Should I buy a Bertini? Have a Silver Cross. Need all and any opinions!

[cinnamon]

Hi, I am a Mum to 4 children from England. My baby is 8 weeks old now (next one up is 4,so no toddler seat needed), and I currently have a Silver Cross 3 in 1 pram. I had to buy it in a rush, as I had originally thought I'd be borrowing my sister's for the first few months (I didn't ask to do this, it was an offer made out of the blue which I accepted, but was then withdrawn at the last minute, when I had just had the baby and was not in a position to set out looking around and comparing models. This also made budgeting adjustments necessary to put it mildly!) Found my current pram at a good price and am reasonably happy with it, considering that it was bought in a real hurry from a limited selection available in a local shop. But it isn't right for my circumstances. It's on what Silver Cross call a "town" chassis, and the suspension just won't do on the bumpy, often cobbled streets round here. It would have been fine when I lived in the city, only smooth(-ish)pavements/sidewalks and an urban park. I have been following the discussions and recommendations here and would love any opinions on my situation. We don't have a car, and so I can get a big pram/stoller without worrying whether it'll fit in that. And for trips on buses or trains, I'd use a sling or umbrella stroller. Thanks to anyone who's read this long post, I'd love to know what you think!

[mama2be]

I have the Bertini Bidwell Sport Pram, but no baby yet...and thus having nothing to compare it to there. BUT I did test drive everything I could at the local stores and my Bertini by far won me over as far as going over ridges in the sidewalk etc...I went to high end stores that had the Martinelli's, Peg Pergo's etc...and much preferred the bertini (but I also don't care for the hard plastic look on many strollers). I did wonder if the Bertini rode better because it might have had less trial runs with it than the other more popular (atleast in the states) brands.

The only complaint I have ever heard about the Bertini is weight, but that does not sound like an issue with you, since you won't be taking down etc...

All of my friends who have children are drooling over the Bertini in my living room...one husband actually goes straight to it and pushes it around the house he wishes they had one so...

Thus far I love it...and think it is the prettiest thing I've seen!!!

Hope that helps. You'll get other better recs than mine since I am childless right now...but just my two cents...

Good luck!!!

[hipmaman]

If you have the SC, I suggest against getting the Bertini. All you have to do is buy the Country chassis and use the same carrying cot and pram seat. Save the Town chassis for the appropriate occasions.

The Bertini is now made in China and I personally think that the quality of the SC is superb and better than any other prams available. (someone will probably clobber me for it, but that's my 2 cents).

You can have the choice of metal finishes or tyres for the SC Country chassis. Off the top of my head, you can get shiny chrome (heavies) or brush aluminum (lighter), air-filled tyres or white PVC tyres.

Check the choices out on this website http://www.silvercrossbaby.com (the UK site is still down, but you get the idea).

Keep your SC. I'd love to have one, but not happening with $$$$$ to buy it in Canada.

[cinnamon]

Thanks so much Neve and Tam for your different answers, I can see something in each of them... ! Neve, is the Bertini, as well as being pretty, made from easy-clean fabric (sure I saw a ref. to this elsewhere on the forum but can't find it) and would it be ok in the lieback position for a 2 month old average size baby (don't want her to be exposed to our cold winds up here and want some support for her back?) Tam, yes you have a point about the chassis - thing is, I reckon buying a country chassis would cost me more than I paid for the whole thing (199 pounds, about 310 US Dollars , 500 Canadian says Yahoo) and the cost of a Bertini would be about 250 pounds/ 390 US dollars/625 Canadian. The SC was bought from a discount retailer at a good price because it was "last year's" fabric btw. So I'm still thinking but you've been a great help, thanks!

[mama2be]

Since I don't have a baby and don't know much about them....YET...I will have to ask one of my mom friends to answer that "lie back positioning" question. I will go tinker with it and see if I can figure it out. I am assuming yes but hopefully someone else who has one (and child) will come to the rescue here and answer. I know there are a few of us out there so I suspect you'll hear soemthing more in the next day or so. As far as the fabric they advertise that it is easy to clean, but can't testify to that either. I have the Monaco one that is black and grey (LOVE IT), I have wondered if the balck will show dirt more easily.

I know that doesn't help, but I am afraid to answer something that I have not actually been a witness to..."mominclogs" has one and children, so she will probably check in with a better evaluation :)

[britchick]

I have the SC on the classic chassis and the bertini chrome .I really think the SC pushes so much better than the Bertini.But the Bertini swivel wheels are soooo nice too.Although,saying that,i dont think you would want the swivel if it is for a bumpy roads etc.I also think you should look for the classic chassis for the SC.If i were youi,i would check the local papers for people selling theirs cheap.Since you just want the chassis,you might be able to find one cheap,cos the fabric faded or something.Also check www.adtrader.co.uk. This lists the classified ads for most of the local papers in England.Just type in your postcode and what you want (silver cross)and it will show you all they have,starting with the ones closest to you.Also,car boot sales are great to get good deals on prams!!(Thats why my mum hates taking me to them when i am home-lol)Anyway-good luck Post back and let us know what you decide.Rachel

[cinnamon]

Rachel, thanks for that website, looks like a really useful resource - I tend to concentrate on ebay etc, which is fine, but had in fact wondered whether it was possible to see more newspaper ads online. Not sure what model my Silver Cross is, only have the leaflet/instructions for the bassinet/carrycot which says it is either a Wayfarer or Regatta - whatver, the wheels on my Town chassis DO swivel at the front, and I'm not sure about fixed wheels, I have lots of tight corners to get round coming in and out of our house. But getting a cheap chasssis is a good idea..hmmmmm
Sally

[hipmaman]

I agree with Rachel (once again, lol). The SC is pick-of-the-crop pram. The Bertini is nice, but if you want to get it, then stick to fixed wheels otherwise, it's easy to catch, especially on rough terrains.

Here are a few other websites for you to peruse

http://www.findit.co.uk/uk.htm
http://household.loot.com/scripts/lo...ions&section=1
http://www.preloved.co.uk/navigate.c...y&CAT=Children

[britchick]

How do you find all the cool stuff you find.You have posted some of the best links i have seen(didnt you do all the ones on PP a while back)You are a great deal finder-Thanks :-)

[britchick]

have a bucket type(fabric that you put over the rectangular frame)or is it a removable complete seat that has 2 posts on each side that slide into the frame?If it is a wayfarer then the classic chassis wont work.I think SC has 2 main pram types-the wayfarer which is a bucket and the regular type seat that totally removes from the pram as a whole seat.With the reg one you should be able to use either chassis as they both affix the same way to the frame.Please post if you want anymore info.I am sorry if i am not too good at describing--Hope this helps you out-Rachel