3 wheel jogger recommendations?

[tread]

Hi Folks,

I'm expecting baby number one in 9 weeks time, and am currently on a mission to find a pram. My husband and I have looked at about 200 of them, and spoken to numerous friends, plus read reviews on this site plus others, and are still utterly stumped on the whole pram decision. Seems that everyone has either very vague opinions, or the reviews you read contradict each other.

I like to run, so feel a jogger would suit me best. However we plan on going for baby number two within a couple of years, so have been told by friends to get a 3-wheeler with a toddler seat. Unfortunately these all seem to have poor reviews. My husband and I have a big height difference too, so the jogger would need to be adjustable...he's 6'2" and I'm 5'3". :(

Anyway, I guess what I'm after are some opinions from Mums and Dads about joggers: what you love, what you don't, what drives you nutty etc. Any feedback appreciated.

Cheers,

[2under2]

Hi there,

Congratulations on your pregnancy - hope you are well! How exciting for you!
My babies are 18 mths and 8 weeks and I can't speak highly enough of our new pram (well had it a few weeks now :) ) - it is the Phil and Ted's E3. It is a 3 wheeler (so easy to steer) The toddler seat is easy to get on and off (for the odd occasion it is just me and the wee one) and the whole thing folds up without having to take it apart (ie the toddler seat off) The newborn lays flat underneath and the toddler sits on top, it is the same size as a normal 3 wheeler (not longer like the tandem) and no wider than a normal (not double width). You can get the toddler kit down the track when you need it. The baby part then clicks up and the seat clicks down when the smallest baby can support its own head. It is a bit dearer to start with (about $600 I think it was) but you can use it up to about 20 kgs in each seat so I figure I have a few years to go yet.....I love it and would recommend you try it out - we got ours from Babies Galore but there are a few other places starting to get them in stock. Check out the site www.babymall.com.au and search phil and ted - they have heaps of pics! Have fun shopping! :p
2under2

[wattle]

Hi. I have a mountain buggy and just love it. I only have one baby at the moment, but am planning to have another and put a buggy step on the back later on. It's so easy to steer, and the lightest one on the market.

I'm not up for jogging yet (still recovering from a sore pelvis), but it almost makes me want to jog.

If you can, ask other mums shopping in pram shops or at the supermarket.

[3cherubs]

Hello,

I have the Valco Deluxe 3 wheeler and it is excellent and when or if you have another you can also get a toddler seat too.

goodluck sandra

[mumof2girls]

As my children are to old for strollers I'm no expert but my step-grandaughter was born new years day this year and when we were looking at strollers a lot of stores didn't recommed them as they say they become unstable when they have bags etc on them as the are a triangle shape. This wasn't just from one store either it was from a couple, this is in SA so not sure about other states & your regulations etc so we opted for a different one.

[tread]

Thanks very much for the responses ladies. I'm headed to Babybunting at lunchtime today, so I'll check out the models suggested then. Honestly I swear I haven't shopped this much in years! :D

[xkwzit]

Hi Tread
I've got a Triton trekker for my kids. You buy it as a 3 wheeler (v steerable) and you can buy a conversion kit with another wheel and toddler seat. So it becomes a 4 wheeler which is v stable as all the kiddies weight is inside the footprint of the wheels. The problem with some of the 3 wheelers with toddler seats is that toddler is sitting over the front wheel and as you can imagine, if they throw their weight around they can easily tip the whole pram.

The triton is made in NZ and the toddler seat that comes with the kit is like the seats you can fix to the back of a push bike. Both baby and toddler seats have 5 point harness and there is even little straps to keep your toddler's feet in the footrests (though I've never used it). It is wider than a normal pram, so you might find that you need to use the disabled aisle in some supermarkets (not all though!). It doesn't have height adjustment, but my hubby and I don't miss it (he's 6 ft 1 in, I'm 5 ft 2 in). It is heavier than a normal pram, as it is steel construction to make it strong enough to cope with rough terrain (15 kg as opposed to 11 kg for a normal sized aluminium pram).

Best of luck

[redbaby]

Hi! I just bought the Phil and Ted E3,..and it is brilliant! Very easy to fold, and light. I started out with the Emmuljunga Classic (at $1100 and 14Kg),.and found it too difficult to get in the back of my 4WD,..this E3 is great!

[cath]

Hi everyone,
I've just had a look at the babymall site and love the look of the Phil & Ted's E3 but I am just wondering if anyone can tell me if it fits through the standard aisles of supermarkets and departments stores etc. I often see poor women at our local KMart having to muck around and take their pram all the way around the front when they are buying something because they can't fit through the aisle which just seems like such a pain. I am hoping that Phil and Ted's will fit because it looks like one of the best ones I have seen.

Thanks,
Cath

[redbaby]

It does! It is a little bit narrower than most 3 wheelers,... I think it is cause the wheels are not so bulky,.. I love it! And it is so easy to collapse and chuck in the back of the car!

[2under2]

The only problem I found width-wise with my E3 is when the saddle bags are both on, then it is a drama with supermarket aisles. Without is great and I have just made a habit of going through the wheelchair aisles now anyway. :)

[Tannie]

I love my Bertini Bidwell (4 wheels) & I believe their 3 wheeler is good too. It has amazing proper wheels and steering system - I don't run, but walk 2 dogs and wanted to be able to go anywhere.........it's a big stroller - but very maneuverable and has height adjustment handle - hb and I very different heights too + plenty of room for parcels underneath.
It came with a carry cot which has been wonderful these first months too.
pm me if you want any more info.........
Ta,
T