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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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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 09/09/2008 15:04

am bumping this in case any mummies who bought it earlier this year have any issues with the bee...I've fallen totally for it (have a generous uncle who's buying our buggy for us), my only worry is it does seem to be a bit small for over 12months toddlers, and DH and I are pretty tall....any feedback on it?

Crazycatlady · 09/09/2008 17:26

Wah, me too Mousey [waves]... I've also decided that this baby needs to be a girl so we can get the pink one

Shamefully we may even delay purchasing our Bee until Frogmella has arrived and we know what flavour he/she is so we can pick an appropriate colour!

It's just so lightweight and easy to manoevre (and small so it will fit neatly next to the tables in PB)...

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 09/09/2008 22:11

well clearly that's the reason i want it too....

sophiebbb · 12/09/2008 00:16

I have a Bee that I have had for 6 months and LOVE IT. I actually look forward to taking it out (when I am only taking one of them out) compared to my necessary but really bulky/heavy double Phil and Teds.

Very jealous about the pink one though. I have a DS so got the yellow instead which I love.

Boobz · 12/09/2008 11:52

Oh god now you 2 are getting a bee, I couldn't possibly get anything less.... would have buggy envy in PB which could turn into baby rage and then what? I want a pink one too.

We'll probably have taken over half of the threads between the 3 of us soon...

Crazycatlady · 12/09/2008 15:26

Ooh Sophie it's good to hear a happy mum who already has one!

The pink is quite new I think, and I almost wish it wasn't available in pink so I could just be sensible and get a black one [sigh...]

Boobz I was in PB for a meeting the other day and there were 2 mums in there with Bees, it's obviously a Streatham thing!

sophiebbb · 13/09/2008 10:26

Oh Crazycatlady - life it too short to get a black one!!! Get the one you LOVE! Pink would be lovely but as I have a DS and a DD I got yellow and IMO it looks great - happy, cheery and sunny on these dull wet days!

SandySWestside · 14/09/2008 12:27

Now all the feedback sounds great for the Bee but I just wondered if any of you out there have tried out the Bebe Confort Streety Travel System? It has just come on to the market so there's not much info. out there. I went in to John Lewis yesterday and an assistant showed me this as an alternative to the Bee. My heart lies with the Bee (and was expecting to hate it) but this seemed a cheaper alternative at £260 for everything.

frazzledoldbag34 · 14/09/2008 20:57

Hi. Don't know about the Bee but I have a Cameleon. It is fantastic. Have you tried ebay?
Also just re-read your opening post - the Cameleon folds into 2 pieces so not good for folding for public transport but can also recommend any mclaren (my SIL has an XT and its great) and I have an old mclaren which is fab for holidays etc when I need a quick small folder.
Bugaboo's rock - I love mine to bits. Not tried the Bee but if its anything like the Cameleon it'll be a winner. Good Luck.

SlinkieM · 15/09/2008 00:14

Don't get a black one - I did that with my Cameleon and a week later the hoods were on eBay and I have a choice of sand, red and now blue for new baby due any minute... (they all look brand new by the way, I am just extravagant!)

frazzledoldbag34 · 15/09/2008 09:26

No, I agree with SlinkieM - don't be dull and get black! I thought about it with my Cameleon but was brave, went for green fleece and luuurrvvvee it so much!

frazzledoldbag34 · 15/09/2008 09:26

No, I agree with SlinkieM - don't be dull and get black! I thought about it with my Cameleon but was brave, went for green fleece and luuurrvvvee it so much!

peaandham · 18/09/2008 11:01

Hi. Just wanted to share my thoughts on the Bee. We live in London and rely on public transport to get around. We spent ages trying to find a buggy that was small, light (we live on the 1st floor), easily maneuverable, front or rear facing, easily folded and suitable from birth and the only one we found with all these qualities was the Bee. We were worried about the expense but it has been worth every penny. It's perfect for our needs, the only complaint I'd have is that the raincover has ribs in so doesn't fold down very small. That's it! I highly recommend it. We got yellow as we didn't know the sex and I love it!

Vinegar · 18/09/2008 11:27

I have the bee and the only complaint I have about it is how fiddly it is to attach the carseat to the chassis. You need to fit on adaptors to the carseat - hard if the baby is already in the saet, then the adaptors need to be taken again off once you put the carseat back in the car.

lamamma · 03/11/2008 19:02

Hello all you Bee owners,

Am seriously considering buying one for my 8 mnth old girl, but since she is almost too big for her Maxi Cosi 0+ carseat and have to buy her a 1+ soon, does anyone know if the carset adaptors for the Bee will next both maxi Cosi carseat sizes, or not?

Sorry about the rather tecchie and boring question :-/

Thanks!

lamamma · 03/11/2008 19:04

typo: will car adaptors FIT both 0+ and 1+ maxi cosis?

cheers...

lamamma · 03/11/2008 19:09

Hi sandySWestside,

just spotted your email further up, probably too late too respond now but here goes:

I also liked the Streety a lot online from what I could see, but when I saw it in J Lewis I found the canopy/hood really flimsy and cheap-looking- put me off completely..did you notice that too?

Also, the Bee seems narrower and lighter to me, essential if a bus user.

My friend has a Streety from France and says it's ok, but doesn't feel as sturdy as she had hoped.

Thanks.

2point4kids · 03/11/2008 19:21

I was on this thread at the beginning!
I've had my bee 9 months now and still love it.
Couldnt find a better pram imo!
DS2 has just been turned round forward facing and the cosy toes has come back out after being zipped off for the summer!

missblythe · 03/11/2008 19:28

Do you really have to take the car seat adaptors off every time? What would happen in the car if you left them on?

I have the Chameleon, and we just left them on always.

2point4kids · 03/11/2008 19:34

The car seat adapters stick down from the bottom of the car seat so you couldnt leave them on the car seat as then the seat wouldnt sit flat on the seat of the back of your car iyswim.

I keep the car seat adapters in the basket under my pram. When I want to use I get the pram out the boot, slot the adapters in the holes in the top of the pram, then grab the car seat out with DS in it and just slot it on the top!

You are supposed to take the pram seat off the frame before attaching the car seat, but I have found that if you move the padded side bits to one side, you can slot the car seat on top of the seat so much easier and less fuss!

picklesmama · 03/11/2008 22:12

Lamamma you can't use any stage 1 car seat as a travel system. They are too big and heavy and as they are designed for an older child, the child sits up or reclines slightly. 8 months is awfully early to move anyway...

lamamma · 04/11/2008 18:21

Hi picklesmama, thanks for the info, never even SEEN a group 1+ car seat yet!
She still fits her 0+ but is over 75cm long and nearly 11kg/23lbs, so not for long...

lamamma · 05/11/2008 18:37

Tip for John Lewis goers who think sales staff are less than knowledgeable about the Bee and how to work it:

Very nice young man (sound like my gran, Asian, who showed me exactly how the Bee opened/closed and every conceivable angle...he was awesome- go for him, it's like buying a car and sometimes you just need a slightly geeky, tecchie bloke to lead the way

Edwina1977 · 18/10/2009 21:33

Hi all, has anyone used a buggy board with the Bugaboo Bee? Looking on the Bugaboo website there doesnt appear to be anything on offer for the bee and they have not responded to my emails. I saw a 'universal' buggy board on the Jo Jo Maman bebe website but wondered if anyone had any experince of using something similar? Is the Bee too light to have a board and a 3 year old?! Thank you!!

Fruitbatlings · 18/10/2009 21:36

Yes I use a lascal buggy board on mine. It is fine