Bugaboo bee (or alternative) for toddler

[Strix]

i have a bugaboo bee for my 13 month old. He's a bit chunky but ver average in height, probably even a bit on the short side. He seems to have outgrown the bee at 13 months. And given that I wouldn't consider this to be cheap pushchair I'm not terribly impressed with it's short life. Also the locking mechanism for adjusting the night of the handle bar has broken on one side, and I'm equally unimpressed with the durability of the push -- again especially in light of the fact it wasn't cheap.

Anyway, I'm now pondering a replacement. Something suitable for hopping on and off of buses in west London but still warm and cosy for a one year old. It must recline, as he often spends nap time out and about.

Any ideas? Any other views on the Bugaboo Bee?

I have just bought bee for newborn and am hoping don't get issues you have . For my older dd (am in similar area) I have a Macaren techno Xt. This is relatively cheap , has hood etc combined, folds easy and light weight and if snuggle on and flat is good. Also the wheelbase is small and it's easy to fold/lift so it's my out and about choice (I live in same sort of area) . Basket is small but I take a bag anyway and hang it on back so not an issue.

I realize that one of push chair afficionados will suggest something else but for price practicality and function I think it's worth it.

I'd also recommend the maclaren techno xt.

I've used it for a newborn through to 5 yr old (sen) and found it practical, lightweight, durable, and easy to manoeuvre.

All the material comes off and goes in the washing machine too which for me is a massive bonus@

I wasn't impressed with our Bee either - it only lasted a year. Our Bugaboo Cameleon is still going after 5 years (and three children).
I like the maclaren too - although neither of mine slept in it as well as the cameleon.

I am another fan of the Maclaren Techno XT. I have owned two of them now. IT is not the prettiest pushchair but it is so easy to take out and about on the bus. The backrest was long enough for ds to take naps in it until he was 3.

Hi,

my mindee has the Bee as well, he is eight months and is nearly too big for the pram. You can not compare the Bee with the Cameleon, the latter is fabulous and lasts for ages.

Sorry for taking so long to come back. We had a maclaren xt for DS1 who is now 6 and I agree with all the comments here. Not quite as stylish, but ver practical and durable. I gave it away when I thought two was enough... But then I had 3. The only thing it didn't have was the baby to face me.

The bee looks nice, but is poorly engineered... Sadly :-(

I am always a bit when see little ones in the bees = they do look a bit crammed in and sometimes sit a bit sideways (i too would be ramming my toddler in if I had parted with that much cash) - I would recommend a maclaren too - they are tough which is necessary for public transport use.

Have a look at the baby jogger city mini. Its excellent, have a look at the reviews, it has an amazing fold mechanism that you can do with one hand. The hood covers the child so you never really need to use the rain cover and it keeps the sun off.

My very tall 5 year old used it recently as he was unwell and couldn't walk vert far. It also has a wide seat, a giant shopping basket and room on the back of the buggy for more shopping!

was also going to suggest techno xt but it seems many people have beaten me to it.

We've just got the baby jogger city mini for our 18 month old and I far prefer it to the maclaren quest we had before. It reclines right back and you can push it with one hand - plus you can fold it with one hand.

Bj city mini, we had pt explorer but bought bj for travel etc and it's brill use it more than pt as folds instantly is super light yet sturdy enough for bigger kids

Yup maclaren techno XT. Durable, light, warm, flattens and fits through narrow bus and tube aisles. Most flight staff know how to use so also easy to fly around with.
I have used mine from day one. And 19 months in, I love it.
Classic high quality design speaks for itself

We have the Baby Jogger City Mini and it's fab (although I wouldn't describe the shopping basket as "giant", not after having used the Mothercare Xtreme). It reclines right back and the hood is unbelievable, but for travelling on buses I've often wondered if the Maclaren would be best, as I think it's slimmer? Haven't used a Maclaren mind you, but I did use the Peg Perego Aria recently, which looks similar to the Maclaren, and liked it because it was so compact.

I had a bee for DS - who errs on the large side and never had a problem with it. It's packed away in the attic now but we had it out until he turned 3. Nothing broken and still looks great - I didn't especially take care of it (I'm not a house proud kinda gal), it got battered by adventurous DS & clumsy DH and its been on several plane trips but i suppose it's only really had in town use (no countryside gallops)
If I was starting again I'd still buy it - it just has the right combination of stuff for me. (fits in my tiny car, bar handle, takes my weight to lean on but is light enough for me to manhandle, easy to put up & down & front & back facing.
Didn't buy the associated bugaboo bumpf though quite happy with cow print snuggletoes & various changing bags.