Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

1 2 3 4

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.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

mellie64 · 15/02/2008 16:59

sall22 i have the pramette as well as the bee. the pramette is ok but the bee is MUCH better quality and will last alot longer. the percentage resale value of a pramette is much less (if you didnt like it and decided to sell). also the mamas and papas customer service is really bad and they will find any excuse not to repair under the 6month waranty and charge a small fortune for spare bits (£60 for a hood for a ziko!!!).
you get a 2yr waranty with the bee and bugaboo from my experience have been really great replacing bits (that i have accidentally broken i have even had free bits from them (when i lost a buggyboard clip) and free delivery)
the pramette is £300ish and the bee £350, in my book the bee is worth that extra £50.
it is also a much smoother ride and is more stable and solid and it fits in my boot (c-max) much better than the pramette. look at the quality of the fabrics and the sturdiness of the frame, the bee is far better.

CarGirl · 15/02/2008 17:19

I still had my dd in the bee rear facing at 2 years old - can't do that with a pramette! Only downside was that dh at 6'3" found he kicked dd's feet when she was rear facing (but she is tall and 2 and a bit at the time). We have her rear facing due to her speech delay.

For anyone who lives a city/urban lifestyle I think it is the best, the pramette is so heavy & bulky in comparison. The cam/gecko are so bulky to store and a pain to put in and out of a car.

Sal22 · 15/02/2008 17:53

Oh, thank you VERY much for all the quick replies! Will show DH as soon as he gets home . Have a good weekend everyone.

glitterbird · 16/02/2008 15:15

I had a look at the bee in John Lewis and even the assistant found it a bit difficult to fold down (although I guess she could have been new) and to me it did not look very sturdy.

The pramette is £300 and includes pram liners, rain cover etc when the bee is £359 and then you have to buy the baby nest at £55. so makes it £114 more expensive so if you can afford it great but don't forget to add the extras to make a proper price comparision. good luck with your choice.

Sal22 · 16/02/2008 21:36

Yes, both the assistants that showed us the Bees seemed to struggle with folding it down (John Lewis and Mothercare) - I am trying to pursuade hubby (and myself) it's just because it's a new product and probably the "release button" thing is still a bit tight... The reviews (on here and elsewhere) of people who actually own it seems very good, no-one complained about the folding once they got used to it.
The search continues, but I still really like the Bee, although the Bugaboo's accessories does at up a bit, doesn't it?!

Gingerwench, have you decided yet?

mellie64 · 17/02/2008 09:28

there is a knack to folding the bee down but it is really easy after a few times. i find the pramette alot harder to fold and i have had it alot longer. i have been in john lewis before and had to help a shop assistant with the cameleon as they didnt know you had to take the seat part off before folding.
i know the baby nest is £55 but you will get alot of cost of that back when you have finished with it. one went on e-bay for £45 and sold immediately. you do also get a raincover with the bee. secondhand bees are going for £300-£340 ish on e-bay whilst secondhand pramettes are going for £100-£180 ish, so you do loose more money when you resell.
my polka pramette didnt come with a liner and i cant see it on the website it just says pramette, apron and raincover inc.
when i have my next baby, i will certainly be buying a babynest for my bee and reselling on e-bay afterwards.
have a little walk around the shop with them both (my john lewis have the pramette as well as the bee) the pramettes front wheels wobble everywhere compared to the bee which is very smooth. carry it around folded and see which you find easiest to carry (you can carry the bee from the seat as on the website) look at the demo on the bugaboo website it shows you how to do everything.
it is your decision afterall but if you choose one and you dont like later you will need to be able to get a good price back.

mellie64 · 17/02/2008 09:38

oh and also you can have the seat facing you reclined and sitting at different angles with the bee but you can only have it flat facing you in the pramette. i was something that i loved about the cameleon and frog, having my older babies facing me still when they wanted to sit up as well. remember the baby bit is only for a few months (6 max) but you will be using it for possibly over 3 years so you have to think about the toddler stage as well. my two year old prefers the bee to the cameleon and the pramette.

Sal22 · 17/02/2008 10:51

brilliant resell value on the bee, didn't realise. on the way to the shops now, so think i'll try walking around the shop as you suggested, mellie64. i can't help it, really love the bee (after having been prepared to "hate" it when i started the pram search!)

Have now convinced DH pramette not perfect for us, now he's onto the Silver Cross Dazzle! Oi.

mellie64 · 17/02/2008 12:17

i must admit i wasnt sure at first about the bee when i first saw a photo and it was a bit of an implulse buy. i did think i might use it a few times and hate it and sell it on e-bay. they were not in the shops so i couldnt see it in real life.
when it came i loved it and now i am finding excuses to go out so i can use it. i do love my cameleon but i needed something for in the car that was quick to get up and down and to wizz around the shops with and not take uo the whole boot.
have a really good play with all of them and see which one you prefer. if you are spending that kind of money dont worry about spending some time getting to know how to fold it etc dont let the shop assistants hurry you along say you need to have a play with them first and if they want to go and serve someone else while you are looking, you will have time to think about it.
good luck

Sal22 · 17/02/2008 17:09

Thanks mellie. Think i MIGHT have persuaded DH this morning - his parents offered to help us look for something and he said that we've now decided on one

sillyselina · 18/02/2008 12:35

Mine is arriving tomorrow and i am so excited. Awaiting DD2 and went through so many pushchairs and buggies with DD1. Ended with a micralite which was fab. We travel alot and found it good all round. But fell in love with the BEE in Miami in the summer. I also have an old M&P 03 for rugged off road abuse.
I wanted something that wasn't in 2 bits to fold. What a pain!!
Also when i was in John Lewis their Bee's are just shop floor demo models so a bit like prototype launch cars. Notorious for glitches. Hence the sticky hinges etc.
We'll see. But i'll give you full verdict tomorrow.

annie79 · 19/02/2008 12:41

Hi i have just bought the bugaboo bee and a find the seat a little snug i have read that the side wings can come off to make more room does anyone know how this is done?

Original poster

gingerwench · 19/02/2008 22:16

I'm just waiting for my Bee - due on Monday!!
I found that in JOhn Lewis DH and I managed to put it up and down better than the assistants just by reading the instruction book aloud - think the assistants were a bit duff that day

Incidentally we've been struck by the shocking lack of service and interest from all sorts of shops and sales assistants which is surprising when you think how much you could be spending, and how often pushchairs are unknown territory for new parents...

OP posts:

mellie64 · 20/02/2008 09:20

thats great gingerwench!!!
i dont think the shop assistants have much training on new products and just dont have a play to make sure they can show people how to use a buggy.
the girls in my john lewis are often very busy and have one person for the bugaboo and if they are busy the others try and help but just dont have a clue.
its really hard to buy a buggy when you have your first baby as you just dont know what to look for. its easy to look at the wrong things like patterns and gimmicks when you should be looking at suspension, types of wheels, seat positions etc. this is why i have had loads of buggies, i have been trying to find the perfect one. i wish i had found MN when i was first pregnant as it would have saved me some money.
annie79, i will look at my bee today and see for you

Liz76 · 20/02/2008 10:05

I'm only halfway through my first pregnancy but beginning to get very excited about new purchasing opportunities! Seem to have the same needs as Sal22, as live on 3rd floor no lift etc. Just wondered if anyone had tried the Bee out on rougher ground / muddy fields etc - a bit concerned that not being able to lock the wheels might be a problem. Mostly we'll be using it on pavements but I want to be able to go power-pramming with it in the park!

Thanks

mellie64 · 20/02/2008 13:04

to be honest its not a great off road buggy but i have used it going down the farm tracks without a problem. they are not overly muddy though. i am sure you can lock the swivel wheels....you can i just looked in the instructions. i think the problem will be the small wheels getting stuck in holes when off road, having said that they are the same size as the front wheels on the cameleon and frog and i use mine in the woods etc. if you got a great off road buggy like the mountain buggy you wouldnt be able to easily get it up stairs etc.

Orissiah · 04/03/2008 13:33

My baby is due in June. How is the Bugaboo Bee baby nest for a summer baby - won't it be too hot? Will it be safe to unzip the top flap and take it off completely to give her some air? This is now my only concern with the Bee as I am 99.9% close to buying it.

Any thoughts on the suitability of the nest for summer?

Vinegar · 04/03/2008 16:38

Orissiah - I am going to buy the Bugaboo bee for my Aug born. I found the following site extremely useful(someone asked about whether the baby nest would be too hot for the summer, so you can check out the answer)

strollermama.com/blog/2007/04/25/the-buzz-on-the-bugaboo-bee/

Deese20 · 04/03/2008 19:30

Am debating the various prams and leaning more towards the Bee. Has anyone tried a 1yr old or older in it? My sister has the Bugaboo Frog and although loved it for her newborn, he looks too big and uncomfortable in it now(age 12 mths - and no, not too big for his age!). Don't want to have to fork out for another pram in a year. Any ideas?

Leenie · 06/03/2008 12:06

Hi all,
I have been looking at the Bee, but am torn between that and the Stokke Xplory, has anyone any comments on the Stokke,???

bitofadramaqueen · 06/03/2008 13:28

Thanks for that link Vinegar, I've ordered a Bee and was just thinking about whether the baby nest would be too warm this morning. It was very handy to read that the top flap zips off for hot days. Baby due in summer so that was invaluable!

Amberc · 06/03/2008 17:41

Stokke Xplory - saw it at the Baby Show - was very bulky and plasticky. We liked the Mamas and Papas Skate best - really easy to manoevre but quite heavy - had the facing forward or backwards feature - generally excellent - it's won loads of awards right? Tried the Bee and it was super flimsy. Looked like you could blow it over.

Original poster

gingerwench · 07/03/2008 11:32

just to say I love love love the bugaboo bee. ok my baby is not due until end May but we've practised putting it up and down and now we have Ted trying it out for size (does that make us a little odd?)

can't wait to use it for real!

OP posts:

mummylushes · 25/03/2008 23:20

i have the Bee. my 2nd son was born in december and i waited till i could get my hands on the bee.

its soooo easy to push carry etc. the only thing i dont like is the shopping bag but thats a minor.

contacted bugaboo about a bee buggy board however they wont have one till summer

gonna try one of the othe boards in the mean time

i havent bought all the accessories just the normal foot muff

hatrick · 25/03/2008 23:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Flip

1 2 3 4