double buggy or tandem

[susanita]

Hi
I'm expecting nr2 in May when my son will be just over 2 years old. I doubt he'll be able to walk for long periods of time so I'm considering buying a cheapish double buggy or tandem.
I've heard that tandems can be a problem because the heavy child sits in the front and this can make it difficult to go up & down kerbs etc. I'm concerned about a double buggy 'cos of the width and being able to get through doors (and whether my 2 year old will fit nicely in the seat).
Does anyone have experience of one/either/both or could anyone recommend either double buggy or tandem. I know that there are reviews on the site but it's just confused me more.
Thanks

Thanks everyone. dd loves walking but recently started asking to be carried (especially up hills!). Think the novelty of being able to walk everywhere is wearing off! At moment my dp is on maternity leave (ds is already here and aged 3 months Monkey) and so between us we can manage with single buggy - I can carry dd when necessary. When dp returns to work I will have to transport both children on own (gave up work to be full time dad) - can't see myself managing to carry dd and push buggy. We live at top of large hill so I think its probably not fair to expect dd to walk all the time.

Would love a big 3-wheeler double buggy but front door too narrow. Will probably go for the Gracco tandem.

Hmm, buggy board or double buggy? Will she walk or ride? Time will tell. Guess the only way we will find out is to buy both !

Monkey - There are two straps, they are made out of the same webbing type material that is used for the wrist strap and the edging. They are loops of the webbing with a clip attached at one end (the clip is like you would find on any bag strap). To get them on/off you take off the handle bar slip then on then replace the handle bar. They are free moving so you either let them fall to the bottom of the handle so you can clip the bacpac over the foot plate or you lift them up to the top of the handle bar (the attached seat stops them falling down again) and the bag hangs down the back of the pushchair.

I hope that is clear enough. They are a very simple design, but difficult to explain without drawing!

Hi elliott, I used the newborn set-up for ds for about 3 months or so, certainly he was in the normal seat by 4 months. He's a little on the large side, plus it was winter, so lots of bulk, but then, clearly my older model is smaller than the newer - how much I don't know, so maybe a smaller child in the newer model could stay in the newborn bit a couple of months longer..

Otoh, the 'bottom bunk' is at quite a nice reclined angle anyway, so he was absolutely fine moving at this stage. feeling tempted? Go on! Can't wait to dig mine all out again.

Willum - thanks for that! Had to read it twice, I must admit, but think it's clear. Maybe I'll try & do a homemade version. Seems a bit much to get sent all the way from NZ!

am I being thick - probably - but who is kiwidad, how do you get in touch? Done search for kiwidad & winkalott but no luck, ta

Will put in another shout about kiwi-dad selling the buggies on eBay. Type in 'kiwi explorer' and search 'items available to the UK'.

He currently has the old model on there for $265 (around £165) or the new one for $325 (£195). These are 'buy it now' prices (i.e. non auction so that's the price you'll pay). You can also buy the doubles kit and various accessories from him.

I don't know how much the postage will be to the UK but he sounds really helpful judging from the comments about him further down the page.

(Secretly hope it's not as good as the double Mountain Buggy as that's what I've bought - second hand - in readiness for number 2. No, I'm not listening...)

Thanks Gem.

Monkey, their website is winkalotts or you can also go to the manufacturers site phil and teds , although I suspect they aren't as cheap as Winkalotts.

I have a three wheeled double buggy for sale if anyone is interested. Its the Mothercare Urban Detour in lime green and black. One year old and has cosytoes and raincover. Would like 90 ono.

mieow, where are you? Does it have a swivel wheel? Is it any good over rough ground?

In Herts It has swivel wheels which are lockable. Its fine over all sorts.
this one but in green and black

Has anyone tried an M&P Twin Aria? It seems to be the lightest double buggy I can find (important as I have a bab back). DS will be 16 months when no 2 arrives. I have an M&P 3in1 which DS loves and would prefer double buggy that folds like the Aria, rather than an umberella fold like a Maclaren. 3 wheelers are all too heavy for me to push, I'm afraid. I'd forgotten what buying prams/buggies was like!

OK, no more procrastinating - I reckon its time to order my kiwi explorer! Having had a quick run through the posts again, am I right in thinking that kiwidad/winkalotts will be the cheapest? And that what I need to order is the deluxe double, plus the child lifter? Any other extras I should get while I'm at it
Has anyone had any bad experiences with winkalotts?
thanks!!

Deluxe double and child lifter - I also got two sleeping bag/foot muffs for the winter ( red/blue ones ).

Best thing is to check out any special deals that people are offering.

OK I'm slightly confused now - have had e-mails from Rodney (kiwidad, in the US) and Allan (winkalotts, in NZ) - I thought they were the same outfit?? Anyway will obviously talk to them about it but wondered if anyone can shed light on who I should do business with?

Rodney is Allan's son I think and he runs the US end of the business. I dealt with Allan, as adding the US into the equation seemed to increase the price a little (extra freight I guess). I spoke to Allan last night (it's a bit frosty in Auckland today) and my E3 is on its way as we speak!!!!! He had telephoned me at a sensible time following my initial enquiry and was terribly helpful. Has crossed my mind to discuss fronting a UK shop for him as there seems to be enough interest in the Explorers to make a go of it, although might advise a change of name - Winkalotts in a Kiwi accent does sound a little dodgy. Anyway, will report back when the parcel arrives.

thanks bear. Rodney is still selling off old stock explorers but Allan only has the e3 - must admit I'm a bit thrown by the prospect of having to decide between the two (can you tell I'm not good at quick decisions ) I've managed to find a pic of the e3 on Rodney's website - what are the main differences? Hell, I can see I'm going to have to wait to get your report on the e3 now, just when I was all set to go!!!

(lol re Winkalotts btw!!)

Elliott, apparently the frame is lighter and there was something else about not having to zip and rezip newborn wings (not having seen the old one, I'm not sure what that means) and the colours are slightly different. I'm a sucker for the very latest thing, so I succumbed, plus Allan persuaded me that it is better and he should know I guess (although, having got rid of all his old stock to Rodney, he is going to say that isn't he?). There are good pics on BABYMALL . One thing I don't like the look of are the new "whitewall" wheels, and I asked Allan if he could get all black ones like the old version, picky I know, but when you're paying the price of a 2nd hand car, you want it just right, don't you? Perhaps when ours arrives we could meet up with you and Kaz33 or Willum (although I get the feeling that would involve a combined round trip of several thousand miles) so you could check out the differences?! Seriously, I could email digital pics if that would help. Feels a bit like the run up to Christmas waiting for the E3 to arrive, how sad's that? I really need to get out more.

Oh no, you mean there is a new model - how last year do I feel !!! Also, have now spotted two explorers out and about in the London parks - so not very exclusive either... But still fab and still get loads of comments when out and about with the boys.

If you include Monkey, she has the original Kiwi Explorer which started it all.....

Oh dear, now I am jealous - it looks dead cool.

The big practical differences that I can see are:

1. Three seat positions instead of two - that would be useful as I have had to buy a small pillow to help prop up my toddler who likes to sit up.

2. Child coccoon instead of the child lifter - looks more snug, but to be honest there is nothing wrong with the child lifter as you can make it snug with blankets etc...

3. Lighter is always good - I'm fine with a 2 year old and a newborn at the moment, but two toddlers could be fun!!

Zipping the newborn wings is not a big deal as when you need them you are likely to do it once and then leave them on.

The original, maybe, but if you're jealous Kaz, how do I feel! boo hoo

(btw the link didn't work for me, so I haven't actually seen it, but I'm sick anyway)

I've just seen it. Actually don't think it looks cooler, but features like different seat positions, the bumper bar, one action brake & baby nest thing make me green. Dunno if it's just the pic, but in the new one, the toddler seat seems extra low, in fact right in the shopping basket. Can you use the shopping basket at all with 2nd toddler seat? Maybe the lower position increases stability which was a real issue for me when my younger grew?

hi there, I can't make the link work either but I found a couple of pics on kiwi-kid.com. I thought the second seat looked lower too, and that the whole look of the thing wasn't necessarily better. Still, I had my sales spiel from Allan yesterday evening and I'm sure I will succomb!!
I wonder where all these London explorers are coming from - or are they all mumsnetters?? Fairly confident I will be unique in the Northeast!!

Sorry guys the link should be Babymall if that doen't work, just cut and paste www.babymall.com.au/explorer/explorer.htm into your browser address box.

D'oh

Try again

Sorry guys the link should be Babymall if that doen't work, just cut and paste www.babymall.com.au/explorer/explorer.htm into your browser address box.

D'oh

Try again

Sorry guys the link should be Babymall if that doen't work, just cut and paste www.babymall.com.au/explorer/explorer.htm into your browser address box.