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Original poster

Best tandem buggy for a 2 yr age gap?

34 replies

TheBlonde · 05/09/2006 17:33

Best tandem buggy for a 2 yr age gap?

I need a tandem as a twin won't fit in my front door
DS will be 2 when the next one arrives
We walk a lot in London and I don't think a buggy board will work for us to start with

Options seem to be

  • Phil & Teds
  • Jane Powertwin
  • MarcoSky
  • Mothercare ones

Any feedback/views gratefully received??

OP posts:
Fayness · 05/09/2006 18:26

Hey,

I'm not a fan of the Marcosky or anything Jane, as i think they are of fairly poor quality - also i think the Jane one is hugely expensive, and you may not get much use out of it with your older one. I would go for the P&T with the doubles kit, as you can continue to use it as a single once your older child is able to walk for longer periods of time.
The Mothercare phoenix is bulky when folded, but nice to push, and fairly light - but the main plus is that it's inexpensive, so not a huge outlay for a short amount of time!

Hope this helps!

hana · 05/09/2006 18:31

we are getting the Jane Powertwin - will have a 20 month gap.
(third hand so cost is negated!)

not a big fan of the phil and teds - the poor baby in the bottom has no view and is so v low to the ground

have heard that macrosky is quite bulky and a v basic buggy

don't know about the mothercare ones

Original poster
TheBlonde · 05/09/2006 19:17

bump

OP posts:
liquidclocks · 05/09/2006 19:32

22 month age gap between mine. I love love love my phil and teds - so much easier to push than the others I tried and so snuggly for the baby. I've been using it as my main single during pg too and find it wy easier to manage than my maclren triumph. Baby's view didn't bother me as by the time it will matter DS1 will be walking properly and it was one of the only ones to fold small enough to fit in my boot (have a micra). My friend's had one for 8 months and her boys are sme age gap - she's the reason I got it after trying it out with her boys in it - doesn't feel like you're pushing a double at all! If you decide to go for the P&T's eventually and buy it new I got mine for £359 inc doubles kit, storm cover and coccoon from a little shop called nursery time in Preston, Lancashire - not that I expect you to go there - just don't pay what mothercare charge!

liquidclocks · 05/09/2006 19:33

also - I bought the pannier bags to get round the shopping basket problem when in doubles mode - they're great and if you put near the front they don't make it any wider at all.

samnbabes · 05/09/2006 19:46

We have a P&T and a 25 month age gap ... dd2 is just 6 months, and I must say, I luuurrrvvveee it - really easy to handle/manoever; fits into small doorwqays, great for rough terrain, and kids both loved it.

I haven't had any problems yet with the back passanger getting bored ... hung some toys up for her to look at when it was in lie flat mode (which is also good ito protecting her from wind/sun). Just into the two sitting mode, and she seems to still be enjoying it.
The shopping basket is RUBBISH -esp when back is in lie-down mode & baby is asleep...

Happy shopping....

(PS we ebayed ours - there are loads on there!

rebeka27 · 05/09/2006 20:21

My neighbour has just bought a cosatto tandem buggy for her wee baby and 18 month old, she loves it! It is like a umbrlla fold buggy with a toddler seat. My sister has just ditched her P&T as the poor baby in the bottom kept getting smacked when they went up kerbs!

Nemo1977 · 05/09/2006 20:25

I had 2.2yrs between ds and dd. Went for the marco sky which personally find really good. It is however designed for taller mums [I am 5ft8]. I will be using it again between dd and db as there will be a 13mth age gap.

Original poster
TheBlonde · 06/09/2006 08:46

I'm not tall so Marcosky may be out for that reason then
I looked for the Jane double in John Lewis Ox St last week but they didn't have any
I need to try them all out

OP posts:
IdrisTheDragon · 06/09/2006 08:51

I have a 22 month age gap and a P&T and really like it. DD is nearly a year now and it is good to be able to turn it into a double if necessary when DS (2.9) feels that his legs have "worn out" .

Original poster
TheBlonde · 06/09/2006 09:11

How is the P&T once the youngest is no longer in the cocoon shelf thing? Do they still go underneath?
What about shopping space?

OP posts:
Stiglet · 06/09/2006 14:52

I have a 2006/7 powertwin with a 19 month gap and I have to disagree about it being poor quality. I absolutely love it and tried ALOT. The best feature for me is adjustable handle height. The Marco imo is awful once you try it, very tall and awful to push! I don't like the P&T's but that's because I like the idea of both children being able to see where they're going!

Original poster
TheBlonde · 06/09/2006 19:52

bump

OP posts:
samnbabes · 07/09/2006 18:55

P&T: When baby is out of the cocoo/parcel shelf , the front set unclips and goes behind the back set, and the back seat comes forwards, so you have two seats one behind each other. Did that make sense??!? Haven't heard any problems with visability for back seat driver yet, so far, but only had it in that configuration for a couple of weeks ... and to be honest, dd is amused easily...!

And shopping space is just the little carrier underneath, which is pants, unless yu also get the panniers. Prob worthwhile if you do any serious shopping with it.

FillyjonktheFluffy · 07/09/2006 18:59

I have a sling (ergo) and a likeabike for ds. 22 month gap.

that works well for me.

and I am mean and make them walk.

I cannot be doing with doubles.

Original poster
TheBlonde · 07/09/2006 19:07

Gosh, I couldn't do likeabike - DS would be under a truck in minutes

OP posts:
FillyjonktheFluffy · 07/09/2006 19:27

trike with parent handle then

I have experienced most tandems in my quest to find the perfect double.

They are all in some way depressing.

If pushed, and money is not too tight, I'd go for the p+t for the first 4 months then ebay and buy a mothercare hoxton.

samnbabes · 07/09/2006 19:45

Must say, we do sling and walk a lot too ... and found that even handier in early days (first 3 months) when dd would sleep happily in sling. Didm't get double buggy until she was 3 months.
(PS there's someone selling a P&T under for sale)

3andnomore · 07/09/2006 20:29

I love my Double Buggy and had 21 month between my ms and ys!YS is now 2 years old, and I still use it without the Toddlerseat and ms can stand comfortabley on teh back of the frame as it is really sturdy!
\link{http://www.abcbuggy.co.nz/index.html\link)
The manufactorere s are Phil and Ted but under a different company name!

3andnomore · 07/09/2006 20:30

link

Original poster
TheBlonde · 07/09/2006 22:19

Wow, it's like a tank!

OP posts:
FillyjonktheFluffy · 08/09/2006 07:31

actually they do look good.

i wish i'd found that before dd was born.

Original poster
TheBlonde · 08/09/2006 09:04

It wouldn't fit through my front door though

I need to find someone with a Jane for their views

OP posts:
Stiglet · 08/09/2006 09:43

As I posted before I love my Jane! Some plus points for me:

-It's easy to fold down.
-Extremely easy to push and get up curbs etc (even -with heavy toddler in front because of the 3 -wheels). T
-The wheels and seats come off easily to fold down even smaller.
-IMO it looks good (people stop you all the time and ask about it!).
-Both children can see.
-Both Children have hoods.
-I find it easier than pushing the single chicco stroller I had
-It's the same width as alot of singles and easy to get around the shops!
-It is suitable from birth.
-The handle height is adjustable from 96-107cm (The marco is fixed at 116). So easy for a shorty mum (like me) and taller dad to push.
-They hold their value really well.
-Both seats recline

lol I don't work for Jané I sware but I tried alot of doubles/tandems and hated most of them!

Original poster
TheBlonde · 08/09/2006 16:00

Thanks Stiglet, I nearly stopped a woman pushing one this morning

OP posts: