Best pushchair / pram for new twin babies...?

[Surfnicky]

Hi everyone,

I'm fairly new here - but haven't ever posted on the 'multiples' section....silly really, as I'm expecting ID twins at the end of September!!

I wondered whether I could gather some advice on pushchairs as reaching the 6-month mark has finally kicked me into action and the realisation that as a first time mum, I do actually need to start sorting out the babies stuff!

My husband and I have been doing a fair bit of web research and quite like the idea of the Jane Twin Two pushchair with rebel car seats....although they do seem horrifically expensive. Can anyone shed any light on the ease of use / pros and cons of this model compared to other popular choices for newborn twins?

Thanks in advance and I look forward to chatting with you all...

[misdee]

what about double mountain buggy urban with twin carrycot??

[Surfnicky]

Yes, they do look nice but the only thing that puts me off them is that the carrycot can't be used as a car seat...or at least I don't think it can? Might be wrong though!

[kittylette]

this looks good and ALOT cheaper than a double mountain buggy - only one carrycot though so you would have to buy another one seperatly

[piximon]

Hi Surfnicky, congrats and welcome.
We ummed and ahhed over which double to buy a few months ago and went with the 2007 Jane Powertwin with two rebel seats.
I remember at the time I was trying to reach a decision, I read more positive reviews for the Powertwin over the Twin Two, but I can't remember what the niggles with the Twin Two were, other than it being wider at the front and therefore seeming even bigger.
I love the powertwin. It's a dream to push. My two are in the rebel seats so both face me and I swap them around so they take it in turns to see me closer or further. We've only just got a car but the rebel seats made carrying the sleeping babies around much easier and they rock really nicely when you put the on the floor so could double as a rocker seat if money/space is an issue.
Choosing the right buggy, for me, made the difference between only going out when I had to, to wanting to go out for a walk with them. Good luck with whichever you decide. My house is filling up with my mistakes!

[Surfnicky]

Thanks Piximon - very useful info indeed! first hand experience of these things is great as I've found it hard to differentiate between the two of them. Are the rebel seats easy to click in and out of the main frame? And can you recommend any good retailers - online or otherwise? Thanks v much!

[SlightlyMadStilton]

Well I went for a really wide really heavy side by side model 6 years ago. Biggest mistake of my life. I thought they would be more comfy if they had more space - no I just brought my ticket to a year of house arrest as it was more hassle than it was worth to go anywhere!!!

As for places to look - try kiddicare.com. They are usually pretty cheap, free delivery and I have found there customer service to be excellent when I have used them in the past.

[piximon]

The seats do click in and out of the frame really easily (although you need two hands) and they have a thick padded cushion which can be removed and which is so comfy for a newborn. They also have other really nice little features like very soft material used on the straps next to the baby's face and a storage space in the back of the seat where you can keep nappies and wipes etc. A world away from the basic Graco car seat I had first time around.
I bought mine from Pramworld. There were slightly cheaper deals around but I wanted to go with someone I trusted.
It is a lot of money, but I originally bought a cheap side by side Maclaren which I had to fold to get through my front door and the nursery gate and couldn't navigate round most shopping aisles. I also have DS1 (4) and DD1 (2) either side so we'd take up the whole pavement and the twins weren't facing me which was awful if we were out for long periods, so I more or less gave up leaving the house.
The powertwin isn't perfect but I have yet to see a double that is. If you're not used to using a 3-wheeler it takes a little getting used to, it's very expensive, it's bulky when folded, heavy if you have loads of stairs, the shopping basket is tiny; although I do have to cart around stuff for four children, but it's better than many doubles, I can get it on and off the bus without problems, the twins are comfy whichever terrain we're navigating (we go to the woods a lot), I can easily push with one hand and it's given me my freedom back.

[glamourbadger]

Hi Surfnicky

Congrats on your twins!

I have a Jane Powertwin and would really recommend it. It's easy to push and fold and only the width of a single buggy. I found the car capsules useful when my twins were small as you could unclick the seats and sit the babies in them. Great for baby groups or visiting a mates house as they have somewhere to sit and sleep while you're there. I got mine second hand and it is still going strong, even with two active toddlers.

Downsides are it is large when folded and quite heavy to lift into the car. Though I am yet to find a double buggy that isn't!! I have an older model and the brake is a bit of a pain - it gets caught and makes an annoying clicking sound. They might have fixed it with the newer version but worth checking.

When mine could sit I bought a cheapie double Maclaren stroller that is lighter and easier to get in and out of the car.

If you're looking for other options TAMBA do a useful double buggy guide that has nearly all the models in it - you can order it on their website.

[Chopster]

I haven't got long to chat, but welcome to MN and I'd also recomend the Jane powertwin if you want a travel system. I found it brilliant with my boys. I then went to an emmaljunga twin pram, once they outgrew the car seats, and decided they hated a tandem. The emmaljunga is gorgeous, really luxurious and lovely to push. It faces both ways, has a UV net, lies completely flat, etc. Now they are 2 and don't need all the extras and are getting heavier, so I'm now onto a twin nipper, which is half the weight and so much easier to push with two toddlers in. It is suitable from newborn.

[Surfnicky]

Thanks for your advice everyone....very useful indeed! I agree that it's worth splashing out a little extra if it means the difference between feeling trapped at home and actually able to get round the supermarket aisles once in a while.

And I do like the all-terrain aspect of it too. I used to do a lot of running so am keen to get something that means that I might be able to take it back up again (albeit at a slower pace!) when the time is right.

[Chopster]

If you like running I'd go for the nipper. Its light enough to run with and the fixed wheel is better for jogging. I can't personally see anyone jogging with the jane tbh.

[nearlythere]

first wheels twin elite?

i had a bertini twin and loved every second of it! whatever you go for, don't rule out ditching it for a different pram- you never know until the babies are born what your ideal pram will be!

[glamourbadger]

I'm a runner and I can't comfortably run with the Jane. Though for me my running time is my own away from the babies to clear my head! I've run places with it when I'm late (you can adjust the handle bit to be more comfortable) but not something I would do to keep fit.

[Caroline76]

Hi Ladies,also expecting twins and DS1 aged 4 and DS2 aged 2. I was set on the moutain buggy double, but it has occured to me that if I get the powertwin we could also use a buggy pod on the side for DS2 when in a rush etc for the school runs in September. The only question I have is about the front seat. When it reclines does the baby look confy? My friend has one that is 3 years old and I always remember her elder son looking squasged when asleep in the front seat?

[Chopster]

have you looked at the easylife? It is jsut like a mountail buggy, but you can get a toddler seat to put on the front. The buggypod has had some very poor reviews.
The onther idea might be an emmaljunga, as you can get a toddler roller for the 2 year old to stand on the back. HTH

[Surfnicky]

Glamourbadger - that's a very good point. Running is a great escape but not so when you're pushing two little ones, I imagine!

[oooggs]

love my double nipper - twins are 10 weeks

[hana]

I have a powertwin as well ( 21 month gap here, no twins) and it's great. You coujlnd't run with it though, and anyways, is far nicer to get out for a run without babies!!
I would buyy it from a reputable place and not online, I had a great deal of trouble from a place called babyzoop and was without my buggy for a few months. they were the cheapest when I looked around, but cheapest ins't always best

[katjac]

Hi, i am new on here
I have a first wheels city twin with 2 carrycots and i LOVE it!! Can highly recommend. You cant use car seats on it though

[charlotteryder]

About to have my first baby in December, but my sister-in-law is using the mountain buggy urban double, she is very happy with, according to her, pros:
fits through a standard door.
easy to maneuver.

cons:
requires a very big car.
heavy
expensive.

in any case, checkout this website, it is really new and still not officially launched but it has great product reviews www.babyfy.com, here is the link to the mountain buggy review www.babyfy.com/index.php/product-review/2964/Mountain-Buggy-Urban-Twin-Pushchair/

[lotty2]

Hi
I'm new too and expecting non-ID twins in November. I would prefer side by side rather than Tandem so Chopster's recommend of Nipper looks good. Have looked on Kiddicare.com which is great as the prices are cheap and you get full video demonstrations. However, would still like to see one in the flesh before I buy - anyone know who stocks them?
Looked at We2Combi which is compact and v.light but not sure how long it would last.
My priority is light but I still want sturdy.

[charlotteryder]

don't know why but I like that babyfy site, they like the nipper as well www.babyfy.com/index.php/product-review/2968/Out-n-About-Twin-Nipper/

[mistlethrush]

Only have single, but still might be helpful. Moutain Buggy fantastic. Goes everywhere - now go down flights of stairs without pushing the handle down and going down on the back wheel like you do to start with (ds 2.3 and not in it much anymore though). Used from 3wks with no chair attachment - just flat. Swivel wheel not so important for outside walking at the beginning, but great for manoeuvrability in town - and can be locked for cross country. Now, with greater weight in the buggy its essential and makes pushing it so much easier. Have run quite long distances with it when late, although I'm not a runner. Didn't go with the Jane in the end partly due to the simplicity of the MB - less to go wrong - and the disc brake on the Jane - this would definitely have got stuck up on some of the walks we go on, so MB best choice for us. Disadvantages - needs relatively long boot space, but did fit in car better than the Jane.

[iangarethreeves]

i've got the jane twin two as well,
recommend it a lot, we were gifted a used side by side by a friend, but the jane gets used, the side by side doesn't.
It is much better for getting into shops, even small corner shops are possible, the turning circle is very small.
it is pretty light and relatively compact, the cost is steep but we use every day, and it makes such a difference having something so good.
we use the matrix pro and rebel pro car seats to clip in which are excellent, different strengths to each, can supply more details of those on request as we have done a direct comparison over tha last three months!