Do I need a bugaboo bee? Or am I being sucked in by the brand?

[BananaPie]

I already have a (old and slightly rickety) my3 and a (well used) maclaren. Criteria for new buggy are:

1. parent facing option;
   
2. lighter than my3, and folds in one piece to quite small, so good for travelling (aeroplane as well as fitting in car boot);
   
3. takes maxi cosi car seat;
   
4. useable with buggy board for older child (e.g. Handle adjusts so that child can stand comfortably under handle bar);
   
5. one handed push (for holding hands with toddler).
   
   I am torn between the bee and the bjcm (although I know the latter doesn't have parent facing option). Will I regret spending the money on the bee or should I get it and recoup some of the costs on eBay once I no longer need it? DH has lost interest and agrees we can spend the money if I want...

[smokedgarlic]

I went from a McClarenTechno to a Bugaboo bee and I promise you that it is the best move you will make. Our bee is brilliant and it has lasted for years . The steering is effortless and it is amazing for navigating buses and tubes . It is expensive but totally worth the money. I can't believe I stuck to the McLaren with my first it is awful in comparison

[nocutsnobuttsnococonuts]

I have a bugaboo bee and it is fantastic - we bought it as I was living in a flat with no lift so had to carry up/down stairs and it was one of the lightest parent facing options.

only downside is, its rubbish on rough terrain but any small buggy is unless you've got big wheels.

the strap problem I bought a bee-safe strap from amazon that stopped dd getting her arms out.

the official rain cover i was told was rubbish so sold it unused on ebay for £35 then bought a universal one for £8 that works perfectly.

I say go for it, we bought it in a sale from Glasgow pram centre online for £300 was great customer service and a good price

[af2000]

I don't think you can put the vista and the bee in the same category for comparison, they are completely different beasts. We have a vista, it is big and quite heavy but it ticks all the boxes we need it for (walking long distances, all terrain, huge basket for shopping etc). It is one fold if the seat is facing outwards, never a problem for us as i do t really fold it and am not in and out of the car with it but I wouldn't want to have to fold it on a bus for example. Everyone I know with a bee is happy, we see flipping millions of them around here (in South London) so they must be doing something right!! But they look like they are only suitable for pavement use so i think as long as that is all you will need it for they then go for it!

[ItMustBeBedtimeSurely]

Get a bee. You will be wasting money trying to find a cheaper version, it doesn't exist. I used ours to death for both dd1 and 2. It was absolutely perfect for London, and I only stopped it for a off roader when we moved somewhere more rural.

It's only weak spot is that it's terrible in snow. But that is true for all small buggies really.

[OurGlass]

The bee is faultless.

[umiaisha]

We've got one for dc3 and absolutely love it. I can single handedly lift it up and down the stairs at the tube and it it is one of a few prams that fits into my tiny car (fiat 500)

We have the bugaboo buggy board as well which I would agree is not ideal for someone short (5ft 1) but the bee itself is very easy to push, collapse etc.

This is the first time we have splurged on a pram but I do think it's worth it - they definitely hold their value so hopefully will recoup some of the outlay when we have finished with it.

[ItsADinosaur]

Oh I love my Bee. I used it for my DS until he was 2.6 when my next DC arrived. Now we use it with the Lascal buggy board attached. It's been going strong for three years now!

[Luckystar82]

I felt like I was pushing a play pushchair with the bee 3. It is really dinky!

I had my heart set on it until I tried out the Baby Jogger CM GT which was much better to push and steer over uneven ground.

I have purchased the Baby Jogger CM GT, with a deluxe carrycot that should last quite a while and max out the time for parent facing usage

[Loops81]

The Bee is great when they're small. But like someone else on this thread, I find the harness useless - the straps won't stay up over the arms when they get to about 12 months. And while it does fold down fairly compact, it doesn't lock in that position so it is a pain to carry/store when folded.

[Imperialleather2]

Had a bee hated it. Got a bjcm gt and love it.

[Laquila]

I have a Versa GT, which is brilliant but about the same size as the Vista. The non-GT version feels a bit smaller. Brilliant one-piece fold though!

[silversixpence]

I have just got my Mosey today - it fulfils all your criteria including one piece fold, but it does feel quite heavy folded. It is nice and small folded and suitable from birth.

[SnozzberryPie]

I have a baby jogger vue which fills most of your criteria except I'm not sure about the car seat

[FlossieTreadlight]

The BJCM gt does take a buggy board - would highly recommend it

[rootypig]

Vista is huge for London. I wanted one very badly, but reluctantly let go of the idea, and was very, very glad.

[rootypig]

Buy a second hand Bee. I wasn't sure, bought one a year old, like new, for £250 (from gumtree). Two and a half years later it's been to about ten countries, done thousands of miles - seriously! - and is still going strong. We have never needed another pushchair.

We were in London for the first year, and it was a godsend on buses and to go up and down steps. So light, and the small frame meant I could carry it with DC in it, no problem (and I am short and not very strong).

This is almost risk free because 1. Bugaboos hold their value, so you could sell on for what you paid for it two months down the line 2. Bugaboo sells parts for really reasonable prices, and you can repair everything yourself (we've just needed new handle locks, because DH crucifies them ) so the warranty is less relevant.

[fairgroundsnack]

I have a second hand original model bee and I love it. Pushing with one hand is the best I have ever tried. Doesn't fold that small though.

[BananaPie]

The mosey looks great, anyone know if a buggy board fits?

[Ihateparties]

The vista is bigger than the my 3 and not a 1 piece fold.

What about a bargain easywalker mini? Or a mosey? Also fitting criteria is the versa, armadillo flip, oyster/ouster2... I'm drawing a blank but there are a few more.

I had a bjcmgt with a board for a bit, it does work but not all that well imo and difficult/impossible to recline the seat with a child on the board.

I've never had a bee so can't really comment on that one apart from to say on paper it fits your brief and there is a reason london is full of them.

[BananaPie]

Uppababy vista does look quite good too, thanks. A bit heavier than I wanted, but otherwise seems to tick the boxes. Pricey though and seems to only come with the carrycot which I don't need.

[redcaryellowcar]

Have a look at uppababy vista?

[PrimalLass]

I don't care what anyone says about consumerism. I had a second-hand Bugaboo frog and it was fantastic and worth every penny.

[BananaPie]

Hmm, opinion seems to be split! Would be using mostly in London / suburbs, with lots of walking, and steps at our nearest station.

Probably is consumerism gone mad. I'm not terribly into brands, but struggling to find anything else that ticks all the boxes. I'm sure I could survive with what I've got already if necessary!

[Alexandpea]

I have the Bee+ (I think there's a newer one out) and love it.

It's great for hopping on and off buses, light and it folds small. You can take the seat out to make it even smaller when folded if needed. The shopping basket is quite spacious.

We also have a Maclaren but much prefer the Bee. I have used it mainly in London but also on the odd country walk and it has survived.

Only downside is that DS could wriggle out of arm straps at 12 months and we haven't been able to use them since. Otherwise I highly recommend.

[TarkaTheOtter]

I have a bee (the original one bought secondhand) and it does all those things you want. It isn't that small when folded but will be significantly smaller than your my3 and definitely folds in one piece.
I wouldn't recommend the bugaboo buggy board as it sticks out so much you have to stand to one side. I use a lascal maxi which works well.
I have used two secondhand bugaboos now, both over 5 years old when I got them and both still work like new and incredibly easy to push. I think they are built to last and would definitely suggest you get a 2nd hand one if you don't want to splurge.