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E3 owners - more questions but it's midnight in NZ...

47 replies

Gem13 · 19/05/2004 13:29

OK, these may seem rather inane but they're driving me to distraction

Am setting up second seat option for 13 week old DD and want to know...

  1. do your top straps on your buggy look more like the bottom ones in picture 10 of the instructions, i.e. not very long?

  2. how do you fold the head board between the fabric layers?

  3. does it look like the top rider is going to sink into the main seat and have his/her legs sticking out at a 45 degree angle?

  4. what is the loop for under the second seat?

  5. can you recline the main seat when sibling is in the second seat?

TIA

OP posts:
Gem13 · 19/05/2004 17:27

Any E3ers around?

OP posts:
Gem13 · 19/05/2004 19:37

Now?

OP posts:
BearintheBigBlueHouse · 19/05/2004 22:50

Sorry - been away from the computer. Not sure I understand all your questions. 4 - for sliding under the bars of the main seat just above the footwell. 1 - can't find our instructions, sorry, so I'm not sure what you mean. 2 - fold down immediately behind the back board then fold the two sides over the top (well actually under IYSWIM) and clip them together. 3 - no, but again I'm not exactly sure what you mean, sorry. 5 - have you got the brand brand new one that reclines? if so I can't help you, otherwise, don't think so. Sorry I've not been more help - Jenna at P&T's should be available now, or I'm happy to try to help further.

bluebear · 19/05/2004 23:02

Umm..I've got a version 2 E3..don't understand all of your questions sorry..dh originally put the buggy together. Are you doing it as the flat newborn main seat with a toddler seat above?
If so,(3) on my E3 the top (toddler) seat does go close to the main (flat) seat but there is space left from that point towards the handle for the newborn to lie. Top seat passenger's legs go down into footwell though.
(1)Straps on both seats are all long..lots of strap left over when either of my children are in either seat (6 months old, and a 3ish year old)
(2) don't know/understand..although do understand BITBBH's reply!?
(4) don't know
(5) In the v2 you simply unzip the main seat if it is being used as the top toddler seat and it becomes reclined.
If the main seat is in the newborn position then it must be unzipped already - or newborn 'bed' will be tilted.
The second add-on seat cannot be reclined in either top or bottom position.

Hope this helps - or you can get hold of PandT now!

Bagpuss30 · 20/05/2004 11:23

Hi Gem

Don't have second seat but think I can help with top seat questions as this is how ours is set up.

  1. Yes, picture in instructions must be an older model as ours is shorter. If you fold the headboard backwards (as Bear says) then fold the right hand fabric over then the left then they should do up (I have just been and checked mine against the instructions).

  2. See 1.

  3. No but seat is fairly wedge like!

  4. Don't know

  5. Main seat reclines with zips but just be sure to leave about 1 cm done up otherwise you have to rejoin the zips which is a pain. I have no idea how this affects the second seat though.

Whilst you are all here, I still cannot get my panniers to hang straight, they sort of hang at an angle off the frame which leads down to the back wheels, any tips?

HTH

BearintheBigBlueHouse · 20/05/2004 12:02

Bagpuss - after lunch, if the unholy terrors decide to nap, I'll take some pics of our panniers and can mail them to you, or stick them on Photobox - let me know if that would help.

Bagpuss30 · 20/05/2004 13:07

Thanks very much Bear, that would be a great help . DH thinks they look a bit odd at the moment and I daren't put anything heavy in just in case they fall off. I am pleased with them on the whole though. Even dh had to agree that they were quite good as he put it. Probably due to the fact that I no longer make him carry the girly changing bag when we are out .

Also, another quick question for you all. What is the little square of black fabric on the side of the buggy for? (think it's on the right). Instructions are so basic they seem to tell me nothing. If it is for another accessory then what?

BearintheBigBlueHouse · 20/05/2004 13:15

All quiet upstairs - so will get onto it. I asked the same Q about the black square some months ago - best idea we had was it's to hand DD's iPod from

bluebear · 20/05/2004 13:19

Still waiting for my panniers
Haven't noticed the 'ipod' bit...maybe the v2 doesn't have it?

Bagpuss30 · 20/05/2004 13:25

Bluebear, it took me about 6 weeks to get my panniers, some prob at the warehouse apparently.

Bear, I like it! Not sure dh will let dd borrow the iPod though . Thanks once again.

BearintheBigBlueHouse · 20/05/2004 13:48

OK ladies - M. Banane is pointing to the mystery square and the panniers are on show HERE . Either click on the individual pics to blow them up or do the slideshow thing. If anyone reports me for offensive photos, I shall be most irked. Let me know if it doesn't work.

Only joking about the iPod - it never leaves my sight (we do have the first Bear in the Big etc CD loaded on there tho' - how sad's that?) despite it being officially DW's.

Bagpuss30 · 20/05/2004 15:31

Thanks for that Bear, I have managed to attach them now .

On closer inspection of P&T's website (god, I am bored today) I think the square may be to attach a bottle holder to but I could be wrong. Most original/amusing suggestion should win a bar of Green & Black's I think .

Bear, I'm impressed by your choice of music. I am now off to put Bob the Builder on to iTunes .

bluebear · 20/05/2004 17:00

I don't have a mysterious black square on my v2.....I have a mysterious black velcro rectangle on both sides .
Send for scooby doo and the gang!

PS Bear - nice pics..and I like your floorboards

BearintheBigBlueHouse · 20/05/2004 18:12

you wouldn't like the sh*te that gets stuffed down the gaps by dd (leaves, twigs, playground sand....), nor the draft that whips up them. But I admit they did sell the place to us

Gem13 · 20/05/2004 20:35

Thanks everyone for getting back to me. I'm sure there must be something wrong as I can't fit the headboard between the fabric easily (it makes the main seat lopsided) and the seat is way too forward. Unfortunately DS (main seat rider)refused to sit in it today and DD (seconder) was also being uncooperative (has anyone else found it really difficult to slot a baby who refuses to bend?) so I haven't been able to test drive it in this set up with both children

I don't know if I can last until 10 for the Kiwis to be by their phones. I have a local shop with the E3 in though so will go and have a snoop tomorrow.

Am stunned Bear that you have lost the instructions! Had you down as filing them away in your E3 follower filing cabinet. And your panniers look nicer than mine... Have fallen out of love with these as they are really annoying when you have to keep taking them off to get the buggy in the car (live in the country). And I've lost my 'clear plastic back flap'.

DH is muttering about putting a buggy board on the back of the Instep Nipper...

OP posts:
bluebear · 20/05/2004 20:36

We've just had a quote to have our boards sanded and the gaps filled...the bloke could not understand why I was so insistent on the gap-filling until i told him I had a 2 year old who's fav. game is pushing things down the gaps...nasty draught too (dh didn't believe me til he took up the hall carpet and the icy breeze met him when he came down the stairs in the morning).
Love the colour of yours anyway!

Bagpuss30 · 20/05/2004 21:37

Gem

Yes seat is slightly lop sided but I'm sure that it evens itself out when child is inside. DD is also being uncooperative with sitting in the buggy atm so I'm wondering if it might be time to get some more padding. She loves the bowron fleece (like on rodney's site) that I've got so that will be my next thing to unearth from all the baby clobber. Lastly don't do the buggy board thing unless you wish to have permanent backache for the next ten years - I have learnt the hard way!

Bluebear - no need for Scooby Doo, I think that velcro will be something to do with single raincover (yes, I am really bored now).

Bear, buy some slippers, the floor boards are lovely!

P.S. Sorry for any typos, have had wine

BearintheBigBlueHouse · 21/05/2004 13:32

Gem, I haven't LOST them - it's just after years of being anally retentive about tidiness and order, 7 weeks on my own with two nappy-clad hoodlums has changed my world view enormously. They are in the dining room somewhere (probably at the bottom of a huge pile of P&T accessories) and will surface when least expected.

Bluebear - think carefully about getting gaps filled - a friend had it done and it looked the business, but a couple of months further on, the filling started rising above the boards due to movement caused by just walking on them. We had the worst problems with big, draughty gaps in the kitchen (big enough for little fingers to get stuck down some of them and certainly for food to get stuffed down them - yuk), so we Karndeaned that bad boy, but that's another thread

Has anyone got the double UV cover - boy, does the E3 look menacing with that on. I've trained DD to hum the Imperial March from Star Wars as we pass people in the street. If you're self concious enough already with the looks you're getting for having a baby in the luggage rack, don't go for the big black cover. DD & DS have no trouble with it though, and I don't have to keep reapplying suncream.

bluebear · 21/05/2004 13:46

We haven't got the sun cover..thought we wouldn't need it in this country..and then the sun came out!

If I order it now that will be the last sun we see

Bagpuss - thanks for the scooby impression - I have now found the mysterious black square!

Gem13 · 21/05/2004 23:31

Update...

The straps aren't too short (phew!) so that is one problem solved but DD did look too little to be in the second seat. Didn't help that I was trying to slot her in and she refused to bend so screamed in the doctor's waiting room today. Felt even worse about breaking the 'not before 6 months' rule.

I've decided to keep her in the newborn seat (without the cocoon which is too small and hot anyway) so it that I am going to have to remove DS and unzip his seat to get her in and out each time.

By being in the second seat the sun was also in DD's eyes and unlike Bear's cooperative children DS absolutely refuses to have a raincover or UV shade on the buggy so that presents yet another problem!

Might have to rethink my subscription of the fanclub...

OP posts:
bluebear · 23/05/2004 19:51

Hi Gem - Glad you got it sorted in the end. I put dd into the 'hammock' newborn seat until she was almost 7 months (although mainly when I wanted her to have a good nap)...didn't have a 'carrycot thing' but I lined the seat with a thin pram mattress (mamas and papa - cost about a tenner) so it was more cosy, and slotted her in from the handlebar end - a bit fiddly but didn't bother removing the top seat.
My ds is not very compliant with the rain cover..so I haven't ordered the sun cover yet..baby dd is now in the add-on seat and wears a big sun-hat...wish they did a little clip on hood for the little seat to keep the sun off!

Marita · 30/06/2004 09:04

The slot thingie on the side is actually quite clever, too bad it isn't mentioned in any directions. The drink holder has a loop for the handlebar, or a clip which fits into that little slot, for a dd or ds who likes to get their own beverage out...

BearintheBigBlueHouse · 30/06/2004 16:06

Aww don't, now I have to have one.

Bagpuss30 · 30/06/2004 18:32

Was thinking the same........

Joanne69 · 30/06/2004 18:52

Hi,

Just got an E3 with the doubles kit, seen your post about the cup holder, sounds a good idea but where is it?

Also, how old is your smallest one when using the upright seat instead of the lay down seat. My 3 1/2 month old much perfers sitting up instead of lying down.