What's wrong with Phil & Teds?

[Lochie]

Am expecting 2 year 5 month age gap between first and second born child due early next year, if all goes to plan.

I was thinking of getting a Phil & Teds but I've noticed a few negative comments on the forum about them though always a bit non-specific, I think most allude to how heavy they are etc. Is that right?

Is there anything else about them that makes them unfavourable? I think I'll defo need a double buggy as will be walking son to nursery 2-3 times a week and its a 20 min walk so don't really reckon he'll last on a buggy board.

If not P&T can anyone else recommend a good double buggy? Don't really want to spend more than ?400 and I also use bus/trains alot so assume P&T is best for that too? (guess side by side wouldn't be good for buses?)

Thoughts/experiences very much appreciated x

[Helen GV]

I think every buggy has it's problems,if not a phil and teds then a side by side, but then it's difficult for buses and shops, and heavy in any case with two kids plus stuff, or a tandem but if the toddler is in the front I imagine it would be hard to steer and difficult to get up kurbs..

[Helen GV]

I have a vibe and it's been fine, and there is a version two which is supposed to be better as they have addressed some of the problems people had with the first.

[Fidgetsmum]

I've got a second hand vibe too, and it's been fine so far. No buggy is perfect. Whatever double you get will seem 'heavy', but then it's carting around two children, so would need to be fairly sturdy. Unless of course you go for one of the MacLaren type doubles - they're probably lighter.

[Ruth_Baldock]

Good points- relatively slimline, easy to get on buses with that in mind.

-converts into a single easily, so you may not have to have two buggies/have a side by side with only one seat occupied in due course.

Bad points-

-Heavy

-Like, really bloody heavy.

-Not that easy to fold, even thought it's meant to be one handed.

-Expensive; think a baby jogger city mini double is half the price.

-Bulky- I can't push it through the front of a bus, have to get on the backdoors.

I tried a maclaren double this weekend and couldn't steer is properly :/ My favourite is still the baby jogger city mini double, even though it's a side-by-side. Wish I'd tried out more before buying.

[Lochie]

ok great - city jogger is one i want to get but was hesitant with the buses situation and also not sure you can get buggy board on back of it? guess its about weighing up good and bad points of each!

[Ruth_Baldock]

If the double buggy is just for the nursery run, could you pop Baby in a sling and your toddler in a buggy for those trips, but have buggy for baby and buggy board for him for any other trips? I've had my p&t in doubles mode for 5wks, and I avoid using it as much as possible- we only use it if we're going somewhere more than a 30min walk away/ into central london. Otherwise, it's maclaren for toddler, ergo for baby. I understand that babywearing isn't for everyone though.

[snowboarder]

I found the major negative of phil and teds is there seems to be a period of a couple of months (between maybe 3/4m and 6/7m?) where baby gets too big/alert for the cocoon but too small to comfortably sit/sleep in the second seat. And that when both children are in the buggy neither can recline very far. If you can muddle through those months and deal with that they're ok, not great, but do the job. They are heavy in comparison with a side by side, but there you go. Some models have a slight recline on the doubles seat, some don't - do check as it makes all the difference I found.

Good luck searching!

[Ruth_Baldock]

Sb: did you buy another seat that reclines? The sport model rather than explorer? If so, does it work allright? Thinking of trip to NY, lex isn't going to be happy in the cocoon, or fit, but will only be 3mo so can't sit bolt upright in the current doubles kit mode. Wah wah wah

[melbourne groover]

I had a Phil and Teds but sold it as it was causing strain on my wrists with only one child in. I then went to an ABC adventure buggy which has a top seat on for the older child. This was brilliant. My eldest loved riding in the top seat and the youngest could be at whatever angle suited. I know this was for sale recently on the forum. I truly found it brilliant and so easy to push.

[snowboarder]

Yeah just so I spent the absolute max I could on the buggy I bought a hammerhead doubles seat too. The sport does work too though...see if you can try one out maybe - I thought it made enough difference to be worth it but you might disagree...

[budur]

to answer Ruth's question: we have Sport model, but I bought Dash model for the second seat that reclines and it fits Sport just fine.

[Lochie]

hmmm ok will definitely get side by side. I walk alot so comfort in pushing is a must. Shame they don't make a side by side that can convert to a single. Gap in the market! That'd be perfect.

[ClareC]

They do.... Bugaboo donkey

[goldielab]

Bugaboo donkey is VERY expensive though and as its new, not sure there will be any second-hand available.

My nanny (share) uses a Maclaren double, side-by-side. She likes it as it folds small (for a double) and fits in her car boot and both sides can lie-flat.

I have my second baby due in January and the age gap between my two will be 2yrs and 3months and I am going to use the Maclaren double for longer trips when a Baby Bjorn and single buggy won't do!

[snowboarder]

I have the new mountain buggy duet which is the slimmest side by side double currently available - its 63cm wide which is only a bit wider than a p&t (with the p&t the wheel base is v wide). It's a bit over your budget but I reckon you stand a better chance of getting on a bus with it than any other side by side - the nipper in particular is v wide (as is the bugaboo).

Lochie you are welcome to have a look at my buggy stash!!

[Lochie]

I have noticed SB that you are accruing a nice collection of buggies!

Thanks for the offer I will probably take you up on it once I get passed second scan stage in a few months.

that is interesting about mountain buggy I didn't realise it was the slimest - maybe i'll have a look on ebay for some second hand jobbies...

[Moos]

The only double I've used is the Urban Mountain side-by-side, comparatively narrow at 80cm so goes on buses and in shops. Very manoeverable, can steer with one hand, etc. Quite bulky in the car. Incredibly sturdy. But I don't know from what age it's suitable.

[Helen GV]

SB i'd like to see the new side by side too! Is it big enough for a toddler or a bit of a squeeze? Is it heavy? Not that I think I have the slightest chance of convincing hubby we need one...

[snowboarder]

Me and the boys and the buggy will be at Peckham Ryoe one oclock club fun day on friday if anyone wants a look!! Helen - not as generous at the p&t main seat but not too bad at all....

[crystal7]

We have just bought a p&t in spite of being aware of the awkward period of time when baby is too big for cocoon but not big enough for bottom seat. No space for a side by side plus we use public transport. Hopefully I'll have a small baby who is happy in the cocoon until 6months- ha! Also have Maclaren and sling...They have great resale value though so if I really hate it can sell and buy Bugaboo Donkey ha ha.

Going off topic a bit (sorry for thread hijack)what do people do about changing bags with the p&t? Surely you can't hang anything off the handles as would hit baby in the head but id there room in the shopping basket for much? Have promised myself nice new bag but may not work with this in mind!

[snowboarder]

You need a nice new bag you can wear over your shoulder!

I have a change console thing to stuff in the bottom with nappies and wipes and a change of clothes and muslins plus other stuff in bag that I carry.

What with that and an nearly 8kg baby my back hurts.....

[Helen GV]

The vibe has a little bag that sits half in half out of the shopping basket and can be used with or without the doubles seat attached, sold separately of course... Otherwise there are pannier bags you can get for the other models.

I also use a backpack if I need to or just make my three year old walk and put stuff in the doubles seat! :0)

[little h]

interested to read all these comments as am currently experiencing the baby too big for carry cot bit and not quite ready for the proper seat problem. Have tried lining the section with a sheepskin liner but e is not happy in it.... Might have to just try him more in the proper seat... He's 4 months next week and not a particularly large baby...

On the plus side the p+t is easy to push around, but its a pain to get in and out of the car. my toddler is 2yr 8 mths and is almost too big for top seat when perched on the top but fits better in full doubles mode...

H

[amydown]

We are expecting No. 2 in January and the age gap will be 2yrs 3 months. I really fancy the Donkey but hard to find reviews from actual users rather than retailers. Does anyone on the forum own a Donkey? I did see one by ED station a while back but I wasn't pregnant then so didn't stop the lady to ask questions...

Edited to say that we already have a P&T for the nanny share and I struggle with it even just with No. 1 - due to my height, I find it hard to push it around and especially to get it onto pavements, etc.