am i really mad to get a twin maclaren?

[poocatcherchampion]

it turns out no double meets my needs but I definitely need one as dd will be 18 months when the new one is born and is not near walking at age 1.

people keep telling me they are awful to push but they are lightweight to lift, compact in the car and house and generally seem straightforward.

I had a good look at a mountain buggy yesterday and it takes up the whole of the boot of our large estate car. I can't see myself lifting it in and out most days.

so is the McLaren the easy option here?

[Ihateparties]

My post is ^ up there tiggy,.. this thread is moving fast!

[Tiggywunkle]

Aha...there she is :)
ihateparties showed me the purple creation the other week and I have to say its actually rather good and well thought out. For the money and what you get its an absolute bargain. Amazingly it felt fairly sturdy too. I would definitely consider one!

[poocatcherchampion]

this is getting interesting.. but I must sleep...hasta manana!

[Wearegoingtobedlehem]

My dds are 14 months apart.

Initially I got an I candy pear so I could use carrycot for newborn, or use car seat for a quick nip. It was ok, but filled entire estate boot, was a faff to fold. And more importantly became incredibly heavy to drive and steer with both on board a bit bigger. Was narrow enough to do shop doorways and town but total crap off road.
So
I got a second hand nipper double. Loved the fact it was light and so very easy to fold. However it did take up a lot of boot space and was naturally a bit wide being side by side.
Then
Ultimately about six months ago dd1 2.5 and dd2 being 1.5 I decided a part time double was the order of the day again as dd1 walking a lot and dd2 a little. So I got the phil n teds explorer. Love it. Can be single or double. Both comfortable in it on the rare occasion that they both now go in. Beautiful to handle and simple to fold. Is a little heavy to pick up. Fits in half of estate boot.

I think it is virtually impossible to find the perfect double. Definitely a case of making priorities.

Good luck :)

[Ihateparties]

poocatcher at least have a look at the smyths one, it's such a bargain and has unexpected features. Tiggy has taught me to love expensive pushchairs too (which didn't come naturally) so I'm v happy to have found a cheap one that works properly :-}

[poocatcherchampion]

morning experts!
thanks for all the advice so far! I will def have a look at the purple creation anyone know who stocks it? also maybe I need to research p&t a bit more too? or else the my child remains an option...
we are def making progress!

[Chopsypie]

I got a maclaren twin techno for newborn and 17 month old DS.
Bought a newborn cosytoes/liner from mothercare so she was nice and snuggly, but it didnt get used a lot in the early days as I usually carried her.

Now both are old its still going strong, both fit in it well, it fits into my car boot (corsa)

It a bit more stroller like than most but does lie flat for a newborn.

It might not fit your purpose best, but I'm really pleased with mine. Its still bloody heavy though!

[forevergreek]

The Phil and teds is terrible IMO. Works with newborn and small toddler . Then newborn gets too big for cocoon part around 4 months and has to move. However then neither the front of back seats really recline ( I mean the front does but not with one in the back etc as no space.
It then becomes half usable around a year, but not for sleeping. From 2 years I couldn't fit eldest in the back as legs were too long
Also even in single mode it vv heavy

I would go for the nipper v2 double. It doesn't fold tiny but you say that's not a problem. Otherwise it pushes with one finger so super easy, both lay flat, narrow enough for shops etc, good wheels if over rougher terrain. Not too expensive either

[MERLYPUSS]

The nipper is fab. Lightest double on the market about 4 yrs ago (that may've changed). Folds easily and doesn't veer to one side if uneven weighted babies in each seat. I lent mine to a friend who had children 11 mths apart.
Double maclaren was dreadful pushing over anything other than polished marble. Every lump and bump sent it wheeling towards the kerb. I had twins of different weights and it would veer madly one way or another. Impossible to push when loaded with toddlers and shopping.

[Ihateparties]

The Dimples Mobi purple creation is only stocked by smyths toys, I bought online but it's easy to find out which stores have one on display.