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Original poster

does anyone use an emmaljunga pushchair?

15 replies

lilymum · 02/12/2004 11:28

I'm seriously considering buying one of these to use as a double pushchair. Does anyone use one? What I really need to know is how compact do they fold up, and how easy are they to unfold. And are they heavy to lift in and out of a car boot (provided that it fits!) Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

OP posts:
saintlysecur · 02/12/2004 12:04

The one I had,

Did not fold up well (sort of folded handle over and collapsed but made no real difference to size)
Only fitted in large car boots and not those with a lip to get things over on the way in
was unstable with large child in top seat (baby once ended up on floor when whole thing tipped over)
weighed a ton
couldn't go near a bus
was very easy to unfold
was very confortable for baby
was great if you only ever want to walk, have muscles like Arnie and don't ever want to let go of the handle

but that's just my experience

codswallop · 02/12/2004 12:24

in finland no one has anything else !
no double buggies at all

Original poster
lilymum · 03/12/2004 11:29

saintlysecur - thank you. Perhaps that's why they're relatively plentiful on ebay! We have limited boot space so perhaps I'll think again!

codswallop - they must be strong in Finland!

OP posts:
saintlysecur · 03/12/2004 17:27

why don't you go to a retailer? that way you will be fairly quickly able to get a good idea of how accurate I am or not-I don't want to totally put you off-I am sure some people love them (like finland )

ChicPea · 03/12/2004 22:17

I posted on your other post. Would you consider a Phil & Ted's E3 for two?

TwasTheNightBeforeCatbert · 03/12/2004 23:19

I had one too. Agree with SS, would also add that it was tricky to get 2 yr old in (esp. if she didn't want to) and out of, and toddler couldn't sleep in the front (as it's just a bolt on seat). The gap between toddler seat and back of chair was quite narrow, so I had to kinda post DD2 vertically into the back, although it was quite comfy when she was in there. It was very difficult to manouver when both children in it, as no swivel wheels. I would say that it would only last your baby until 6/9 months esp. if large, as there's such a narrow gap (although this does make for it not being very "long" IYSWIM.)

The more I see my friend with 2.5 yr old and 12 month old with her cheapy graco stadium which is still going strong, the more I wish I had got one of these.

In the end, I swapped it in for a mothercare urban detour side by side three wheeler (from ebay!)

jennifersofia · 04/12/2004 17:46

Just to be devils advocate - I had an emmaljunga with a toddler seat and I loved it! Never had a prob with over balancing, could chat to toddler really easily, was a dream to push and much easier to manoeuver (how do you spell that word?!) than any of the other 3 pushchairs that I had. Good suspension, very well made, big wheels good for a smooth ride and properly engineered with centre of gravity in the right spot, and big good shopping tray, could also use the buggy board with it when toddler was too big for toddler seat.
However - I should add: we don't have a car, we walk everywhere and carry all shopping in the pram and also my toddler never ever slept while in a pushchair so it wasn't a problem that the toddler seat didn't recline.
It is all a bit horses for courses, and also what your particular circumstances are. Suited us well. That said, if I had to do it all over again I would seriously consider the E3, as it looks more public transport friendly.

Original poster
lilymum · 04/12/2004 23:36

Thank you for all that. What is a Phil and Ted E3??

My main priority is something that I can get into our car without doing my back in, but I know all doubles are hefty. I have a tandem which I used when I had my 2nd daughter, and that was great, but I didn't drive then, and it's really heavy to lift. And anyway, I've leant it to a friend who uses it to transport her 2 tinies about.

When I had my 3rd, I borrowed a side-by-side from my neighbour as it was easier to lift in and out of my car, but they've since got rid of it, and we've now got a different car. It's a people carrier, so not much boot space. At this rate I'll have the new baby tucked under one arm and dd3 tucked under the other. She's 20 months, but only just walking a bit unsteady on her feet.

Oh, I hate having to make these decisions!!

OP posts:
jennifersofia · 05/12/2004 18:38

E3 is a unique 3 wheeler from NZ. It is double decker rather than tandem or side by side. Has big wheels of 3 wheeler and v. comfortable to push. Do a google search under E3 Explorer and you should come up with their website, which has good photos to illustrate. There is a facility to have the newborn lying down, while the older is in the front seat and then later on both children have their own seats. You have to see it to understand really. I would get this as I do a lot of walking. However, if I was going to mainly use a car, and do around the town type stuff, I would consider either the Maclaren side by side or the Aria side by side, both of which are fairly lightweight and slim line so easier to get in and out of doors. That said, in comparison with other 3 wheelers, I don't think that the E3 is exceedingly heavy.
Best of luck.

Original poster
lilymum · 05/12/2004 19:43

Thanks jennifersofia, I'll throw all that into the meltilng pot.

OP posts:
ChicPea · 07/12/2004 01:04

Bought my E3 last week from Practical Pushchairs (next day delivery inc all the accessories) and put it together on Saturday for a walk and it's a dream. I love it. Highly recommend it and easy to get in and out of the car. There is a thread somewhere about pushchairs for two and this came up.

Hollyanna · 07/12/2004 11:05

lilymum I had an emmaljunga for dd1 and dd2 and really liked it. But dd1 was 2 and a half so it wasn't a problem that the seat didn't go flat. I also didn't use a car with it - it is pretty easy to fold down, but quite heavy. I only used it for about 7 months in the end, but got a very good return on it on ebay.

I will have 22 months between dd2 and new baby and am seriously considering the E3.

lisanorcross · 12/03/2007 19:15

just bought a phil and teds for my dd(21 months) and its brilliant. not to heavy and will convert to double when new baby arrived in june. i spend ages researching double buggies and cant recoment phil and teds highly enough! i found best deal on www.groovystyle.co.uk

CODalmighty · 12/03/2007 19:15

wih i had

CODalmighty · 12/03/2007 19:16

in finalnd they dont haev doubel buggies fomr what is aw

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