Recommendations for best pushchair to use on public transport

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
I'm looking for recommendations for a pushchair for my seven-month old baby that I can easily use on public transport around Zürich.

I find it really difficult to pull my current pushchair up the steps of the old trams. Is it better to have big wheels or small wheels for the tram / train steps?

I also need a pushchair that I can push with one hand so I can hold the hand of my little boy at the same time?

I have got a Quinny Buzz but it is too wide to get on the old trams - even the doors that say for pushchairs.

Have you got any recommendations?

Thanks

2
I always found that wearing the baby was my easiest option when you had a larger one to control as well.

Both hands free!

Some carrying options are easier on the back than others. Manduca & ergo carriers allow you to carry the weight on your hips rather than on the back.

Here is the thread on that:

Happy international baby wearing week for all those who babywear

This is one investment that was certainly worth it for me.

3
Agree absolutely with carrying your baby. I used an Ergo.

The times I did have to take a pushchair were very stressful in comparison...waiting for someone to help or, when my daughter was older, having her go up the steps while I carried the buggy. I had nightmares about leaving her behind on the footpath or on the tram while the doors closed.

Having said that, though, there were only a few times when I had to do it all by myself. When there were other people around I almost always got offers of help.

But if you have to have a chair, I had a really lightweight foldable buggy that I could haul up the stairs if need be. If you're just catching trains it's not so bad, but those old trams...

4
Three wheeler pushchairs are crap for stability, too, especially on those crazy trolley buses which barrel around bends at breakneck speed.

For pulling up steps I would recommend big wheels - small wheels get caught under the step.

5
Especially effective during rushhour..

6
Another vote here for big rubber wheels for hauling up steps. But they tend to be attached to big rubber wheeled pushchairs that don't fit in the gap.

Have you seen anyone getting in at these doors with a buggy that looks easy to manipulate? I was wondering about the bugaboos which have 2 big tyres and 2 small ones. But to honest, when baby gets to any decent size (over 1) lugging them in the buggy up the steps is always going to be a struggle.

Also watch out for a short axel (if that is the right technical term .. distance between front and back wheels). When the tram stops at a curved stop, the distance between last step and kerb is quite far and more compact buggies cannot span the gap, leaving you in real panic city wedged between the bottom step, road and kerb.

Never had a problem with my 3 wheeler re stability. It is a mountain buggy (but has a fixed front wheel not the swivel ones they sell now) and I ride the buses a lot which are also quite shakey/swerving. I also recall it fitting in the Zurich tram step entrance but as we only went once, I could be wrong. Anyways, they don't sell this type any more.

7
I have a Chicco liteway and I lift it with my kid inside into the trams and train. It also fits down isle in the train/bus. It folds up and is light, so I can carry it in one arm and my toddler in the other. I've never missed a train because I had to wait for the next lift with this pram like I did with a bigger mountain-style one - we can always squeeze in

8
Another vote for baby wearing - I had a Moby wrap which I used until my son was past 2. I absolutely loved our Quinny Zapp because of the fact that it was so narrow and light. I could easily (ok, fine, relatively) carry the stroller with a very heavy toddler up the tram steps of even old trams. The only stops where it's a pain is when you don't have a raised curb, but I guess that's annoying with any kind of stroller

9
Thanks for the tips everyone.

Will have a good think about this and then I plan to go shopping next weekend.

10
We have a bigger Teutonia for making walks etc but bought a second hand, much smaller, Peg Perego afterwards. We use this one mainly for public transport.

We could not find a pushchair that is comfortable in both situations.

11
I am all for baby wearing while out and about, or going through airports with your husband to carry the bags, However, I don't know you situation, but if you are a stay at home Mom like me, then when you go out and about you have shopping to carry, as well as a diaper bag. My little one was also a little chub, so was extra heavy! I suggest you get a little stroller, there is not much room for anything else, but they are light weight (easy to steer with one hand) and also, they are quite inexpensive. In the states they are sometimes referred to as "umbrella"strollers. This is the one we have:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...PUSH+CHAIR.htm

So I have this one for running around town, errands, ect. Then we have our big one for long trips, or if I have a big grocery run, and I can put all the stuff underneath.. Good luck!

12
Get a maclaren umbrella style buggy. We got one when my son turned 8 months for flying and what a difference getting around town on and off trams and trains. Its so light I can bump him up and down the steps on my own

Doesn't have to be a maclaren can be any light weight umbrella style but the maclaren are robust and good quality

13
Eyes to the skies to spot the airborne baby...

14
another vote for MacClaren, get the model with the biggest wheels

they're narrow, durable, all bits fit in and you can lift it on your own if push comes to shove

it looks new and has been on a dozen flights or so