Note: This topic is for discussing pushchairs. Read our round up of the top pushchairs to find out which ones were awarded Mumsnet Best.
Note: This topic is for discussing pushchairs. Read our round up of the top pushchairs to find out which ones were awarded Mumsnet Best.
Pushchairs
BabyJogger City Mini or Maclaren Quest?
IsItMeOr · 21/02/2010 22:27
That's it really. I'm looking for a lighter weight pushchair for DS who will be one in a couple of weeks. Mostly for going into the car boot and shopping outings.
I love the look of the BabyJogger and it folds so cunningly.
I know the Maclaren is probably slightly easier to carry up stairs because you can sling it over your shoulder while man-handling the baby. But the BabyJogger is so pretty...
The only other criteria that I can think of is how upright the seat goes, as DS is beginning to seem a little frustrated that his LoolaUp doesn't go more upright.
Grateful for your advice ladies. Thanks!
Skegness · 21/02/2010 22:36
Very happy with my quest and it would certainly do the job you're asking of it. It is, I think, lighter and cheaper than the baby jogger. But can totally see the attraction of the bcjm too and have never heard a bad word said of it. Sorry- not much help!
DrivenToDistraction · 21/02/2010 22:38
You can't go wrong with a Maclaren imo. Maybe you could get a pretty one rather than one of the standard ones .
IsItMeOr · 21/02/2010 22:46
Thanks ladies. Maybe I should have added that DH doesn't really want us to go for the BabyJogger...need some persuasive arguments!
5inthebed · 21/02/2010 22:49
Based on what you posted, I'd say get a quest as the baby jogger doesn't sit as upright as a mac pram.
Based on my own experiences, I'd say get a baby jogger. I have one, and love it. Much better than a mac.
Sorry, wasn't really helpful
IsItMeOr · 21/02/2010 22:54
Noooooo. Think I may need to start another thread, which is more slanted to get the ammunition reasoned argument I need to persuade DH to let me have the BabyJogger.
Skegness · 21/02/2010 22:55
Um, bcjm lies flat, I think. Could you argue that ds still needs to sleep completely reclined?
IsItMeOr · 21/02/2010 22:57
Ooh, like the way you're thinking Skegness. Although sadly DH knows that DS never sleeps anywhere except his cot...
But if you're saying that your DC who hardly ever slept a wink, went out like a light whenever you put them into the BJCM, that might sway DH .
5inthebed · 21/02/2010 22:59
My DS3 sleeps amazingly well in his bjcm as the hood makes it lovely and dark in the pram, where as a quest pram will leave him quite open and light filters in. Also, you won't need a parasol for the summer as the hood is amazing.
Did I mention that I love mine?
sammysamsam · 21/02/2010 23:59
love, love, love the bjcm. ... err.. but it really doesn't go 'upright' it's quite slouchy, infact..but the hood is fabby, as is the fold. just to add, the other day i was holding baby and manage to fold and stick the buggy in the boot with only one hand..yep, it was that easy (first time i attampted to fold and 'boot' it whilst holding heavy baby) i'm sure i couldn't do that with my quest, and to fold it, you need to lean down and push on it to 'lock' it in place.. and if holding a chubbster baby, i think there'd be danger of the mum/baby toppling over when leaning so down/forward. the quest is much better for 'sale' shopping though, or to get thru narroe aisles etc. the bjcm is soo soo lightweight and i can steer wi'just one finger (really!)bjcm has a load of lovely 'peep' holes too to keep an eye on bub w/out distracting them.. and the wheels come off like a dream if you really need a flatter fold...only harness is the niggly thing..prefer the mac harness anyday though..
sammysamsam · 22/02/2010 00:00
crikey, just re-read badly written post(!) excuse the bad spelling ^..
Chatanooga · 22/02/2010 06:03
I had a quest, and also had a techno and even a triumph at one point too. I prefer the bjcm because i can fold and carry onto bus 1 handed while holding hefty 20m old. I can pop it up again one handed after too. I really like the rubber bar for pushing it along. I can't stand foam handles (have had sensory issues post c section / end of preg oedema) plus also i can easily push 1 handed. . Which is necessary if holding toddlers hand while they toddle a while before getting back in bjcm!
Chatanooga · 22/02/2010 06:28
I wrote another reply but it's vanished! Just to say if you add the snack tray the bjcm virtually doubles up as a highchair for long outings or holidays. . Also parent console is v useful, optional extra for bjcm.
Oh and under basket on bjcm is bigger than mac. There is also back of seat basket on bjcm.
IsItMeOr · 22/02/2010 08:28
Thanks everybody. I think you have confirmed my thoughts that BJCM probably does all the things I thought it would, but I do need to check the recline before I buy.
Have just had a discussion with DH about his objections. He is concerned that it will take up too much space both folded and in use, and not be as lightweight out and about.
Hmm, he says that doesn't fully capture the complexity of our discussion. But I think it gives you the pertinent points!
deliakate · 22/02/2010 22:03
I went to see the BJCM today - have you seen it in person, so to speak? Its kinda heavy. Too heavy imo for a "2nd" lightweight pushchair, and quite bulky. I was surprised. I'm going for a Maclaren Owen I think instead, or a Quest.
John Lewis has it on the shop floor - I think you should see it.
IsItMeOr · 22/02/2010 22:27
Hi deliakate - yes, I have seen it and that only served to increase my lust for it . Foolishly I didn't think to pop DS in it at the time though, so I will need to make another trip.
DH would have agreed with you, I think, until I used my powers of persuasion on him...I think he was most swayed by my pointing out that as it was wedge-shaped it would be more effective than a four-wheeler to push dawdling shoppers out of your path.
I think I have just fallen for the BJCM. I am comforting myself that if we do buy one and if it turns out not to suit us, they do seem to hold their value very well if I need to sell it second hand on ebay.
basl · 22/02/2010 22:46
Hi Isitmeor, i have had a bjcm sold it bought another sold it and now bought another and i almost sold it again. Gave myself a slap and sat down and went over all the benefits. I agree it is no lightweight but i agree with all the other bjcm lovers that it is hard to beat. It has so many features that strollers don't have and i have found a technique to have the seat sit more upright. I shove the seat way forward and kinda push under the mesh in hood part so it rests on the mesh part and pull the togggle really hard and it sits up very well for me. I think i am settled on it now because long term my ds is not going to get too heavy for it unlike some strollers. My ds is 18mths and loves to jump in and out of it as he can step on the foot rest.
IsItMeOr · 24/02/2010 12:05
Took DS to the shop today (Baby Nest in Croydon btw, the staff are fabulously helpful and knowledgeable) and tried him in both the BJCM and the Quest. DH fiddled around with the fold etc, and...drum roll...we have bought the Baby Jogger! Thanks for your advice everybody.
elk4baby · 24/02/2010 19:36
Another vote for BJCM here. We used our for travel and whenever there wasn't enough space for our 'home' buggy.
I've looked that the Maclaren and two main things that swayed me (and DH) was the fact that BJCM has a single handle, rather than those horn-like things (really don't those). And BJCM is a lot easier to fold, as it's done one-handed; the Maclaren is the sort that you need to "hold here, pull there and then bend over" to fold - too many steps (especially if you'll use it on holiday! the one-handed fold is a life-saver, when you have a bub to carry, suitcases to get off the baggage reclaim belt and a changing bag in hand)
IsItMeOr · 24/02/2010 21:16
Argghhhh! Just took it out of the box and it's not quite what I was expecting.
I wanted the nice plain black one like I saw in the shop, but this is black/grey. I'm feeling like that character in the Addams family movie who goes on about wanting a Ballerina Barbie, but how she was given a Malibu Barbie.
I'll have to ring them in the morning!
nicolamumof3 · 24/02/2010 21:33
i don't think the BJCM is pretty at all unfortunately. i like quest mods to me they are pretty or as pretty as you can get on a lightweight buggy. if the BJCM did some funkier designs i might be swayed but im recovering pramaholic these days!!
IsItMeOr · 24/02/2010 21:43
nicolamumof3 I'm guessing you wouldn't be stressing over not having the plain black one like I am currently doing
basl · 25/02/2010 01:15
Isitmeor i have had the same problem. I thought i was being way too fussy. I have the all black bjce and i wanted the bjcm in all black but i was told they were not sold in the uk due to the all black not being fire thingy. I accepted and got the grey black. I since enquired about custom made liners and they cover the grey completley so not a real problem. I would be interested to hear how you get on as i was told they did not sell in uk?????? May i ask how much yours cost as i think mines was a good price at £160.00
nicolamumof3 · 25/02/2010 08:29
lol no i would i would prefer the plain black if anything then you can customise!
IsItMeOr · 25/02/2010 08:38
basl the one on the shop floor was definitely all black, so I think they must have had them in UK at some point.
And that's a very good price - I paid £199.99 but got a free raincover included. We didn't shop around on price as we have had such good service from that particular shop we wanted to give them our business iyswim.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.