Is a Bee still the best/only option for rear facing, suitable for London buses buggy?

[VinegarDrinker]

Our 2.5 year old cheapy Chicco Trio is dying a death (well the hood has died) & probably needs replacing. DC2 is 14 weeks so it'll be in use for a while, but don't want to spend loads. Second hand is fine. Not at all fussed about looks/trendiness etc.

Criteria are:
Light, small footprint (for buses)
Easy to push one handed
Rear facing option
Will take a buggy board

I was looking at the Petite Star Bubble but it doesn't get great reviews for pushing one handed. Is a second hand Bee still the best there is?

Thanks in advance

Hopeful bump

I know of nothing else that meets your criteria. The oyster gem might but i'm not sure if a board would work.

Thanks very much for replying!, I was Googling around & looking at the original Oyster too - is it much bigger than the Bee? Also the Zapp xtra? Or M&P Urbo/Sola?

Urbo is similar size - I tried it instore and liked it but went with Bee in the end. Not sure if it takes a buggy board though.

I love the Bee, but I also absolutely love the M&P Nuna - such an amazing buggy and is easier/nicer to push than the Bee too. Doesn't have the rear-facing option, but then I found that my DD's only wanted to be facing outwards. 100% easy to push one-handed, and am pretty sure you can get a buggy board for it :)

That does look good Kate but I really do want a RF option. We used the Chicco RF til at least 18 months with DS.

I'm guessing the fact there is an Oyster going for £40 on eBay (as opposed to the old Bees which are still £150+) means they aren't that great?

Thanks also Katherine. Have now done some more reading and the Urbo gets pretty awful reviews!

At your DC's age I would go for the Bee. I had mine until DD was one and then changed it for a BJCMGT. But until she was one, the Bee was a fantastic pushchair and I found London transport a breeze with it. I don't think there really is anything to match it in its category yet if you want rear facing too.

Thanks, I'm watching a few Bees on eBay now. It seems the old ones go for £150 ish and the Bee+ for £225-245 ish. Is it worth the extra in peoples' experience?

Well I had the Bee+ and from what I remember it was worth the extra.

I would also take into consideration that if you buy an older model bee, it will most likely have been through a lot more wear and tear and maybe even multiple owners. I loved my Bee+ but the reason I changed to a BJCMGT when my DD was a year old is partially because Bee's do have a somewhat rickety feeling frame and I didn't feel it would be as sturdy as I would like for a growing toddler. Don't get me wrong, it is a fantastic pushchair and I'll probably buy the updated version if I have another baby, but the fragile feeling frame would put me off buying the original and much older Bee for the reasons I have mentioned.

Also, this isn't a huge problem but Bee's have a an issue with their front wheels shimmying. When I had mine I called Bugaboo about it and they sent me out some sticky pads that were easily stuck between the wheels and where they attached to the frame. It stopped the wheels shimmying and I only needed to replace the pads about once or twice.

I just had a look at their website and found this info on it. I would ask the owner if they have these before purchase or see if you can get them from Bugaboo.

I have an older-style Bee and I love it - it is amazingly easy to push. Had since DD was born (she's 3 now) and never had a problem with it. I have heard of others having problems though - ask the seller plenty of questions, and try before you buy if poss.

I have an icandy strawberry and it's great on London buses and much sturdier than the Bee. It's really easy to push and maneuvre one handed - I can navigate round the supermarket pushing it with one hand and a trolley at the same time using the other hand. It doesn't officially take a buggy board though and I'm not sure if it can take one unofficially.

We have the M&P Sola and have found it SO versatile, light and easily manoevreable! It is also super cheap on e-bay, and only £250 new if you just get the pram without travel system paraphernalia...

I'd get it again tomorrow for London transport! Fits on the buses no problems, and light enough to lift/push on/off if there is a gap between bus and pavement.

Thanks - good to hear good reviews of the Sola as bestbuggy is fairly negative! Hadn't heard of the icandy strawberry either so will check that out.

Have also seen this www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/productdisplay0_10751_-1_111443_10001 Kiddicare Imax which is £135 new (with obviously the possibility of return as opposed to buying on ebay) - anyone any thoughts/experiences with this? (I might start another thread actually)