looking for an iCandy/Bugaboo style travel system... without the huge price tag!

lolly101

Hi Everyone,

I'm seeking guardianship for a baby boy and expect him to be with us in the next couple of months so I'm frantically searching for everything we need. We were given a Graco travel system (think it's a Quattro), but it doesn't fit in my boot (Nissan Micra) - it's too big in both length and width! :mad:

I've looked around and think the iCandy style would be perfect as the chassis folds really small, and the carrycot/car seat/chair could sit on the back seat if it didn't fit in the boot. The price is an issue though. I am happy to buy a 'nearly new' pushchair on eBay, but they are still quite expensive compared to other pushchairs.

Does anyone know of any alternatives that may be suitable?
I've tried looking around but I'm struggling to find information on the folded dimensions of many models.

nikki&asha

My lovely lovely Oyster only takes up about 25% of my tiny punto boot - and I could remove the back wheels to make it smaller. They are meant to fit in the boot of a mini the lady in the shop told me. I think its similar to the icandy cherry - that was my other choice but much more expensive.

osian

We've got the streety - it folds down really small and is great around shopping centres and towns (flat surfaces) etc, but really not good at going up and down kerbs and walking off road. I had to buy a different one to go walking. Depends what you want it for really. It comes with a car seat, footmuff and raincover and you can buy the carrycot seperately. Seat is forward or rear facing. Basket is a nice size.

http://www.maxi-cosi.com/gb-en/strollers/streety-travel-system

osian

Oh my sister recently bought the Britax B smart, that is lovely and folds down small enough to fit into her Ford Ka. Good enough to go walking with as well. If I was buying again I would opt for that one. Reversible seat, car seat, nice basket, removable wheels, good suspension. I think she paid about £300-£350 for the pushchair and the car seat.

http://www.britax-b-range.co.uk/B-Smart.html

Fizzpop

huck infinity is a bugaboo style one that comes up cheap

Mamas and papas sola are nice too and there is a lady on ebay that has 2 at the mo that are quite cheap x look for

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120693022558&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

lolly101

Thanks everyone, you've given me a lot more options. It's nice to have something to search for rather than simply scouring endless lists of unsuitable pushchairs!

essexgirly

we got the oyster, its absolutely lovely, you can even change the colours (buy different packs for hoods and covers etc) it fits easily into my clio, its a great little pram system, would totally recommend

esio_trot

osian wrote: »

Oh my sister recently bought the Britax B smart, that is lovely and folds down small enough to fit into her Ford Ka. Good enough to go walking with as well. If I was buying again I would opt for that one. Reversible seat, car seat, nice basket, removable wheels, good suspension. I think she paid about £300-£350 for the pushchair and the car seat.

http://www.britax-b-range.co.uk/B-Smart.html

I would strongly advise against this. I had one and LOVED it (even said so somewhere around here!) - then the handle dangerously snapped off when I was bumping it, and my 5 month old son, up a kerb. I was delivered a warranty replacement, which arrived with the handle broken - I can only assume they're using substandard plastics. I did some googling afterwards and found a couple of others who had had similar problems. Also, the harness length is pretty short - Britax have been (as far as I can tell) supplying Clippasafe harnesses to use for those who complain.

OP - I had the Quattro, very heavy but great off road and I found it perfect as a pram when my LO was tiny. We've switched to the Symbio now which folds down about a similar size to my friend's iCandy. I tend to be able to fit the pushchair and a couple of bags in my average sized boot. No problems so far and we've had it for 3 months. One thing I will say is that the basket is rubbish! Very small but big enough to stash the raincover in - I just sling a change bag over the handle and take a couple of bag clips and a spare carrier bag if I plan to pick anything up when I'm out

tiamai_d

What age will he be? Some are suitable from birth, 3 months or 6 months.

I have heard good things about the oyster and it does fold small. But I think the seat unit is from 6 months so you would need a carry cot before that (which takes up more space and costs more). I have a M&P Joolz which I love and it does fold small (you would need to remove the wheels for a micra), again not suitale for under 6months so carry cot (I don't like seeing babies in carseats on pram frames so that was never an option for me, personal view but one that is backed up by many).

The best advice is to go out to some shops and find one you like (try pushing them).

lolly101

tiamai_d wrote: »

What age will he be? Some are suitable from birth, 3 months or 6 months.

I have heard good things about the oyster and it does fold small. But I think the seat unit is from 6 months so you would need a carry cot before that (which takes up more space and costs more). I have a M&P Joolz which I love and it does fold small (you would need to remove the wheels for a micra), again not suitale for under 6months so carry cot (I don't like seeing babies in carseats on pram frames so that was never an option for me, personal view but one that is backed up by many).

The best advice is to go out to some shops and find one you like (try pushing them).

He will be 6-7 months by then so will fit any model. I do agree about not liking carseats on pram frames, if only because they usually look quite odd, lol!

tiamai_d

Depending on what features you are looking for, the petite star zia folds tiny (fits in the 'boot' space of a 7 seater) and it reasonably priced. http://www.nurseryvalue.com/pushchairs/petite-star-zia-dogtooth-inc-footmuff-preorder.aspx

Think about how often you will be using it, for how long each trip, to do what (shopping or woodland walks). Is parent facing important to you (the zia is not parent facing).