Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Shopping

From everyday essentials to big purchases, swap tips and recommendations. For the best deals without the hassle, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Talk to me about Mountain Buggies

53 replies

pushchair · 17/01/2009 21:03

Am tempted to try one as my Jane slalom is annoying me!
Pros
Cons
make sure I look for.............what?

OP posts:
CarGirl · 17/01/2009 21:06

they company are in financial difficulties?

Fabulous buggies though

Original poster
pushchair · 17/01/2009 21:15

yeah I know good timing huh!

OP posts:
Original poster
pushchair · 18/01/2009 08:11

Are the covers removeable to wash?

OP posts:
suwoo · 18/01/2009 08:13

Yes they are removable to wash. I just bought a double (second hand). Its a huge beast, but I think I'll love it. It is my 1st foray into doubles though.

petrovia · 18/01/2009 08:16

I think so. I haven't tried yet.
Oh Yes, yes of course they are - you can change your covers anyway, when you get bored.

I hate Jane prams except the older style 3 wheeler whatever it was called.

MB is great quality and really beautiful. Can't think of any cons except the seat is a bit smaller than the slalom, so slightly less room for child to move about in iyswim.

Everything else is great - I have the Elite which has the old style cotton canvas rather than the manmade covers.

They last forever and keep resale value. Expensive new though.

petrovia · 18/01/2009 08:17

One thing, the backrest is fiddly to recline, that annoys me. But it's like a great husband. You kind of accept the little faults because of the overall wonderfulness.

Original poster
pushchair · 18/01/2009 08:29

How upright is the seat in upright mode?

OP posts:
CantSleepWontSleep · 18/01/2009 08:31

I find the backrest easy to recline (have Urban)!

They are wide and bulky to manoeuvre around shops.

Covers do come off to wash, but aren't machine washable.

mrsleroyjethrogibbs · 18/01/2009 08:33

mb are great. had one and loved it. however also consider a easylife buggy. very similar but faaar more robust and bombproof than a mb. ours is about 5 years old at least and still doesnt squeak, wobble or anything.

Original poster
pushchair · 18/01/2009 08:34

Tis a single I would want, surely they are not wide and bulky?

OP posts:
CantSleepWontSleep · 18/01/2009 08:37

3 wheelers are nearly always wider than 2 wheelers. If you spend lots and lots of your time in shops then it's not the pushchair for you, but otherwise it's fab.

suwoo · 18/01/2009 08:40

I spend lots of time in shops and zero doing country walks.....how do you think I'll get on with my double urban?

twentypence · 18/01/2009 08:43

Are Mountain Buggy in trouble?

Is probably because they have messed around adding brakes and special padded export seats and bloody pink trim.

When they made them in navy only with red metal they were a success story.

Original poster
pushchair · 18/01/2009 08:48

mrsleroyjethrogibbs-Ha was trying to decipher your name and realised we have an interest in common! Have found an easylife on ebay-they are a bit ugly imo! The shopping basket looks impractical can you comment?

OP posts:
4andnotout · 18/01/2009 08:54

I have the double terrain and glide around the shops with ease (well except the tantruming toddler,preschooler and screaming baby ) I love it, it is easy to fold, steer,the seat reclines enough for dd4 who is 3 months and has decided she no longer wants to look at mummy They are bulky folder but as we have a narrow boot ours fits better than a stroller as we can have it upright.

mrsleroyjethrogibbs · 18/01/2009 08:56

yes i agree they are not the prettiest thing on ebay but then it depends on what you are after...a puschair which will last forever and a day which might be a tad ugly...lol or a prettier looking one.
The shopping basket is brill. its easy to get stuff in and out of.
Is the one on ebay yellow framed? if so they do silver which is better. I have a silver

mrsleroyjethrogibbs · 18/01/2009 08:58

here

dont get me wrong MB are the dogs whatsits

Original poster
pushchair · 18/01/2009 09:07

easylife on ebay

OP posts:
Original poster
pushchair · 18/01/2009 09:11

What about fabrics on the MB. Some people liked the cotton fabric-was that on the urban or has it been brought back on the elite, I get confused. Also for a 2.3yr old does the weight difference between the urban and elite make a huge difference?

OP posts:
petrovia · 18/01/2009 09:38

Ok just got back!

CSWS, how do you recline it easily? I have two buckles on opposite sides that need releasing at the same time, I find it quite jerky but perhaps am doing it wrong.

Upright it is fairly upright, but it's a fairly shallow seat anyway so they have very good vision all round.

The Easylife is a totally different buggy, made by another company. It's sturdy and built like a tank, we have one too - but living up a hill I found it was hugely hard work to push up it every day. It's a seriously heavy bit of kit. That's why I got another MB after selling my original Urban. The weight difference is very noticeable especially with a larger baby or toddler. However the Easylife will hold a five hear old or more - I used to put my 4yo in it with his newborn brother on his lap! (not recommended for safety reasons - we only did it very carefully and mainly while it was in the living room!)

The Urban (swivel wheel MB) has had manmade fabrics for a few years. The Terrain (non swivel, excellent off road) has always had canvas and still does. The new Urban Elite model has got cotton canvas and it's a double layer so even stronger. That's why I went for the elite over the ordinary Urban as if you're paying that much anyway you might as well have the nice fabrics. (Pair of Levis/ shellsuit...let me think, hmmm)

I don't find it too bad in shops though obv a maclaren is narrower. It's the narrowest double on the market (apart from P&T type) so Suwoo you should be alright!

petrovia · 18/01/2009 09:39

I wouldn't say there was a huge weight difference between the Urban and Urban Elite tbh.

Massive diference between easylife and MB though - thus the price differences on ebay, I think.

petrovia · 18/01/2009 09:43

Oh and also I'd go for swivel wheel over fixed every time, it makes a big difference with a heavier child. And get a bumper bar, this really is handy as it lets the child hold on and sit up - also as seat is shallow, it helps you feel that they are safer and won't just slip off! Well worth the extra £20.

millenniumfalcon · 18/01/2009 09:46

never used or even seen a mb but can vouch for easylife, they're fantastic for off roading, also walking long distances in town, but would never use it around shops etc. (i have an ancient jane pushchair for everyday that i love). easylife is an utter pita to fold but that's cos i don't use it often enough so always forget how to do it.

we got our as a festival pushchair for a big 3 year old and it lasted a good couple of years. she's nearly 6 now and still goes in it on the odd occasion

Original poster
pushchair · 18/01/2009 09:48

Yes I love a bumper bar. And swivel is a must for me. So what was/is so terrible about the manmade fabrics? How do you tell which ones have it?

OP posts:
petrovia · 18/01/2009 09:53

Tha manmade fabrics are fine, but nowhere near as good quality as the actual buggy iyswim. They are subject to slightly more wear, ie seams more liable to stretch etc and also just don't look as nice.

But they are still good quality. It's a bit like upholstering a Rolls with Polycotton iyswim. The natural canvas suits the buggy and should last almost as long as the frame.

You can only get Black, navy, red and royal blue though in canvas.

Swipe left for the next trending thread