Mothercare Alpine Jack Double Three Wheeler - Anyone got one or tried one?

[MalmoMum]

I'm still trying to do some research on this one long distance so help with maybe obvious questions please! I did try one in the shop back in March but with 6 weeks to go until no 2 is due, I realise there are some holes in my knowledge such as:

:: Is it really suitable from birth?

:: I can't seem to work out if the wheels come off so presume they don't.

:: How difficult is it to get in the boot? (presuming you have a car that you would attempt to get a double 3 wheeler in the back of)

:: Is it suitable for off road use?

:: When you lock the swivel front wheel for off road use, does it really lock or have a slight wobble to it?

:: When you fold it up, how does it stay folded? (I'm thinking of stowing it on planes)

:: How sturdy have you found Mothercare buggies to be?

:: How do you find it steers with 2 kids and some shopping in there?

I was quite taken with this one when we were in the UK in March and was pleasantly surprised at how smooth it felt. I was wondering if I could use it to run to town with the new one in (once a suitable age), pick up ds from nursery and then amble home. Practical feedback would be appreciated.

Currently got a Land Rover Pegasus 3 wheeler and a Maclaren that lives in the boot of the car. The Maclaren only gets used under duress as I prefer to sling the 3 wheeler on top of it. Did manage the 3 wheeler quite happily in the back of my old Nissan Sunny. Used the 3 wheeler loads, including jogging and loads of trips abroad and found it light and robust.

Will also get a trailer for my bicycle that converts into a pushchair via a drop down wheel. Thus you can cycle to town and then use it as a double pushchair. Can't fit both children in until youngest is 6 months although can have the baby in the carrycot in the early stages and will prob keep ds in the bike seat.

Can't see myself fancying a spot of cycling in the weeks following the birth though!

Any one got any feedback? How about with a bubble machine attached?!

Sorry! Bubble makers I managed to help with, double buggies, 2 wheeled or otherwise, I'm utterly clueless about.

To be suitable from birth, the seat has to lie completely flat. If it says "suitable from birth" then I guess it has to be - they can't lie about things like that!

I've got a Mothercare travel system (pushchair & 1st stage car seat) and it's been marvellous and I've got a cheap Mothercare stroller which has been good too. No complaints about the sturdiness of them at all.

Having seen a friend with an ordinary double buggy, I'd imagine it steers like a large car with no power steering when fully loaded!!

My Mothercare buggies both have a clip to hold them closed.

here is a set of recommendations for double buggies - scroll down and eventually you'll get the Alpine.

Hope this helps!

Here it is in the mothercare catalogue.

Why can't I do multiple links in one post??

The Urban Detour Mcare single three wheeler is very good. Nice and sturdy, you can jog with it and use it over rough terrain when the baby is so many weeks old, assume this is similar to the double buggy, don't know how this would compare to a real ATP mind you. However if I needed a double buggy and had the space for it in the back of the car it is the one I would choose based on my experience of the single one. HTH.

Thanks, as mentioned in the SW London thread, dh is supposed to be going to London on Weds and it seems like a good chance to pick one up.

As I have had only one chance to test drive the thing (when I wasn't seriously looking), it's nice to see some other opinions. It's too new to be registering on the Mumsnet reviews, I guess.