Help needed for pram choice - Joolz, City Select, iCandy, Strider? What else?

[LuluHB]

I had my heart set on a stokke but the damn money tree out the back was stolen so I've had to accept we just can't afford one. So, please hit me with your recommendations for a great alternative.

I don't need/want:

1. any kind of ability to cater for a second child.
2. small fold - I have a big car so space not an issue
3. a stroller type pram

I would like:

1. Narrow - after years of double prams I want to be able to wizz everywhere
2. Rear facing
3. I do lots of walking so something with decent suspension

Thanks. Appreciate any recommendations

[PumpkinZulu]

Oh, before I read your post, I was going to suggest a Stokke I have one and it is amazing, so worth the cost. But, I won't rave on about it as your money tree has been nicked I will say though that it is definitely worth the price tag if you can muster it.

[Razzberry]

I have a strider and it is def NOT narrow, I find it very heavy, though it is great for the storage basket and I like the bassinett attachment and it is very sturdy.

[LuluHB]

PZ - I KNOW!!! I so want one and the problem is that now I've had good long plays with them nothing else comes close. Bit like going out to buy a car knowing you've got $20K to spend but test driving the Porsche anyway! I'm really glad you're enjoying yours.

Razzberry - do you find the width painful, or just that its not narrow ITMS? I struggled to even get into some shops (not to mention some baby care rooms!!) with my double pram and it drove me nuts.

[~Hestia~]

I have a City Select and am really impressed with it. You certainly can use it rearfacing as just a single, just pick up the seat and turn it around. I don't know how much wider it is compared to other prams but I've never gotten stuck anywhere! I love it's 'boot' as I call it - yesterday I fitted a large Tonka Truck in a box, my nappy bag as well as about 4 other shopping bags in it with room to spare Suspension is fantastic, as proved this arvo by DH running down a dirt road pushing Moo in ours, was hilarious!

[Liviam]

I was going to say STOKKE!!!! I know how much you love it - can you sell your pram collection to help pay for it? How about a second hand one?

[LuluHB]

I'll definitely be selling the two double prams I have left - hung onto them in case this one turned out to be twins but need to get off my bum and sell them. Trouble is that side by side doubles just aren't worth anything anymore. There are so many prams on the market now that take two like the city select, iCandy etc. I've looked at second hand stokkes but they hold their value so well that a "cheap" one is still around $1,000.

Poor R feels really bad now that we've finally agreed we can't afford one - poor bugger has been working quite a bit extra to try and get more dollars but we've just been slammed with so many huge bills lately. Maybe I can send him out onto the streets to sell other skills????

[PumpkinZulu]

*other* skills?

[PumpkinZulu]

It's worth it for a Stokke

[Razzberry]

I did find the width painful as some narrow doorways made it very difficult if I didn't go in at the right angle.

[LuluHB]

Thanks Razzberry. Did wonder if that could be a problem - it does look very wide.

PZ - I'm happy to share his "skills" if it gets me a Stokke ;-)

[Liviam]

Hun there are a heap of brilliant prams out there. Go shopping and test drive them and see what grabs you - your options are endless.

Have fun shopping.

[lyra stardust]

I have a bugaboo bee plus and LOVE it. It's narrow, light, great suspension, comfy seat, rear and forward facing, easy fold, good sized basket.

Drawbacks I would say are 1. no bassinet for newborn (not sure how I will go with this as I got it when DS was 12 months old and I'm worried it will be an issue for number 2) but you can get a cocoon insert or use it with a car capsule. If bassinet is essential I have heard that you can fit a dreami quinny bassinet with maxi cosi adaptors but have never seen a picture.

2. It's pretty low to the ground. I am 5'2'' so I actually love this about it, some of the prams I tried felt like I was pushing a bus around, but I can see why a less vertically challenged person might find it a bit dinky. Having said that though DH uses it with no issues. The handle bar is adjustable.

I love my Bee!! Happy shopping.

[Cassius2]

i love my bugaboo. and they are now getting pretty good on ebay price wise (now that everyone wants the new bugaboo donkey the other models are being sold left and right to pay for the new one ).

have you checked out how much it would be for a stokke sent from the US? they are considerably cheaper...maybe maybe?? i know how much a good pram changes everything.

[megs]

I believe phil and teds have a new pram out called the Promenade, don't know anything about it but I know it does the rear facing, and Phil and Teds are always a narrower pram.

[Dr. Tal]

I have the strider Plus and I can't recommend it more highly. Only problem is it is DEFINITELY NOT narrow.

If you are going to be doing a lot of walking my biggest recommendation is to make sure you don't bang your shins on it. My DH is a bit taller and his biggest problem with a lot of the prams we looked at was when he was walking (he takes fairly big strides) he's hit his shins on the undercarriage and it drove him insane.

Didn't have that problem with the strider. It's also really good for off roading. We have a property so are on dirt a lot and it's quite easy to push. And the tires are puncture proof. My DH (much to my horror) even got a screw out in the middle of the shops and tried his best to pop it through the tire.

I LOVE the capsule attachment as well. Nothing better then taking my sleeping baby out of the car, and locking him into the pram, no fus….no waking baby and no toting around an incredibly heavy and cumbersome capsule on my arm.

As for selling other skills, I recently had a dream (gotta love preggie dreams) where DH became a stripper for geriatric old ladies in retirement homes….made a heap of money off it in my dreams…..maybe your DH could try that

[LuluHB]

i love my bugaboo. and they are now getting pretty good on ebay price wise (now that everyone wants the new bugaboo donkey the other models are being sold left and right to pay for the new one ).

have you checked out how much it would be for a stokke sent from the US? they are considerably cheaper...maybe maybe?? i know how much a good pram changes everything.

I was going to post today about this. I have just paid for a beautiful brand new Stokke with bassinet to come from the UK. Its ridiculous - $1,000 Aus with $40 for delivery. More than we can really afford to spend but like you say, a good pram is just so important - for our lifestyle anyway.

Thanks for all the suggestions ladies. I'm soooooooooo excited about my Stokke. Now I just have to wait patiently for it to arrive . . .

[Liviam]

Awesome buy hun!! Fingers crossed it arrives quickly so you don't have to wait too long. What colour did you end up getting? Can't wait to see a picture!!!