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Original poster

Side by side or tandem buggy? ** CONFUSED! ** HELP PLEASE - ta.

28 replies

RUMPEL · 03/03/2008 12:43

Hi my DD will be 21 months when next baby comes along in July. I went to look at prams yesterday with a nipper or Phil & Ted in mind.

However, the woman in the shop said that side by side were not so good for that age gap and the Phil and Ted creates problems when baby gets to 6 months as baby has to sit upright in the front then and toddly goes in the back.

Now I am totally confused! The Jane Pro looked GARGANTAUN and a nightmare to fold up. She suggested a Graco - however, I found with the Graco single that the back wheels were too close together for my stride and I nearly had a few mishaps by standing on the wheel!!

So - I look to the oracle that is Mumsnetters for help and advice please!!

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NAB3wishesfor2008 · 03/03/2008 12:45

I have used a side by side and a tandem and I would go for the side by side if I was in the need for a buggy for two. They aren't as wide as they seem and the ones in front have the oldest and heaviest child in the front which makes it hard for getting up the kerbs. I also think the length is more annoying in shops than being wide.

BITCAT · 03/03/2008 12:51

I had tandem with my dd1 and ds2 only 15mths gap, found it very heavy and hard to lift up kerbs as toddler in front and quite heavy!! I had a side by side with ds2 and dd2 and a 2.5yr gap found it much easier to push and wish i had gone with 1 last time!! Other things to consider are size of pushchair, do you drive and access to car. Up to you but thats my experience!!

Original poster
RUMPEL · 03/03/2008 13:02

Thanks - that is what I thought. I had a shot of a nipper and really liked the manouverability of it. I asked the lady who had it and she said she had the same problem with a tandem re the kerbs. The nipper is quite big when folded but I have come to accept that I need to go from my lovely mini to driving my DH's much bigger car .

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HappyNewYearFeet06 · 03/03/2008 14:49

I had a Phil and Teds which I thought was fab and better than a tandem like a Powertwin or similar. However, I do like the look of a side by side three wheeler. Phil and Teds do a side by side too as well as the one with the seat that goes underneath.

Original poster
RUMPEL · 03/03/2008 19:40

Bumping for evening folks.

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Original poster
RUMPEL · 03/03/2008 20:24

bump

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Original poster
RUMPEL · 03/03/2008 20:29

bump

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Sidge · 03/03/2008 20:30

I had a Cosatto Duet Lite (tandem) for DD2 and DD3 which I loved initially as it's no wider than a single, but as DD2 got bigger and heavier it became a nightmare to push and manoeuvre.

I sold it and now have a Nipper Double and LOVE it. DD2 is 4 and DD3 18 months and it's a dream to push and steer. Even thought it's a double it's not as wide as it looks and I can get it through my front door easily.

I would say go for the Nipper but make sure you get the 360 as it's easier to steer as it has a swivel front wheel.

(Oh and I used a friend's P&T and hated it!)

oooggs · 03/03/2008 20:37

I love my nipper, dream to push & steer and suits my needs with dts of 11mths

LardyMardyDaisyBoo · 03/03/2008 20:53

rumpel, i'll be in a similar situation in October, when my DD will be 17mo old. I have a techno XLR at the moment and was going to get the twin version of that as it's suitable from birth (lies completely flat). We kept our techno in the back of the car for when out and about as my big pram was a bit of a tight fit, and found we used it all the time. I've seen the twin one in action and it isn't too wide.

I looked at the P&T but was put off by the fact that the baby goes in the low rear seat initially, especially as it'll be winter and cold. Even in the two toddler set up, I feel a bit sorry for the nipper in the back.

Original poster
RUMPEL · 04/03/2008 13:50

Ta ladies am bumping again. Any fans of P&T?

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SammyC · 04/03/2008 13:57

Have you considered a mountain buggy? I have a double the urban and its a great "drive" I have a bugaboo and prefer the double for ease of use. I bought the crib part for my ds first few months and then fitted back the second seat no worries. It looks quite fierce but really isnt much wider than other doubles I have seen around. Great size shopping baskets underneath! I prefer the side by side models. Hope this helps?

jennster · 04/03/2008 13:58

Hi there

I have a P&T and love it. It's quite bulky, but store it in the boot of an estate car. I have absolutely no problems with kerbs, as the wheels are large. I am quite tall too and the handles are high enough for me. I may be wrong, but I thought the heavier child was meant to be in the front when the baby is sitting in the seat on the back. There are 18 months between my two. DS is 7 months and only a few pounds lighter than dd.

The only down side to it is when the seat is on the back, neither child can be reclined to have a sleep, although they both manage it upright where they are sitting.

PotPourri · 04/03/2008 14:03

I have a side by side mountain buggy 3 wheeler. And a tandem Marco sky umberella fold. The tandem for town, teh mountain for coutnryside. Although toddler was heavy in the front, the back seat is raised, so by 6 monhts I had the toddler in teh back instead. I could never have got a side by side onto the bus. And wouldn't even attempt shop doors etc. But for out walking, the mountain one is fab. adn the girls loved chatting and sharing toys.

If you are in the car lots, think about the folded size and weight - it's no fun lugging a big monster in and out fo hte boot!

DONT get a graco tandem - it's the length of a small truck!! And impossible to get up kerbs due to toddler going in the front.

The other option is a single buggy with buggy board or Seat to go - that is what I did once DD1 was about 2 (17 month gap between my first 2). OR, you could get DC1 to walk (with reins or wrist strap to ensure doesn't run off). DD1 who is now 3 walks everywhere and rarely goes on the buggy board.

PotPourri · 04/03/2008 14:04

OR you can get some prams where you can attach a toddler seat - bertini. Lots of peopel rave about them.

Would definately recommend the buggy board though....

Original poster
RUMPEL · 04/03/2008 19:09

Thanks ladies. Couldn't get DD to walk as she only just started walking last month and cannot walk far before needing carried. I'll check out your suggestions re mountain buggies and sky fold. I have a Quinny Buzz which is great so will get a buggy board when DD is a wee bit older so just need something for a while - probably buy a second hand something. I am in Scotland so need to consider our inclement weather!

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silverfrog · 04/03/2008 19:26

I have a P&T as well, and the heavier child does go in the front. I have a 2.6 gap between my two - dd1 now 3.6, dd2 just 1.

Dd1 is no lightweight, and I have not had huge problems with kerbs etc.

The handle height is brilliantly adjustable, and tbh, it doesn't feel much different pushing the two of them from how it felt pushing dd1 in her M&P Pliko last year...

Original poster
RUMPEL · 06/03/2008 14:22

Thanks! Hmm am weighing up P&T or Nipper?

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Original poster
RUMPEL · 06/03/2008 20:06

Any other views?

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hazeyjane · 06/03/2008 20:58

We have a P&T's, on the whole it is fantastic. Dd1 (23 months) goes in the front, dd2 (9 months) goes in the back, I think it is supposed to be the lightest in the back because of the risk of tipping backwards (but I've got friends who have the oldest sitting in the back and don't seem to have a problem). They both seem to be happy in it and fall asleep on the way back from the shops in it. It's good because we use it as a single if one of us goes out with just the one (or sometimes when dd2 was little I'd put her in a sling). Dd2 slept really well in it when it was in the lying flat mode (although we were very grateful for the papoose thing which goes in the back - otherwise its awkward getting the baby in and out), also she outgrew the lying flat bit well before 6 months.I've got a pretty bad back, but don't have any trouble pushing or lifting it.

Yorky · 06/03/2008 21:14

I have side by side 3wheeler and love it. Its the red castle shop and jogg, very similar to nipper 360 but with front brake which I like for waiting at curbs, hills aren't a problem round here! I childmind so mostly use it for similar age kids and they 'talk' to each other, much more fun than sitting behind one another

Original poster
RUMPEL · 08/03/2008 15:03

Am bumping for weekenders!

OP posts:
readytoswiggin · 09/03/2008 15:12

Don't touch the graco tandem, or the mothercare version, it's a nightmare bumping up and down kerbs, especially when loaded with shopping. mine is currently in the attic while I decide wjhat to do with it.

For short trips, eg nursery run I use a sling and dd1 walks.

I've been given an Urban detour side by side, which is great with regards to my toddler talking to the baby and for pushing/turning, especially with the weak muscles post birth! Downside is it must have been designed by a bloke, who else would have made it 1.5 inches too wide for many doorways? it's not the frame, but the wheels that are the widest bit. I'm sure this could have been addressed at the design stage...

sazm · 09/03/2008 15:32

lol well i had a graco stadium duo tandem and LOVED it,i didnt fine it heavy at all with my 3yo in front seat and my baby in car seat on back with the basket FULL of shopping,
i only used mine for a yr or so until ds walked everywhere,
i too didnt like the idea of the phil and teds with the baby being underneath, but when my dd was about 6/9months,i washed i had bought one as on every other weekend on days out i still needed a double,or if i was walking far for some reason,the phil and teds would have been really handy,whereas ihad to keep swapping buggys between cars,

i didnt even consider a side by side after watching a few mums from our toddler group fighting their way along narrow paths and into shops,i also liked the powertwin but its HUGE when folded so thats why i decided against it,and also the dc in front doesnt have much leg room,

Egg · 09/03/2008 15:51

I have a Jane Powertwin and have a just turned two year old and 8 week old twins. I would not buy it if I just had the toddler and one baby as it is quite heavy to push with toddler in front. Saying that, I imagine they all are. It is very EASY to push and steer, just heavy, but that's maybe because DS1 is a heavy lad! With just the DTs in it is a dream to push and steer etc.

Have heard though that side by sides are tricky with one toddler and one baby as they tend to veer a bit as all the weight is on one side.

Sorry, no help at all!