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...

[Imperialleather2]

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

[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.

[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

[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!

[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.

[OurGlass]

The bee is faultless.

[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.

[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!

[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

[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