Uppababy Cruz or Bugaboo Bee Plus

[Happychick35]

Hi everyone,

Our buggy choice is pretty much limited to those two as they are the only ones who fit in our small volkswagen up, even so bee goes at the boot, while cruz only goes at front seat. Bee is very popular and I see a lot of mums with it, I found it slightly stiff and a bit too complex to block the wheels, fold, unfold. I think I will need a lot of practicing before getting used to it. I also worry that the baby will be cold in the coverlet (winter baby) and it is quite a low buggy. Plus the front wheels seems to be all over the place. I do like how compact and light it is, it will be useful for us as both set of future grandparents live abroad and we will be travelling in the beginning, fitting in a car boot is a big plus as well. Now Cruz, I like almost everything about it, feels quite sturdy, availability of carrycot ( even though I do not like it's colour only black available) , big basket underneath, relatively easy to fold and feels the baby will be more secure in it. I read reviews that suspension is not that great , so that could be a problem. I also heard about Babystyle Oyster Gem as an alternative to Bugaboo Bee, but there does not seem to be a shop in London who stocks it and I really do not want to order online, only to deal with return ... Any thoughts and ideas much appreciated. Forgot to say we live in London, so will use the pushchair for walking around in parks and in the city, but for long walks and getting into the forest probably on the weekends.

I don't know if I can be of any help as I'm expecting my first baby but I have decided to the buy the Uppababy Cruz pram. The Bugaboo Bee is a very popular pram in London but I never liked it although it is light I think it is very flimsy looking and as I am having a baby in January I didn't think the cocoon type sleeping bag in place of a carrycot is warm or sturdy enough. I went to John Lewis to look at the Uppababy Cruz and was really impressed with how easy it is to turn the seat around, attach the carrycot, fold it down etc and I also liked the size of the basket underneath. I don't have a car at the moment so size of the basket is very important for me as I will be doing a lot of walking and shopping as well as using public transport but I didn't think when it is folded it is too bulky. I know the wheels are small but I am a member of Which and from the tests that they carried out they say the wheels coped well over different surfaces and the reviews from other members have been good also. On the Which Website they gave the Uppababy Cruz 89% overall and the Bugaboo Bee had a score of 80%. I think the most expensive popular pram I've seen out at the moment is the Bugaboo Chameleon and that had a Which score of 82%. I think the quality of materials used on the Bugaboo and Icandy prams are better but for me the most important thing is how well the pram performs than how it looks.

Honestly, look again. I am not saying don't get the Bee or the Cruz, but if these two fit (especially the Cruz) then I am sure lots of other pushchairs will fit. The Cruz is pretty large folded. The Cruz suspension really is not great. The wheels cope well with different surfaces which is surprising but its hard under your hands.
Have a look at the Easywalker MINI, the iCandy Peach, the Oyster Gem (definitely have a look), at the Baby Joggers because with the wheels off the chassis' will fit into most boots and the wheels take seconds to pop on and off - the Versa is small with the seat off and the wheels off, at the Bugaboo Cameleon (the rear wheels may need popping off). I think I would keep playing a bit longer before deciding!

I honestly wouldn't take either travelling - buy something which will withstand being thrown several metres onto tarmac or having suitcases piled on top for travelling with.

Oh and I have just remembered - have a look at the Graco Evo Mini with a snuggly cocoon in it. That is dinky folded :) (however it doesn't parent face!)

And consider a Babyzen YoYo with the newborn 0+ kit on it. That should fit in your car nicely :)
The Casual Play Livi is also worth a look. I am sure there's a carrycot to go on it - I know there's a car seat option and the pushchair seat lies flat. Its got a very neat fold.

Bee, I love mine and still use it with my 22 month old. The cocoon is snug and warm, it's lightweight and the basket is a good size. The handles are heigh adjustable too. Folds really easily and doesn't take up your entire car boot.

Would the quinny buzz fit? thats pretty dinky and has a carrycot?

I've just bought the Uppababy Cruz and I love it... baby due in a week so can't say how well it will go in practice but it looks and feels great. As Viv said it came top out of nearly 200 prams and buggies in Which consumer testing, that says a lot!!

I have a bee and it is on child number 2. Very good for shops turns well light and easy to steer with one hand. Have had 2 winter babies and no issues with the cocoon, lovely and warm and if it's windy just pop the rain cover on. However it is rubbish on uneven surfaces and will be crap in a forest, I wouldn't attempt off pavement in it really at all. It is a city buggy!

I have the cruz only taken it out a few times but really like the look and feel, baby does seem to rattle around in the carry cot a bit when going over unsmooth surfaces but it feels nice and sturdy. Kiddicare in Croydon had oyster gems in stock in nov, I thought they were good for the price and so compact perfect for zipping about town but I wanted something a bit sturdier.

Oohh I forgot about the Oyster Gem - yes definitely add that to the list to look at!