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Original poster

bugaboo bee - any opinions?

83 replies

gingerwench · 06/01/2008 18:14

Hello, I'm just starting my pushchair search. After lots of looking at catalogues I had a cursory look with DH in John Lewis and despite myself I think I fell in love with the Bugaboo Bee! Will still do lots more research but wondering what other people thought.

It is my first child. I'm only 5ft 1 and we need a transport system(!) that folds easily and is robust yet lightweight. Smallish car (Polo) and no plans to change it just yet. We've been given car seats (from family so known history and no accidents) and the car seat will stay in the car - I do not need a pram/pushchair that is compatible with it. I live in a city, and I want something that can cope with city streets, shop doorways etc walks of an hour or two at a time (at least). I use buses too so it must be easy to fold down. I want something I can use from birth, although I hope I can use a sling/baby carrier for early months and shorter excursions too plus more country/off-road walks . The only off-road I'd consider with the pushchair is local slightly muddy park paths. The other essential is height adjustable handles so both my DH and I can happily push. Until I saw the Bugaboo Bee in the flesh, I was keen on the Maclarans (4 season and Techno XT) and I thought the Chameleon /Gecko too pricey. But the Bee seems to fit the bill and is still in budget (just). Neither of us were that impressed by the 3 wheelers we looked at.

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MrsBadger · 06/01/2008 18:16

you'll never regret an XT but I'll admit that the rear-facing option on the Bee is a big draw.

EmMcK · 06/01/2008 18:21

Ginger, we bought the Bugaboo Bee, and love it. Live in London in a 4th floor walk up but wanted somethign that lay flat and was reversable and it has been brilliant. Very nimble nad public transport friendly. I can carry it over one arm, and baby over the other, and is height ajustable. Baby bawling, must go, but if you've any questions about it, let me know, em

mairseydotes · 06/01/2008 18:22

I think it looks like the equipment you see in hospitals.
Also, the whole reason we bought bugaboo was for the big tyres and the manouevrability (sp?) over all sorts of terrain, this just doesn't look like it has those same advantages...
I would try it out.

Original poster

gingerwench · 06/01/2008 18:23

Sounds good so far - didn't know they were on sale yet!

OP posts:

lumpybumpymummy · 06/01/2008 18:24

Maclaren xlr are fab but so are bugaboo's and i think this would be a great choice infact pretty perfect choice

EmMcK · 06/01/2008 19:33

I have a brother in the US and he sent it over, bless that man! We have used it with ds from the day we brought him home, although I also have a really simple sling for trips out for milk and wearing around the house when he is in a grumpy mood.

Champagneforlunch · 07/01/2008 16:39

Sorry to jump in but I've been looking at the bee as well but want to know if you can fold it with the seat in facing you position do you know?

daisynova · 07/01/2008 17:45

I absolutely hate the Bugaboo range and found it to be quite flimsy. I also know someone who works for them and they also say to stay away from them as the factories that they use to make the prams/buggies are not entirely "good" - think child labour and paying a pittence.

EmMcK · 07/01/2008 19:49

You can fold it with the seat facing you, haven't even tried it the other way yet.

Original poster

gingerwench · 07/01/2008 21:32

Thanks for all the comments so far - very helpful. Daisynova have you any info on the working conditions of those who work in Maclaren factories?

OP posts:

mellie64 · 14/02/2008 08:29

i have a bee and its fantastic, i have had a frog gecko and still have a cameleon (which i love) i have also tried loads of others but the bugaboos are by far the best quality and as an added bonus the resale value is fantastic. the cameleon is great off road and it has been on the beach in the woods and down muddy farm tracks on a regular basis. the bee will not be so good off road but mine will be in the car for shopping(it folds down easily once you have done it a few times) and it is really small. the cameleon is anoying that you have to take the seat off before folding but it was worth it compared to othere buggies. i have had a few p3s (which are not bad) and i still have a p3 pramette (which i will be selling now i have the bee) a couple of mountain buggies(which are good and second to the bugaboo in my book) jane (which are heavy and bulky) quinny (felt poorly made) adventure buggy co (great but hard to get in my boot) phil and teds (v1, v2, sport - good for what they are made for but not that good quality compared to the bug) and a few others. My husband thinks i should be a buggy tester as i have had hundreds over the last (almost) four years.
i would go for it and get the bee. it sound just what you are after. and when you have finished with it you can get alot of the money back on e-bay. its great having baby facing you when you are out. i just wish they would bring out a buggyboard for it as the standard bugaboo board doesnt fit and my toddler loves it.

mellie64 · 14/02/2008 08:38

oh and the footmuff is great as it clips on under the hood so it fits like a glove and as there are loads of strap holes in the bee seat and in the footmuff you get a perfect fit with the straps everytime which stops my little girl escaping. the downside is that you cant really just use any footmuff on it as the holes will be in the wrong place unless you get the sewing machine out and cut new holes (which i am tempted to do with my lambskin footmuff) i do like the bugaboo one so i might not bother.
by the way i dont work for bugaboo, i am just a huge fan, i am really fussy about the quality and ease of use of buggies and bugaboo has been the best by far.

Tangle · 14/02/2008 10:29

Sorry to hijack slightly

mellie64 - can I ask how you got on with your gecko in mud? It's the one thing I get frustrated with - the village green is covered in worm casts, and if I pick up a couple of dead leaves as well the small wheels just get completely jammed. Any ideas? It's really frustrating as other than that it's doing everything I wanted it to do...

Vinegar · 14/02/2008 10:37

I'm definately getting one of these. I had a Maclaren Volo for my older child. Really great for public transport, however I would like a travel system for my second one.

Orissiah · 14/02/2008 13:50

Will a toddler fit in the Bee - I fear that in buying it my baby will soon outgrow it as the seat doesn't look as wide as the Chameleon - any thoughts?

Diege · 14/02/2008 15:10

I notice further down that a buggy board doesn't fit on . Does anyone know if there's any other type of board that can fit on the bee? Had my heart set on it for (yet to be conceived ) no.4, but will need some sort of board for sure.

PortAndLemon · 14/02/2008 15:15

Orissah - I have read some reviews that do indeed suggest that the Bee is a bit of a tight fit for a toddler.

Original poster

gingerwench · 14/02/2008 15:16

Well i went and bought the bugaboo bee, plus baby nest plus foot muff. It was the only pushchair I could put up and down one handed (carrying rucksack in other hand as a baby substitute) and that both me and DH liked. It's arriving on the 25th - v excited! until we got looking at pushchairs in earnest my DH was a bit sniffy at the expense and then when he got to examine them he understood where the extra £ went (he's an engineer and knows about industrial design, manufacturing techniques etc) He was impressed with the Chameleon but agreed it wasn't quite what we needed (plus it wouldn't fit in our boot!)

Crikey Mellie64 - you sound like someone with a pushchair fetish! so many different types tested?!

OP posts:

MrsDandOllie · 14/02/2008 15:17

I got my bee delivered yesterday!! Love it so far, but have only been playing with it indoors mostly.
Have bought it mostly for new baby (due Monday!) but took it for its first test drive this morning facing forwards with DS age 2.4 in it and he fits fine! Had the footmuff liner in it and DS was wearing his big winter coat as well, so no worries on the toddler fitting in front.
I have got a litaf seat to go buggy board and have installed it on the bee ok! Havent tested it completely yet - havent checked whether all bits fold down ok and seat works both ways ok with it for example, but will be doing that in next couple of days so I'll let you know if I have any probs or if the buggy board seems ok!

Diege · 14/02/2008 15:23

Oh excellent MRSDANDOLLIE on the buggy board front. Have had a Litaf seat before, and while they are a little stange at first when manoeuvring kerbs (well, were with my heavy Jane pram)I'm happy to get one if it means keeping to my plans . Just the colour to ponder over now (oh and er, the conception of the baby to go in it!).
Good luck for Monday!

mellie64 · 14/02/2008 15:58

my 3.5 year old fits ok, its the side arm bits that make it look slim but they are not fixed so can move out. we went into the city with the bee today and it was great. i called bugaboo and they said they are in the process of producing a board for it. i have been looking around and the mutsy one looks like it might fit. i am thinking about taking the risk buying one as i can always e-bay it if it doesnt fit.

tangle, the gecko and frog and cameleon are the same off road. i did have a set of snow wheels which to be honest i didnt always remember to take but were fantastic off road. i didnt really have to much of a problem with the smaller wheels in the mud. they do ocasionally get stuck in the small holes which is why i did get the snow wheels (and because i am bugaboo mad and have had most accessories at one time or another). you can put the big wheels at the front and fix the smaller wheels (not as good as the snow wheels but works fairly well)

MrsDandOllie · 14/02/2008 18:24

Diege, I have practised folding and unfolding the pram with the buggy board bits attached and it is FINE!
Just gotta wait till lil un is born now so I can try it out with my big un on the board! (will look a bit daft taking out the empty pram I think lol
PS I got the yellow one and its lush!

Diege · 15/02/2008 08:39

Excellent! I'm also thinking about the yellow, - or at the least the black buggy with yellow insert for newborn

Sal22 · 15/02/2008 09:56

Hi everyone. Just the thread I was looking for! I had a look (ok, i've been a couple of times now )at the Bee, and really like the fact that it folds in one piece, and I love the look itself. However, DH not convinced at all. His negatives: can't go completely flat & no "peep hole", so difficult to see baby once the shade is down (think he read this one on some review tbh .

As first timers I don't really know how important the completely flat bit is (or for how long it is recommended), but as I'm having a CS, I can't imagine I'll be out and about within the first couple of weeks anyway.

His favourite at the moment seems to be the M&P Pliko Pramette, but I'm worried it might be a bit big. So confused. Any tips to answer his questions / concerns with? Thanks.

Orissiah · 15/02/2008 12:45

Oh I'm glad it looks like toddlers can fit in. I may have to give it another viewing (so far have plumped for the Chameleon but the Bee is so much smaller so better for London...).

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