Travel System

LegacyUser

Hi. we are currently looking at travel systems: first we had kinda decided on the icandy cherry but found out that if you will be doing alot of walking that the tyres wont last long as it is more or less for city use.
We went back in store and two options we liked are the Icandy apple and the teutonia cosmo. the sales assistant seemed to suggest that the teutonia is the better option i cant find many helpful reviews does anyone have any experience with the above models?
I dont really like the quinnys
What i would like the travel system to be is :
Light weight
easy to use
pumped tyres
cosy
looks nice
easy to fold
EXCELLENT QUALITY (dont wanna have 2 buy another in a few months)


The way i see it im not even worried about price once it fits around my needs
I still have to go to mothercare and look at the options they have but time seems to be going so fast so need 2 get my bum in gear

EJD

Hi, I have the icandy Cherry and whilst I think it's a great travel system, it's not great if you want to do a lot of walking as you said. What I did was buy two buggies....I know I know, not very recession friendly but I just couldn't find what I was looking for in one buggy and they're something you'll use nearly every day for the next 2/3 years.

For walking I bought the Out N About Nipper, it's a 3 wheeler buggy with pumped tyres and it's absolutely brilliant for walking, it practically pushes itself. It's suitable from birth as the seat lies flat and you can buy a newborn insert to support the head, and also a gorgeous fleecy liner and footmuff. It doesn't however allow for a car seat to be attached to it which is it's only downfall.

The Icandy Apple is lovely but very heavy and believe me, for all the hoofing in and out of car boots, in and out of the house etc, I think the weight of a buggy is important and it was definitely a deciding factor for me.

I hope that helps, but if you've any other questions let me know!

jingler

I have a Qunny buzz but like the Baby Beep Elegance. Looks good and from all accounts is very easy to manouver and get up and down. Around E300 for full travel system- shop arund for best price!

bulmersgal

i'm the same 2 buggys the icandy apple for walking, its so lovely when walking. It just glides along and loads of room underneath for shopping. The maclaren techno for buses and now my car. Its not as nice to walk but only use it when out shopping so not that often.

ted1

not to convinced about pumped tyres. Half the time their soft and a pain to push. Look around and you'll see what i mean.

Moonbeam

I have 2 buggies with pumped tyres and 2 with out and there is no comparison pumped tyres are a must.

EJD

Yep agree with the above, pumped tyres are much better esp. for walking. Have had buggy with pumped tyres for a year and a half, never got puncture or flat tyre and that's even with walking on rough terrain etc. Had to use a small bicycle pump to firm up the wheels once only.
For walking there's no comparison......

bulmersgal

totally agreed i have two prams and if i'm going walking its always the pumped ones i choose. I've pumped it up only once in last 10 months and never got punture

LegacyUser

have teutonia, excellent build quality , fits maxi cosy carseat with adaptors , would deff buy again

Kimono-Girl

We went with the graco mirage travel system we had issues with the car seat. as a new born she was too small and scrunched up in the bucket shape seat, to use it, it was bad for her, so make sure the car seat keeps their back straight what ever brand you use, in the end we were lucky her dad was given a car seat as a gift that she fitted in better, only started using the graco one at 2 months this also meant we couldn't use the travel system as a buggy for 2 months.

and i've learnt,

people say you will use the buggy for 2/3 years i found for me this wasn't the case, by the time she was 1 year i was genuinely exhausted after a trip to town because many shops (in cork city anyway) have steps/stairs and no ramps/lifts, so you would have to lift the buggy to get upstairs (or even in the doors of some shops), because it was a buggy i found it difficult to navigate in and around shops too.

also to mention although it fitted in my boot it was heavy enough (despite being classed as light on the buggy scale) to constantly be taking out, setting up was simple with the one hand system but thats no good to you when you are taking 5 minutes to get it out of the car in the first place. esp annoying if you are only ''popping in'' to a supermarket or somewhere they can't run around.

the solution we found was buying one of those €60 strollers in smyths when she was 11months old, they are light, easy to manover around shops, easy to get in and out of the car, easy to take on an aeroplane if you go abroad...etc once we bought it i'd say we use the stroller 80% of the time,

i say 80% because her dad lived in the country so when we visit his parents we use the graco due to the better wheels, strollers are useless in the country (although they work better on the beach we found?!? )

if i was to do it again, i would buy a pram and car seat separate, and then once the baby was too big for that i would go for a stroller, cheaper and it was more useful in my situation anyway.

wmpdd3

^^ completely agree. I didn't buy a system at all I had an offer of 3 from different people. All only used for 6 months at the most. All from people living in suburbs. The mothercare car seat was really small and perfect for my early baby. Now at 6 months she ates it and I now use my sister graco car seat. It is much bigger and more bucket shaped and better for sleeping in.

I never attached the car seat to any buggy as she hated the car seat because you have to secure the baby in so tight.

Now I use that with a Petite Star ZIA, ting buggy, perfect.

You only have to look at the amount of pristine, used for 6 months systems on adverts to understand. My cousin did invest heavily in a system, but had 3 boys!

-Corkie-

We were thinking of getting this. What do ye think of it..

-Corkie-

-Corkie- wrote: »

We were thinking of getting this. What do ye think of it..

Anyone??:)

January

Looks lovely, wheels are plastic though aren't they?

wmpdd3

I'd say it handles like the petite star zia. Really easy to steer in town but you have to go down steps on the back wheels.

Also its so light it will run away on the tinest slope so always use the brake!!

Also if you put anything heavy (like 2 bottles) in the changing bag and hang it on the handle bars it will bang into the part of the buggy where the baby's head is when you walking around. But other than those few little things, it looks great and I bet it folds up tiny!

-Corkie-

January wrote: »

Looks lovely, wheels are plastic though aren't they?

I just noticed that too..:( Thanks.

80s Child

I'm resurrecting this thread in the hope that someone may come to our aid!

New parents to be and we haven't a clue of this crack if I'm completely honest!

We're looking for a travel system that incorporates our needs, which are:
-Versatility: not just for everyday activities but recreational walking also.
-Leight weight: if one of us are on our own that we'll be able to assemble etc quickly and without much hassle.
-Price: no real price constraints at the minute and we've only half way there so I'd have plenty of time to shop around.

Any real recommendations or experiences would be great.

Cheers

Little Miss Cutie

80s Child wrote: »

I'm resurrecting this thread in the hope that someone may come to our aid!

New parents to be and we haven't a clue of this crack if I'm completely honest!

We're looking for a travel system that incorporates our needs, which are:
-Versatility: not just for everyday activities but recreational walking also.
-Leight weight: if one of us are on our own that we'll be able to assemble etc quickly and without much hassle.
-Price: no real price constraints at the minute and we've only half way there so I'd have plenty of time to shop around.

Any real recommendations or experiences would be great.

Cheers

Congrats!

I have an icandy peach 3 and absolutely adore it! A dream to push, easy to fold and baby is very happy in it too.

MichB2012

80s Child wrote: »

I'm resurrecting this thread in the hope that someone may come to our aid!

New parents to be and we haven't a clue of this crack if I'm completely honest!

We're looking for a travel system that incorporates our needs, which are:
-Versatility: not just for everyday activities but recreational walking also.
-Leight weight: if one of us are on our own that we'll be able to assemble etc quickly and without much hassle.
-Price: no real price constraints at the minute and we've only half way there so I'd have plenty of time to shop around.

Any real recommendations or experiences would be great.

Cheers

Would recommend armadillo flip xt from mamas and papas. Folds up very compact for smaller cars or to leave a bit of extra room for the shopping also, the girl in the shop showed us a single handed closing option on it if you are holding baby while trying to close it. Seems lightweight enough to me but I suppose, as a child grows, they will all eventually get harder to push it has a huge hood aswell for blocking out the sun and any other distractions to let baby sleep peacefully on the go

LegacyUser

Uppababy vista lovers here.Great versatility.Can seem bulky though and is quite wide, so double check boot and door widths in your house.Great buggy for us though, we've dragged it through all terrains and converts to a double.

lazygal

80s Child wrote: »

I'm resurrecting this thread in the hope that someone may come to our aid!

New parents to be and we haven't a clue of this crack if I'm completely honest!

We're looking for a travel system that incorporates our needs, which are:
-Versatility: not just for everyday activities but recreational walking also.
-Leight weight: if one of us are on our own that we'll be able to assemble etc quickly and without much hassle.
-Price: no real price constraints at the minute and we've only half way there so I'd have plenty of time to shop around.

Any real recommendations or experiences would be great.

Cheers

If I was buying now I'd buy the Bugaboo bee. Fab buggy, lovely as a pram and also as a buggy, folds fairly flat and really comfortable to push. I'm only sorry I went for a different system first time because it really is a great option. Good resale too so check second hand.

dowhatyoulove

MichB2012 wrote: »

Would recommend armadillo flip xt from mamas and papas. Folds up very compact for smaller cars or to leave a bit of extra room for the shopping also, the girl in the shop showed us a single handed closing option on it if you are holding baby while trying to close it. Seems lightweight enough to me but I suppose, as a child grows, they will all eventually get harder to push it has a huge hood aswell for blocking out the sun and any other distractions to let baby sleep peacefully on the go

Mich, did you buy this? Me and my OH are looking at getting one and I'm a little hesitant. Although, it is very lightweight..

80s Child

At the min, I'm between the Uppababy Vista and the Bugaboo Been ( I think that's what it is) at the moment, due to recommendations not only here but also from colleagues and friends.

Now, we haven't viewed either of these as yet so that'll be interesting.

Staying on topic, but slightly diverting, I'm being advised not to buy a car seat secondhand. The reason for this being, that any little crack or imperfection caused through use maybe unnoticeable to the eye but could have a detrimental consequence if an accident occurred.

Any thoughts on this?

lazygal

Two things you NEVER (yes I mean to shout this) are mattresses and car seats. Mattresses because of the risk of nasty things lurking in them and car seats because you just don't know how they've been used or abused, taking them in and out, putting them on buggies etc. I'm all about second hand where possible but not for those two things. I only reused a car seat for my second child because the first was within the weight limits at all times and it rarely left the car. I bought a new mattress though.

ETA I probably wouldn't be swayed by the 'it converts to a double' Uppababy sales pitch. It's a really cramped and difficult to use option with two seats on it. It also doesn't fold as flat as the Bee. But I do know people who love it, it just wouldn't be one to go for if space is an issue.

LegacyUser

lazygal wrote: »

Two things you NEVER (yes I mean to shout this) are mattresses and car seats. Mattresses because of the risk of nasty things lurking in them and car seats because you just don't know how they've been used or abused, taking them in and out, putting them on buggies etc. I'm all about second hand where possible but not for those two things. I only reused a car seat for my second child because the first was within the weight limits at all times and it rarely left the car. I bought a new mattress though.

ETA I probably wouldn't be swayed by the 'it converts to a double' Uppababy sales pitch. It's a really cramped and difficult to use option with two seats on it. It also doesn't fold as flat as the Bee. But I do know people who love it, it just wouldn't be one to go for if space is an issue.

True.However that was just an additional extra for us, the overall buggy itself is what we are happy with-big basket, great for all terrain, non-puncture wheels, and just easy to use. A word of warning, we have the 2014 version.The newer, 2015 version is pretty big.(I have one on loan at the moment) and wider again than the 2014 one.I think it doesnt handle as well as the 2014 one tbh.You can get 2014 ones in good condition for sale on donedeal no
problem, it might be worth checking out.

Neyite

80s Child wrote: »

Staying on topic, but slightly diverting, I'm being advised not to buy a car seat secondhand. The reason for this being, that any little crack or imperfection caused through use maybe unnoticeable to the eye but could have a detrimental consequence if an accident occurred.

Any thoughts on this?

I think I'd reuse ours for a second child. I know though that they have never been in a car that had even the most minor of dings.

But I don't think I'd use one that was secondhand, except for example, it was a little used one from a sibling and we were badly stuck.

But apparently all car seats have an expiration date, so even if you have a family member who has a new one still in the box, you might need to check if its several years old. Depending on the seat it might be up to 10 years, but after this time the plastic or parts might have worn or degraded to unsafe standards. If its not on the seat you can ring the manufacturers.

Moonbeam

I have a Bugaboo Chameleon and it is awful. I also have an out n about nipper and it is fantastic.

80s Child

Firstly, cheers for all the replies! They've been very much appreciated by me and I'm sure many others!

So, the plan now is to buy a new isofix and car seat. We will then get a second hand buggy/travel system!

On that, the Bugaboo and Uppababy range are leading the way! The next step is now the test driving sessions which I hope to begin this Sunday!

So, the best car seat folks??!! What have you got??

80s Child

Moonbeam wrote: »

I have a Bugaboo Chameleon and it is awful. I also have an out n about nipper and it is fantastic.

Wow! First really bad review I've heard of!

May I ask what your main problems with it are?

Little Miss Cutie

80s Child wrote: »

Wow! First really bad review I've heard of!

May I ask what your main problems with it are?

The bugaboo isn't raved about at my Mam and Baby group either. I think the general opinion is the basket is small and hard to get to. Plus the ladies don't seem to like that you can only use the bassinet or the chair when babies are at the in between stage.

I second the warning on the width of the uppababy. For example it won't fit in my front door and there a good few places locally it won't fit into!

lazygal

Love our bugaboo-we have the donkey. It's been in daily use for over three years now and still going strong. I've had other buggies and passed them on,but this one isn't going anywhere.

We had a maxi cosi until they grew out of it. Then extended rear facing bsafe ones which they'll be in for another couple of years.

Millem

Love my bugaboo cameleon. It is a dream to push. I used to walk 3 large dogs and push it one handed. I am now down to walking 2 large dogs It fits in my front door no problem. Surprisingly it will fit into a small boot too. The one thing that I hated was those stupid car seat adapters!!!

I will defo use it on baby number 2. Loved the pram mode. It was the biggest one I could find

It is expensive though everything is washable and you can buy different covers to mix and match.

rainbow kirby

Looking out for a new buggy here - we got the Mothercare Roam travel system and I hate it. Back wheels are way too wide, taking it up the stairs to our apartment is a two trip job and it's way too long in carrycot mode. Considering the Bugaboo Bee (just like literally every other Islington apartment dweller), Babyzen Yoyo 0+ or Baby Jogger City Mini.

Roesy

Really liked our chameleon too but my husband used it more than me. I tended to use the sling. We have a bugaboo donkey as well and really find it great. Wish I'd got it in the first place instead of the chameleon. Agree about the car seat adapters though!!! Basket on chameleon seemed fine to me in buggy mode, a bit harder to access in pram mode alright.

LegacyUser

Uppababy cruz seems to be a good buy as an alternative too, smaller version of the vista.Just a suggestion.We have friends with one and they love it.

mirrorwall14

Definitely no second hand car seats unless it was a sibling that I knew handled it well and had never crashed.

My budget is fairly tight so we've had:
-Maxicosi isofix/belt base (part of travel system)
-Joie tilt 90e rear facing 0-18kg (totally my favourite but the seat back is short so it won't do him rear facing to four)
-joie stages 140e rear facing 0-18kg then forward facing


If I could afford it Id love one of the big 0-7 years ERF (extended rear facing) seats but not on the horizon right now

Moonbeam

80s Child wrote: »

Wow! First really bad review I've heard of!

May I ask what your main problems with it are?

It cat not deal with rough terrain with out pushing it on 2 wheels and having to take the white clips off to fold it are the main ones.

I had a Maxi Cosi Mura which was amazing and my double out n about so I am used to really easy to push buggies that can go anywhere.

Roesy

Moonbeam wrote: »

It cat not deal with rough terrain with out pushing it on 2 wheels and having to take the white clips off to fold it are the main ones.

I had a Maxi Cosi Mura which was amazing and my double out n about so I am used to really easy to push buggies that can go anywhere.

we regularly used it on country lanes and have used it on rough paths but gravel was problematic, as was sand. They were the only times we had to go two wheel. By taking off the White clips do you mean removing the car seat adapters? They are the only things I ever remember having to take off to fold the chameleon 3 and that was only when using it with car seat.

Millem

Roesy wrote: »

we regularly used it on country lanes and have used it on rough paths but gravel was problematic, as was sand. They were the only times we had to go two wheel. By taking off the White clips do you mean removing the car seat adapters? They are the only things I ever remember having to take off to fold the chameleon 3 and that was only when using it with car seat.

I use mine on everything and it's great.

I think moonbeam means having to take off seat to fold it?
My mum loves my bugaboo too.

The car seat adapters are dreadful. So badly designed.

Roesy

That makes sense. Never bothered me about separating it. I suppose it was just what I was used to. This thread has reminded me, we have a perfectly good bugaboo just sitting in the attic. Really must was the canopy and go about selling it on.

Millem

Roesy wrote: »

That makes sense. Never bothered me about separating it. I suppose it was just what I was used to. This thread has reminded me, we have a perfectly good bugaboo just sitting in the attic. Really must was the canopy and go about selling it on.

I don't mind the two piece fold. Tbh it is very compact in boot compared to other systems. I could fit my bugaboo and a Maclaren quest in the boot of a VW polo. My friend had exact same car and could only fit the chassis of her buggy in the boot and the seat had to go in back seat.

My mum still uses mine with my guy who is 3 stone :eek: not a bother to her pushing him! I will be using it on number 2 when the time comes.

Smiley11

I love my Cameleon but the basket is an absolute pain with the bassinette. Its my only problem with it. Its easy to push & pretty fluid to open & close. I'llbe changing over to the seat shortly so my basket woes will be over thankfully!

I'd looked at the Uppababy Vista & Bugaboo Buffalo also & they're far too bulky in my opinion. The Uppababy has great basket access & space but its just very big. The only thing that appealed to me about the Buffalo was the royal blue hood you can't get in their other models...first world problems! I know there are arguments about the Cameleon being low but I'm not the tallest so it suits me fine. I've bought different coloured hoods/aprons & a cup holder to make it just how I like it & it fits my needs exactly. That said, I'll be buying a lighter, cheaper stroller for going on holidays because its too cumbersome for travel (for me) & I'm not risking damage to something that cost so much!

Moonbeam

I don't mind taking the seat off to fold it but trying not to loose the springs and then having to put them back in is a pain or is there another way to fold it ?

Digs

I have the 3rd generation cameleon and there's definitely no fiddling with springs etc when folding. You push in two large white buttons and the seat detaches, that's it. Maybe it's a feature of an earlier edition?

ETA: similarly when folding the chassis you press two white buttons and it collapses.

Jen44

my advise would be to not buy a travel system! We got that baby elegance beep twist so luckily it wasn't expensive. However we only used it for around 9 months. The car seat is only suitable for newborns up till around 9 months, and the buggy is too awkward. Its a pain having to lift separate wheels out of the car and stuff. If I had my time again I would buy a car seat suitable from birth to toddler. Buy a pram for new borns and a separate umbrella style buggy for toddler. It would work out cheaper in the long run. We had to buy a new car seat when our little girl was 9 months then and umbrella buggy when she was around 10 months. I did find the pram great for the early days though.

angeldelight

There's so many different opinions I think the only way to do it is go with your gut instinct. We bought the Uppababy Vista with the Besafe car seat. It was an expensive bundle but my little girl turns one tomorrow and it was a great buy! She still fits in the Besafe, we use the Vista all the time. I bought a stroller this week but only for holidays

80s Child

So, finally got out for a look at the real thing locally.

Of the shops here, the Icandy Peach 3 came out on tops! A really good looking, well manufactured piece of kit ( Jesus, I'm treating this like buying a car!!) With the price tag to match!!! It's coming in at 1300 with the car seat, isofix and all the bits and bobs bar the footmoof as far as I know.

We're going for a look at the Uppababy Vista tomorrow so it'll be interesting to see between the two!

Any opinions on the icandy peach 3??