[~RM~]

DS will be nearly 3 when baby arrives, but we live in a very hilly area and the walk to DD's school/his daycare is a round trip of about 3-4k's.

I currently have a MB urban which I LOVE and will probably keep for once I dont need a double pram.

I have thought and thought about it and have decided that for me I want a double even if its just for a year/18m so that I dont HAVE to always carry the baby. DS is quite small too, and wont start school til 5.5yrs old, so I could ptentially be using the double for 18m-2yrs.

After lots of looking online and in person I have come down to 2 choices. Either a MB duet or a Strider compact.

I have the car capsule that fits the travel system for the duet, so would only need to buy the attachment, and can pick up a 2nd hand duet on ebay for $400-$500. I love nearly everything about this pram EXCEPT how big it is when folded. It seems like I would get a good price on resale for it, although it might drop a bit over the next 12-18 months as more become available.

The strider compact is amazing, I love the idea of it being a better single pram, and would probably sell my MB urban if I went this way. Negatives with this are the price, there arent any 2nd hand available, and I would need to buy the pram plus 2nd seat and/or bassinet. Although perhaps I would get more use out of it long term as baby would use it for 3-4 years, and I could always sell the 2nd seat once I was finished with it.

What would you choose and why?

PS I have ruled out other models for different reasons, these are my final two

This post has been edited by ~RM~: 29/10/2012, 10:17 AM

[Lokum]

I don't know the Strider Compact well. I'm a dedicated MB fan, and bought a Duet 2nd hand, while keeping my Urban for 'after.'

I do know the original Strider. I have a friend who loved her Strider3 as a single and found it worked well for her 18 month old and newborn, but not once her #2 was more alert around 4 months old. Then she stopped liking being on the bottom, and the bigger kid wouldn't go in the bottom either. She bought a Duet and is keeping the Strider for when she goes back to a single. (She didn't use a travel system, not sure if this makes a difference?)

Someone close to me has the Strider4, and apart from the size which drove her mad, (obviously improved on by the Compact), she liked it. However, she was given an old 2nd hand MB to use at their holiday house. She loves the MB so much, and finds it steers so beautifully and lightly compared to the Strider4, that they have sent the Strider to the holiday house, and are using the old MB full time. They are still planning to use the Strider4 for when their #2 comes, with travel system.

The fold on the MB Duet is definitely big. Even though the rear width is the same as the Urban, the 4 wheels mean it does take up most of the boot. However, if you keep it in the house, it stands up against the wall by itself, and is not so bad.

[dae-gu]

For ease of steering and pushability.....DUET!!!!!!

[Six.and.Out]

I looked at both of these when in Melbourne recently and we have chosen the Duet.

The dimensions are exactly the same as our single pram even when folded, and when it was shown to us it folded much smaller than the strider compact. There's still a good few cm's difference in the widths of the prams which makes getting into some of our smaller shops where we live incredibly difficult (they wont go through their checkouts or down their narrow aisles) You can get Duets via online shops here in Aust for less than $600 delivered which we will be doing to take advantage of the warranty period.

[~RM~]

Thank you everyone

I think Im pretty set on the MB, now just have to convince DH lol

[TillyTake2]

Resurrecting this thread for further opinions!!

I have a MB swift which I love. Am currently leaning towards the strider as its lighter & has a smaller fold. Mostly it will be used for shops, walking to the park & days out (eg zoo).

Anyone NOT like their compact? Pros & cons of both?

Eta: I'll be keeping my swift for times when I only need one in the pram.

This post has been edited by TillyTake2: 13/12/2012, 09:35 PM

[5andfinished]

I just bought the Duet and have just put it together...I am in love. I originally wanted the donkey but it was awfully wide, really happy I ended up with the MB

[rose_83]

I had this exact dilemma - trying to choose between these two prams. In the end, I have chosen both! I got a 2nd hand duet in amazing condition and have just laybyed a Compact. The Duet will stay set up at home for walking and the compact in the car for out and about. I just loved so many features of both that I couldnt choose. I particularly love the option for parent-facing seat on the Compact and the great steering on the Duet.

[TillyTake2]

I had this exact dilemma - trying to choose between these two prams. In the end, I have chosen both! I got a 2nd hand duet in amazing condition and have just laybyed a Compact. The Duet will stay set up at home for walking and the compact in the car for out and about. I just loved so many features of both that I couldnt choose. I particularly love the option for parent-facing seat on the Compact and the great steering on the Duet.

Lol, this is what I'm looking at doing

If you had to choose, which one would you go for now?

[Ellie_83]

Hi,

If you keep an eye out on ebay i have seen a few Strider compacts be listed with all the extras included.

I'm currently tossing up between the Strider compact and the baby jogger city select,


cheers

Ellie