Pushchair debate: single pushbar -v- two pushhandles??

[Rollingpapa]

Three weeks before our first is due, and we're about to buy a Pliko Quattro, which has two handles.

Suddenly wondering if we've made the right decision on the handle front.

Please help: what are pros/cons of single bar / two handles, from experience?

i have a single bar...my dad suggested it would be easier to push buggy with one hand if single bar ( could put hand in centre) and thsi would be useful when trying to walk dogs with buggy too...

He was wrong...lead in hand so could have hand on handle...can't steer onehanded anyway.

Can't hang shopping bags etc on single bar

2 handles good for putting shopping basket on in the supermarket and hanging the plastic bags on. One handle is easier if you need to push the pushchair single handedly say if you need to hold a small child's hand. Have to say I prefer a single handle. (but do like the pliko).

Can also get special clips to put on a single handle to allow you to hang bags from it.

Is there any difference in manoeuverability?

Live in London, so need good "nippability" on pavements, but --

Have been told there's a knack to rolling up/down kerbs or steps, which could be made more difficult by having two handles. Is this right?

hmmm don't know if that's related to handles...I struggle with mine if not going in straight line (!), but had put it down to the front wheel being fixed (3wheeler) rather than 'wobbly' (IYSWIM).

Having used both sorts, I don't think there's much difference in manoeuverability, but there definitely is in comfort. With a single handlebar you can more easily vary the position of your hands, especially if the handlebar is arched. And it's easier to push one-handed. With two handles I wouldn't touch it unless you can vary the angle of the handles. Handles pointed inwards are usually easier to push two-handed, but very difficult one-handed.

That said, if you've only got the one child to look after, you're less likely to need to push one-handed - only for, say, opening doors and going through them unassisted. Say 'bye-bye' to your umbrella for the next few years, as pushing a laden buggy while holding an umbrella on a windy day really ought to be classified as an olympic sport.

I had a M&P with single handle when ds was small. then had strollers with 2 handles. Much prefer 2 handles, mainly for hanging shopping on tbh. I got the clips for single handle but they are crap and unbalance the buggey and teh bags hang where your knees are.

Well 2 handles is good cos you can hang shopping off them a lot easier

1 handle is good as easier to talk on mobile and steer buggy. You cannot push 2 handle buggys with 1 hand.

There's the nub of it, I think.

I'm trying to picture what happens if someone calls DW on her mobile when she's pushing two-handled pram...

major advantage of two-handled buggies is that generally they umbrella-fold, which is a godsend if you have small boot, get on buses / planes, keep buggy folded in cupboard under stairs etc.
Any disadvantage of two handles is outweighed by this IMO!

i have both and also lived in london for first 2.5 yrs - got lots of buses. had an old style pliko as wanted a 'pram' but light. ended up buying a maclaren at six months anyway as it's lighter and smaller.

new pliko better as has handles which are angled inwards - straight handles a nightmare on the wrists as your ligaments are all softened. If I was doing it again I'd accept the inevitable and get a big proper pram with good suspension for walking and daytime naps (and the nanny effect)and a tiny maclaren stroller for the car/bus/when baby is older.

I agree with all the pluses and minuses you've been given and the new pliko is a good choice.

I prefer a single handle, and I use these hooks to hang things from (scroll down to Stroll'r Swivel'rs). I find with a single handle I can stand up straighter

You all rock! Thank you for input - really helpful

Off to M&P this evening, so will print off the thread and show to DW before we test-drive different models. Wish us luck

This sounds a mad thing to mention to you when your first baby hasn't arrived yet, but if you are planning on any more children, I found a single bar invaluable. You can push it one handed and hold the toddler's hand at the same time.

Many people end up having a more expensive traditional pram or pushchair initially and then getting a mothercare/maclaren buggy with 2 handles for all the reasons MrsBadger gave!

best wishes to you both!

Those StrollrSwivelr things look an excellent idea - much better than the 'conventional' ones above which just open up if the least weight is hooked on to them, and cannot carry just one item in any case.

When DS was a newborn, I had a single-bar pram and just used those swivel clips - I chose the single bar because you could adjust the height and as I am quite tall, it was perfect because I didn't end up stooping over the handles - that said, for convenience,now have a maclaren that we scoot around town with.