Valco Rebel pram

[sugar n spice]

Today dh and i went looking at prams and we really like the the valco rebel pram with the attachable toddler seat. It has a sleeping bag and reversible pram that you can detach and carry inside if you want to. Wondering if anyone has had one and what they thought of it.

I had a good look at the phil and ted pram but decided against that due to no cargo space when using the toddler seat and i also thought it didnt look that safe for a baby down low to the ground and the support backing swayed back and fro which i didnt like, looked ok with the cocoon in it but over all like the valco better which is also $30 cheaper.

[Chickadee]

There has been a parent review of the Rebel entered into the Bubhub Info Directory: Prams & Strollers (http://www.bubhub.com.au/communityprams.shtml).

[sugar n spice]

yeah i saw that but it was just one persons opinion. hoping for a varied opinion

[justrace]

I had my heart set on rebel pram and was ready to make the purchase when the lady in the store mentioned that she has several people buy them and when their bubs are a bit bigger they end up coming into buy a normal 3 wheeler. Reasons that she gave me were: the part the baby sits in isn't as long, therefore not as much leg room, that they were much heavier and bulkier than the other ones and they were harder to fit in the boot. We ended up with a 3 wheeler that has the option for a toddler seat (we only have one atm but would like #2 shortly). Maybe you could try to see if it fits in you boot first and how hard it is to collapse and pick up. Good luck

[sugar n spice]

thanks - it looked a little awkward and bulky but i thought if i practiced before baby was born i would get used to is as it looks a lot stronger and more secure then others

[3cherubs]

I had one and hated it, i ended up selling it when DD1 was 5 months old and bought a Valco Runabout.
It made clunking noises when it moved and was **** to put down.
Try it in the shop.

[sugar n spice]

yeah i tried it in the shop and looked awkward but i thought overall the pram looked really good. Im glad i came on and asked though as it sounds like i would have wasted my money

[missie_mack]

I have one and so far so good. :thumbsup:

I like the fact that the seat detaches which is great when you visit friends and relos as you can sit bubba in it. Of the 3 wheelers it had one of the smallest width across the back and the wheels detatch very easily. This was important to us as our second car is a sports car with a deep boot and small opening. Being able to break the pram up easily and quickly is important. I dont find it too heavy to lift and assemble and I have just had a c section. I find great to steer I like the fact that I can have bubba face me or face away which is different to the original Valco rebel. The ability to break it down easily, steer well and have bubba face me or away were the deciding factors to buying the pram.

Good luck with your decision

[katelynsmum03]

Hi, I too had my heart set on this pram as it was basically the only one were you have baby and toddler both facing you. I seen it on the internet and fell in love but when I went into the baby store I was really dissapointed.
The toddler seat basically sits over the baby and there is no room to get to the baby. Also the normal baby seat is not very long so as the baby gets bigger there is just no room.
After alot of looking aroung I have settled with the valco runabout trimode. It has a huge seat and the toddler seat is not over the baby. I have also purchased a soft bassinet ($80) to sit in the pram whilst the newborn is small as it just seems alot more secure. This fits well and the toddler seat is not over the baby at all. This is great cos as baby wants to sit up there is still plenty of room for them to do so. I suggest you have a look at one of these. The other great thing about the valco is that with the toddler seat you can purchase separate for ($40) a hood that attaches to the toddler seat so that toddler has plenty of shade as well.
The price is approx the same as the rebel. Hope you find what you are looking for. It has taken me 7mnths to decide.

[appleblossom]

I completely understand what you are going through! I am about to have baby #2 and have been searching around for the perfect pram - have realised that there is no such thing! I have a two year old that I want to be able to put in a toddler seat, and think it's really important to have a baby facing you especially in the first few months. So with that criteria there were only one or two options. The Valco Rebel being the one I chose. Otherwise there are some four wheel options, if you have the boot space etc, but I think once you have a three wheel pram it's hard to change. I had a three-wheeler for my first child and loved it! I just wish I had put as much research into prams then as I have done now. My previous pram doesn't take a toddler seat attachment, thus the need for a new pram.

The only advice I can give is to make the best choice for you, and then make the most of it. I am really happy with the choice I made, because for the majority of the time I will only have the baby in the pram. My son will walk as long as I have someone with me to run after him! I spent over 7 months agonising over what to do, but am happy now. I wrote down a list of pros and cons and went with the outcome. Everything has good and bad about it, just weigh up which things are most important to you. For me it was ease of steering, being able to have baby facing me when I wanted to use a toddler seat, and the ease of using the pram without a toddler seat too. And of course the space in the underneath basket is always important, some three wheelers are hard to get into the underneath section when you have a newborn lying flat.

Hope any of this helps,

[Milosmum]

I had a rebel and have sold it before 2nd baby arrives. It was way too heavy (17kg - I am strong but met my match) and clumsy (spent 12 months trying to persuade front wheel to go straight. It was also too big for my car so I needed to put the toddler seat in the back seat and collapse the frame into the boot. Who could be bothered? Definitely explore other options IMHO.