prams with pneumatic tyres for rural living?

[blondedoctor]

Hi there,

I am looking to buy a pram that suits newborn through to toddlerhood that has blow up pneumatic tyres. I live in the sticks on a large rural property and the pram will mostly be used on rocky, and sandy country so it needs really sturdy wheels. I dont care if its three or four wheeled although I imagine a 3 wheeler might be better here. I was hoping for one which had a reversible handle, you know so that bubs can either face me, or the road ahead, but I think its more important to have the good wheels.

Does anyone else have a pram like this, or do you know of any good models? I'm not having much luck on the web Thanks

[SamiH]

Hi

We bought a Valco runabout with DS1 & still going strong 6 years later. So try looking at what they have these days. I love it too for the toddler attachment

Always carry your pump though & repair kit in the basket if out walking - i have been caught out once ...........

[Taurean]

Try Adventure Buggy, Mountain Buggy or Jeep for good 'off-road' prams. Other brands which are still all-terrain but more designed for a bit of everything (so more footpaths and bumpy tracks with the occassional off-road) then try Baby Jogger (we've bought the City Elite) or Phil and Teds.

Good luck!

[~Raven~]

I love my 3 wheeler for going cross country! Even up sand dunes to the beach

If you want to go 4 wheels then the old style bertini bidwell would be great and you can pick them up cheap. I think the new bertini aren't as good.

[Ginger]

i use my mountain buggy on dirt-roads everyday and it's great for off-road

[blondedoctor]

Thanks for the info I can't beleive how expensive some of these prams are! I'm looking at the Valco Matrix PLus - looks pretty cool and at $499 is half the price of the Mountain Buggy (which I love but just can't afford). I have rung a local store who has one in stock so I'll check it out on Wednesday when I head into town.

Thanks

[mummato1]

I have just brought the Maclaren MX3, its only just been delivered and I havent been able to actually use it yet. It was about $550, so not sure if thats in your price range or not?

Nice big tyres (and you get a pump) and the suspension looks great

[blondedoctor]

Hi - I ended up buying the Valco Matrix Plus - it was $479.00 and comes with the baby bassinette, and a pump for the tyres too. It looks so cool and DH can't stop playing with it!!

[Bathsheba]

I was going to recommend a second hand Emmalunga. I use my pram a lot at my DD's sports events which means I have to go "cross country" a lot... 4 wheels are a huge bonus... adds a lot more stability especially when going up hills etc.... and yes, the big wheels and excellent suspension on the Emmalungas are fantastic.... it's the 4 wheel drive of prams. I'll add a link to my gallery... HERE

[Feathertop]

I've got a Beema Q, and have found it great. We don't have any footpaths, have lots of hills, and it's had to go off road quite a bit. Even took it on the beach once when we were on holidays. It wasn't too expensive either.

[~Saram~]

I was going to suggest a steelcraft as my BIL checked out the suspension of the range of prams we were checking out and this was the best. Second having a repair kit and pump at all times especailly for those HUGE *****les if you get them where you are. When we lived on property I found my sling/carrier to be very handy for getting out and about in the yard also.

[~Kim~]

BD I realise you have already bought it, but we are rural too and the catseyes have played havock with our pneumatic tyres, so much so that we went and bought a stroller with hard wheels....

[Taurean]

BD I realise you have already bought it, but we are rural too and the catseyes have played havock with our pneumatic tyres, so much so that we went and bought a stroller with hard wheels....

Actually, that's a really good point! My sister has an Adventure Buggy because they're in the bush frequently (camping, moutain biking, etc) and there is a horrible *****le over here in WA referred to as 'double g's' which have given them grief on many occassions. They've had to replace the tubes in their tyers quite often because of the *****les!

[Bathsheba]

That's true about burrs (cats eyes etc) and Emmalunga have optional solid wheels as well (that can be bought separately) ... just for everyone's info. I had solid wheels on my first Emma and it lasted over 10 years without any worries about pumping etc.

[Jen27]

Hi Blondedoctor I would love to know where you ended up getting the valco matrix plus from? do you live in wa?

I'm near Albany and can't seem to find one in a store

thanks!

[V21]

hi jen27, i live in barker...... albs doesnt really have a lot, i found i had to go to perth for most of our baby gear, as i didnt want to pay a million dollars for everything that was needed!!!!! congrats on the pregnancy btw.

[blondedoctor]

Jen27 - so weird, I replied to you yesterday but now can't see it on the page!! Anyhoo, I live in the mallee in SA not WA, and bought mine in Adelaide. Valco do seem to have a pretty good website so might be worth contacting them about suppliers. I know I havent actually used the pram yet but it looks pretty good to me