Mountain Buggy Urban Jungle

[Plinky]

Hello everyone!

We have a Mountain Buggy Urban Elite and I am considering upgrading to the new MB Urban Jungle. However, I understand that this is now made in China, rather than NZ like the old models were. Also that the warranty is only 1 year rather than 3?

I guess I was just wondering if anyone out there has one of the new Jungle models...how is it? Does it feel well-made? How does it compare to the old model?

I'm just a bit worried I may regret my decision to sell my old one!

Thanks

[Keira's mummy]

Im doing the same thing Im buying the new one in the next few weeks just want to find a good deal as there seem to be a few atm....the new one doesnt have the annoying things on the wheels so it is narrower the frame seems the same otherwise and the hood moves and it seems to have more ventilation as I found the urban elite fabric way too hot! for walking the new model fabric is more like the urban models of the pram but the replacememnt covers on their web site are $94 so Im kind of well like if the fabrics only lasted one child for that price I wouldnt be too bothered when the NZ mountain buggy fabrics started at $230 a set...so I will let you know how I go and the sun and rain cover ATM are $72 for both I paid $85 just for the suncover with the NZ buggy

[mozzie]

I def think you will regret it

I have a NZ made MBU, and have played extensively with the new ones, and they are awful

There is no way they are even close to the quality of the older ones, I think they will JUST last the 12 months of the warranty

[Plinky]

Yay! Some replies! Thanks girls

Keira's Mummy - yes, I had the same concern with the lack of ventilation in the old model...it can get quite stuffy in there, esp if you lay them down for sleeping in it. The hood is the major improvement for me and the main reason I am considering buying it. The old hood is just useless I find. It hardly covers anything and is not flexible at all. But the new hood is lovely! Yes, the accessories have come down a mile in price too...they were suuuper exxy before. You'll have to let me know where you find good deals...the only ones I've found so far are Baby on a Budget has 10% off everything atm, and Baby Shop Direct (online) have a big sale on Mountain Buggy's and I think it works out cheaper for me to order one from them, plus a suncover and get it all delivered - to WA!

Mozzie - I am concerned about the new ones, I must admit. Tho I went and had a good play with one yesterday and my main worries are the handle-bar adjustment (seems a bit 'clicky' and cheap), and the back wheels seem a bit loose/wobbly, but then they are a little bit loose on my Urban Elite too. Apart from that I couldnt' really see much difference in quality, but please let me know if I missed something. Oh and booo that you don't get a pram liner with the new model

[Keira's mummy]

beanybub
I didnt actually look at the handle bar I will though as I was more interested in the frame and fabrics, I know a few people who have the chinese duo with no complaints but then my urban elite 08 NZ green logo got sent for reapirs 3 times in the first 3 months as there was a fault with the frame and they replaced it in the end.
the best price for the pram alone was $527.20 at pramwarehouse shipping is $20 to nsw no idea on WA.
or pram and bassinet is $679 from banana baby in Sydney so I have no idea on their shipping charges.
I think you will find the wheels are like that on all models that have the suspension.
I hope to go have a child free play with one soon and make sure its definally what I want or I may wait for the new Terrain as it looks good.

[Plinky]

Ok....so, I bought one

I still have my old Urban Elite, my plan is to sell one of them once I make my mind up!

I thought I'd make a list of all the changes I can see between the old Urban Elite and the new Urban Jungle, and what I view as positive and negatives about the new model:

Changes

- Different fabric
- Different hood design and functionality.
- Different material for belts
- Different belt clip
- Padding around belt clip.
- Belt length adjustment different.
- Different handle-bar adjustment; smaller buttons & joint.
- No pockets in hood.
- View-screen in hood opens towards front of pram, not back.
- Tyres wider (old just under 5cm, new just over 5.5cm - so nearly 1cm thicker)
- Different fitting for removing rear tyres, flush with tyre - does not stick out any more.
- Slightly narrower belt shoulder pads.

Positives

- Hood a huge improvement on previous design.
- Comes with bumper bar (whoop-de-doo, don't use it anyway).
- Narrower (old 69cm, new 64.5cm).
- A lot cheaper (paid $570, whereas Urban Elite cost $889)

Negatives

- Does not come with tyre pump.
- Does not come with seat liner.
- No pockets in hood...I always used to keep my mobile in those pockets
- Brake pedal sounds a bit 'rattley' when flicked down.
- Thicker tyres make for more difficult handling, I found. Not as easy to steer one-handed.
- My handle bar is very loose, can move it a good inch up and down when meant to be in a fixed position.
- Possibly inferior suspension - further investigation required (ie, need to go on some more walks! ).
- Padding around belt clip makes it difficult to use with (for example) travel grobags as it is very bulky to push through the gap in the bag.
- Preferred the old belt clip, easier to use. Have to go looking for the ends to go in the belt clip as they slide up and down the belt freely, where as old ends were fixed. I do not know WHY they changed the design, its so much more fiddly now. Also, do not see the purpose of these 'red buttons' on the clip I dont' need to press them to open, or close the clip...what are they for???)
- Doesn’t seem to fold as flat as my Urban Elite did, perhaps the thickness of the tyres restricts the front tyre from turning flat against the pram.
- STINKS of rubber/plastic

Sooooooooooo....despite the long list of negatives compared to positives, I am still in a quandry. I'm almost willing to forego all the negatives so I can get the improved hood. Its so great to be able to move it and extend it, esp cos I go on lots of walks - I used to have to hang sheets over the front of the pram when the sun went in DS eyes, but he now pulls these down. I can't win!!

I"m sure some of these negatives are prolly just me needing to get used to the new pram, perhaps I won't notice them in time.

Oh, should also mention that I bought the corresponding sun cover, only to find when I got home that the zip does not fit onto the zip on the pram hood. Hmm.

My plan is to go back to where I bought the pram, complain about the loose handle bar, (which is very annoying and makes it difficult to navigate over bumps) and about the sun cover. Not sure where it will get me, but I'll give it a go.

Hope you found this useful!