Baby Elegance Cupla Duo tandem pushchair review

As a single to double travel system this buggy fully functions as either a single or tandem buggy. It can be bought as a single buggy (£599), then parents can buy a second seat (£200) and seat adapters (£50) when they have a second child, or they can buy it as a twin buggy (£950), which includes two of everything including the newborn car seats.

The tandem configuration, which puts children above and below each other, gives it an ease of use factor, especially when navigating public transport and small shops. Like the Jané Twone (from around £584), it aims to be versatile and convert easily between different modes. It provides the benefit of a slim width when compared with side-by-side doubles like the popular Mountain Buggy Duet (£599).

Buy the Baby Elegance Cupla Duo from Argos

First impressions?

Looks smart and robust and like a dependable choice for growing families. Rather than aiming for the cool factor, this functional buggy has some luxe finishes to give it an elegant, quality feel.

The Baby Elegance Cupla Duo is sold on being fully adaptable and easy to convert from single to tandem – how easy is it?

Once you’ve figured out the badly drawn instruction manual, doing the conversion from single to double is a simple, straightforward operation.

How does it compare to other single or tandem buggies you’ve used?

It isn’t the chicest, the slimmest or the most manoeuvrable. I find the Phil & Teds Navigator (from £379) a better option in terms of its umbrella fold mechanism and compact storage. I also like the BabyStyle Hybrid Edge (from £499 single) because, as well as being a good-looking compact tandem, it glides effortlessly along like a single buggy. However, with its dual wheel suspension and its chunky back wheels the Cupla Duo is a better choice for on and off-roading and it has a really capacious shopping basket to boot.

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Can the buggy be used from newborn?

Yes. Both the Cupla Duo seats can function as newborn bassinets and a newborn seat insert is provided to give extra support and padding for a newborn.

How does the 2-in-1 toddler seat unit/baby carrycot work – what do you think of it?

There is a unit which serves as both carrycot and seat. The seat unit drops neatly onto the chassis and is equally easy to detach.

To use in carrycot mode, the seat design easily extends to form a flexible yet rigid cot shape. To turn it into a seat, simply use a clip system at the back to create an angled seating structure.

What do you think of the size of the seat units?

The seat units are a good size for a baby and a younger toddler. However, although my three year-old fits in, they feel a little small for children at the upper end of the age limit (Baby Elegance say the Cupla Duo is designed to last until children are three/four years or 15kg).

How many recline positions are there – is it a one-handed recline?

Both seats recline using the well-designed lever on the rear of the seat. Using one hand, squeeze to release and the seat then slides smoothly into the next position. There are three useful positions: upright, mid recline and a lie flat recline mode.

How comfortable does it feel for your little ones?

The excellent suspension means it is a smooth ride for those inside. The hoods (which include an additional rim that zips on and off) of both seats have also been carefully designed to allow for coverage against rain and sun. There is a great mesh window at the back of each hood which gives additional ventilation and also provides a view of the little darling.

The seats are well padded and the five-point safety harnesses provide security that is also comfortable for the child. My three year-old’s legs don’t get a great deal of support in the seat, though, and her legs have to be bent or dangle somewhat uncomfortably over the seat’s chrome edge in order for her to fit in.

How easy is it to push when loaded up with both children?

The Cupla Duo is pleasant and easy to push across a range of surfaces. Its poor turning circle lets it down compared to some other single and double buggies, though. However, it is light in other ways and unlike some other more compact double buggies like the Phil & Ted’s Explorer, it moves like a dream up and down kerbs and over rough terrain.

Twin or tandem – which should you choose?

How does it ride on different surfaces?

The buggy feels sturdy to push, giving me peace of mind on a busy main road as much as the gravel, tree roots and hillocks of a nearby nature reserve.

How is it on public transport?

The buggy worked well both on London buses and overground trains. It obviously takes up more space than a single buggy but it was easy enough to negotiate onto and off buses and trains and park in a relatively compact way. The awkward steering means it’s not a fluid movement though.

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What do you think of the wheels?

The air-filled chunky tyres are one of this buggy’s key selling points. It is really comfortable to push. A pump is neatly included in a special pouch in the shopping basket and the tyre valves are easy to access.

How compact is the Cupla Duo – how does it fare when out in shops/travelling around town?

This is not the most compact of tandem buggies but it fares reasonably well riding along narrow pavements, going in and out of shops and on public transport.

How easy is it to store?

The buggy is not small – it takes up most of the boot of our car when packed in - but it does collapse down into three neat component parts (the main chassis and two seating units)

Is the frame strong, durable?

Yes. But it is also heavy.

Do you think it works better as a single or a double pushchair?

As a double pushchair it proves its worth allowing a safe, comfortable ride for all involved. It works well as a single too but there are so many neater, nippier singles on the market that it can’t compare.

What do you think of the fold system?

The fold system is really neat and intuitive.

Is it compact when folded?

No, the buggy takes up quite a bit of space when folded down. This means there isn’t much space left over in the boot of a car for example.

What do you think of handle?

The handle is really well designed. A leatherette covering make it comfortable and secure to hold. A simple button release allow you to change the handle height and angle whilst pushing. The handle itself is adaptable from 105 to 115cm which means a really comfortable height for almost anyone.

How is interacting with your little ones when in the buggy?

The buggy design allows for both children to be parent facing which is a great plus point. This and the fact that both children ride at eye-level height means interacting with them while out and about is easy. The only downside to the multiple seat configurations is that when using it with a newborn and an older toddler, the newborn has to ride further away from the parent than the toddler.

What do you think of the hood?

The hoods are made from smart, durable fabric and provide good coverage against the elements. They also have nice details like quilted stitching on the interior and a useful little peep window at the back.

Tell us about the brakes.

The brakes, which have a linked brake system for extra safety, seem firm and reliable.

Does it fit in the boot of your car?

Yes but it doesn’t leave a lot of room for much else to go in there.

What age children is it best for?

Babies and younger toddlers.

How easy is it to access the basket when the tandem seat/carrycot is attached?

The shopping capacity is one of the key benefits of this buggy and it boasts a capacious, easy to reach basket.

What car seats are compatible with the Cupla Duo?

The Cupla Duo package does include its own Group 0+ infant car seat suitable from newborn to 13kg (not reviewed here), which can be fixed in using the seatbelt, or using ISOFIX with a separate base (£99.99).

Maxi Cosi car seats also fit the Cupla Duo using the adaptors.

What’s in the box?

The Cupla Duo Travel System for twins includes

• Chassis
• 2 x seat/carry cot
• 2 x car seats
• 2 x raincovers
• 2 x newborn inserts.

Is it easy/hard to build the product?

It is not particularly easy to build the product, the principal reason for this is that the instructions are really poor. There are tiny, delicate black and white drawings which confuse rather than help. There are also no pictures of children in the buggy, which would be really helpful when you reach the stage of trying to work out how the second seat should work. It took me and my partner the best part of an hour to assemble because although putting it together as a single unit is easy enough, adding the second seat is more confusing.

What would you have wanted to know before you purchased the item?

I would have wanted to know about its limited maneuverability.

Who would the product be most useful for?

People with a first child and planning to future proof for a second child as well as families of either two little ones of different ages or with twins.

Is there anything unique about this product?

It does score points in terms of its adaptability: a large number of seat configurations and seats that fold effortlessly from carrycot to seat mode.

What is the price? Is this good value for money? Do you have to buy a lot of additional extras, which all add up or is everything included?

This isn’t the cheapest travel system on the market or the most expensive. It is a mid-range option and given the quality and the adaptability of the Cupla Duo it makes sense as an investment for growing families. Once you have purchased the system, everything is included (seats that last from newborn to four years, adaptors, car seats, raincovers)

MadeForMums verdict:

This is a great buggy for parents with twins or two children close in age. It feels sturdy as it bumps amiably up and down kerbs and other rough surfaces; it transforms cleverly from single to double buggy and just as easily from lie-flat carrycot to sit up seat; and it has more than ample space underneath to stash bags of shopping. However, it’s not the niftiest, most manoeuvrable or most compact of tandem buggies out there. People using it in an urban context - navigating crowded public transport and small format shops - might find it a little klutzy.

Once you to get used to the awkward turning circle, though, it feels like a smart, reliable and enjoyable travel option for both parent and child. It is notable that the Cupla Duo’s design allows for both children to face the parent. In addition, the child or children are seated at a lovely height for both interacting with parents and the world. Another attraction is the fully-adjustable leatherette handle, which coupled with excellent suspension, make it a really comfortable and sturdy buggy to push.

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