at either a second hand Britax B-Dual or a Smyths Dimples Duo. Possibly if you can find a bargain, an iCandy Pear.

I have the Red Kite twin sport which is a three wheeler and around £160
It has been lovely to push on all terrain and is overall quite a nice pushchair with lots of little pockets ect. Fits through most shop doorways and have taken it on London buses several times.
It is a bit big for our boot though so maybe not for people who are using it with a car.

Can I just say that I think tandems take up as much room on the buses if not more than my twin does as obviously they are long. They are heavier to push too. I didn't like the tandem as one of the child always has to sit behind and not be able to see much. In a tandem they can see each other and giggle together!

Another vote for the Smyths Dimples Duo or B Dual. The dimples duo has great seating options because the lower child is a lot less compromised in the view than a lot of tandems.. I think there is a pic on my profile, if not I'll add one. Also when the baby is old enough to sit up then can then face each other. My only reservation was the frame quality/longevity and I didn't keep mine long enough to really test that. It's the one buggy I miss now it's gone though, purely for the seating set up.

B Dual is better quality but the set up would be different, baby below, toddler on top.
I've always fancied a side by side but live in a place with lots of narrow bits, own front foor, alleys, shops and most importantly pavements. Even with a single width tandem it's constantly being bumped onto the road off narrow pavements (usually for ppl less able to manoeuvre but sometimes just cos people are awkward and insist on walking two abreast where there isn't room!)

Have found with tandems generally that dc3 is so used to being in the lower seat, the restricted view doesn't bother her yet being forward facing in the top seat she seems to find a little disconcerting. But she's 6mths not a toddler who may think it's fun to stick their head out the side (like her sister for example). I think the idea of the lower seat in a tandem, the child can't see much etc. bothers parents more than children... if it really were terrible all the million p and ts you see everywhere would be full of sad, miserable children moaning they couldn't see out.. small children, they're not usually backwards in coming forwards if they dislike something after all!

I find side by sides more problematic with different aged children. My two are constantly poking, hair pulling, trying to play with each others bumpaloops, kicking etc - none of which is particularly intentional to annoy the other child - but of course it does. The smallest is just fascinated by hair and the eldest keeps trying to restrain him. Tandems work far better for this, but also generally. If you get the right tandem it won't be heavy - equally there are some very heavy side by sides. Its important to weigh up what is most important to you though.

Mothercare do a double urban detour which is very good and you could find a nearly new one for probably half that price. Phil and teds are now on eBay in good condition for about 200 as well. What about a double maclaren?

Thank you for all of your suggestions. Our busses have plenty of 'space' for pushchairs but narrow aisles I alredy sometimes get my britax stuck if there is another pushchair or a wheelchair on the bus, but there is enough space for a minimum of 4 strollers on our busses so plenty of space for a tandem iykwim.

From what I have looked at the Graco Stadium tour duo and the Saftey First Duo deal look okay. The seat for the toddlers on these look like a full seat where as others I have looked at dont seem thats the seat is big enough and that toddler will just be kind of perched on the end. Anyone with experience of these?

This is just a back up if I cant find something second hand.

I wouldn't even consider the Graco TBH - its massively heavy, not the easiest to steer, hugely long, and the seats have an identity crisis and they simply didn't work for us - the toddler could paddle the pushchair along at the front - the smaller seat - and yet the baby needed a recline still for a nap until at least 18 months. It was a nightmare. The people who bought it came with an estate car and couldn't get it in! They loaded it onto the back seat. I would think a good side by side eg a Nipper is better than the Graco or the Safety 1st. Don't skimp on a double - especially a tandem. A new cheap tandem really really really is not worth it. Buy a decent second hand one.

Agree with tiggy about those tandems, my friend has one and says the same. Very heavy and long.
Do your buses have back doors/doors in the middle for getting out or just one at the front?
Our London buses have two doors so I just ask the driver to open the back door for us and we are straight in. Might be harder on other smaller buses though.

Look on ebay for a second hand Obaby zynergi Zoom tandem
these
I have a brand new one for my 18mth old and newborn- currently using it with the bassinet option, but look forward to changing to two seats and being able to have the DCs facing each other to interact.
This has been the best pram ever for me- I couldn't live without it. Very easy to steer, love all the seating options, folds down TINY (fits in the boot of my Honda Jazz which is not a big car!), and tons of space in basket underneath for all the extra detritus you need when dealing with toddler and newborn again!
I got mine brand new for £350 from a very amazing bargain baby shop less than 6 months ago so am sure a secondhand one must be available in budget.

I have a Graco Stadium Duo and love it. It was £120 new. My 2.9yo sits in front and it looks like it will still fit him for at least another year. 9mo loves the back, can see out really well and reclines almost flat really easily. I don't find it heavy or cumbersome and was out and about with it 4 weeks after an EMCS with no problems. It also has a huge shopping basket. I find it really easy to manoeuvre too. It is quite big folded up but we have a big boot (Vauxhall Zafira).

I KNOW this is over your budget, but I was looking at the b dual on ebay, and they seemed to be going for £250 approx in my area.

This is £300 new, so could be worth it.

Just a thought, sorry to be showing you budget busting options!

Ah pants, its out of stock now. As you were...

B-Duals often come up on offer though.

I bought a second hand phil and trades e3- really delighted with it. Really adaptable and brilliant off road. The cost toes is also really good and I got a fleece lined cocoon.