[Michael_Caine]

Hi,

With the launch date of M_C:The Next Generation fast approaching, I have been frantically fretting over what most MINI owning dads seem to fret over - namely, getting a travel system that wil fit!!

I have scanned this forum and soaked up all the opinions on M&P Arias, Bebe Loolas etc.... but I was wondering if anybody had experience of either the Mutsy Urban Rider or Bugaboo Frog travel systems as they both look the canine's conkers and seem to fit with the whole MINI owning ethos.

http://www.mutsy.nl

http://www.bugaboo.nl

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[Rakey]

How right you are, the Mutsy and Bugaboo are two of my favourite products in the Pushchair market at present. Very cool, very different, very dutch

As for fitting in a MINI I am sure I heard from Spycar (he has a Bugaboo) that it is not a boot fit. The Mutsy is a similar sized item too, so you may struggle with that.

Best advice I can offer is to find a good local Independent Retailer or your Nearest John Lewis (they have bugaboo in stores) and have a go with them before buying. Remember that both products have quick release wheels so that might help to get them in the boot Also remember that you need to try the fit of the car seat in the MINI too (rear seat due to air bag).

Will be interested in finding out if they fit, but if not there are a few other Travel Systems out there that will fit in the MINI.

[Michael_Caine]

Rakey,

Thanks for the info, we are going to our local specialist over the weekend to have a look at both systems.

I'll post some more information up on the forum when I get back.

[Rakey]

Probably best advice is to focus on getting the car seat to fit first, then find out what pushchairs are available for it to fit on.

Other products I personally rate highly are Quinney, the Formula is their best product, very stylish, but stay away from the Fashion (uses Maxi Cosi car seat, good seat).

Jane, the Power Track I think is what it is called, another 3 wheeler.

And of course Silver Cross who I work for Not that I am biased

When is the baby due?

[Michael_Caine]

Hi,

My wife and I are at loggerheads about whether we go 3 or 4 wheeler. I'm a big 3 fan, but she's a little more traditional - blimey, I better not ler her know you work for Silver Cross

From what I've seen, as long as the Maxi Cosi seat fits then we'll be OK as most of the systems we're looking at use one Maxi seat or another.

Our baby is due around mid November and our new MCS (with airbag deactivation) is due in December.

Cheers.

[Rakey]

well I can't tell you to go 3 or 4 wheels, its a personal choice at the end of the day.

Best thing to do is to get your hands on a couple, have a push, have a go at folding, feeling how heavy they are when folded (remember you are stronger than the other half). Then consider how and who will use it most.

So is it the wife? Do you live in a flat? Do you have much storage room for it at home? Do you do a lot of walking? What kind of surfaces will you be pushing it on?

all these things that you will be doing day to day.

If you can give me ore information, I will do my best to let you know what I think might be most suitable for your needs/lifestyle. As that is what you need to match up to the product to your lifestyle

Oh and if you are due until November, the Silver Cross car seat will have launched by then fingers crossed, this does fit a MINI and onto the Compact pushchair that fits in the boot of the MINI Had to make sure it did, being a MINI owner and fan

[Michael_Caine]

Right,

Firstly the bad news -

Neither system will fit in the MINI boot without having to drop one of the rear seats.

The Bugaboo is a real pain in this repect, because it's only the length of the handle ( and the fact that it doesn't retract ) which stops if from fitting.

The Mutsy, with four air tyres, was always going to be a squeeze, but suprisingly it's the width when folded that lets it down.

Secondly the irrelevant news (design and quality) -

I'm not sure what the fuss is all about with the Bugaboo. It's not particulary well made and just has a lightly padded seat over the top of an aliminum space frame. Also, the carry cot position is so low down that you may as well put the bubba on a skateboard and push them along with your feet. The various handle/wheel combinations were good though.

The Mutsy was a totally different story. It's very well made, with chunky aliminum struts, one-click quick release wheels and an intuituve steering system. It is rather heavy, especially with the wheels on though. The fabric looks a lot tougher and comes in better colour combinations.

Thirdly the good news! -

We tried somewhere in the region of 8 systems over the weekend and we're happy to announce an addition to the list of MINI friendly systems.

We settled on a Bebe Confort Urban chassis with Elios carseat and Calypso carry cot. The pushcair part of the system can be both forward or rear facing and can be reclined to near flat. The carry cot can be strapped directly into the car and the car seat does not need a base.

All round it's a top piece of kit

http://www.twoleftfeet.co.uk/acatalo...n_Life_63.html

[Rakey]

Glad you got sorted in the end

And a nice review of the products, even if they didn't do too well when you got to have a go with them, but better to find out now than later once you have brought it.

[Spy Car]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey

As for fitting in a MINI I am sure I heard from Spycar (he has a Bugaboo) that it is not a boot fit. The Mutsy is a similar sized item too, so you may struggle with that.

The Bugaboo is deffo not a boot fit in the MINI...heck it takes up 95% of the cargo room in our Land Rover.

The Frog is way cool...but not MINI friendly...sorry.