Looking for an in line double where youngest is NOT in the bottom seat. Oyster Max and Dual-B questions

[FloweryBoots]

Tittle says it all really. I'm due in 5 weeks with number 2 and have a 2 yr 5month toddler. I'd like an inline double that converts to a single. Number 1 walks well but everywhere is here is up hill either on the way there or back, and I don't drive so we do walk everywhere, but in another 6 months he probably won't need the pram at all so I'd like something we can then use as a single from then on so don't want a side by side double. BUT husband is against anything where baby is in the back/bottom like they are with P&T as he doesn't want the baby just staring at the back of another seat.

Have come across the Babystyle Oyester Max and the Britax Dual-B but am still not clear if the toddler can be the one at the bottom/back in either or both of these. Anyone care to shed some light?!

Ta ladies.

Imo the short answer is they can but space is tight and it might vary as to whether your particular brand of toddler will tolerate it. The oyster max upper seat is not suitable from birth (unless they randomly change it on the production one). The carrycot with spacers may fit on top but cannot comment on toddler space in that set up. If it did work that would be great, better then using the seat. The b dual is kind of the same, the carrycot fits on top with spacers, the lower seat is kinda reclined. If you won't be using it full time then all in all the toddler's space is probably less important. My elder b dual rider was just two and used to rather enjoy kicking the underside of the carrycot in protest but i know someone else who uses hers like this no problem with a 3 year old.

Overall the b dual is quite a bit wider, both are big as singles but given the choice of the two I would choose the oyster max for the single use. As a double the b dual has both fully reclining seats so might be slightly more versatile but i'm not convinced you sound like you need that anyway.

Something else to look at that offers this set up is the tfk joggster twist with buddy seat and multi x carrycot. Fairly expensive but the quality is apparently great. The b dual imo is good quality for the money, they're currently on sale at boots for 275 for the single plus double seat. You would then only need to add the carrycot. The max will cost you twice that, maybe a bit more with a carrycot.

That said i don't personally mind the baby in the lower seat, they're asleep quite a lot in the first 6 months and much less in need of the better view but I suppose equally if your double seat is not likely to be in full time use i can see how the toddler in the lower seat might work better for you.

I have been in contactwith Babystyle (make the oysters max) on many occasions, as I am in the same boat as you, and had many questions.

I suggest the oyster max, with carrycot and height adjusters. The height adjusters gives the toddler on the bottom a significant amount of additional space, and brings baby in the carry cot closer to you. Win win situation IMO.

I have DD4 (4m) on the top of my B-Dual facing me & DD3 (3y 3m) rides in the lower seat if she's tired. I flip the footrest up on the top seat so it's not totally in DD3's face and if she walks the lower seat makes a really good shopping basket

It is wide & I took the mudguards which does make it narrower but that's prob against the rules - I do trust DD3 not to put her hands on the wheels though I don't think she can even reach them when she's strapped in.

Baby jogger city select maybe - I think you can have the carrycot in either position but only going from what my friend told me, haven't seem it myself

The Oyster Max upper seat IS suitable from birth - so you could in theory put that onto height increasers as well as the carrycot - I forgot this when replying to the other person earlier. I need to study some photos (not tonight) but this set if you want a look to see where the height increasers were used and where they weren't, and how much extra space you gain.
Due to the age of your eldest, some pushchairs I wouldn't usually recommend, may well work for you, simply because around the age of 3ish, your eldest is more likely to want to walk. So the City Select might work for you, or the Mountain Buggy +One. But I agree totally with ihateparties that your baby is likely to sleep their way through any outing in the first 6 months, so its really not an issue to have them underneath. I would worry more about whether you can chat to your toddler or not!!
The TFK Joggster Twist with Multi X seat / buddy seat may be an option. The B-Dual works. The Smyths Dimples Duo works with the children facing each other I think. There's the Bebecar One & Two. The Uppababy Vista with Rumble Seat could well be made to work somehow too.

Flowery - I have the BDual and thought DC2 was fine underneath as there is some room & a view unlike in a P&T. I also liked the fact there was flexibility so if we were in, say, the park & DC1 (2.6 when DC2 was born) was hopping in & out then DC2 was on top & DC1 went underneath when she got tired but if we were walking to, say, pre-school DC1 went on top & DC2 underneath.
One thing to bear in mind is weight. We've got a steep hill up to our house & I struggle to push the BDual up it with both of them in it. DC1 now realises she's expected to hop out at the bottom of the hill in all circumstances.

TBH all tandems are heavy to push and the B-Dual is one of the light to middling ones.

the b dual is currently £225 on boots on line if that helps your decision. fab bargain i think

If you could borrow something initially there is a lovely one the micralite twofold. Due may. I wish I had done this.

I got the b dual two weeks ago. I like it as it is spacious but it is big. I don't drive so this suits me but I feel like I'm pushing the push chair equivalent of a 4x4 lol. I'm writing as you said you wanted something to use as a single once your older child is walking full time. I can't see myself using the b dual like a single full time. Maybe occasionally if its there but not like my main pram.
I'm a fan of the b dual and I think it's the best value for money, I paid £ 330 for pram plus extra seat ( boots might be cheaper), you can get. But it depends on what your needs are.