Pram: what's your choice? [Archive] - Bub Hub Pregnancy & Parenting Forum

pod

29-10-2007, 11:05 AM

Is anyone having as much trouble choosing a pram as me? :confused:

There are so many things to weigh up, and all of the options I've looked into so far seem to have something not quite right about them. I guess it's just a matter of deciding which negative is the least important and will be the easiest to put up with!

If we think we might have a 2nd child within a couple of years of the 1st, do you think it's important to plan ahead & buy a pram which has the option of a toddler seat but which may not be as good in other ways, or is it more important to get the pram best suited to us when bub no.1 arrives, without thinking too much about the future??

Have any of you Feb mums bought a pram yet and are feeling happy/unhappy with their choice? Any advice?

*~alegna~*

29-10-2007, 12:45 PM

We bought a BRUIN with DS, very big & heavy but stable & didn't think about the #2 bub, i tried to get a toddler seat but they are unable to get them for me.....soooo,

We bought a PHIL & TEDD - THE BEST PRAM EVER!!!!!:yes: We got the toddler seat attachment & DS is much more comfy in this one too as it allows him to lye down still if he's sleepy (he's 17 months)...VERY happy with out second buy & wish I was introduced to them with DS.

Good Luck!

2SPUNKRATZ

29-10-2007, 12:46 PM

i thought about buying one that could have a toddler seat when i was PG with DS. when i think about it now, i am glad i didnt. he is still going to be an age where he may want to have a snooze in the pram if we are having a big day.
i bought a tandem the other day. (front and back pram) awesome. am really looking forward to using it. so now i have a single for when i only have bub with me. which will likely be when DS is at daycare. and a double for when i ham taking them both somewhere. that way i got what i wanted in both.
i also plan on usingthe carrier a lot in the earlier months so wont necesarily need to take the double all the time either. its all a matter of personal choice. but personally, i hate toddler seats. i wouldnt sit on a chair over my toddler, why would i put my toddler in a seat over my baby. i hate it.

BecD

29-10-2007, 02:55 PM

I feel the same as you Pod - so many choices out there!!! :confused: I have a basic idea of what features I want, so I have compiled a list of all the prams/strollers I have found with those features. Now it's just a matter of DH and I having the time to go to baby shops and try them out.

MrsO

29-10-2007, 04:37 PM

We've got a Mountain Buggy Elite with the additional bassinet attachment for when bub is very young (I wanted to be able to see her).

The current plan :rolleyes: is to have another within 2 years at the most, so we considered what we would do with two kids. The Mountain Buggy doesn't have any good options for a toddler, so we have decided that when we get to that point we'll buy a double pram, most likely a Mountain Buggy double or an Emmaljunga.

Mumof6

29-10-2007, 04:47 PM

i use to plan ahead... but found that we generally needed a new pram ever couple of years anyway... so each bub either can use the old... or we update.

pod

30-10-2007, 08:44 AM

thanks so much for all your replies everyone :thumbsup:

We definitely want a 3 wheeler (I do a lot of outdoor walking) but I don't have a big car so it can't be too bulky.

The Mountain Buggy was top of my list for a while (my sister raves about it, and I can even buy her 3yr old one with basinette etc from her cheaply) but it folds into quite a long shape compared to others. I tried it in my car boot and found it a bit tricky to negotiate in through the opening and it has to sit up diagonally across one wheel arch so wastes valuable boot space.

The Phil & Ted is on my list too... it has many great features especially when it comes to having toddler+bub or 2 toddlers, including sun/rain covers etc. However, it doesn't have a particularly good basinette type option for newborns & it doesn't fold as easily or compactly as the Beema Q which I've also been considering. The Beema Q folds easily, clips shut so it doesn't flop open when you're lifting it up, and fits beautifully into my boot in either direction. BUT...no toddler option and it's not as nice looking as the P&T (although I'm trying to tell myself not to think about the looks :rolleyes:).

I'm really tempted by the P&T, as everyone who owns one seems to love it, and it really is very versatile :yes: . But it would mean putting up with a clumsier folding technique & larger folded shape for no real reason while we only have one bub.

All 3 options above are quite narrow across the back wheels compared to a lot of 3 wheelers (or big 4 wheelers like the steelcraft strider) so shouldn't be a problem fitting through doorways or checkout aisles etc. That seems to be a common complaint.

I'm starting to think it would be best to just think of now rather than the future. Besides, by the time we have bub no.2 there could be a whole new set of toddler friendly options out there! But then I think of the money that would be wasted in upgrading in a couple of years, and I think of how many people I've heard love their P&T, and it makes me wonder if I should just go for that now...

Cin

30-10-2007, 11:21 AM

We decided to go with a 3 wheeler jeep but got the model that has now been superceeded (can stil get new on ebay and at some stores). but it is great that i can see.

It doesnt have a toddler option, but found the ones with that the back wheels were to far apart and couldnt fit into shops and tight spaces very well. It has a longer nose bit so possibly (like i saw at the supermarket the other day) i could get number 1 to sit on the front nose bit and 2 can sleep.

It has loads of storage space and a cup holder for you and the baby and also a electronic stearing wheel for when they are older.

Good luck in the shopping department and let us know what you decide

pod

30-10-2007, 11:25 AM

cin - sounds pretty good! Any chance you could measure for me the width across the back wheels of the pram and also the LxWxH of the pram when folded? (Or if not I can probably look it up on the www if you can tell me the model name.) Thanks!

ShadyCharacter

30-10-2007, 01:22 PM

What about a Quinny Buzz?

I originally bought a Peg Perego something or other with DS1, and while it was fantastic for shopping, it was not so great for outdoor walking.

So I got the Buzz (and not long after that the Quinny Zapp as well :o ) and I LOVE it. Not sure of the wheel base, but it easily fits through every supermarket checkout I have taken it through. Its light, easy to fold (and the gas lift unfold is what sold it to DP :rolleyes:) and funky looking. It's not as long as the MB, but the wheels pop off REALLY easily (push a button, and just push back on) if you need to take them off.

I didn't get the basinette attachment as DS was 12 months old when I purchased it, but given that I still love the pram, all that I require this time is to buy the basinette.

Oh, I am also using the maxi cosi car seat which goes straight from the car to either pram base, but they aren't exactly legal here, so I won't recommend them ;)

Oh, and DS1 walks mostly, but still uses the pram sometimes. I figure that I will sling the newy a lot of the time anyway, but I can carry two slings and whichever child is not in the pram can go in the sling or walk.

pod

30-10-2007, 01:48 PM

Cin

31-10-2007, 09:50 AM

Hi Pod

Jeep Liberty Limited Pram Urban Terrain I know there is a brand new on on Ebay at the moment for $200 plus 20 post, which is cheaper then i got it from the same seller. (had no probs with the seller either)

It says this and i am off to find the mesurements, as i have been lazy and havent put it together yet:
FEATURES:- Steerable front swivel wheel, Soft ride air filled tires with air pump, Easy one hand fold, All weather shield protects child, Cold weather boot, Electronic toy steering wheel includes horn, car sounds and music, Remobable cargo bags, Snack tray with dual cup and juice holder, Parent tray with cup holDers and locking lid, Reclining seat back, Extra large basket with bottle holders, Safety reflectors, Adjustable 5 point harness and 2 stage footrest for growing child.

I just found this and am looking for the one about distance between the back wheels, but i know that it wasnt large:
Folded measurements of the jogger are approx 88cm L x 55cm W x 47cm H

Now i look at the measurements i think that it is 55cm wide between the wheels

I just looked and it is one the babies galore website with the updated version for $299.95 with a nappy bag.

Hope this helps

pod

31-10-2007, 04:00 PM

hi cin - thanks so much for all the info...that's fab! :thumbsup: I have now checked out all the jeep prams on ebay & the babies galore website. 55cm is nice & narrow for the back wheels and $299 for a brand new one seems pretty decent. I think I'll go and look at one in the flesh at a shop on the weekend. However, I can't see any basinette option for the Jeep prams - how do they work for a newborn? Do they recline completely flat? Can you have the bub facing you?

sonlou73

31-10-2007, 09:46 PM

prams, prams, prams & what to do - that's what i've been asking myself this week!

with DS1 we purchased the valco 3 wheeler BUT took it on jet* & the axle got slightly bent, didn't take much notice at the time as i was late in my pg with DS2. but once DS2 came along it bothered me, couldn't fix it unless we paid too much to replace axle, so decided not to bother & we got the child seat for the front. couple of months down the track realised that it wasn't a good idea - if DS1 sat in the seat by himself it tipped. had enough of the valco & took it to the tip!

next pram we purchased was a phil & ted's twin pram (side-side) - love this pram. but have only had it for 8 months & DS1 wants to walk, so sometimes i just use a cheap umbrella stroller from target, very handy. soon DS2 won't want to get in the pram & I'll be left with a twin pram & only 1 child to fit into it! so I'm deciding on what my next pram will be - a girlfriend has the Steelcraft Strider which she says is really good but i think my best bet is to wait until bub 3 is here.

prams, prams, prams.....

pod

01-11-2007, 08:13 AM

hi sonlou - yes, I've heard the steelcraft strider is very good. However, be wary of the wide wheel base as people complain about it not fitting through tight spaces. I think it's significantly wider than the mountain buggy urban, P&T sport, and even similar bugaboo-esque prams like the Valco Rad. Have you considered the Rad?

Cin

01-11-2007, 09:07 AM

Hi Pod

No the bub cant face you and they dont have a bassinet option and as far as i know they do go flat but not 100% sure, I wasnt worried about the completely flat bit as my dh was a colicy bub and was told a it wouldnt hurt to have them up a little if that is how our bub is. Although hopefull it isnt.

Let us know if you do go have a look at one. We are renovating at the moment and not sure when i will get to put mine together. :)

ShadyCharacter

01-11-2007, 10:41 AM

hi shady - the Quinny prams look great...really nicely styled, compact, & lightweight. But they don't have a basket underneath do they? I think I've seen one somewhere with an add-on storage type thing underneath but it was really small & didn't seem very useful. Does yours have any storage?
Yeah, when they first came out the only had the 'Buzz Box' which is the bag attached to the bottom. I found it handy enough.... but then they bought out the shopping basket you attach to the bottom as well... you buy it separately and I think its about $30 or so.

I didn't bother with it last time as I just used the Buzz Box and I had shopping hooks on the handles, but will probably get one this time. I think the combination of the Buzz Box and shopping basket together would be plenty of room.

Oh, and re: bassinette. The Quinny faces either way, but the seat tips rather than reclines, so for a young baby you would need the basinette. I wasn't going to be bother as I have the maxi cosi which attaches, but I like the basinettes so thought I would get one anyways :o

greenie

01-11-2007, 09:38 PM

I've been having this dilemma too.
DS1 will be 2 when bubs is born and I'm not sure if it's worth going for a double pram or leaving it and seeing if he won't need it anyway.
I had been leaning toward a Phil and Teds so I could have both kids in it, but to be honest the comments in the reviews section have put me off a bit!! Especially when it's so expensive.

Think I might hold off until after bubs is born as I have a carrier on the way in the post, a Maclaren Triumph stroller and a second hand Mountain Buggy that I've been using for DS.

Maybe by the time bubs is too heavy for the carrier, DS1 won't need a pram anyway.
I guess I can always buy one later if I find I can't manage without one.

pod

06-11-2007, 08:47 AM

greenie -
sounds like it's a good idea for you to hold off and see what DS1's needs are when your new bub arrives. If you do decide you need to get a pram to fit both kiddies in it, I think a single pram with toddler seat accessory will be much more use in the long term than a side by side or tandem double pram - at least you can still use the pram with one child in it on their own, like day to day when the older child is at playgroup or something, or when they decide they're too old to sit in a pram anymore!

greenie

06-11-2007, 09:41 PM

Good point pod.

My carrier (an Ergo) arrived in the post and I tried it out with DS1 on my back and I have to say I was pleasantly suprised. It was really very comfy even with my big belly hanging out the front!

So I'm feeling more optimistic about not needing a double pram. At least for a while anyway. Unless my back gives out or I get sick of being a pack horse, lol!

It was pretty cute though, DS thought it was really fun and loved having a horsey ride on Mummy's back!!

TillieAndBug

11-11-2007, 09:12 AM

Hi Pod
I went with a Bertini Shuttle for DD, you can get toddler seats etc...but...was really dissapointed with a) the fact despite being fairly expensive it tore after 2 months...and b) IGC the distributors are the most unhelpful bunch of people ever dealt with apart from Telstra! I need to replace a bolt in it and I emailed rang and wrote and still no help...
So...I decided that as it is also quite heavy and wide (though the steering and storage is awesome) that I would look around for a replacement...
I have got a Jane powertwin pro (tandem) and already love it...ithe baby will go in the back fully reclined and my Phil and Ted carry cot thing fits beautifully snug in there...if it was my first I would go for their single pram too...and use the carseat/bassinette option (someone said this not legal...but it is as I checked). THe only drawback here is you either have to get shipped from Europe about 800 dollars total(for single)1100 for double or find one on ebay au...as the distributor they had Childcare not doing...but they are about to get a new distributor for Au/NZ. They are the number one pram in Europe...and now as an owner I can see why :)

pod

12-11-2007, 08:52 AM

Thanks mytillieroo. I'll look into the Jane models. What a bugger about your Bertini going wrong and the people being so unhelpful. At least you found a pram you like even more though!

Cin

19-11-2007, 03:58 PM

Hi Pod

Have you purchased a pram as yet?

If so what did you get, if not what is in the running?

pod

19-11-2007, 04:32 PM

hi cin - nope, I still haven't bought a pram & to be honest I haven't thought much about it in the last week or so, as I thought I needed a break from trying to decide!

The hot contenders are still:
- Beema Q (folds very compact, fits well into my car boot, generally good features I think but not great looking & no good toddler option)
- Phil & Ted (nicer looking & good toddler option but doesn't fold as well as the Beema Q, plus in my opinion the newborn setup isn't as good - although people seem to love this pram!)
- Mountain Buggy Urban (ditto to the P&T, except no toddler seat. I would only consider this over the P&T because I can buy my sister's from her cheaply)

I also want to look at a couple of the prams people suggested in this thread, like the Jane mytillieroo suggested & the Jeep you suggested. The Jeep sounds quite good but I haven't made it back to a baby shop since then. I don't think I'll go for a quinny because the wheels look too small.

I also keep wondering if I should reconsider a 4 wheeled model like the Adiva Sport or Valco Rad, as I like the idea of bub being able to face me even after they're out of the bassinette and into the seat, but I'm worried about the small wheels at the front not being so good for outdoor walking. :confused:

I wish I was better at making decisions! :rolleyes:

BecD

20-11-2007, 09:28 AM

I also keep wondering if I should reconsider a 4 wheeled model like the Adiva Sport or Valco Rad, as I like the idea of bub being able to face me even after they're out of the bassinette and into the seat, but I'm worried about the small wheels at the front not being so good for outdoor walking. :confused:

We are considering a pram like this, although I haven't yet found a store near me that stocks the Adiva Sport and I've heard bad reviews about the Valco Rad (doesn't lie down flat). So far, we like the Childcare Hola and the Bebe Care Caprice but we still have some more looking to do. When we were store-testing the prams, we had no issues with the smaller wheels at the front - we found the wheels/steering/manouvering to be very nice and easy.

TillieAndBug

20-11-2007, 09:40 AM

http://www.johnstonprams.co.uk/cat161_1.htm
Pod this shows you the slalom pro...by Jane (my fave of the single ones) or you can type in Powertwin pro for the tandem...this is the main distributor in the UK...if you look at stockists and email a few they will let you know how much to ship...or have look on ebay uk or ebay germany...you will get a good deal on both pram and shipping...
on this website you can also look at the rebel car seat which makes this a 3 in 1 pram thing and also the surfer platforms which are all the rage in UK...think you can get here now too...depends how big a gap you going to have...I would have got a platform if bigger gap say 2 1/2 -3 years and bought the slalom pro but as only 20 months thought Tillie would still need a pram seat so went for the Powertwin.
It really is a limo :) and the quality and fittings are extra spesh! I actually got mine 2nd hand (6 months old hardly used) just not the 2007 model...from Victoria...but was this close to getting from Europe as couldnt find anything here I liked as much :) There are a couple of mums on BH who have them and we are all enthralled!

pod

20-11-2007, 11:47 AM

Thanks for the link mytillieroo. I've printed off the specs of the Jane slalom pro & will compare to the other prams I've been looking at. A folded size of 63 x 50 x 85cm seems really large (compared to say the Beema), but I'll have to check it against my notes re the other prams.

Even so, I don't know that I'd be brave enough to buy one without seeing it in the flesh though! Is there really nowhere to try & buy them locally?

TillieAndBug

20-11-2007, 08:53 PM

Dunno how rates folded really - only would say on the whole European cars alot smaller and this is a no1 seller :) My tandem is as light as my Bertini shuttle, fits through regualar aisles which the Bertini didnt, and oh my god the real front brake and maneouverability of it is wow...and like the Quinny the wheels are easy peasy to get off...MummyCharmzy may know if there is anywhere left in Oz that has them...or email Jane.es website and ask there sales team if they got a new au distributor yet...
I took the risk as my sister had a slalom pro and just is raving about it...and I had heard the powertwin pro was awesome too...but I do understand it a big purchase to get without seeing...but then I am the girl that bought a 2 bed apartment without seeing it because it looked so good on web, right location and didnt want to miss out :sunshine:

neda

28-11-2007, 05:03 PM

i am having a lot of problem chosing too. far too many choices out there make me confused.

Bump

30-11-2007, 10:03 AM

I am leaning towards the Valco Trimode or Valco Ultralight. I had been keen on the Beema Q Elite (love the new colours, easy to fold, good to steer, etc) but it doesn't have a toddler seat option, only the skate board thing that they stand on at the back. I think maybe the toddler seat has become a priority for me. Feel like it is a bit pointless buying a pram without it, when I do plan to have another child sooner rather than later, all going to plan of course. The phil and ted didn't stack up against the Valco for me. Similar weight, but don't like the zipper height adjustment (too fiddly) and I have heard very bad things about little ones getting their fingers stuck in the wheels when they sit underneath! The Valco also had better storage options, lots of pockets for things. Colours are a bit ordinary, but can't have everything I guess. Still want to look a bit more before I make the final decision though. Very hard isn't it!

pod

30-11-2007, 10:45 AM

hi bump. I just checked out those Valco models online. Look like they have lots of good features. Do you know if the Runabout Trimode Ultralite Edition can take the bassinette & toddler seat options?

I particularly like the idea of the bassinette stand accessory for using around the house!

Bump

03-12-2007, 04:40 PM

Yep, they are exactly the same at the Valco trimode, just lighter. Oh, and they have solid wheels, vs the pump up wheels of the trimode. Not sure how they have got it lighter without losing any features. Need to ask that question.

I had a look at the McClaren on the weekend, but it doesn't have any airflow in the back or top, the extra bit that comes out from the canopy was clear plastic, vs fabric so no good for extra shade (they call it a weather protector - doesn't rain in Australia, so would rather have sun protection thanks), and the foot rest part was plastic. It was also about 100 dollars more expensive. No go for me.

The valco is a fairly big pram, but I think it is what I will get. I don't spend much time in shopping centres anyway and if it becomes a problem, I'll just buy a cheap stroller for those tight places. And it folds up small.

sairpaul

08-12-2007, 03:09 PM

:wave: Thought i would just pop in and say hi to everyone and saw your thread on prams this is our first baby and we have brought the love n care tri active pram. Its great as it can convert easily. Thought you might like to see some photos.

We have a cot but it wont fit in our room so this works for us at night and during the day it will be in the cot if home
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff225/sairpaul/P1000421.jpg
I didn't like the idea of not being able to see my baby when pushing
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff225/sairpaul/P1000418.jpg
it then goes into a nice looking pram
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff225/sairpaul/P1000416.jpg

I wish all you ladies the best of luck and will see you around

BecD

09-12-2007, 10:43 AM

That looks like a really gorgeous pram sairpaul. We have chosen the Bebe Care Caprice but we haven't bought it yet - http://www.nurseryworld.com.au/shopping/prams/2-in-1/combi-s/caprice-stroller-chilli-pepper.html?Itemid=6

pod

10-12-2007, 08:12 AM

Sairpaul & BecD - both of those prams look like good choices. I've completely given up on choosing a pram until the new year though... too many things to do between now & Christmas to think about it!

holgerschuetz

14-12-2007, 03:53 PM

Sparrowgal

05-01-2008, 10:49 PM

Well pod I wonder what you got in the end. With all the end of year sales hopefully you got something you wanted :)

I couldn't decide whether to just carry baby for a few months and get a pram that didn't have the bassinet/newborn option (they're so expensive!) so DH took it out of my hands and said he wanted a P&T since I'm gonna be an aunty about 6 weeks after my girl is due and I bet grandma and grandpa want to take the 2 kids out when they get older.

So a P&T sport with that extra toddler seat is in the mail somewhere on its way here... I hope it's not too heavy for me to lift in and out of the car... 10 kilos sounds like a lot :o but DH says he'll do it...

pod

08-01-2008, 08:08 AM

Hi Sparrowgal. Sounds like the P&T is an excellent choice for you. If only it folded up a bit more compactly I'd be getting one myself. As it is, it just doesn't fit as nicely as others into my car boot so my practical side says I'd regret it every time I'd struggle with it if I did buy one!

Believe it or not I STILL haven't got a pram! In fact I havent even looked around any further for quite some time now. Work was so hectic leading up to xmas and we're in the middle of quite major renovations at home so I put the pram decision to the back of my mind until now, and added it to the long list of things I need to tackle during January, which was supposed to be my month off from work before the bub arrives. Unfortunately it's ended up that I'm back at work this week - hopefully for not too many more days though if I have my way.

THEN I'll get back onto buying the last of the baby essentials and organising myself for the trip to the hospital etc!

Good luck with the P&T. I bet you love it!

pod

07-02-2008, 07:53 AM

Just thought I'd pop in and let you know I ended up getting the steelcraft strider 3! After eliminating it from my options very early on in the decision process, I took another look at it a couple of weeks ago when DH came pram shopping with me and I decided it had a lot of the features I was looking for, plus it fits really well into my car boot compared to lots of other prams. I got the slate colour and bought the bassinette accessory as an extra, which will be great as a spare bed for bub.

I almost went for the mountain buggy, based on very strong recommendations from my sister and a number of friends, but decided against it in the end because of the difficulty in fitting it into my boot. And in case you're wondering, I was put off the Beema Q (which was so high on my list for so long) because I saw so many photos of them on ebay and they were all so faded and old looking even though they weren't very old at all!

Anyhow, that's how it all panned out for me. Can't wait for bub to arrive and try out the pram properly!:smiliedance: