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London 'travel system' with occasional Countryside Walks

12 replies

eclondon · 10/05/2013 15:26

All,

I'm fairly new on here so hopefully I'm asking a reasonable question. the problem is that I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the whole travelsystem purchase.

Having read lots of advice and reviews I think I need a 'travel system' which does the following:

  • Can take baby from birth -> 2yrs
  • Is light weight so I can pick it up to carry up / down stairs onto my local train platform
  • Narrow enough to easily get on a London Bus
  • Folds down into a relativly small space (I live in a flat so must be collapsed each evening)
  • is robust enough to take baby on walks in the countryside / beaches

    My thoughts are the moment are between the following:

  • UppaBaby Cruz (but seems a bit heavy and not so good off road)
  • icandy Cherry (Still feels a bit heavy and unsure how good off road)

    I've looked at the Vista (perfect for off road terrible for london) and the Bugaboo Bee (looks flimsy to me, not idea for new born and not sure how good for a walk)

    So what are your thoughts? Am I missing any obvious options? All advice welcome,

    Thank you in advance
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dldl · 10/05/2013 15:35

Have you thought of the BabyJogger range. If weight is an issue a BJCMGT might suit? Wheels will be good enough for minimal off roading, not esp heavy, folds easily and small, on and off buses easily (I manage w my Elite which is bigger). Most people don't regret their BJ purchases. Carrycot for first few months is also an option. You didn't state if you wanted parent-facing though for longer than that.

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eclondon · 10/05/2013 15:46

Hi dldl thank you for your prompt response... can I ask a daft question... since the BJCMGT doesn't have a carry cot option how does it work from birth? Sorry if that sound stupid its just I feel such a novice when it comes to this !!

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Ihateparties · 10/05/2013 17:01

All the baby joggers have a carrycot option, compact, compact plus and the now hard to find deluxe. They do lie almost completely flat anyway and have always been sold as suitable from birth. There have been some new regs relatively recently that seems to have impacted on what is sold as that, seemingly now there has to be some sort of enclosure so lie flat alone isn't meeting that anymore. This is new stuff though, existing pushchairs sold as suitable from birth still are.

My personal baby jogger issue is that they have wide wheelbases, i believe the cmgt is only 1 or 1.5cm narrower than the vista. The fold is totally different though. Totally.

Sooooo many people are looking for a more robust pushchair the approx size of a bee.. you're not missing anything, there isn't really anything. The easywalker june sort of but it has issues with parent facing handling, seat position etc.

The new easywalker mini stroller is apparently a contender in this category but as it isn't out yet we don't really know.

They don't come much lighter than the cherry, cruz or bee with the features you are looking for.

I suppose you could look at something like the cybex callisto, that has a lovely carrycot then turns into umbrella stroller with bar handle. I had one and loved it as a pram but didn't like how it handled as a stroller. It's much sturdier feeling than a bee (imo, this stuff is certainly subjective) but by no means a terrain option.

The new britax b motion could work for you, that takes the full size britax carrycot, is 58cm wide and folds as the baby jogger does. Or possibly even a mountain buggy swift with carrycot.

Imho there are a lot more sturdy options that go carrycot then forward facing seat. If you want parent facing beyond the carrycot stage almost everything that feels robust is bigger and heavier unfortunately Sad

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chocolatemartini · 10/05/2013 17:46

I looked in vain for something with all the features you want. I've given up on narrow for buses and liftable with a baby in and gone for a cam3 which I adore, but really I think the bee is the nearest thing you'll find to what you're asking for. They've grown on me slowly, but I still find them a bit rickety and low so I haven't given in and got one yet.

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Hrc152 · 11/05/2013 00:20

I'm so sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but there isn't such a things as little and light in London as well as being sturdy enough for countryside :( Hence why so many people I know have more than one buggy!! The closest thing would be the baby jogger city mini, GT or even versa if u want rear facing. The baby joggers are seriously good!! The other would maybe be bugaboo cameleon... Not sure just wish someone had told me I couldn't have it all in one buggy before my baby was here!!

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forevergreek · 12/05/2013 08:56

Bugaboo bee or Phil and teds smart. Both light, narrow etc, but neither good for off road , but fine say walking through the slightly off road parts of say Hyde park. ( so gravelling rather than great potholes)

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browneyedpixie · 12/05/2013 08:58

mountain buggy swift

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MorningHasBroken · 12/05/2013 09:06

We went for a small, light travel system for town use and then stick ds in a sling or carrier to go walking. Most 'off road' buggies don't actually seem able to cope that well with the beach or properly rough ground anyway. Has worked so far for us and he's 11 months old.

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TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 12/05/2013 09:19

Bugaboo bee fits all your criteria

  • from birth to 2
  • lightweight and narrow
  • robust, will cope with country walks quite well
  • really easy to pick up and carry downtube steps on your own and much easier than others to do with two people - you each take a side
  • slim and narrow - you can get 3 into the wheelchair space on a London bus
  • foldable - not brilliant but once you've got the knack it's easy to fold down and slot under your cot, bed or sofa. And it doesn't take up that much space when up.
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Tiggywunkle · 13/05/2013 01:29

Have a look at the Graco Evo. I have to say I am very surprised how light it is - seriously light. Its got a really good sized seat. It stores pretty flat especially if you nest the seat into the chassis rather than keeping it on. It would cope with a walk on grass etc. TBH I hate to admit it, I could probably replace my Bee with it because its a seriously good pushchair!!

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mamaloop · 17/05/2013 13:52

Definitely theBaby Jogger Citi Mini GT. I recently got one of these do do country walks with and haven't regretted it. My DC is now 4 months and still enjoying it!

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eclondon · 26/06/2013 07:30

Sorry for delayed reply but just wanted to say thank you for all your comments and to let you know we went for the city jogger gt not yet used as we're still waiting for baby to arrive!

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