Jane Powertrack vs Slalom Pro and how good are they off road?

RMW2 · 2006-05-03T09:33:28+00:00

Hi there sorry after more pram advice, I am going to look at the Jane on saturday and does anyone have any preference/feedback on the powertrack over the slalom pro? can you also tell me how good they are off road? (woods and paths)

Teaandcake · 03/05/2006 11:39

Hello RMW2

Sorry, am going to be the voice of doom (again). Don't do it! Jane prams are rubbish. I've sold loads of them to people who will not be talked out of it, then had to return their faulty pram to Johnston Prams in Northern Ireland (at great expense to our company) who then send it back to us claiming there was nothing wrong with it at all.

I'm currently trying to persuade our buyer to drop them from our range because of the poor customer sevice.

I also have a few worries about the fitting of the Matrix car seat in the rearward facing position. It just doesn't fit securely in any car I have tried to fit it into. If anyone out there has managed it please will you share the secret with me (the rep from Johnstons couldn't even do it convincingly).

The only 3 wheeler to have is the Mountain Buggy Urban (or Terrain if you're a hardcore outdoor type). Totally indestructable and super simple to operate. We've yet to have one returned to us for repair, this says everything really.

Humble apologies to those Jane owners who love their prams.

divamummy · 03/05/2006 22:52

Well,Thumbs up here from one of those Jane Lovers:) I have Jane Slalom, and love it. Cant imagine without it:) Havent had any trouble for over almost year. Had Matrix car seat with clips, great value for money. I must be very gentle owner, LoL
Highly recommended.
Diva

hub2dee · 03/05/2006 23:03

MB
MB
MB

T&C - any idea on dates for a Tobi (in funky / nasty Wagtail colourway) ? I've been told June but could do with one earlier than that...

Teaandcake · 04/05/2006 10:10

Hub, the Tobi is available now! Though not in our shop!

I went on a spying mission yesterday to our rival nursery store just to see what they had, and they already have it!! And they had it in Wagtail!

I think its just our buyer who is crap.

Probably worth ringing around to see if anyone has it in yet.

robin3 · 04/05/2006 10:19

RMW2....agree with TAC.

We have a Jane Powertrack 360 and the brakes don't work properly causing the front wheel to vibrate.

Also agree about the carseat. Am having baby No 2 and going to get a new car seat with Isofix because it never seemed very stable to me.

Looks great and very versatile but there are too many technical problems and no-one in the UK that can fix the things.

Also can't get my pram 100% flat...the instructions are very poor so maybe it's just me being dim. Have used a McLaren buggy or DS1 tricycle ever since he was a year old.

PrincessPeaHead · 04/05/2006 10:36

I have a jane powertrack 360 and I must say if you break into even a gentle trot with it the front wheel vibrates alarmingly. I thought it was just me but my cousin has just bought the latest version and hers is the same.

I also have the matrix carseat which I use as a carrycot attachment on the 360 chassis, and it is lovely. However I have yet to put it rearward into a car and get it solid, IYKWIM. It sort of tips right up and balances on one end, it is impossible to get it in, sitting on its base, not moving.
So I don't use it as a car seat, I use a britax rock a tot instead. But that is a bit crappy from something that IS actually meant to be a carseat. Very interesting reading tea and cakes post!

Original poster

RMW2 · 04/05/2006 11:31

thanks for all your comments everyone its much appreciated, I will go and have a look on saturday xxx

OP posts:

hub2dee · 04/05/2006 11:50

Hi T&C - just tried to CAT you but you're blocked... any chance you could CAT me the name / number of any stockist ? I can't find any ! (Don't worry if you feel you don't want to give the competition any business and would prefer not to; I understand)

mumo75 · 04/05/2006 11:53

silly question-what is a "tobi" please (pushchair addict asking) LOL

Teaandcake · 04/05/2006 12:02

Mumo 75, 'Tobi' is the name of a new car seat.

Hub, I'm afraid I'm a total technophobe and havn't a clue how to use this CAT facility. If you would talk me through it I would be happy to supply the name of the store.

hotmama · 04/05/2006 12:03

I've got a Powertrack 360, it has been used a lot off road and on wooded paths etc. I found the Matrix carseat was a pain to keep getting out the car when in the lieflat position - but this could be me just being crap.

However, I now am using a Phil & Ted E3 as dd2 has now come along and at 16 months between the dd's - a bit closer than planned!

The matrix carseat is now permanently in the car in the lie flat position - so is fine.

IMO the Jane is more substantial than the P&T - I will go back to using it when dd1 is a bit older and will go on a buggy board. HTH

hub2dee · 04/05/2006 12:09

Hi T&C - At the top of the screen, with all the underlined links thing is one which says 'your registration'. If you click this, enter your username and password, you will get taken to the screen where you can change your name, opt in or out of the mumsnet e-mails etc. etc. One of the options should be 'Allow other members to contact you'. This is how to turn on 'CATs' (Contact Another Talker). This will allow other members (who have paid a fiver to MH Towers) to fill in a form which mumsnet will forward to you so you are revealed the sender's e-mail address. The send does not see yours until you have chosen to reply.

HTH (and thanks).

Teaandcake · 04/05/2006 12:13

Tis done Hub, feel free to CAT away!

hub2dee · 04/05/2006 12:20

Splendid. Miaow.

mumsnet have a small group of elves who read the CATs and make sure they're not offensive etc. so you should get it shortly. TIA.

hub2dee · 04/05/2006 13:19

Got it, have replied, thanks T&C. BTW - do you reckon it is fair to presume the Tobi has the same seat base moulding / approximate seat belt route as the Priori ? That was a fab fit in our car, but I suppose it might be somewhat risky to order the Tobi without being sure it'll fit, considering a car seat is not really a returnable product IYSWIM...

Sorry for the buggy hijack... RMW2

Teaandcake · 04/05/2006 17:12

Hub, the seat belt routing is completely different to that of the Priori XP. This new way makes it a better fit in a wider range of cars.

The only way to be absolutely sure is to fit it into your car (difficult, I know). I would be very surprised if it didn't fit though.

Does your Merc not have Isofix?

hub2dee · 04/05/2006 17:38

Nah... it's too old (year 2000).

Hmmm... might try a black Tobi from Halfords then... and either buy that or borrow someone's 0+ until Summer when Wagtail is available. Thanks for your help though.

Original poster

RMW2 · 08/05/2006 13:29

Hi everyone just wanted to say thanks for all the feedback and advice it has been so useful, i have decided to get a mountain buggy and am going to try the urban and the terrain on friday and decide either way, terrain has the edge at the moment, thanks again xxx

OP posts:

paow · 08/05/2006 14:01

Hi ya, sorry to crash your thread t&c I'd be really grateful on any advice if you have a spare minute.
I am after a 3 wheeler and did look at Jane and loved the look of it although pricey and maybe not so good as you say.
We don't drive and walk everywhere, therefore I would need good durable tyres and a strong pram to last me 2 offsprings (currently expecting no1)
I have seen on ebay hauck quite cheap, which ones would you recommend, than you so much for your advice, I'm really confused!
P

Original poster

RMW2 · 08/05/2006 14:16

Hiya, well I have done alot of research on 3 wheelers and have looked at most of them, definatly the best in my opinion (and in many people on this forum as well) is that the mountain buggy is the best 3 wheeler you can buy. I have also spoken to many shops and they all say that the mountain buggy is very reliable and they very rarely get any problems with them, many have told me that they last and last and will easily see you through years of hardy use.

They do two versions an urban with a swivel wheel and a terrain with a fixed, I would recommend finding a shop that sells both and trying them both, plus look back onto other threads that discuss the mountain buggy for loads of advice from other mums over which one is best (i am going to buy one at the weekend and am heading towards the terrain)

www.mountainbuggy.co.uk - shows a list of all stockists

they do a carry cot for it and it can take any car seat although its an unusual style attachment, the only disadvantages i would see are that the pushchair only faces forward but it does lie flat and i put my nephew in the urban on saturday and he loved it and looked super comfy in it, hope this helps,

OP posts:

paow · 08/05/2006 15:09

thank you so much RMW2 for your advise, sounds perfect! will go and have a good look,
best
P

Teaandcake · 10/05/2006 21:23

Hi paow, sorry only just spotted your shout. I can only reiterate what has already been posted about the Mountain Buggy. IMHO the only 3 wheeler worth having.

It may be wise to invest in having the tyres filled with 'slime' (a kind of gel which stops you you getting so many punctures) or have the inside of the tyres lined with kevlar tape (don't know the brand), cyclists swear by these. Your local bike shop would be able to do this for you. As with ALL prams with air tyres, the warranty does not cover punctures.

Big wheels are definately the way to go if you are a walker. Far more comfortable for you and your baby.

The only problem is the price. The initial outlay seems huge but if you're planning more than one child it will be worth every penny (no need for alternatives because it WON'T break down).

We have some customers who have used theirs for 3 children and still going strong!

Jzee · 10/05/2006 21:31

I also have the Jane powertrack 360 and have had the same problem with the front wheel wobbling - took it back to the shop and they tightened something so it's fine now. I don't have any complaints with using it off road and ours has been on beaches, dirt tracks, snow etc, etc really battered around. One though it seems if you go over a certain weight ie too much shopping then the brakes rub on the back wheel - bit irritating, also the hand brake has been on and off - not selling it very well here !!!

Jzee · 10/05/2006 21:32

I also have the Jane powertrack 360 and have had the same problem with the front wheel wobbling - took it back to the shop and they tightened something so it's fine now. I don't have any complaints with using it off road and ours has been on beaches, dirt tracks, snow etc, etc really battered around. One though it seems if you go over a certain weight ie too much shopping then the brakes rub on the back wheel - bit irritating, also the hand brake has been on and off - not selling it very well here !!!

littlemadam · 10/05/2006 22:39

My front wheel on the 360 is always wobbling, I tighten it up, and it wobbles off again!! I do have the instrucions to stop the wobbling (albeit on a temporary basis) if anyone wants them. We have also had loads of punctures (3 this year) and a new inner tube is about £9 a go, so might be worth considering - tho we do live down a long and bumpy track!