which buggy/ advice please

[mirchops]

hi, I'm expecting nr 2 and come April I'll have a 2 yr old and a newborn. i don't want a double buggy as it wouldn't fit into our hallway (firstfloor/ small London flat) been looking at PhilandTeds E3 which is a single that can upgrade w toddler seat, but feel reluctant as the second child is very low to the ground. Does anyone have experience with these? I've also looked at ABC a new NZ made which is expensive but looks like it'll last me the next 4 yrs which is a big plus, just worried that child nr two wont be able to kip. Oh all these worries, does anyone have experience w good slim/ lightweight 3 wheeler (or even 4) that can fit 2 kids? thanks mir

loads of threads on the phil & teds, you can search the archive for them. people seem very keen!

my ds was 2.5 when dd came along and I got by with a Jane 3 wheeler (single) - ds just straddles the foot rest for a ride when he's tired.

sometimes he whinged quite a bit about wanting a ride, but I couldn;t manage a double bugy and this has worked well for us. now he's 3 he hardly ever wants a ride

What about using your buggy and a buggy board?

oh I forgot to say that I've been through 4 flimsy 8wheeler umbrella pushchairs w my 20months old son already, i don't know wether I treat them particularly rough or they just don't last very long, so buggy board on current buggy is out unfortunately. I got a put off by the jane tandem because it seems terribly unfoldable and flimsy. I'm attracted to the E3, the ABC and the Bertini w toddler seat, but would like to hear other users experiences w these buggies. Its hard to predict how much walking my son will do once he hits 2 or 2.5 but I reckon I'll get at least 4 years good usage out of a good buggy. Anyway thanks for comments so far

The Bertini with the add on seat looks pretty big to me and I wouldn't like to haul it upstairs.

I had an E3 and found it heavy and awkward to lift too so I wouldn't like to carry that upstairs either (sold it on).

My friend has two years four months between hers and is doing well with a sling and single buggy. By the time her DS outgrows the sling she is planning to use a buggyboard.

If I were you I would invest in a good single buggy (Mountain Buggy or Instep Nipper - often on eBay) and that would do for both children.

(I use either a double Mountain Buggy or a single Nipper and make DS walk to wear him out, 18 months between my two).

Being a bit of an anorak about such matters I have thought about this quite a bit (I have 19 mths between mine - though they are now 2 and 3.5) if I were you I would either go for the E3, or the Mountain Buggy with the buggy board. I know expensive, but I don't think you would have to buy another pram and either would serve you well when you only need to use as a single again.
Good luck.

Having given this lots of thought and read advice on Mumsnet am investing in an expenisive mountain buggy and a kiddiboard. They are the only manufacture who say you can attach a kiddibaord to their pushchair and as we walk at least 4 miles everyday figure its a good investiment. Other people seem to recommened a Maclaren Techno and buggyboard.

We have a mountain buggy and it is great. The new one looks even better when we saw it at the baby show.

thanks for replies and suggestions, I'm definately going to invest in a 3wheeler, most likely the ABC as they claim to be the only 3 wheeler with toddler seat that complies to EU safety standards (other than the E3) They are not widely known in the UK yet, infact only sold by private dealers. Does anyone have any experence with these buggies? If I don't hear anything I might go for the Mountain Buggy as it seems to be incredible solid and popular and although they don't fit toddler seats, by reading your accounts I may well make do w a buggy board.. who knows how much walking my son will do in 6 months, right now he seems to enjoy the ride! anyway, thanks for all help M