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Anything like a Bee, but cheaper?

34 replies

FlingonTheValiant · 18/05/2011 19:26

I have an MBU but it's not all that practical when I have to go into London. I can't really afford to splash out on a bee (although I'd love one). Is there anything similar? Smallish and rearfacing?

TIA

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Cattleprod · 18/05/2011 19:30

Ah, yes, there was one I saw on here the other day.

Hang on a minute......

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Cattleprod · 18/05/2011 19:32
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FlingonTheValiant · 18/05/2011 19:36

That looks interesting thanks!

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Adair · 18/05/2011 19:43

That looks similar to the Infinity which I had. Is a fab pram for walking but not good for London transport IMVHO (heavy and wide. Dream to push)...

Icandy Cherry is nice and light. Not too wide, though not quite a maclaren. Doesn't fold in one piece either.

Mclarens are truly made for London transport - they fit between the seats on a bus. Though not rearfacing i know Sad.

You can search ebay/gumtree for a cheap old, retro rearfacer - I had one i loved for a tenner but dh wouldn't push it and we didn't have the storage...

But i have just bought a (second-hand) Bee as this has been my quest for ages too, and it is as utterly brilliant as everyone says.

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FlingonTheValiant · 18/05/2011 19:49

I had a feeling that it's really just the Bee that does it all.

How much do Bees go for second-hand? (If you don't mind my asking) I'm a bit scared of buying one on ebay in case it's in bad condition.

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Cattleprod · 18/05/2011 19:58

My friend got a secondhand bee for about £180 on ebay.

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Adair · 18/05/2011 19:59

A lot.
i bought mine on here from TotorosOcarina for £165 but had a couple of faults and faded hood etc. Think usually more. Ebay completed listings say £200-300 but a few that are cheaper. On the plus side, it should (hopefully) resell well.

I have the Bee rather than the Bee plus. Don't know if they are usually cheaper cos older...

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FlingonTheValiant · 18/05/2011 20:05

Oh, looks like iCandy are going to bring out something similar - the strawberry. But I guess it'll be almost as expensive. And goodness knows how much it'll be.

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FlingonTheValiant · 18/05/2011 20:10

Thanks cattleprod and Adair, I guess I'll keep looking and checking the For Sale boards. :)

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FlingonTheValiant · 18/05/2011 21:20

I've just seen that there's a new seat that I could put on my quinny zapp chassis (which we just use for the car seat). I might look into getting that as it's loads cheaper than buying anything new.

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Guildfordnanny · 18/05/2011 21:31

The Strawberry is £450 but the flavour pack to go in the seat is £75. The Zapp Xtra seat is fab although the hood isn't the greatest. BUT if you are switching between car seat and main seat there are two small round adaptors you have to keep removing and replacing. We lost ours on a dark snowy night (even in a drawstring bag attached to the pushchair) and they took two months for Dorel to work out which adaptors they were and cost us £30 to replace. Needless to say at that price the Zapp Xtra went on Ebay the next day.

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Adair · 18/05/2011 21:41

Yes, I looked into Zapp xtra sorry, slipped my mind! That sounds perfect - especially if you have the chassis already.

Strawberry looks ok, but not as teeny as the Bee.

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FlingonTheValiant · 18/05/2011 22:37

DS is 7m now, so if I had it we probably wouldn't be swapping with the car seat anymore, he's getting too heavy for that.

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Honeydragon · 18/05/2011 22:42

Zapp Xtra only has two positions in RF and both reclined, so dc can't sit up. Also folds in two parts so not ideal for public transport.

How often really do you go into London?

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FlingonTheValiant · 18/05/2011 22:48

At least once a week, and I'm not going often because the MBU is a pain on trains/tube.

I think it might also be a good car pram for shopping trips.

Please don't tell me it's awful, I can't afford a bee :(

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Honeydragon · 18/05/2011 22:58

What budget and new or used

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Honeydragon · 18/05/2011 23:06

hauk galaxy would suit you, if you can find one

www.bargaincrazy.com/epages/BargainCrazy.sf/seckozFCl5Ls2k/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BargainCrazy/Products/J06010BX/SubProducts/J06010BX01I&AID=6274487&PID=1546795&SID=143432890

not a bee, but compact fold and ticks all the boxes, pretty colours too iirc.

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Honeydragon · 18/05/2011 23:06
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suzie38 · 18/05/2011 23:12

That looks better than my Flip It especially the adjustable footrest.

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Honeydragon · 18/05/2011 23:33

I think its the same as the flip it in that you have to remeber where the brake is Grin

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Guildfordnanny · 19/05/2011 02:05

What about the Phil and Teds Smart with (I think) Verso? Adaptors to make it parent face. It's had very good reviews.

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MayDayChild · 19/05/2011 07:09

Baby style oyster still quite exp though

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Adair · 19/05/2011 09:38

Tbh I'd get a cheapy maclaren for London trips, or stick with your Zapp plan would be good. The Bee doesn't sit fully upright either I don't think, my 2.8 and 4mth old don't seem to mind.

Am planning to go in with just a sling (though not doing any shopping, meeting a friend). Downside is I'll have to hold baby all afternoon but think it's worth it for not having a buggy around (especially cos can imagine he'll be in the sling anyway and i'll be carting an empty buggy around Hmm).

The maclaren-that-rearfaces has been my quest since ds1 was 4mths! And IMO the Bee does do it (light, small, folds in one - though not as easy as you think). Loved my Infinity though but big. Think the Zapp Xtra looks fab, can't remember why I discounted - just price I think (then spent way more than planned on the Bee - oops Blush). There are as, Honeydragon, linked, older rearfacers that you can pick up second-hand. But not usually one piece fold if important.

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FlingonTheValiant · 19/05/2011 10:08

Smart says it's only rear-facing up to 6m.

New or used is fine. Ideally £100, but could do £150ish if it was worth it.

I've been in with the sling, but it gets tiring holding him, especially now he's bigger.

I'll have a look for the galaxy, thanks.

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JohnniesBitch · 19/05/2011 10:19

the bee is rubbish! i don't understand the hype surrounding them. they are really low down and if you are tall and have to extend the handle then it looks like you are pushing a dolls pram. the seat is reclined and even at its most upright still reclined so an older toddler might not like it.
Being a Bugaboo fan i really wanted to like the bee and the bee plus but i didn't. I wasted a lot of money as even though resale is good its still at least £100 less than new.
Try the m&p urbo, bargains to be had on ebay, folds as compactly but sturdier than the bee and much better for shopping, so easy to switch between rear and forward facing as well.

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