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Pushchairs

Join our Pram forum for pram advice. Plus read our round up of the best pushchairs currently available.

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Original poster

Panic over travel system / pushchair purchase - desperate for advice!

63 replies

JAC2010 · 03/04/2010 19:58

I have today purchased the Quinny Buzz 3 travel system (with Maxi Cosi car seat and base, and the Dreami Carrycot)- advised by Mothercare. Was very excited until I read the dreadful reviews on mumsnet! This is my first baby and I am to be honest, clueless. Please share with me your recommendations for a suitable pushchair / travel system - will cancel Quinny order for replacement product when I know what I should be going for. Thanks in advance - and Happy Easter!

OP posts:

MatesNeedPals · 03/04/2010 19:59

I liked the Loola Up which has a carrycot/seat unit from birth/car seat set up.

nicolamumof3 · 03/04/2010 20:30

sorry no wouldn't go for either of these im afraid

depends alot on your lifestyle..do you drive everywhere? i.e need something light/easy to fold poss one piece fold etc?...or walk alot? more need for air tyres? where do you go? shopping centres or through the woods all relevant when choosing a pram.

BertieBotts · 03/04/2010 20:32

Yes all the above questions, also, what was it you liked about the Quinny? What is your budget?

Original poster

JAC2010 · 03/04/2010 21:07

Thanks for the quick responses. Would need something that's good for all - walking (roads, park / common) and also to take into shopping centres from time to time. The carrycot was definitely an appeal for newborn, but also the the general sturdiness and easy maneovrability (could turn with one hand). Maxi Cosi was the recommended car seat and the Quinny was compatible. We really liked the Bugaboo Cameleon but £750 seemed a bit steep (sans accessories)!

What I would like to avoid, is buying something that will be of short-lived use - my initial impression was that the Quinny was good from birth to around 2 yrs old. However, my concerns based on the reviews are that although it's good initially, the bulkiness, wide wheels, front wheel getting stuck and no shopping basket space become issues. Not sure if the Quinny has buggy board, which I think is useful for when no 2 comes along. Furthermore, by all accounts portability is quite important when looking at prams (and I will be travelling to South Africa in December).

I guess, in a nutshell, I am looking for something that ticks all the boxes!

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Original poster

JAC2010 · 03/04/2010 21:14

Sorry - budget probably around max of £450 (excluding the maxi cosi and base, which I presume we should keep?)

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Tras · 03/04/2010 21:17

I have the Quinny and never had a problem with the front wheel getting stuck. I did find it quite bulky though, especially in the car. Also I found that if you child is an average size, you need to buy extra straps etc to help them fit in once they begin to grow. I wrote to Quinny complaining about this and they sent me complimentary straps and an enlarged seat fabric. (Wasnt really much better) I wish I had bought the Phil and Ted first time around. Means that when baby 2 comes along, all you have to do is add on the back bit! However have never spoken to anyone who has had one, so am sure they have their flaws as well.

MatesNeedPals · 03/04/2010 21:18

I used the Loola Up on cobbles and park uneven paths and in snow/icy paths and it did well (in Geneva)

Am currently using BB Bee which lies almost flat and small 3 week old is very happy to snooze in it for hours, going around London - parks, pavements and buses.

Original poster

JAC2010 · 03/04/2010 21:39

Is the Bugaboo Bee preferable to the Chameleon? And is it compatible with the Maxi Cosi car seat set up?

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thisisyesterday · 03/04/2010 21:45

i tried a bugaboo bee out with ds2 in it, was laughable!
he is 2 and he barely fit in it, was ridiculous. felt quite flimsy to push as well. i think you're only paying for the name tbh!

CarGirl · 03/04/2010 21:48

What about the Phil and Ted vibe with the carrycot bit?

Could over all terrain, narrower than the buzz, more compact when folded, great until they are at least 3, super double and car seat compatible.

thisisyesterday · 03/04/2010 21:50

do you want one that faces you once you have it in pushchair mode?

BikeRunSki · 03/04/2010 21:55

I had a Buzz which I hated:

Too big too be lighweight, couldn't get it in my car (Polo, then A4) boot without taking wheels off.
Too small and flimsy to be much good off road.
Generally rattley and not very sturdy, and always felt it was about to fall apart.
Too wide for many shop doors and aisles in local Co-Op and some other shops.
Handles like a tank, terrible manourerability.

I sold it on Ebay when DS was 6 months old. Replaced it with a Phil and Ted's Sport (Which I love, and has none of the failing of the Buzz). I got the Maxi-Cosi car seat adaptor for it, which I used a bit, but he was too big to need the carrycot by then.

BikeRunSki · 03/04/2010 21:57

also...

Shopping basket too small to be useful.
Pushchair bit small too - no way could I see it lasting long for a tall child like mine - and that was at 6 months!

sazm · 03/04/2010 21:59

i have a buzz and a loola up,
i love them both,i really like the buzz as it sits very upright when facing forward which my lo loves,its also great on bumpy ground.
the loola up is easier to push one handed which i like as i have a toddler too.

both can be used with a buggy board although i dont think quinny reccommend it as where it attaches is a structural part of the frame,however my daughter often stands on the back of the frame and its coped fine so far,so i cant imagine a buggyboard would effect it much.
i also had the maxicosi cabrio seat which was FAB,i loved how easy it was to clip on/off the quinny frame,

Original poster

JAC2010 · 03/04/2010 22:00

Would like the choice of having baby face me (although not sure how essential that really is?) I believe the Phil & Ted's is very heavy, difficult to put in and out of car etc. Have heard that Maclaren xlr is a good bet practically - although I found it pretty flimsy in the shop. Am soooooooooo confused ....

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CarGirl · 03/04/2010 22:06

Phil & teds is easier to put in and out of the car than a buzz as it's smaller and the same weight or possibly lighter?

Original poster

JAC2010 · 03/04/2010 22:12

Thanks for all the help so far. Sounds like the Buzz is definitely a bad decision - will cancel order. Still not sure what to change it to.

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BikeRunSki · 03/04/2010 22:16

Phils and Ted's far easier to lift than Buzz. Buzz I think is lighter and comes in two parts so each part definetly lighter, but v awarkward.

Undutchable · 03/04/2010 22:19

I've got a Phil and Teds Sport and a Bugaboo Bee. The Bee is amazing - we travel A LOT as I live in the Netherlands and we go and see my sister in SW France and go back to the UK frequently. It's lightweight and easy to use (I've got it out of the car boot then put it up one-handed, whilst 7 months pregnant and holding a 13kg boy in the other arm), well-made, and versatile. Have not regretted it for one moment. I bought it for my now 2-year-old DS1 who is 32lb and well over 90cm tall and I think he fits in it fine! I use it with a Maxi-cosi for DS2, as you can buy brackets to do this.

I have used it for walking the dog etc but the wheels aren't really suitable for cross-country hiking! Then again, you can't get a puncture either.

The P&T I also love but it is large, heavy and no as easy to use as the Bee. I have 15 months between my 2 boys so needed a double and it was the best one for what we needed. Like all doubles, it has it's compromises but I've not regretted buying it, and it does also work as a single.

I think the Bee sounds good for you, but I am biased

CarGirl · 03/04/2010 22:22

I would say Bee all the way but not for walking on the common/off roading which was why I suggest P&T.

I would probably say get a P&T and a bee but buy them both 2nd hand! Get on the pushchair buy & sell thread on here there are some serious pramaholics who have excellent condition pushchairs to sell on at great savings.

Original poster

JAC2010 · 03/04/2010 22:27

Fabulous! Thanks guys - will check out the Bee first. Really appreciate the help!

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Lolbilly · 03/04/2010 23:16

My DS is nearly 7 months old and I love my buzz, use it everyday for walks in the park & around town. Haven't had any probs with it at all and DS always looks really comfy in it (had dreami carrycot when he was younger & now using the seat). Do have to take the back wheels off to get in the boot of my Clio but it's easy to do.
Hope you find one your happy with, it is a complete nightmare trying to get the right one. One of my good friends has bought about 5 in their quest!!

NorthEastNorah · 03/04/2010 23:22

I have no idea about the things you are thinking about buying, but every single person I know who has had one, whether it be bugaboo, quinny etc etc has converted to a maclaren AGES before dc is 2, so maybe it would be useful to take the longevity question out of your search.

bronze · 03/04/2010 23:27

NEN has sai exactly what I was going to say. Don't waste your money

I bought a lie flat chicci halfway through my first childs usage as the second hand travel system we were given fell apart. It lasted the next two children too and I still have it except I just use a sling. Cost about £60

Really not worth wasting hundreds

squareheadcut · 03/04/2010 23:36

I bought a maclaren techno xp and it was great. Plenty of storage, light, easy to fold, out and about. the best. At the start, you only need a sling. i got a seperate car seat.

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