Mountain buggy - where to buy and when are new models out?

[Lucky13]

Hi,
sorry for yet another MB question. I have done a search but can't find anything to help (maybe its cos I'am stupid newbie)!

i've rung round a few places and looked online but can't find anywhere in the south that seems to have a the MB terrain in stock - does anyone know of anywhere? I've never seen one in the flesh and would really love to try it out. Anywhere in Hants/Surrey/Berks/Oxon would be great.

Also do you know when they bring there new stock out? I'm confused as i've looked on the official site and it seems to have different models when compared with online shops selling a 'new' urban model (can't find any 'new' terrain models tho). Is the official website out of date??

Thanks.

List of stockists here

The Urban is a front swivel wheel version, the terrain has a fixed front wheel for true offroading (but still great in town apparently) Both have been around for ages, although a newer Urban model came out a couple of years ago with an adjustable handle.

HTH

Thanks amazonianwoman for your reply. Sorry, have a bit of pregnancy brain going on and i didn't make my message clear!

I know i want the terrain model, i just can't find anywhere that has it in stock. I've been through lots of shops of the MB website and none seem to have it in my area - they only have the urban . Just wondered if anyone knows of a shop that might not be on the list? I really need to see one for real!! I suppose i'll have to go to London to see one?

I've noticed that the urban model has new colours and didn't know whether this was 2007 colours or is actually the new 2008 model?

The latest terrain now seems to come in either black and white or brown and white dots - is that right? Is a newer model likely to come along in the next few months?

Thanks

Why do you want a terrain? We have the urban model but do serious walks - most of the time we still leave front wheel on swivel, but for particularly rocky sections, put it onto fixed. We have never had a problem with this.

Whilst pushing the two models around the shop you don't really notice the difference, if you try pushing a 2yo round, the difference the swivel wheel makes is enormous. Its the need to press down on the handle in order to change direction rather than simply push it one way or another. Ds fiddles with the wheel adjuster and sometimes the wheel snaps back into its locked position - the difference is very noticeable, and it is much more difficult to push around easily. Its also great round shops with the swivel wheel - can do turning on the spot one-handed which comes in useful sometimes.

And if you're thinking that 'my 2yo will not need buggy' - ours only needs it for decent length walks as he often goes 2 - 2.5 miles. However, I personally find him too heavy to carry comfortably even in a good back rucksack for any length, so taking the buggy along is the only sensible option. So buggy gets used for carrying Nellie the elephant for most of the walk and used just at the end when he's had enough.

Can't help with stockists - only know northern ones.

Hi mistlethrush,
I wanted the terrain, because i live in the middle of nowhere and rarely go into town (do lots of shopping online). My family live again live in really rural areas so i wouldn't need it there. I don't use public transport (mainly cos there isn't any) so don't need anything compact either.

I have to walk the dog about 3 miles a day and its v rough ground through woods and boggy watermeadows (generally lots of mud)and steep hills and i've been told that the urban wouldn't work as well as the terrain. The terrain is also 1kg lighter than the urban isn't it?

I'd love to hear arguments for and against though, if you think the terrain would be a big mistake?

I know i could use a rucksack, but i'm not that big a person and don't think i could carry for the length of a walk.

Am i wasting my time searching for the terrain when the urban would be fine?

Thanks

We have dog, and also do 3 mile + walks. Urban has been excellent. Fix wheel if required. For really rough walks, remove fabric basket (but you'd hit metal one with terrain anyway). Been through 1' high grass, mud up to the axles (likewise puddles), over roots and rocks in woodland, now wheel down steps without tilting handle (ds now loves this!).

Even when we're out on relatively rough terrain, most of the time I have the wheel on swivel - only need it fixed when coming up against lots of roots or rocks with front wheel.

To reiterate - to change direction with terrain model you effectively have to lift the front wheel off the ground, whilst the urban model the wheel can just change direction. Therefore on the urban model you can use one hand to push practically all the time, leaving the other hand free for the dog lead, whereas if you have the terrain you would soon find that you would have to use 2 hands to change direction (when dc becomes a bit heavier). I certainly felt much happier having separate hand for dog lead - sort of acted as suspension between buggy and the occasional lunge of the dog. Also gave me more control over the dog.

Can you get to a stockist that has urban version and try putting in heavy load (eg 10kg) then pushing around with fixed wheel then swivel wheel? This would give you a better idea of what I mean, although it wouldn't reflect rough terrain of course.

Hope this helps.

I've been on v rough ground with urban too, no probs

Can't help with London stockists though, I'm up north. See if you can get a message to mumsnetter hub2dee - he's in/around London and has a terrain and loves it

Good luck!