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Original poster

Why do SOOO many people own a MACLAREN PUSHCHAIR?????

31 replies

Bushnels · 14/08/2007 19:49

I am in the market for a pushchair for a 2.5 year old and have been doing my research. I walk a lot and have a bad back so want something that is easy to push and doesn't require me to bend down. I am thinking biggish wheels - less rolling resistance - and light weight frame.

Every shop I go into suggests the maclaren but it has tiny wheels and a very small shopping basket. I think it is good for people with cars who want something small and handy.

I would love a 3 wheeler but feel it is too much at this stage.

SO is a Maclaren with small wheels a good buggy ?

OP posts:
TheBlonde · 14/08/2007 19:50

Where do you walk? Pavements? Off road?

saralou · 14/08/2007 19:51

i love my techno xt.. it's light and easy to push

shopping basket does suck though!

CrookshanksinJimmyChoos · 14/08/2007 19:53

I love my Maclaren - so light, easy to push, fold, store in car, lies flat, washes easily..I could go on! However, it is mainly a city buggy...no good on the beach or walking across countryside etc...shopping basket is also small but I haven't found that too much of a problem tbh. Depends on what walking you are planning to do

pinkteddy · 14/08/2007 19:53

yes love mine. Wish I hadn't bothered with one at the beginning, just got this from 3 months. Very light weight, easy to push even when they get bigger. One downside is the small basket, but you can hang things off the sides!

snowleopard · 14/08/2007 19:55

Agree - we have a techno XT, it's the only buggy we have and I love it because it's so light and reliable (and fairly cheap - ours was £120 - reduced because last season's colours). (When I push friends' buggies I realise just how light!) I also like the lie-down-flat option a lot. DS sleeps in it very easily.

However there is minimal shopping space and the design means it falls over easily if you hang stuff on the handles - and the small wheels are great for town and reasonable good surfaces eg the canal path, but not for serious outdoorsy stuff, mud, beach etc.

anchovies · 14/08/2007 19:56

Love my maclaren for a quick trip to the shops but it is definitely not the easiest to push. Highly recommend an out n about nipper, 3 wheels, very lightweight and easy to push, bar rather than handles definitely easier. They don't cost that much more than a maclaren xt and they have got very good resale value.

Washersaurus · 14/08/2007 19:57

I have used a maclaren volo for the past 18 months and I walk a lot (don't drive).

We originally purchased it for a holiday but it is so lightweight and easy to push I kept on using it. Apart from having to add buggy weights to the front to stop it tipping over with bags on the handles, and the ridiculously small basket I have to say I do quite like it . The handles are quite a bit higher than some other buggies and so it is more comfortable to push for me (5ft8) and DH (6ft4).

Of course I have a new little baby now so am currently using my battleship sized Phil & Teds Sport with doubles seat

Original poster
Bushnels · 14/08/2007 19:57

Mainly city walking but roads around here are crap amy as well be off road.

I was trying a couple out in the shop today - the Quinny is a dream to push but effing shopping basket and a Bruin Presto (toys r us own brand made by cossatto I believe) www.toysrus.co.uk/Product.aspx/bruhome/brutravel/brutravelpushchairs/brutravelpushchairsstrollers/72 5102 which was pretty good and a maclaren. The maclaren was easier to push but there is the issue of the shopping basket.

I simply can't make up my mind.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bushnels · 14/08/2007 20:01

DP is dead set against 3 wheeler as he thinks they are tpp big and not something you busy when you have a 2.5 year old. I think he has a point but I am so tempted. I saw an Urban Detour in a charity shop for £30 and he just wouldn't budge. It was not a swivel though so I didn't push it.

OP posts:
Flibbertyjibbet · 14/08/2007 20:20

I have a Ryder which I bought off here from the lovely Helenhismadwife.
I put a wanted post specifically for maclaren as they are bigger taller buggies - dp is over 6 foot and my boys are both very tall so graco etc was too short for everyone.
So my answer is that its an excellent buggy for me.
However I think any pushchair with a 2.5yo is not going to be the easiest thing to push!
My urban detour 3 wheeler pram was fab for being very easy to push and it has the biggest ever shopping basket. I walked everywhere with that before ds2 came. Good for bigger children too, we still use it.

CarGirl · 14/08/2007 20:24

One of the local independent nursery stores to me only sell maclaren buggies as they said the quality is much better than the others.

LadyVictoriaOfCake · 14/08/2007 20:28

because they are good. i have one in the boot of my car for short trips out and town really. (have a 3 wheeler as my main buggy). they are built to last.

Original poster
Bushnels · 14/08/2007 20:43

Ahh you see lady you have the 3 wheeler as your main buggy.

OP posts:
CarGirl · 14/08/2007 20:45

perhaps you should just go with a 3 wheeler then????? I love my bugaboo easy to push (have a bad back too) love my XT too!

drosophila · 14/08/2007 20:48

Car DP is adamant. Perhaps I can work on him......

FluffyMummy123 · 14/08/2007 20:49

Message withdrawn

CarGirl · 14/08/2007 20:53

Perhaps get a decent 2nd hand one????? Or splash out on an XT??? I do know that getting a better buggy made a difference to my back, I also have a toddler on the buggyboard which added the back trauma!

BlueMonkey · 14/08/2007 21:11

Bushnels I had a toysrus presto stroller for two weeks. My DS is 2 and managed to get his arms out of the straps and lean forwards, to the side of the front wheels, because of the suspension on the front wheels, it tipped up forwards and he nearly went face first into the pavement but i managed to catch him. I took the pram back and told them it was dangerous. You can test it yourself by pressing on the bar at the side of the front wheels.

DDminiMe · 14/08/2007 21:11

I've got a Maclaren (basic model) but I don't like it that much.
Reasons are

  • brake is difficult to get on & off (seems to be getting worse with age)
  • tiny shoping basket
  • the seat leans back so the child sits slumped (wish I'd got something with a bar across the front to encourage older child sit up)
  • If you put the straps tight, the child can't lean forward to look to the side (so ends up wiggling their arms out so the strap is only across their lap)
  • the back wheels have worn right down after only a few years (been told they are expensive to reaplace)

Perhaps I'm just really fussy! On the plus side, it is light, folds easy and easy to steer.

Hope the above gives you something to think about when you're choosing!

BlueMonkey · 14/08/2007 21:20

I have a Maclaren quest. No problems with it so far. Have even managed to push it one handed, whilst holding an umberella. It even fits in the small space left in my zafira with all the seats up.

drosophila · 14/08/2007 22:24

Blue. Thanks for the heads up. I will deffo not get it then.

drosophila · 14/08/2007 22:26

Cod not sure what you are saying.

I don't need a big buggy just one that is good for my back i.e not a big deal to push. Also would like decent shoppping basket which Maclaren does not have. Anyone ever had a Jane energy stroller?

Tranquila · 14/08/2007 22:32

dros/busnells (you are the same person, right?)

i think DDminime's review is fair forthe cheaper models. i got cheaper model once b/c...oh cant rmember why, but i dodnt want to speand too much as dp was about to strangle me for my pramaholic (now recovered ) ways...
and yes, it waspretty crap in all those ways.
the snazzier odels arent as rubbish i reckon.

TheBlonde · 15/08/2007 08:10

drosophila - if you want easy to push go for a light 3 wheeler, maybe P&T or Nipper. Not sure how they are at lifting in and out of boots though. Maclaren do a 3 wheeler but don't know what it's like

Bushnels - Maclaren Quest or Triumph is best for a 2.5 yr old. Getting a techno would be a waste of money and it's heavier than the others
Boots have 20% off strollers at the moment but you might find it cheaper on kiddicare

horsemadgal · 15/08/2007 20:07

I love the Zapp for my 3 year old. Only small buggy I can push him in.
Jane Carrera are also fab, but not as small folded.
But yes can't go wrong with a 3 wheeler.