Kiwi Explorer .... does anyone have anything bad to say about it?!

[Millie1]

DS will be 26 mths when No. 2 arrives and, for us, a double buggy will, I think, be necessary (DS won't walk more than 100 metres holding your hand before running off, too young for a buggy board, main roads everywhere etc).

We've looked at a number of doubles (MacLaren, Mothercare, Instep Nipper, Twister, M&P) and have found that either the seats are too narrow, the buggies too heavy/cumbersome or we simply didn't like the design.

Having been following the Kiwi thread for months - I'd love one, DH is not convinced, I'd love to know if anyone is NOT happy with theirs! What are the negative points?

DH is convinced that the child in the second seat will be so near the ground that he/she will get splashed by puddles etc. What about when he/she progresses to the toddler seat - is there really a good enough view to keep them happy and occupied? Is the seat big enough, sturdy enough?

Although they're now stocked by a couple of places in the UK, unfortunately we don't live remotely within travelling distance to go and look and I am sooo wary of spending that much money on an unseen and untried buggy.

All views would be really appreciated!!

.... anything at all to say? Esp. re questions in penultimate para?!

M

millie1, I haven't used the e3 as a double yet but I think there are some relevant comments on teh 'double buggy or tandem' thread.

Whereabouts do you live? I'd be happy to offer a demo (though I am probably one of the less accessible e3 owners; but kaz33 did the same for me which was very helpful)

We've only used it as a single and with toddler and newborn and it is great - it's possibly the swaying as you travel, but ds goes straight off as soon as we get underway and dd finds the little footwell an ideal place for storing her conkers. The cocoon is marvellous.

I must admit I thought the same as your dh about the second seat, but I let myself be swayed by the threads here and now I'm glad I did. I'm sure it will be fine when we get round to using it. The E3 is lighter, more manouvreable and looks better than our last single 3-wheeler.

Ditto Elliott, where are you - if you're nearer us than you are to Elliott, you're welcome to come here and have a look.

Hi

I've got the e3. I have a 23 month old and am 38 weeks + 6 with number 2. I haven't obviously used the double feature yet, but the advice on the other thread convinced me that it was the right way to go. As a single buggy it's very manoverable, fits thru doorways and is very stable for a 3 wheeler. Also ds1 likes the ride - important as he is too young for a buggy board. I was wary of buying an expensive item without seeing or testing it first. At the moment I am pleased with the outfit, it seems very well made. The proof however will be when I take two little ones out. Not much in the way of advice, but I hope this helps! I'd also be happy to demo if you are anywhere near me!

If anyone is in London (East) I'd love to have a look too. ds is 16mths and dd 1mth, at the moment the sling/3 wheeler combo is ok but not for much longer.

I was thinking of an Emaljunga, have seen them second hand, but have a bouncing down stairs situation, luckily only one floor, so bigger wheels would be good.

Any ideas if the kiwis ever come up second hand and if so where?

Thanks everyone for your offers to let me see the buggy - unfortunately (in this case!) I'm in N. Ireland so unless anyone lives over here ....!

I've been reading the other thread for months and just yearn for one of these but like I said, DH needs a lot of convincing.

One more question ... are the E3's very narrow? I e-mailed Kiwi-Dad to ask him and he said that whilst the frame width of the old Explorer is wider than the E3, the seats are the same with a 9.5 inch width. That seems really narrow (although he did say his 6yr old fits in it)!

We've been doing lots of research and the Mountain Buggies, XTS Twister and maybe Nipper are all around 30 cm - by my cals. 9.5" is only about 24cm. For comparative purposes, according to their data, the Mamas & Papas Pilko single buggy is something like 38cm wide but that's the actual seat, whereas the measurement across the back (say at shoulder height) is 30cm ... and that's where I'd be comparing to cos DS is pretty wide across the shoulders.

If anyone feels like getting a tape measure out I'd appreciate it!

BTW Kell, I e-mailed Phil & Ted's and asked them to send a list of suppliers in the UK - they responded to say that they have a number of suppliers due deliveries at the end of the month (at this stage don't know whether she means Oct or Nov) but to check their website in a couple of weeks and they'll be listed. You may find someone near you if no-one here can help.

Thanks everyone for responding!

D'oh, Millie we're coming to Belfast at Christmas but have to travel light so the E3 is staying at home (sorry). Will try to measure actual sizes for you - dd fits OK despite being 95th centile child (she's 2 next week), although today she was in a puffa style coat and looked hilarious in the buggy!

Thanks Bear! Hope you've a great time at Christmas - imagine you'll have enough to carry without worrying about bugggy!!

M

Thanks Millie, with 2 under 2 and a carseat, the buggy has to stay at home.

Measurements (in old money) as follows - while the back rest is about 9.5'' across, when your little treasure sits back against it (on the toddler seat this is - using it as a toddler and newborn) the sides give a bit, making the bit they lean back against about 13'' across and for shoulders, the actual distance between the bars is 15''. So, while narrow, it's not too tight. Avoid puffa jackets, mind
HTH

Hi - I am still umming and aahing about this one - and notice that no-one has answered the question about whether or not the second toddler seat seems too low (as in the pics it looks to be on the same level as the basket) and whether the toddler would get bored / splashed etc. The E3 sounds so great, but this is the only thing bugging me before I take the plunge .. any advice?
Thanks

Does anyone prefer the mountain buggy double? I can't decide between the E3 and the MB.....Help!

I have an old fashioned one - mine's nearly 3 years old. I still really like it. Even with 2 big toddlers in it, it's still rally easy to push one handed. As mine is the older one, I can't say for sure about the new version, but the 'bottom bunk' is not that low, definitely not getting splashed with puddles (have never experienced this prob in the last 3 yrs). I was also concerned about bottom bunk kids being bored, but that's never happened either, in fact, my 2 fight over who will go in the bottom seat. Mine are 17 months apart, but the same size & weight, so if you do want a disadvantage - if your children turn out to be the same size, like mine, then stability is a problem, as there isn't the heavier child as counterbalance, but then I realise most chiuldren 1 & half years apart would be different weights, just mine are weird.

I've never thought the seat was narrow either, btw. I even perch on ours when really knackered at a playground (and I'm NOT tiny)

Thanks for measuring it Bear ... it does sound so narrow but the fact that there are more than 4" give in width makes it sound much better.

Decisions, decisions!

I saw it advertised on the website for Daisy and Tom, a baby emporium in London (www.daisyandtom.com) but when I rang today they were waiting for a delivery. BTW they also stock the Emmaljunga with toddler seat if you want to compare.

I would warn anyone against buying large items from Daisy & Tom. I find the staff in their London store unhelpful and their after-sales service is appalling. I bought a cot from them that then broke and they took ages to repair it, six weeks on from originally taking it back and my baby was still sleeping in a travel cot. They really are useless and yet they are pricey!

Hi Millie1

I live in ni and would be willing to meet up to let you see it if you are still interested. although i have the kiwi explorer and not the new e3 model.

HTH

Claire

Hi Claire

Thanks a million for the offer - it's something I would love to take you up on but am not sure when - maybe after Christmas. I'm 37w at present and not really feeling much like long journeys ... if, on the other hand, you lived around the corner I'd be so tempted!! I'll try to drop you a note through Mumsnet tonight.

Millie

Mine has broken, the frame has sheared. It appears to have happended gradually and it is less than a year old.

The distributors are sending us a new frame from NZ free of charge. They said it sounded like a faulty piece of metal. It's the old sort.

Uh-oh Kaz ... guess the upside is that they're sending you a new frame without charge - and so they should!! Hope this one's okay.

Hi Millie

Have recieved your email but can't seem to get back into my email to reply. Will contact you when I can.

Claire

Thanks Claire ... whenever you get a chance - no rush.

M

Please can I join the E3 explorer debate? I LOVE the idea of this buggy and am definately going to give it a try . I have on ds who will be 29 months when number 2 arrives in March so I guess I will be using the sibling position for a few months and the either single or tandem. My question is: what raincover do I buy - double or single or both? Has anyone any experience of the sun shade and again do I need double or single for these combinations? Finally I fncy the bacpac thingy that attached to the frame - can you use this in the sibling or tandem position?

THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU!!
deb xxx

Well everyone seems to recommend the E3 explorer so I've taken the plunge and ordered one yesterday from www.pracitalpushchairs.co.uk. It has just arrived! I'm impressed with their service.

Hamble ... very impressed with their service (esp. since I e-mailed them some questions weeks ago and they didn't have the courtesy to reply!!). Hope you're happy with it - let us know!!

Deb - think you need the double combinmation as you can definitely use the double raincover with the single position.